Permitting physician ownership interests in testing laboratories, imaging facilities, hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies would provide inducements to prescribe what they sell. Rather than assuming that everyone would resist temptation, … [Read more...]
Don’t be fooled by Bush’s health reform proposal
Under the president's proposal, workers who receive employer-providedhealth insurance would have to pay a tax on the cost of their benefitabove $15,000, the threshold proposed by Bush for the tax break.People with families who buy low-cost … [Read more...]
Reality-based politics and sound policy: 2 essential ingredients for meaningful health reform
The biggest objection to single-payer I have heard from Democrats is not that single-payer is not a good system, or even the best system, but that it will be attacked as socialized medicine and therefore is not politically viable. Of … [Read more...]
Health care worth fighting for
Spending a few months rotating through a private facility, I found it unconscionable that patients needing urgent medical care were turned down at the door if they did not have medical insurance. I spent as much time treating lacerations … [Read more...]
In case you missed this as I did: “UNSUNG DEVELOPMENTS OF 2006”
Boston Glob, December 31, 2006HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT | UNSUNG DEVELOPMENTS OF 2006Silent majority for single-payer By Marcia Angell,MDIN SEPTEMBER, an ABC News/Kaiser Family Foundation/USA Today survey found that 56 percent of Americans … [Read more...]
Sen. Wyden’s Proposed Healthcare Reform: another gap between theory & real world
The Healthy Americans Act is a bill being introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon.Executive Summary (excerpts):The "Healthy Americans Act" (HAA) establishes a centrally financed system of private health insurance for all Americans except … [Read more...]
Six Myths As Barriers to Health Care Reform
cross-posted from DailyKos. These regular Diaries by Dr SteveB on health reform are a great resource for allSix Myths As Barriers to Health Care ReformSingle Payer Health Care part 3, by DrSteveB, Dec 07, 2006This diary continues the … [Read more...]
Or is it Massachusetts “poison” that’s spreading?
Meanwhile, in Illinois a "state task force on Thursday recommended a far-reaching reform of Illinois' health care system that would require most employers to offer medical coverage and calls for $3.6 billion in new state spending. The plan … [Read more...]
Health system is what ails us, not city workers
In case anyone missed this excellent Letter to the Editor in today's Globe on the issue of state Health Care reform. (I also submitted this as formal input to the Patrick/Murray HC working group):written by Ben Day, Exec Driector of … [Read more...]
Who thinks the Chapter 58 law is a good piece of health reform legislation?
the new health law will force everyone who is uninsured to buy a commercial insurance product, sold at a profit, with NO RULES about how the insurers spend the money. this includes the huge sums coming from the state budget to … [Read more...]