Well, it certainly is a new ball game. While the elections were not a referendum on health care, health care nonetheless is likely to take center stage in the new Democrat-controlled Congress, and we'll be dealing with new people, different issues, and a new playbook. New people: Committee chairmen have a huge impact in deciding what issues to showcase, who to feature at committee hearings, and … [Read more...] about Health Care and the New Congress
Health Savings Accounts: A Research Guide
Galen Institute, "Consumerism in Health Care: Early evidence is positive." www.galen.org/ccbdocs.asp?docID=823 Galen Institute, "Health Savings Accounts: A survey of the literature."www.galen.org/ccbdocs.asp?docID=862 Health Affairs studies on "Cost and Quality: Consumer-Directed Health … [Read more...] about Health Savings Accounts: A Research Guide
Health Savings Accounts: A Research Guide
Galen Institute, "Consumerism in Health Care: Early evidence is positive." www.galen.org/ccbdocs.asp?docID=823 Galen Institute, "Health Savings Accounts: A survey of the literature."www.galen.org/ccbdocs.asp?docID=862 Health Affairs studies on "Cost and Quality: Consumer-Directed Health … [Read more...] about Health Savings Accounts: A Research Guide
Pro-Con
For a change of pace, Health Policy Matters this week features a "pro-con" exchange on the new Medicare drug benefit between Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and me. The paired articles were published over the last several days in newspapers around the country, including The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer, and Sunday Gazette-Mail. The contrast in our views could not be more … [Read more...] about Pro-Con
Massachusetts Health Plan is No Model for Other States
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been hailed for achieving what no other political leader has been able to accomplish: Enacting a broad health reform plan with strong bi-partisan support. But the details show this is not a Massachusetts miracle, and others should certainly proceed with caution before following the Bay State?s lead. Massachusetts is seeking to be the first state in the nation … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Health Plan is No Model for Other States
Massachusetts Health Plan is No Model for Other States
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been hailed for achieving what no other political leader has been able to accomplish: Enacting a broad health reform plan with strong bi-partisan support. But the details show this is not a Massachusetts miracle, and others should certainly proceed with caution before following the Bay State?s lead. Massachusetts is seeking to be the first state in the … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Health Plan is No Model for Other States
Media Spin
The latest outpouring of studies about consumerism in the health sector comes this week from Health Affairs and EBRI (the Employee Benefit Research Institute). The problem this time is not so much with the studies, but with the media spin. The Washington Post, for example, led its report on the Health Affairs study saying, ?A new kind of health plan being offered by a growing number of employers … [Read more...] about Media Spin
Serious Talk
Is there any reason to take talk of a single-payer, government-run health system seriously in the United States? Yes! The California legislature passed a single-payer bill this fall, which was blessedly vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. And many states, including Massachusetts and Vermont, are imposing much more centralized control over their health systems. That's just how Canada adopted its … [Read more...] about Serious Talk