For three years, an incredibly nerdy—but consequential—debate has raged among health policy researchers regarding Medicaid, America’s government-run health-care program for the poor. Piles of studies have shown that people on Medicaid have health outcomes that are no better, and often worse, than those with no insurance at all. But supporters of Obamacare were cheered in 2011 when a lone study, … [Read more...] about Avik Roy: Oregon Study: Medicaid ‘Had No Significant Effect’ On Health Outcomes vs. Being Uninsured
Why States Should Not Expand Medicaid
By Grace-Marie Turner and Avik Roy States are being strongly pressured to expand Medicaid to families earning up to $30,000 a year, as the Affordable Care Act allows. While several high-profile governors have agreed to expand this broken program, many others governors and state legislators are cautious. They are correct to be concerned. They don’t want to deny people access to health care. … [Read more...] about Why States Should Not Expand Medicaid
Grace-Marie Turner on Radio America: Baucus to Blame for ‘Train Wreck’
Grace-Marie Turner talks with Greg Corombos about the Obamacare legacy of Max Baucus and the implementation nightmare still to come. Listen to the podcast... … [Read more...] about Grace-Marie Turner on Radio America: Baucus to Blame for ‘Train Wreck’
Would Congress have the nerve to exempt itself from ObamaCare?
A brouhaha has erupted over a Politico news story entitled, “Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption.” “Congressional leaders in both parties are engaged in high-level, confidential talks about exempting lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides from the insurance exchanges they are mandated to join as part of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, sources in both parties said,” the article … [Read more...] about Would Congress have the nerve to exempt itself from ObamaCare?
W.’s Legacy
In his first term, President Bush and congressional leaders knew there was a strong political imperative to add a prescription-drug benefit to Medicare, and they enacted the Medicare Modernization Act with a squeaker of a vote in November 2003. The law continues to draw criticism from conservatives for adding a $400 billion drug benefit to Medicare. But because the benefit was created by … [Read more...] about W.’s Legacy
On PCIP, A Misfire from the Circular Firing Squad
An early Obamacare program already is running out of money, and the president has decided to close it to new enrollment, leaving out tens of thousands of people who were expecting help. The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on legislation that would extend this safety net, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program, and it would do so with money from an Obamacare ”slush … [Read more...] about On PCIP, A Misfire from the Circular Firing Squad
Florida Speaker Offers Alternative to Medicaid Expansion
Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford continues to oppose Medicaid expansion, but, like almost every state official, is under intense pressure to offer an alternative proposal. He announced a plan yesterday that would use state funds to expand coverage, tailor benefits to different patient groups, and give people the option of a Healthy Indiana-type health spending account. An estimated 115,000 … [Read more...] about Florida Speaker Offers Alternative to Medicaid Expansion
A Temporary Insurance Program Foretells Exploding Obamacare Costs
An early ObamaCare health insurance program that has been operating for nearly three years is foreshadowing big problems to come with the larger health overhaul law. The law allocated $5 billion for a program to help uninsured people with pre-existing conditions get insurance. It was designed to provide temporary bridge coverage until the health law takes full effect in 2014. But this … [Read more...] about A Temporary Insurance Program Foretells Exploding Obamacare Costs