Tax credits are on the front burner again, with two new bills introduced this week. One by Rep. Ernie Fletcher (R-KY) offers $1,000 to individuals and $2,000 to families with incomes up to $35,000 to buy their own health policies or to use toward their costs of a job-based plan. The Fletcher bill (H.R. 4170), supported by the Employment Roundtable, provides a 100% tax deduction for health … [Read more...] about Don’t Give In
Cost, Cost, Cost
Everywhere you turn, there are new accounts of health costs spiraling out of control. Premiums for state workers in California will jump a whopping 25% next year, and some businesses are seeing premiums jump 75% or more. Medicaid costs are soaring and causing serious budget problems in every state, and Medicare spending is expected to rise by 9% this year. What on earth is going on and what can … [Read more...] about Cost, Cost, Cost
Cost, Cost, Cost
Everywhere you turn, there are new accounts of health costs spiraling out of control. Premiums for state workers in California will jump a whopping 25% next year, and some businesses are seeing premiums jump 75% or more. Medicaid costs are soaring and causing serious budget problems in every state, and Medicare spending is expected to rise by 9% this year. What on earth is going on and what … [Read more...] about Cost, Cost, Cost
Individual Insurance: How Much Financial Protection Does It Provide
Individual Insurance: How Much Financial Protection Does It Provide
Promoting Federalism
I am writing this from "the most historic square mile in America," a few blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. The occasion is the 25th annual Resource Bank meeting, sponsored by The Heritage Foundation and attended by more than 400 leaders of state and regional think tanks. These brave souls include Larry Reed, president of the established and highly influential … [Read more...] about Promoting Federalism
Promoting Federalism
I am writing this from "the most historic square mile in America," a few blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. The occasion is the 25th annual Resource Bank meeting, sponsored by The Heritage Foundation and attended by more than 400 leaders of state and regional think tanks. These brave souls include Larry Reed, president of the established and highly influential … [Read more...] about Promoting Federalism
Prospects
Senior Capitol Hill staff members outlined prospects for passage of a Medicare prescription drug benefit this year during a Commonwealth Fund conference Wednesday on "Options and Possibilities." Julie James of Health Policy Alternatives gave an excellent overview of drug coverage options, from competing private plans (Thomas, Breaux/Frist), to a drug benefit add-on for existing Medicare (Daschle, … [Read more...] about Prospects