Shareholders urge WellPoint to oust CEO Angela BralyBy Chad TerhuneLos Angeles Times, August 28, 2012Investors in health insurance giant WellPoint Inc., which runs Anthem Blue
For more than 20 years, PNHP’s Senior Health Policy Fellow Don McCanne, M.D. wrote a daily health policy update, taking an excerpt or quote from a health care news story or analysis and commenting on its significance to the single-payer movement.
PNHP has archived Dr. McCanne’s listserv below; to read current daily analysis on a broad range of health justice topics, please visit the McCanne Health Justice Monitor website.
Shareholders urge WellPoint to oust CEO Angela Braly
Our politicians have left the private insurance industry in charge of our health care, but what is this industry really all about? As Jamie Court
Hospitals use physician practice acquisitions to pad fees
Same Doctor Visit, Double the CostBy Anna Wilde MathewsThe Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2012... hospitals are increasingly acquiring private physician practices.Hospitals say the acquisitions
Hospitals use physician practice acquisitions to pad fees
Much has been written about consolidation of health care providers and how that gives them leverage during contract negotiations with private insurers. This article provides
Actuarial value may not predict your financial exposure
Choosing the “Best” Plan in a Health Insurance Exchange: Actuarial Value Tells Only Part of the StoryBy Ryan Lore, Jon R. Gabel, Roland McDevitt, and
Actuarial value may not predict your financial exposure
The important contribution of this study is that it shows that choosing an exchange plan based on its actuarial value (bonze, silver, gold, platinum) does
Global spending experiment in Massachusetts
Controlling Health Care Costs in Massachusetts With a Global Spending TargetBy Robert Steinbrook, MDJAMA, August 22, 2012Recognizing that health care reform in Massachusetts enacted when
Global spending experiment in Massachusetts
Recognizing that health care reform in Massachusetts enacted when Mitt Romney was governor has failed to control health care spending, Massachusetts has now enacted legislation
Romney supports Medicare Advantage overpayments
Patients Would Pay More if Romney Restores Medicare Savings, Analysts SayBy Jackie CalmesThe New York Times, August 21, 2012Mr. Romney has been especially critical of
Romney supports Medicare Advantage overpayments
Why would Mitt Romney support overpayments to the Medicare Advantage program? The reason is that they want a vibrant market of private health plans in
How are health insurance investors betting on the election?
Investors in Health Care Seem to Bet on IncumbentBy Andrew Ross SorkinThe New York Times, August 20, 2012Who is going to win the presidential election?You
How are health insurance investors betting on the election?
Although this article suggests that presidential election politics may influence the future of the private health insurance industry, the message is really nonpartisan. No matter