The Medicaid Commission on Thursday voted on six recommendations to save $10 billion over the next five years in federal Medicaid spending. Some changes involve the intricacies of Medicaid pricing formulas and others set out new incentives that plant the seeds for bigger changes to come. Former Govs. Don Sundquist and Angus King, chair and co-chair of the panel, created a chairman's mark which was … [Read more...] about Saving $10 Billion
Setting Garamendi Straight
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi grabbed the spotlight this week by blasting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in his latest report ?Priced Out. Health Care in California? while stressing his demand for a universal, government-run health care system. But his accusations against consumer-directed health care (CDHC) products are not backed by actual experience of people in the plans. Some … [Read more...] about Setting Garamendi Straight
Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive
As more Americans move into consumer-directed health plans, more and more studies are being produced that report on early experience with these plans. We have released a paper that summarizes some of the newest studies of these products, including Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which offer new incentives for consumers to help manage their health care and … [Read more...] about Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive
Medical Debt
You would never know that positive changes are taking place in the health sector from the Commonwealth Fund's newest paper, "Americans Driven into Debt by Medical Bills," released yesterday. It says an estimated 77 million adults "have difficulty paying medical bills, have accrued medical debt, or both." But nowhere does the study attempt to quantify the level of difficulty in paying the bills or … [Read more...] about Medical Debt
Setting Garamendi Straight
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi grabbed the spotlight this week by blasting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in his latest report ?Priced Out. Health Care in California? while stressing his demand for a universal, government-run health care system. But his accusations against consumer-directed health care (CDHC) products are not backed by actual experience of people in the plans. Some … [Read more...] about Setting Garamendi Straight
Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive
As more Americans move into consumer-directed health plans, more and more studies are being produced that report on early experience with these plans. We have released a paper that summarizes some of the newest studies of these products, including Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which offer new incentives for consumers to help manage their health care and … [Read more...] about Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive
California Dreamin'
California grabbed the spotlight this week with a report by the state's insurance commissioner, John Garamendi, blasting Health Savings Accounts and consumer-directed care and stressing his demand for a universal, government-run health care system. But he has a small problem with actual facts: Consumer directed plans "put the entire health system at risk" because they attract the young and … [Read more...] about California Dreamin'
Health Care Week
The Congress took a few more small steps toward health reform this week: Both the House and Senate have passed identical bills creating a voluntary system for reporting medical errors with new protections from lawsuits. Sen. Frist says medical mistakes are the "eighth leading cause of deaths each year -- more than car accidents, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS." This could give analysts a wealth of … [Read more...] about Health Care Week