Published in National Review Online: Critical Condition, July 30, 2009The Washington Post is aligning itself with anti-innovation liberals in arguing that Congress should shorten the time frame in which companies that develop new biologic drugs can recoup their investments. The Obama administration has favored a seven-year period in which the companies would have “market exclusivity,” … [Read more...] about Don’t Stifle Innovation
Archives for July 2009
Stalling Out
Highlights No vote Sleeper issue The bipartisan solution No public plan needed Welcome Featured Articles No vote. House leaders and the White House are working furiously to try to get a floor vote on health reform legislation before the August recess, but a rebellion inside the Democratic party and alarm bells from constituents are virtually certain to delay action until the fall. The … [Read more...] about Stalling Out
President Prescribes a Poison Pill
Published in National Review Online: Critical Condition, July 23, 2009In his prime-time speech disguised as a news conference, President Obama raised the bar for passage of health reform, continuing to insist that virtually all Americans be covered and that only the rich should pay more.Meanwhile, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman has cancelled Thursday’s scheduled mark-up … [Read more...] about President Prescribes a Poison Pill
Trying to Talk Around the Facts
Published in the New York Post , July 23, 2009President Obama seems to believe he can talk his way past the reality of how his sweeping health-reform plan would affect the lives of 300 million Americans.But alert citizens aren't buying the sales pitch, spelling trouble for enactment of his top legislative priority.In an effort to generate public support for quick passage of the bills now … [Read more...] about Trying to Talk Around the Facts
President Prescribes a Poison Pill
Published in National Review Online: Critical Condition, July 23, 2009In his prime-time speech disguised as a news conference, President Obama raised the bar for passage of health reform, continuing to insist that virtually all Americans be covered and that only the rich should pay more.Meanwhile, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman has cancelled Thursday’s scheduled mark-up … [Read more...] about President Prescribes a Poison Pill
Trying to Talk Around the Facts
Published in the New York Post , July 23, 2009President Obama seems to believe he can talk his way past the reality of how his sweeping health-reform plan would affect the lives of 300 million Americans.But alert citizens aren't buying the sales pitch, spelling trouble for enactment of his top legislative priority.In an effort to generate public support for quick passage of the bills now … [Read more...] about Trying to Talk Around the Facts
Rapid Fire
So much is happening that the news can't wait until our regular Friday issue of Health Policy Matters. Here is a special interim report with links below: The biggest news is the letter sent to Congress by 13 of the nation's leading health care delivery systems, including the Mayo Clinic. President Obama has traveled throughout the country extolling the virtues of these integrated care … [Read more...] about Rapid Fire
End the Subsidy for High-Cost Health Care
Published in The New York Times: Room for Debate, July 20, 2009The Congressional Budget Office has consistently said that, while health information technologies, prevention and disease management are worthwhile cost-cutting measures, the savings are miniscule in comparison to the overall price tag of health reform. And the huge tax increases on the rich that Congress is considering fall short in … [Read more...] about End the Subsidy for High-Cost Health Care