Massachusetts was a leader in expanding Medicaid enrollment under ObamaCare, and now nearly one-third of its residents are on the program meant to provide health coverage to low-income Americans. Now Massachusetts is complaining it can’t afford the cost. The Bay State is seeking approval from Washington for a waiver that would allow it to trim its Medicaid rolls, limit access to some services, … [Read more...] about Massachusetts’ Not-So-NICE Waiver Idea
State Issues
House Repeal and Replace Bill Contains Important Conservative Reforms
Voting against “repeal” could be the death knell for Republicans in 2018 The American Health Care Act is taking fire from all sides, not the least from the circular firing squad conservatives have formed, threatening passage of the only piece of repeal and replace legislation that House leaders say will be presented to members for a vote this year. President Trump has made it clear to Congress … [Read more...] about House Repeal and Replace Bill Contains Important Conservative Reforms
California’s Illegal Medicaid Tax
California politicians and interest groups have been working overtime to figure out a way to fix an illegal Medicaid provider tax—the subject of my recent Mercatus Center study. These taxes are problematic because they are generally accompanied with the guarantee of increased Medicaid payments to the providers paying the tax—payments largely financed with federal matching funds. As a result, … [Read more...] about California’s Illegal Medicaid Tax
The pros and cons of selling health insurance across state lines
Obamacare has not done much to slow the growth of health care costs. Government actuaries project that health spending will grow 5.8% a year over the next decade — substantially faster than growth in the economy. Could Republican proposals to sell health insurance across state lines bend the cost curve and make premiums more affordable? The idea seems simple enough. Right now, if you are buying … [Read more...] about The pros and cons of selling health insurance across state lines
Selling Health Insurance Across State Lines––A Really Dumb Idea
Any candidate that suggests such a scheme only shows how unsophisticated he and his advisers are when it comes to understanding how the insurance markets really work––or could work. I gave a speech to 750 health insurance brokers and consultants in DC last week. When selling health insurance across state lines, something Trump and a number of other Republican presidential candidates have … [Read more...] about Selling Health Insurance Across State Lines––A Really Dumb Idea
Are Certificate-of-Need Laws Barriers to Entry? How They Affect Access to MRI, CT, and PET Scans
Abstract Certificate of need (CON) laws in 21 states restrict acquisition of imaging equipment, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. We compare the effect of CON regulations for imaging services provided by hospitals and other providers to determine whether CON laws affect use of imaging services across provider types. … [Read more...] about Are Certificate-of-Need Laws Barriers to Entry? How They Affect Access to MRI, CT, and PET Scans
Proposed IRS Rule Would Place Undue Burden on Nonprofits, Discourage Donations
The Galen Institute has submitted comments about a proposed Internal Revenue Service regulation that would give nonprofits the option of asking donors for their Social Security numbers to substantiate donations of more than $250. We strongly oppose this rule that would provide a “voluntary” path to collect and report not only the Social Security numbers but also the names, addresses, and other … [Read more...] about Proposed IRS Rule Would Place Undue Burden on Nonprofits, Discourage Donations
Letter to Congress Re: Co-Ops
Joel C. White, president of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, and Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute, have written to members of Congress seeking oversight of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (co-op) program. All but one of the 22 co-ops created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have produced negative net income, despite $2.4 billion in … [Read more...] about Letter to Congress Re: Co-Ops