…spending and either maintain or improve the quality of care provided to patients. http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/126xx/doc12663/01-18-12-MedicareDemoBrief.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne, MD Recognizing the need to slow the increase in health care spending,…
Just how long are those wait times at the VA really?
…to the VA with such distorted coverage is somehow of benefit to veterans. Phillip Longman is senior editor of the Washington Monthly.This appeared at the Washington Monthly’s “Political Animal” blog. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_06/just_how_long_are_those_wait_t050776.php…
High price of health care
…have written to Congress and President Obama to let them know I oppose the TPP. Anna Zelivianskaia is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. http://www.cmsdocs.org/news-publications/chicago-medicine-magazine/2016-issues/February2016.pdf…
The U.S. health system ranks last again
…a separate and lesser concern, the U.S. should devote far greater attention to building a health system that works well for all Americans. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-report/2014/jun/1755_davis_mirror_mirror_2014.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne, MD In…
Physicians: Independent professional practitioners or employees controlled by health care’s big players?
…details can be properly planned. Dr. Edgar Lopez is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and a founding member of the Kentucky chapter of PNHP. https://www.glms.org/Content/User/Documents/Publications/LouisvilleMedicineJune2014.pdf…
Important AAP policy statement on high-deductible health plans
…providers, and suggests courses of action. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/04/22/peds.2014-0555.full.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne, MD Although this policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics is on High-Deductible Health Plans, its reach is…
Gilens and Page: Average citizens have little impact on public policy
…society are seriously threatened. http://www.princeton.edu/~mgilens/Gilens%20homepage%20materials/Gilens%20and%20Page/Gilens%20and%20Page%202014-Testing%20Theories%203-7-14.pdf **** Comment: By Don McCanne, MD Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page present historical data that show that average Americans, even when represented by majoritarian interest…
UNITE HERE report on ACA and worsening inequality
…shift to part-time work and less comprehensive coverage. * Transferring A Trillion Dollars in Wealth: Most of the ACA’s $965 billion in subsidies will go directly to commercial insurance companies,…
Another ACA final rule – 335 pages
…patient safety standards for issuers of qualified health plans, and the Small Business Health Options Program. Final rule (335 pages): http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2014-05052_PI.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne Any major legislation, once enacted,…
One uninsured member in family can cause hardship for all
…experiences a financial burden of medical care, the entire family may be at risk for financial burden. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db142.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne, M.D. This report confirms that members of insured…
Advocating for a Single Payer System
…expressed in this column are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Medical Society. All members are encouraged to submit opinion pieces. http://www.cmsdocs.org/news-publications/chicago-medicine-magazine/2014-issues/January2014.pdf…
Devastating effects of cost-sharing and medical debt
…for premium and cost-sharing subsidies. http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/8537-medical-debt-among-people-with-health-insurance.pdf Comment: By Don McCanne, M.D. Medical debt is a horrendous problem, and it will still be with us after the Affordable Care Act is…