The American medical system is already overstressed with the problems of an aging population. How will it cope with epidemics of imported infectious diseases, some unfamiliar to American physicians, and some incurable? An ever-growing caravan of thousands of migrants originating in Central America is determined to force its way into the U.S., having already breached […]
Of the 20 million newly insured under the Affordable Care Act in 2017, about 14.5 million were newly enrolled in Medicaid, nearly 5 million of whom were eligible but not enrolled before the Medicaid expansion. So Medicaid accounts for a large portion of ACA’s claimed effect of increasing the number of insured. Medicaid is not […]
Healthcare is one of the biggest issues is the upcoming midterms. Reading websites and listening to speeches gives the impression that all are in favor of high-quality, affordable, accessible healthcare. But would that be the outcome of policies they would vote for? Is a candidate in favor of “Do No Harm (to ObamaCare),” as Michael […]
Many issues, such as health and national security, ought to be nonpartisan in a logical world. But seldom has Congress been so deeply divided, and so many issues decided on a strict party-line vote. Bipartisanship has many advocates, and it occasionally occurs. The late Senator John McCain was the best-known example. But it does seem […]
When political candidates speak about “women’s health,” and accuse opponents of threatening women’s “access to health care,” they mean one thing: abortion. But there are many health issues that are especially important to women. For aging women, there is osteoporosis, with susceptibility to fractures. Of course, women have most of the same problems that men […]
The federal government is increasingly involved in intimate medical decisions, with requirements for detailed documentation and coding of all diagnoses and procedures. This enables denial of payment, and even prosecution of doctors for “fraud and abuse” if they deviate from government “guidelines,” or charge too much or too little. There is nothing in the U.S. […]
Momentum is growing to enact a Bernie Sanders-style program of mandatory government-controlled medical care for all. This is strongly supported by Democratic Socialists of America. Proponents claim that this will save money while improving the nation’s health. It is estimated to increase federal government spending by nearly $40 trillion over 10 years. Apparently, the idea […]
The opioid overdose crisis has sparked a lot of legislation, most aimed at restricting prescriptions for legal drugs. But while prescriptions diminish, the death toll rises, mostly because of illegal fentanyl. Some have stated that fentanyl is being used as a chemical weapon against America. But most legislation ignores the problem of open borders and […]
Both Democrats and Republicans are promising to preserve the Affordable Care Act’s popular “consumer protection” of people with pre-existing conditions. This is called guaranteed issue and community rating. Insurers cannot decline coverage, nor can they charge premiums based on risk (called underwriting). It is one of the main reasons why Exchange plans have become unaffordable […]