The Department of Health and Human Services already has gone through one name change in its 58-year-old history, switching to HHS in 1980 from its original name, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.Now it's time to rename it again to something that more accurately fits its current mission - something, perhaps, like the Department of Catering to Special Interests.That's a logical … [Read more...] about White House waivers make a splash
States need tools to stem Medicaid’s red ink
States are desperate to find savings to get their budgets in balance. Medicaid spending has nearly doubled over the last decade, and for many it consumes the first or second biggest share of state expenditures, threatening education, public safety, and transportation programs.Decades of expansion of what is now the largest single health program in the country are finally catching up. Former … [Read more...] about States need tools to stem Medicaid’s red ink
Obamacare repeal means waivers for everybody
Can't we all just get a waiver from Obamacare? Unfortunately not, but the list of people applying is getting longer by the day.There are now 1,372 companies, labor unions and states that have applied for and been granted waivers from an early provision of the law that says health policies must provide at least $750,000 a year in insurance protection.In the latest batch of waivers, one in five went … [Read more...] about Obamacare repeal means waivers for everybody
Medicare, Individual Mandate Stir Debate
What a week! Medicare is speeding toward insolvency five years faster than the Trustees reported just a year ago, and the program is now facing $38 trillion in red ink. Chief Medicare Actuary Richard S. Foster said in a supplementary report that under current law Medicare is on track to pay providers less than Medicaid does, and this would lead to "severe problems with beneficiary access to … [Read more...] about Medicare, Individual Mandate Stir Debate
Sweeping Overhaul Will Save Medicare
The escalating political debate about the future of Medicare reveals a fear of change coupled with the growing recognition that change is essential to sustain the program for the future.Medicare is facing $38 trillion in red ink. The recent Medicare Trustees report showed the program is careening toward bankruptcy and will run out of money in 2024 - five years faster than the trustees predicted … [Read more...] about Sweeping Overhaul Will Save Medicare
Mitt's Missed Opportunity
Former governor Mitt Romney hoped his major speech in Ann Arbor on Thursday would let him move on from persistent questions about health care, but judging from reports, blogs, editorials, and a National Review Online poll, it's clear he has much more to do: By a margin of more than seven to one, NRO readers said they thought the speech hurt him. It's hard to hate ObamaCare and love RomneyCare. … [Read more...] about Mitt's Missed Opportunity
Missed Hit by Mitt
Former governor Mitt Romney may very well have hoped he could put health care behind him with his major speech in Ann Arbor, but judging from the results so far of the National Review Online poll, it’s clear he still has a lot of work to do: By a margin of about seven to one, readers said they thought the speech hurt him.It’s hard to hate Obamacare and love Romneycare. For example, Romney … [Read more...] about Missed Hit by Mitt
Stalling the Engine of Economic Recovery
As America struggles to get people back to work after the deep recession, the best strategy is to focus on unleashing those industries most primed to create high-quality jobs, to innovate, and to strengthen our manufacturing sector so we can boost exports. President Obama apparently disagrees. The pharmaceutical industry fits the description of an industry ready to contribute to U.S. recovery, yet … [Read more...] about Stalling the Engine of Economic Recovery