Summary: An excellent commentary describes how two decades of paying to improve quality metrics has failed. Quality hasn’t improved, and we’ve spent billions of dollars and
The McCanne Health Justice Monitor is produced by a team of health policy experts and single-payer champions. For more information, and a complete archive of entries, visit the HJM website. For an archive of Quote of the Day entries from Dr. Don McCanne, click here.
Congenital Syphilis Deaths Should Be a Wake-Up Call
Summary: More fetuses and babies are dying from syphilis, a completely preventable outcome with adequate access to quality prenatal care. This is a another marker of
Medicare Advantage Costly Diagnostic Upcoding
Summary: Investigative reporting by Bloomberg highlights the work of whistleblowers and the federal government to combat fraudulent upcoding by Medicare Advantage plans. But Medicare itself
US Physician EHR Burden = Less Clinical Focus, More Burnout
Summary: The electronic health record is now ubiquitous. Doctors complain about its time demands and its emphasis on billing. This review quantifies that burden –
US Women of Reproductive Age Hurt by Insurance Barriers
Summary: “Among women of reproductive age in high-income countries, rates of death from avoidable causes, including pregnancy-related complications, are highest in the United States. U.S.
Big Insurer Explosive Growth & Profits Since ACA Passage
Summary: An excellent review of 12-year financial trends for the largest six insurers reveals: a) skyrocketing revenue and profits, b) based mainly on growth in
Nurse Conviction for Fatal Error vs System Harm
Summary: A nurse mistakenly gives an incorrect drug that kills a patient, and is convicted of homicide. Our system kills up to 100,000 a year
Health Insurers to Disintermediate
Summary: A very surprising and hugely important announcement: US health insurers have decided to “disintermediate” – step back from their traditional position between purchasers of
Health Care Reform Must Return Ownership to the Community
Summary: In a landmark article in The Nation, long-time single payer leaders (including four HJM bloggers) review the pervasive and damaging ownership of providers by
Protect Medicare, Promote Medicare for All
Summary: This week, two major efforts are working in parallel to advance health care justice — fighting against the private corporate takeover of traditional Medicare,
Pharma Attacks Insurers
Summary: The pharmaceutical industry conducted a poll to elicit views from Americans about how insurance impairs access and affordability, for healthcare overall and drugs in
Connecticut Medicaid Prospers Post Capitated Managed Care
Summary: In 2012, advocates in Connecticut won a battle to switch from the predominant implementation model for Medicaid – capitated managed care organizations owned by