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Published in the National Journal expert blog on health care, November 17, 2008 People purchasing health insurance in the individual market face double-jeopardy: Unless they are eligible for the self-employment tax deduction, they must pay for coverage with after-tax dollars, and they also face the full plethora of state insurance mandates and regulations. Despite these encumbrances, the … [Read more...] about Improving the Individual Health Insurance Market

When Pennsylvania and later Iowa -- two key battleground states -- turned blue on the maps on election night, the race was over. While other Western swing states eventually turned blue as well, it was clear the presidential election had been decided in the Rust Belt. Too many people in these Midwestern states are being left behind in the competitive global economy. They have solid work ethics, … [Read more...] about A New Path to Prosperity

Political and policy leaders in the U.S. see a new system of “comparative effectiveness reviews” as a solution to many of our problems in the health sector. This is coming, so we need to pay attention. We invited a leading European authority to conduct a seminar yesterday for our colleagues in the policy community to give us an overview. The idea is that a government-commissioned … [Read more...] about Compare and Decide

Washington is not waiting for the November 4 election results to begin planning its health reform agenda for next year. The Washington Times reports today that Sen. Ted Kennedy is taking a leading role: From his sickbed, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has secretly been orchestrating meetings with lobbyists and lawmakers from both parties to craft legislation that would greet the new president with … [Read more...] about Thinking Toward 2009

Politics and complex policy are a dangerous mix, as we see in the presidential election campaign debate over health care. "Sen. McCain, for the first time, is going to be taxing the health care benefits that you have from your employer," Sen. Obama said during Wednesday's debate. "For the first time in history, you will be taxing people's health care benefits." The … [Read more...] about Politics and Policy

Health care hit the first tier in the presidential election campaigns this week, with charges and counter-charges flying on the campaign trail and in the media. The stack of new papers and articles on my desk out just this week on the health reform debate is an inch thick. Here are some highlights of reports that offer actual facts and new insights:   Galen Institute: Amy Menefee and I … [Read more...] about Health Care Week

Click here for the pdf. Your Health, Your Vote Choosing between McCain and Obama means choosing who will make your health care decisions. Here’s a guide for the patient and consumer. In 1994, Harry and Louise portrayed a couple concerned about the changes that the sweeping health reform proposals offered by then-President Clinton would mean for their health care and health … [Read more...] about Your Health, Your Vote

Click here for the pdf. Your Health, Your Vote Choosing between McCain and Obama means choosing who will make your health care decisions. Here’s a guide for the patient and consumer. In 1994, Harry and Louise portrayed a couple concerned about the changes that the sweeping health reform proposals offered by then-President Clinton would mean for their health care and health insurance.  The … [Read more...] about Your Health, Your Vote