Regarding "Medicare drug plan not seen cheerfully" (news story, Jan. 5): Clearly, many seniors -- and even pharmacists -- are confused about the new Medicare drug benefit. But it's worth remembering that when Medicare itself was first passed in 1965, seniors were completely flummoxed. Social Security offices were swamped with questions. Patients and doctors didn't understand the … [Read more...] about Medicare has History of Confusion
Medicare has History of Confusion
Regarding "Medicare drug plan not seen cheerfully" (news story, Jan. 5): Clearly, many seniors -- and even pharmacists -- are confused about the new Medicare drug benefit. But it's worth remembering that when Medicare itself was first passed in 1965, seniors were completely flummoxed. Social Security offices were swamped with questions. Patients and doctors didn't understand the … [Read more...] about Medicare has History of Confusion
2006 Agenda
The White House clearly will be focusing on health care as a top-tier domestic policy issue in 2006. President Bush's economic adviser, Allan Hubbard, previewed for reporters this week some of the initiatives the president will unveil in his State of the Union address on January 31. Health Savings Accounts will continue to be a top priority, likely allowing larger tax-free deposits and expanding … [Read more...] about 2006 Agenda
High on the Drug Benefit
The AARP started the New Year with a big surprise, issuing a study that concluded the new Medicare drug benefit provides a better deal for most seniors than importing drugs from Canada, which the organization has long supported. "How is this possible? Everybody knows that Canadian drug prices are usually far lower than American ones," the AARP Bulletin asks. "That remains true. But Medicare drug … [Read more...] about High on the Drug Benefit
Europe's Ailing Drug Industry
What happened to Europe's vibrant drug industry? Just a decade ago, more than two-thirds of all drug research was conducted in Europe. Now, 60% is conducted in the United States. Major European drug makers such as Aventis, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline have shifted significant portions of their research operations from the Continent to the U.S. and beyond. And human talent continues to … [Read more...] about Europe's Ailing Drug Industry
Europe’s Ailing Drug Industry
What happened to Europe's vibrant drug industry? Just a decade ago, more than two-thirds of all drug research was conducted in Europe. Now, 60% is conducted in the United States. Major European drug makers such as Aventis, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline have shifted significant portions of their research operations from the Continent to the U.S. and beyond. And human talent continues to … [Read more...] about Europe’s Ailing Drug Industry
Year-End Thoughts
As the year comes to a close, we clearly see progress toward greater freedom in the health sector - not in leaps but in small steps. As we have learned all too well, health care is far too important for people to tolerate bold change. The best way to make progress is through new incentives that allow people to choose change gradually rather than to have it forced upon them all at once. A good … [Read more...] about Year-End Thoughts
Interpreting Surveys
Critics have taken another hit at consumer-directed health care with a new survey by The Commonwealth Fund and the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). The survey reports that "individuals with more comprehensive health insurance were more satisfied with their health plan than individuals in high deductible plans" and that people with consumer-directed plans spent more out of pocket and … [Read more...] about Interpreting Surveys