Consumer-directed health plans have been useful in controlling the rise of health costs over the last several years, but the survival of these plans is threatened by the new health overhaul law. Mercer’s latest National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans found that major employers held total health benefit cost increases per employee to 5.5 percent in 2009 – the lowest … [Read more...] about Market-Based Reform Initiatives Are Key To Health Law Success
A Bad Omen on ObamaCare: Fears About Health Reform’s Costs Are Coming True
Shortly after President Obama signed the health overhaul law, several major corporations reported it would take a bite out of their future earnings. This group included AT&T, Caterpillar, John Deere, Verizon and several other large employers.Convinced these businesses were cooking their books to cast the new law in a bad light, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman … [Read more...] about A Bad Omen on ObamaCare: Fears About Health Reform’s Costs Are Coming True
Re-education Camp
What a bizarre week it has been, with oil still gushing into the Gulf, growing global political and economic instability, and virtually no private-sector jobs being created in our still-struggling economy. And the president spends yet another week talking about health reform?! Clearly, he knows this massively unpopular law is causing political trouble for Democrats or he wouldn't be trying so … [Read more...] about Re-education Camp
Consumerism in Europe
How extraordinary it was in London and Paris last week to hear broad agreement about the value of consumer choice, competition, portability, and the essential role that private providers play in health care in Europe. The world has turned upside down. I was in Paris to speak at the first pan-European conference focusing on the issue of private hospitals, organized by the European Union of … [Read more...] about Consumerism in Europe
Government Moves Into the Doctor's Office
President Obama is attempting to calm fears about his new health overhaul law, saying at a recent town hall meeting in Iowa that his plan "isn't a government takeover of our health care system" and if Americans "like their doctor, they'll be keeping their doctor."That remains to be seen. A growing number of physicians who have studied the new law believe it will lead to … [Read more...] about Government Moves Into the Doctor's Office
Government Moves Into the Doctor’s Office
President Obama is attempting to calm fears about his new health overhaul law, saying at a recent town hall meeting in Iowa that his plan "isn't a government takeover of our health care system" and if Americans "like their doctor, they'll be keeping their doctor."That remains to be seen. A growing number of physicians who have studied the new law believe it will lead to … [Read more...] about Government Moves Into the Doctor’s Office
Soaring Costs Break the Bank
Americans consistently said controlling health costs was their top priority for health reform. But Washington didn't listen, and independent experts now say the new health law actually will drive up the cost of health care and insurance premiums.Federal and state governments as well as businesses, consumers and taxpayers are finding they cannot afford this massive and unpopular health overhaul … [Read more...] about Soaring Costs Break the Bank
Soaring Costs Break the Bank
Americans consistently said controlling health costs was their top priority for health reform. But Washington didn't listen, and independent experts now say the new health law actually will drive up the cost of health care and insurance premiums.Federal and state governments as well as businesses, consumers and taxpayers are finding they cannot afford this massive and unpopular health overhaul … [Read more...] about Soaring Costs Break the Bank