Mark McClellan, a member of the president's Council of Economic Advisers and White House health policy guru, was armed on Wednesday with new studies and data to turn back criticism from Sen. Ted Kennedy and other Democrats on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about the president's plan to expand access to health insurance through refundable tax credits. The central theme … [Read more...] about Taking Charge
Painful John Q
Congress Punts
After months of political battles over how to help displaced workers get or keep health coverage, Congress has decided to punt. The House passed a scaled-back economic stimulus bill yesterday that included neither Medicaid expansion (thank Heavens) nor tax credits for health insurance (the better option). The Senate is expected to vote as early as today on the bill, which extends unemployment … [Read more...] about Congress Punts
Painful John Q
Congress Punts
After months of political battles over how to help displaced workers get or keep health coverage, Congress has decided to punt. The House passed a scaled-back economic stimulus bill yesterday that included neither Medicaid expansion (thank Heavens) nor tax credits for health insurance (the better option). The Senate is expected to vote as early as today on the bill, which extends unemployment … [Read more...] about Congress Punts
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Rollover: More Imperative Now Than Ever
In an ongoing effort by the Bush administration to implement a rollover component for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the FY2003 budget includes $441 million for such a rollover beginning in 2004 and another $23 million for an expansion of options. FSA rollover, as the policy initiative is called, would give health care consumers more options and provide a cost-containment incentive for health … [Read more...] about Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Rollover: More Imperative Now Than Ever
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Rollover: More Imperative Now Than Ever
In an ongoing effort by the Bush administration to implement a rollover component for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the FY2003 budget includes $441 million for such a rollover beginning in 2004 and another $23 million for an expansion of options. FSA rollover, as the policy initiative is called, would give health care consumers more options and provide a cost-containment incentive for health … [Read more...] about Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Rollover: More Imperative Now Than Ever
Patients' Rights Bill Would Not Cure Ills of US Health Care System
The right hand of Congress clearly doesn't know what the left hand is doing. In one room, congressional committees are holding hearings on the plight of 38 million uninsured Americans and how to help them get health coverage. But in the back rooms, negotiations continue on a Patients' Bill of Rights that even supporters acknowledge will drive up health care costs and increase the number of … [Read more...] about Patients' Rights Bill Would Not Cure Ills of US Health Care System