This week’s health policy news roundup curated by Jane Orient, M.D. One of the most important and damaging ObamaCare provisions has largely gone unnoticed by the general public, but the Medicaid expansion bubble threatens to cause state budgetary meltdowns as federal support declines. Enrollment increases have been dramatic and unexpected. More than 21 percent of […]
The antihumanist agenda of progressives has recently become apparent from news relating to both ends of human life, writes nephrologist Richard Amerling, M.D., president of AAPS, in the fall issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. “The ‘death panels’ came back from the dead with news that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid […]
The deadline for comments on a key method for facilitating early death is Tuesday just after Labor Day weekend. Buried in 250 pages of changes to the CPT procedural codes required to claim Medicare payment are two new ones, 99497 and 99498. These pay for end-of-life discussions with physicians or other “qualified professionals.” Such discussions […]
In celebrating the 50th anniversary of Medicare, its supporters are overlooking or denying the troublesome facts, writes cardiovascular surgeon Donald W. Miller, Jr., M.D., in the fall issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Almost immediately after enactment of Medicare and Medicaid, spending on medical care began to escalate, from 5.2 percent of […]
By Tamzin Rosenwasser, M.D. A “single-payer” system for financing medical care accomplishes a few things. It destroys a vital freedom for millions, and it concentrates power in the hands of a few. The theory sounds as though it would simplify things, which may make it attractive at first glance, especially to those who do not […]
Marilyn Singleton, MD, JD summarizes recent healthcare-related legislative activity on Capitol Hill. Three House Bills Approved on July 29, 2015 by House Energy and Commerce Committee Thank goodness, this was not endorsing selling fetal tissue to the highest bidder. 1) H.R. 2820, Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015 authored by Reps. Chris […]
This week’s health policy news roundup curated by Jane Orient, M.D. Personnel is policy, and following the personnel is a good clue to where the money is going. Marilyn Tavenner, who spearheaded the Affordable Care Act rollout for the Obama administration, is the latest ACA insider to cash in. “Lobbying for America’s Health Insurance Plans […]
Marilyn Singleton, MD, JD summarizes recent healthcare-related legislative activity on Capitol Hill More Plucking Away at the ACA On June 18, 2015, H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act was passed by the House 280 to 140 with 234 Republican and 46 Democrat yeas. No Republicans voted in opposition. See how your representative voted here: […]
This week’s health policy news roundup curated by Jane Orient, M.D. It was already apparent in 2014 that the Affordable Care Act forces people to buy catastrophic policies at first-dollar coverage prices. Less well known is that although the ACA requires health plans to spend 80% – 85% of premiums on medical care, corporate data […]
If HB 3300 passes the Oregon legislature, health plans in Lane County enrolling-public sector employees, including teachers, will not be allowed to contract with primary care physicians who do not serve the Oregon Medicaid program, states AAPS. At least 15 percent of the physician’s practice panel must be receiving medical assistance, unless the physician can […]