Congressional leaders are arguing over whether they'll get a comprehensive health reform bill passed this year or next. But, in fact, major health reform is speeding through Congress in two bills that are on the fast track to enactment -- SCHIP and the economic stimulus bill. Expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to children in families well into middle-income ranges … [Read more...] about Stealth Reform
Archives for January 2009
A Profile of the Health Sector in the United States
The health care sector in the United States is unique among developed countries,and it is necessarily diverse to respond to the very different needs and demands of a country with 300 million people. It is a mix of public and private sector programs. But the health sector in the United States is often criticized, both at home and abroad, for the high number of people without insurance because we do … [Read more...] about A Profile of the Health Sector in the United States
A Profile of the Health Sector in the United States
The health care sector in the United States is unique among developed countries,and it is necessarily diverse to respond to the very different needs and demands of a country with 300 million people. It is a mix of public and private sector programs. But the health sector in the United States is often criticized, both at home and abroad, for the high number of people without insurance because we do … [Read more...] about A Profile of the Health Sector in the United States
Leaping Into Reform
Congress is progressing toward major health reform in just the first few weeks of this year, but cracks in support already are starting to show. The Senate is expected to debate a significant expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program next week, with passage virtually assured. It would pour tens of billions more into the program and allow states to expand publicly-funded … [Read more...] about Leaping Into Reform
SCHIP, Again
Highlights SCHIP The year ahead Kudos! As expected, the House rushed to pass a bill on Wednesday to continue funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. At 285 pages, you can be sure it delivers a lot more than money. One example: The bill changes the rules of the game, making it much easier for states like New York to put children from families making up to $84,800 a … [Read more...] about SCHIP, Again
The Value of Innovation in Health Care
Executive Summary During much of this decade, the climate in the health sector has been largely favorable to market-based policies, supporting innovation, competition, market pricing, and consumer choice. But the United States is at a crossroads in the policy debate where most of the proposals being offered by political leaders in Washington would exert much more government control over our … [Read more...] about The Value of Innovation in Health Care
The Value of Innovation in Health Care
Executive Summary During much of this decade, the climate in the health sector has been largely favorable to market-based policies, supporting innovation, competition, market pricing, and consumer choice. But the United States is at a crossroads in the policy debate where most of the proposals being offered by political leaders in Washington would exert much more government control over our … [Read more...] about The Value of Innovation in Health Care
A Dubious 'Fix' for U.S. Health Care
Published in the New York Post, January 12, 2009President-elect Barack Obama argued on the campaign trail that the US status quo in health care is untenable, citing the 46 million people who don't have health insurance at any time as evidence. Like many others, he seems to believe the government should play a larger role.Yet the United States already has an extensive system of … [Read more...] about A Dubious 'Fix' for U.S. Health Care