Health care clearly has become a top-tier issue, with governors, presidential candidates, business and labor coalitions, and now President Bush all offering dramatic new proposals for reform. Mr. Bush has taken a different approach than most of the others. Instead of new mandates and expanding public programs to achieve universal coverage, he would start by creating new incentives for … [Read more...] about A New Conversation about Health Reform
Response to President Bush's Bold Health Reform Proposal
The president's proposal, announced in Tuesday's State of the Union Address, is a win-win-win-win: It is a win for the uninsured because it offers millions more Americans the chance to buy health insurance with the tax savings they will receive from this generous new standard deduction. Taxpayers win because 80 percent of them will receive a tax cut when they take the new … [Read more...] about Response to President Bush's Bold Health Reform Proposal
Responding to Kathy Kristof
In Kathy Kristof's campaign to eliminate subsidies to Medicare Advantage, she would disproportionately harm millions of low-income seniors ("Tough Rx: possible ways to fix Medicare" June 24). MA plans offer more comprehensive benefits than traditional Medicare, and studies show these plans are an especially important option for low-income and minority seniors. These seniors … [Read more...] about Responding to Kathy Kristof
Moving Forward on Medicaid
By Grace-Marie TurnerCongress will try to take a few small but crucial steps toward reforming the out-of-control Medicaid program when it reconvenes to finish work on the budget reconciliation package. But even though the proposed Medicaid changes are modest, they have provoked heated battles on Capitol Hill. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Republicans are launching an attack … [Read more...] about Moving Forward on Medicaid
The Single-Payer Remedy Is Worse Than the Disease
No one denies that America's health sector faces problems. Costs continue to rise, and 45 million people lack insurance. Even worse, many politicians think they've discovered the cure in a single-payer system. But that remedy would be worse than the disease. The government-dominated health systems of Europe and Canada are struggling with serious cost pressures, inefficient bureaucracies, … [Read more...] about The Single-Payer Remedy Is Worse Than the Disease
Universal-Coverage Systems Aren't as Good as Moore Says
By Grace-Marie TurnerAmerica's health care woes all could be solved with a government-run universal-coverage system. Or so says Michael Moore in his new film, "Sicko," which claims that even Cuba's health care system is superior to ours. Although it's easy to dismiss Moore as a radical propagandist, his message is gaining traction in the policy community. The Commonwealth … [Read more...] about Universal-Coverage Systems Aren't as Good as Moore Says
Is Your Medicare Drug Plan Naughty or Nice?
The holidays are here again. That means it’s time for decorations, gifts, family, friends, and food. But during the celebrations, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D should carve out some time to consider how their current prescription drug plan is working. At the end of each year, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, Medicare provides seniors with an open enrollment period and an opportunity … [Read more...] about Is Your Medicare Drug Plan Naughty or Nice?
Socialized Medicine Elsewhere Shows Why It Is a Failure
By Grace-Marie TurnerBritain’s system of socialized medicine is enough to make your teeth hurt – literally.Its citizens rely upon the government-run National Health Service that is designed to provide free access to every medical service, including dental care. But like all socialized medicine schemes, it has produced long lines, a shortage of medical professionals, and shoddy … [Read more...] about Socialized Medicine Elsewhere Shows Why It Is a Failure