The Galen Institute, the Institute for Policy Innovation, and The Heritage Foundation held a briefing on Wednesday, October 18, on "European health care systems: problem or solution?" European health systems are often held up as models of universal, egalitarian, and cost-efficient health care that could and should be replicated in the United States. But what is the reality? Four health policy … [Read more...] about European Health Care Systems: Problem or Solution?
The Rest of the Story…
So there was more to the story: Last month, The Wall Street Journal carried a front page article about Russ Moore Transmission in Fort Wayne, Ind., and their new HSAs. The article highlighted manager Nick Bond's struggle to provide his employees with the information they needed to manage their new high-deductible insurance. Journal reporter Sarah Rubenstein wrote that Bond and his office manager … [Read more...] about The Rest of the Story…
European Health Care Systems: Problem or Solution?
The Galen Institute, the Institute for Policy Innovation, and The Heritage Foundation held a briefing on Wednesday, October 18, on "European health care systems: problem or solution?" European health systems are often held up as models of universal, egalitarian, and cost-efficient health care that could and should be replicated in the United States. But what is the reality? Four health policy … [Read more...] about European Health Care Systems: Problem or Solution?
The Linchpin
Cost is always the linchpin in any conversation over health policy. Several studies out this week show that cost increases are slowing, and that's a big reason why the political debate over health reform has cooled - for now. Three examples: Aetna released a study this week showing dramatic savings with consumer-directed plans. For example, companies that moved to Health Reimbursement … [Read more...] about The Linchpin
Success Stories
Health Savings Accounts dominated the news this week. Several reports: Two witnesses stood out during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Tuesday by telling their own HSA success stories: Utah businessman Joseph Knight said his small manufacturing company was facing a 49% premium increase for its health plan in 2005. Dropping insurance wasn't an option because one employee had a wife with … [Read more...] about Success Stories
Galen Response to Citizens' Health Care Working Group Recommendations
The Citizens' Health Care Working Group has offered a utopian wish list that fails to provide guidance for the hard policy and political decisions that must be addressed to make progress toward a more sensible, sound health care system. For example, the task force calls for a core benefits package and for guaranteed financial protection against very high health care costs, suggesting a … [Read more...] about Galen Response to Citizens' Health Care Working Group Recommendations
Galen Response to Citizens’ Health Care Working Group Recommendations
The Citizens' Health Care Working Group has offered a utopian wish list that fails to provide guidance for the hard policy and political decisions that must be addressed to make progress toward a more sensible, sound health care system. For example, the task force calls for a core benefits package and for guaranteed financial protection against very high health care costs, suggesting a … [Read more...] about Galen Response to Citizens’ Health Care Working Group Recommendations
A Lively Week
Good grief, the health beat is busy this week! Some short reports: Wal-Mart announced yesterday that it will soon offer a 30-day supply of nearly 300 generic medicines for just $4 each. Target quickly followed, and surely Walgreens and others will be close behind. Who says that competition doesn't work? Wal-Mart's program is starting in Tampa Bay and will include the entire state of Florida by … [Read more...] about A Lively Week