IN THIS ISSUE: ? Nothing But HSAs HSA TSUNAMI The new Health Savings Accounts (HSA) provision included in the Medicare bill just passed the Senate 54-44 and soon will be signed by the President. The new law will go into effect January 1, 2004. All 250 million non-elderly Americans will now have access to a Medical Savings Account, and one that is far more attractive than the Archer … [Read more...] about Nothing But HSAs
Experts Weigh In: Medicare Agreement Is a Positive First Step
At a briefing last Friday on Capitol Hill, health policy experts said that the Medicare conference agreement is not perfect, but it provides a first step toward positive change. ?This is the best bill that could get through Congress at this time,? said Gail Wilensky, Ph.D., senior fellow at Project Hope and a former Medicare administrator. During today?s briefing, health policy scholar Joseph … [Read more...] about Experts Weigh In: Medicare Agreement Is a Positive First Step
Experts Weigh In: Medicare Agreement Is a Positive First Step
At a briefing last Friday on Capitol Hill, health policy experts said that the Medicare conference agreement is not perfect, but it provides a first step toward positive change. ?This is the best bill that could get through Congress at this time,? said Gail Wilensky, Ph.D., senior fellow at Project Hope and a former Medicare administrator. During today?s briefing, health policy scholar Joseph … [Read more...] about Experts Weigh In: Medicare Agreement Is a Positive First Step
A Dozen Plusses and Minuses of the Medicare Conference Agreement
The Medicare compromise agreement contains huge spending decisions that include serious flaws as well as important new initiatives. Here are some key plusses and minuses: + On the plus side is the temporary subsidy on the drug discount card that gives lower-income seniors up to $600 on their cards in 2004 and 2005. This is a defined contribution that gives seniors an incentive to get the best … [Read more...] about A Dozen Plusses and Minuses of the Medicare Conference Agreement
The Deal
Congressional negotiators have produced a compromise Medicare agreement that falls short of overall modernization of the program. But it does contain some important reforms that will set consumer-friendly initiatives in motion. I am convinced that negotiators have done everything they can to get as much reform as possible in this agreement. With so many conservatives on the fence, it seems … [Read more...] about The Deal
A Dozen Plusses and Minuses of the Medicare Conference Agreement
The Medicare compromise agreement contains huge spending decisions that include serious flaws as well as important new initiatives. Here are some key plusses and minuses: + On the plus side is the temporary subsidy on the drug discount card that gives lower-income seniors up to $600 on their cards in 2004 and 2005. This is a defined contribution that gives seniors an incentive to get the best … [Read more...] about A Dozen Plusses and Minuses of the Medicare Conference Agreement
HSAs in the Medicare Bill – Better Than Ever
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSAs in the Medicare Bill - Better Than Ever ? Highlights of the CDHCC Conference in Nashville ? Cash & Counseling Proves its Merits ? More Physicians Dropping Insurance for Cash HSAs in the Medicare Bill - Better Than Ever We haven't seen the Medicare language yet, and have to rely on summary descriptions from the conference committee. Grace-Marie Turner will write … [Read more...] about HSAs in the Medicare Bill – Better Than Ever
HSAs in the Medicare Bill – Better Than Ever
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSAs in the Medicare Bill - Better Than Ever ? Highlights of the CDHCC Conference in Nashville ? Cash & Counseling Proves its Merits ? More Physicians Dropping Insurance for Cash HSAs in the Medicare Bill - Better Than Ever We haven't seen the Medicare language yet, and have to rely on summary descriptions from the conference committee. Grace-Marie Turner … [Read more...] about HSAs in the Medicare Bill – Better Than Ever