?and how much they stay the same. The health policy debates on both sides of the Atlantic are remarkably similar. There are entrenched forces determined to resist change and fight to the end for solidarity, even if it means the decline and decay of the very programs they are trying to protect. And there are new voices courting the transformative power of consumers and markets. This was the theme … [Read more...] about How Much Things Change?
Archives for October 2003
HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking ? Hawaii Looking at MSAs to Enhance Competition ? Wisconsin Reforms Blasted by Business Group ? Cost Insulation Raises Prices for All ? Spending Other People's Money - Priceless ? New Choices for Employees ? Small Employers Switch to CD Plans ? Anthem Merges With WellPoint HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking … [Read more...] about HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking ? Hawaii Looking at MSAs to Enhance Competition ? Wisconsin Reforms Blasted by Business Group ? Cost Insulation Raises Prices for All ? Spending Other People's Money - Priceless ? New Choices for Employees ? Small Employers Switch to CD Plans ? Anthem Merges With WellPoint HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and … [Read more...] about HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
Down to the Wire
Medicare conferees appear to have completed work on the specifics of a prescription drug benefit for Medicare that basically follows the House structure. And now the fun begins. Senate Democrats announced yesterday that the magic number of 41 senators ? enough to sustain a filibuster ? vowed to vote against any bill that eventually would draw Medicare into price competition with private health … [Read more...] about Down to the Wire
Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating
IN THIS ISSUE: ? Galen?s New Web Site ? Health Benefits Reform List Coming In-House ? Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating VENDOR CORNER ? John Alden/Fortis Health Offer Small Group HRAs ? GreatWest Healthcare Develops Shared Deductible ? Aetna and Humana Win School District Contracts ? BCBS of North Carolina Offers Defined Contribution ? AMS Offers High Deductible Individual … [Read more...] about Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating
Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating
IN THIS ISSUE: ? Galen?s New Web Site ? Health Benefits Reform List Coming In-House ? Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating VENDOR CORNER ? John Alden/Fortis Health Offer Small Group HRAs ? GreatWest Healthcare Develops Shared Deductible ? Aetna and Humana Win School District Contracts ? BCBS of North Carolina Offers Defined Contribution ? AMS Offers High Deductible … [Read more...] about Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating
Getting It Right
The bad news: Seniors learned this week that they will face their biggest Medicare premium increase in a decade ? to $66.60 a month, starting next year ? at the same time Medicare conference negotiators have plans to force higher income seniors to pay even bigger premiums. This is dangerous politics and backwards policy. The negotiators? goal is an admirable one ? to inject ?means testing? … [Read more...] about Getting It Right
Medicare Catastrophic?
Seniors soon will face their biggest Medicare premium increase in a decade ? to $66.60 a month, starting next year ? while some congressional leaders are hatching plans to force affluent seniors to pay even bigger premiums in the future. This is dangerous politics and backwards policy. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced in mid-October that Medicare premiums will rise … [Read more...] about Medicare Catastrophic?