Health Care Reform
Blog
In Political Speech, “Universal” Means Anything But
Every few months, the argument to “universalize” some sector of the economy captures national attention – be it for universal health care, universal childcare, or universal student loan forgiveness. All the arguments have an all-too-often overlooked fatal flaw: they assume goods are not scarce. In economic terms, all goods have ...
Blog
Americans Are Overwhelmingly Satisfied with their Health Coverage, Finds New PRI National Survey
The results of a new national survey commissioned by PRI find that 86 percent of Americans are satisfied with their current health insurance plans, compared to 8 percent who said they were dissatisfied.
Blog
Newsom’s Mental Health Plan for Kids: Way Too Late for Problem He Caused
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed mental health plan for children reminds me of the arsonist who starts a fire, but then calls the fire department to put out the blaze he started. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom closed California’s public schools for a longer time period than most other states, which ...
Commentary
The Inflation Reduction Act is just another step toward government-run healthcare
Congress just passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a series of sweeping healthcare reforms. Among them are provisions that increase taxpayer-funded insurance subsidies and impose price controls on drugs. The White House framed the bill as a “historic legislative achievement” that will lower costs for families. But these reforms ...
Commentary
Reducing Access To Home Healthcare Services Will Raise Costs And Worsen Outcomes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recent decision on home healthcare services, if implemented, will increase overall healthcare expenditures and decrease the quality of services received by patients. CMS’ overarching goal is praiseworthy – the agency is trying to maintain budget neutrality while changing its payment system rates. ...
Blog
No More Surprise Medical Bills
Imagine going to your local furniture store to pick out a new couch. An eager employee approaches you and helps you find the perfect piece for your new home. You make the purchase, thank the employee, and go on your merry way. Weeks later, you open the mail. Congratulations! You ...
Commentary
D.C. wants to make cancer patients wait for treatment
The powers that be in Washington are renewing their campaign to gain greater control over Americans’ ability to access life-saving drugs. Lawmakers and regulators alike have decided to wage war on one of the few components of our health care system that works well — the Food and Drug Administration’s ...
Commentary
Don’t Fall Prey to Five Common Healthcare Myths
President-elect Barack Obama has promised to make healthcare reform a top priority. But in order to follow through, Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill must reject some longstanding misconceptions about health care in this country. Here are five such myths. Each is widely repeated, deeply held – and dead ...
Blog
Why A Public Option Would Not Be Successful
Editor’s Note: Last week, PRI President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy Sally C. Pipes participated in a debate on the public option at the annual conference of the National Council of Insurance Legislators conference in Las Vegas. Nevada Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton moderated the debate. ...
Commentary
Some hospitals are charging 2 or 3 times more than the one next door
Imagine you’re a mom-to-be from Roxbury Township, looking to schedule a cesarean section. You’re halfway between Morristown Medical Center and Newton Medical Center. The listed price at Morristown — the top-ranked hospital in the state — is $24,927. At Newton, it’s nearly three times as much — $66,091. Price discrepancies like these are ...
In Political Speech, “Universal” Means Anything But
Every few months, the argument to “universalize” some sector of the economy captures national attention – be it for universal health care, universal childcare, or universal student loan forgiveness. All the arguments have an all-too-often overlooked fatal flaw: they assume goods are not scarce. In economic terms, all goods have ...
Americans Are Overwhelmingly Satisfied with their Health Coverage, Finds New PRI National Survey
The results of a new national survey commissioned by PRI find that 86 percent of Americans are satisfied with their current health insurance plans, compared to 8 percent who said they were dissatisfied.
Newsom’s Mental Health Plan for Kids: Way Too Late for Problem He Caused
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed mental health plan for children reminds me of the arsonist who starts a fire, but then calls the fire department to put out the blaze he started. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom closed California’s public schools for a longer time period than most other states, which ...
The Inflation Reduction Act is just another step toward government-run healthcare
Congress just passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a series of sweeping healthcare reforms. Among them are provisions that increase taxpayer-funded insurance subsidies and impose price controls on drugs. The White House framed the bill as a “historic legislative achievement” that will lower costs for families. But these reforms ...
Reducing Access To Home Healthcare Services Will Raise Costs And Worsen Outcomes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recent decision on home healthcare services, if implemented, will increase overall healthcare expenditures and decrease the quality of services received by patients. CMS’ overarching goal is praiseworthy – the agency is trying to maintain budget neutrality while changing its payment system rates. ...
No More Surprise Medical Bills
Imagine going to your local furniture store to pick out a new couch. An eager employee approaches you and helps you find the perfect piece for your new home. You make the purchase, thank the employee, and go on your merry way. Weeks later, you open the mail. Congratulations! You ...
D.C. wants to make cancer patients wait for treatment
The powers that be in Washington are renewing their campaign to gain greater control over Americans’ ability to access life-saving drugs. Lawmakers and regulators alike have decided to wage war on one of the few components of our health care system that works well — the Food and Drug Administration’s ...
Don’t Fall Prey to Five Common Healthcare Myths
President-elect Barack Obama has promised to make healthcare reform a top priority. But in order to follow through, Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill must reject some longstanding misconceptions about health care in this country. Here are five such myths. Each is widely repeated, deeply held – and dead ...
Why A Public Option Would Not Be Successful
Editor’s Note: Last week, PRI President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy Sally C. Pipes participated in a debate on the public option at the annual conference of the National Council of Insurance Legislators conference in Las Vegas. Nevada Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton moderated the debate. ...
Some hospitals are charging 2 or 3 times more than the one next door
Imagine you’re a mom-to-be from Roxbury Township, looking to schedule a cesarean section. You’re halfway between Morristown Medical Center and Newton Medical Center. The listed price at Morristown — the top-ranked hospital in the state — is $24,927. At Newton, it’s nearly three times as much — $66,091. Price discrepancies like these are ...
