The Unresolved Question Of Medicaid Reimbursements
Over the next few weeks, as the House and Senate forge a compromise between their respective health care reform bills, most of the attention will be on the high-profile issues like abortion and taxes. But there are myriad other issues that, although less visible to the public, could go a long way towards determining the success of health care reform. High on this list is the seemingly technical question of what Medicaid pays primary care physicians.
The Senate Bill Saves Families Money
Analysis from MIT’s Jonathan Gruber shows under the Senate health overhaul bill, some families could save as much as $18,000 a year on health care costs.
In the health reform debate, there is widespread confusion over the definition of cost–a confusion that has been hanging over this debate for the last few months and is continuing to distort it.
Getting The Bugs Out Of Health Reform
When it comes to making medical care not only cheaper but also better, reducing hospital infections is among the easiest changes to make–something reform really should be able to do, even in this political universe of such limited possibility.
The House Bill Is A Great Start
The House health overhaul bill is a great start. It should just be faster, stronger and–really–bigger.
Take This Conservative Argument Seriously
Lately conservatives have been making an argument you should hear. It’s about whether we can believe Congress when it promises to raise taxes or cut spending–and, as such, whether we can believe that health care reform can actually be fiscally responsible.
What the Insurance Industry Got Right
Buried inside the insurers’ new piece of propaganda were two perfectly valid arguments–arguments that advocates of reform would be foolish to ignore.
To Be Effective, Exchanges Need Bargaining Power
Exchange design doesn’t get the attention of controversies like the public option, abortion, or supposed death panels. In the long run, though, it could be far more decisive in whether reform works.
Reform’s Bottom Line: It’s All About the Money
This week, just maybe, we’ll learn whether the Democrats and their allies can come up with the money to pay for health reform.
Democrats Are Not The Real Threat To Medicare
A look at Republican efforts to drastically change Medicare in the 1990’s shows that the Democratic health reforms plans aren’t the real threat to the program.
Obama’s Focus on Cost Offered Critics Many Targets
The pundits are busy filing their reports on how President Obama blew it on health care reform. And while the health care fight is far from over–I remain convinced the Democrats will pass a bill, maybe even a good one–the pundits have a point.
Reform is Still Worth Fighting For
If the possibility of lesser reform doesn’t motivate liberals, then maybe something else will: the possibility of no reform.
What Counts as a Sacrifice in Health Reform?
Do the Democratic plans in Congress ask for changes that qualify as a “sacrifice”?
Blue Dogs Should Look Beyond Cost Containment for Progress on Health Care
Make no mistake: It’d be a huge disappointment not to make progress on cost and quality. But incremental progress is still progress.
Is President Obama Fighting The Last War?
You can sum up Obama’s strategy for health reform as “WWCD”: What Wouldn’t the Clintons Do. And it’s working well so far. It seems likely that Obama will have a bill to sign by year’s end. But will it be legislation that people actually like?
Everybody’s Business: Reform Would Help Corporations
One of the more promising signs for health care reform over the past two years has been the apparent support of the business community.
Why Higher Taxes Will Improve Your Health
Already, you can hear the opponents of health care reform making a familiar argument: It will mean huge new taxes. Although they’re exaggerating–the tax hikes wouldn’t be “huge”–you should be willing to pay these new taxes. Happily.
