The Congress took a few more small steps toward health reform this week: Both the House and Senate have passed identical bills creating a voluntary system for reporting medical errors with new protections from lawsuits. Sen. Frist says medical mistakes are the "eighth leading cause of deaths each year -- more than car accidents, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS." This could give analysts a wealth of … [Read more...] about Health Care Week
Archives for July 2005
Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals
The Galen Institute hosted a Congressional staff briefing on "Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals" on July 20, 2005. Six experts explored the arguments for and against the moratorium on specialty hospitals. Materials from the briefing include: The agenda. Senator Tom Coburn's bio. Regina Herzlinger's bio. Professor Herzlinger has prepared a paper, but it is still in draft … [Read more...] about Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals
Setting Priorities
The New York Times published a blockbuster series of articles this week, exposing the astonishing corruption in New York State's Medicaid program. Some highlights: A Brooklyn dentist -- who has since been indicted -- billed for 991 fillings, cleanings, and other dental procedures in one day in 2003, costing Medicaid a total of $63,967. Her total Medicaid take that year: $5.4 million. The state … [Read more...] about Setting Priorities
Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals
The Galen Institute hosted a Congressional staff briefing on "Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals" on July 20, 2005. Six experts explored the arguments for and against the moratorium on specialty hospitals. Materials from the briefing include: The agenda. Senator Tom Coburn's bio. Regina Herzlinger's bio. Professor Herzlinger has prepared a paper, but it is … [Read more...] about Weighing the Benefits of Specialty Hospitals
New Options
The Senate next week plans to debate federal funding for stem cell research. The science is evolving in a way that should make this controversy moot. One side argues that research on viable human embryos has the greatest medical potential and that destroying the embryo is a price worth paying. The other says that adult stem cells and umbilical cord cells already have demonstrated much more success … [Read more...] about New Options
Medicaid Commission
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced on Friday the members of the Medicaid advisory commission charged with identifying reforms necessary to stabilize and strengthen Medicaid. I am honored to have been among those selected to serve with so many distinguished health policy experts. "In Washington and state capitols across America, there is consensus that now is the time to reform and modernize … [Read more...] about Medicaid Commission