The American health insurance marketplace is being transformed by the move toward consumerism, with patients seeking more control over their health care spending and treatment options. This is precipitating many changes in the medical profession -- some welcome, some not. Increased consumerism can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, with patients working more actively with their … [Read more...] about Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
The American health insurance marketplace is being transformed by the move toward consumerism, with patients seeking more control over their health care spending and treatment options. This is precipitating many changes in the medical profession -- some welcome, some not. Increased consumerism can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, with patients working more actively with their … [Read more...] about Consumer Directed Health Care (CDHC) is Growing Rapidly in America
Priorities
It is incomprehensible that any terrorist attack could have been more destructive and devastating than Katrina and its aftermath of floods. Washington and the nation are horrified and furious over the death and destruction along the Gulf Coast, and, like 9/11, the first impulse is to figure out who is to blame. Mother Nature is not a very useful target so the political blaming was almost … [Read more...] about Priorities
Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker
To the editor: While Malcolm Gladwell is a gifted writer, reporter, and analyst, his most recent article, "The Moral-Hazard Myth," cites several questionable studies and examples: First, he writes "The leading cause of personal bankruptcies in the United States is unpaid medical bills." This was the conclusion of a flawed analysis by Harvard researcher … [Read more...] about Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker
Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker
To the editor: While Malcolm Gladwell is a gifted writer, reporter, and analyst, his most recent article, "The Moral-Hazard Myth," cites several questionable studies and examples: First, he writes "The leading cause of personal bankruptcies in the United States is unpaid medical bills." This was the conclusion of a flawed analysis by Harvard researcher … [Read more...] about Response to Malcolm Gladwell article in The New Yorker
Saving $10 Billion
The Medicaid Commission on Thursday voted on six recommendations to save $10 billion over the next five years in federal Medicaid spending. Some changes involve the intricacies of Medicaid pricing formulas and others set out new incentives that plant the seeds for bigger changes to come. Former Govs. Don Sundquist and Angus King, chair and co-chair of the panel, created a chairman's mark which was … [Read more...] about Saving $10 Billion
Setting Garamendi Straight
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi grabbed the spotlight this week by blasting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in his latest report ?Priced Out. Health Care in California? while stressing his demand for a universal, government-run health care system. But his accusations against consumer-directed health care (CDHC) products are not backed by actual experience of people in the plans. Some … [Read more...] about Setting Garamendi Straight
Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive
As more Americans move into consumer-directed health plans, more and more studies are being produced that report on early experience with these plans. We have released a paper that summarizes some of the newest studies of these products, including Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which offer new incentives for consumers to help manage their health care and … [Read more...] about Consumerism in Health Care: Early Evidence is Positive