The Senate still threatens to pass legislation that would allow imports of drugs from abroad to take advantage of other countries' price controls. But two recent conferences in Washington featuring European health care experts shed new light on the dangers. "Once you allow the importation of drugs from Europe, you allow the importation of drugs from everywhere," British security expert Graham … [Read more...] about A European Warning
Archives for September 2005
HSAs and the States: Lifting the Barriers
Since late 2003 when the federal government cleared the way for health savings accounts coupled with high-deductible health plans, the market for such plans has blossomed. Recent surveys and media reports show that more and more businesses are or soon will be offering health savings account (HSA) plans. While this is excellent news for health care consumers, there are still many state government … [Read more...] about HSAs and the States: Lifting the Barriers
HSAs and the States: Lifting the Barriers
Since late 2003 when the federal government cleared the way for health savings accounts coupled with high-deductible health plans, the market for such plans has blossomed. Recent surveys and media reports show that more and more businesses are or soon will be offering health savings account (HSA) plans. While this is excellent news for health care consumers, there are still many state government … [Read more...] about HSAs and the States: Lifting the Barriers
Spending Storm
Hurricane Katrina has created a spending storm on Capitol Hill, with intense battles over how to deliver aid that reflect basic differences in political philosophy. Traditionalists would increase spending on existing programs - which already is happening big time - but others would create new incentives by lowering taxes, getting government regulation out of the way, and empowering people to make … [Read more...] about Spending Storm
Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
The American health insurance marketplace is being transformed by the move toward consumerism, with patients seeking more control over their health care spending and treatment options. This is precipitating many changes in the medical profession -- some welcome, some not. Increased consumerism can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, with patients working more actively with their … [Read more...] about Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
The American health insurance marketplace is being transformed by the move toward consumerism, with patients seeking more control over their health care spending and treatment options. This is precipitating many changes in the medical profession -- some welcome, some not. Increased consumerism can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, with patients working more actively with their … [Read more...] about Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
Priorities
It is incomprehensible that any terrorist attack could have been more destructive and devastating than Katrina and its aftermath of floods. Washington and the nation are horrified and furious over the death and destruction along the Gulf Coast, and, like 9/11, the first impulse is to figure out who is to blame. Mother Nature is not a very useful target so the political blaming was almost … [Read more...] about Priorities
Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker
To the editor: While Malcolm Gladwell is a gifted writer, reporter, and analyst, his most recent article, "The Moral-Hazard Myth," cites several questionable studies and examples: First, he writes "The leading cause of personal bankruptcies in the United States is unpaid medical bills." This was the conclusion of a flawed analysis by Harvard researcher … [Read more...] about Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker