In the give and take of politics, the Democratic debaters emphasize the “give”—the “take” not so much. To get to universal healthcare, what would you have to give up? Your employer-provided, tax-free medical insurance—right away for Bernie’s plan, in a few years for the others Prompt surgery for agonizing pain—read how “Amy” suffered for years […]
In the second round of Democratic presidential debates, all the candidates were passionate about “universal healthcare.” But the moderators’ probing went no further than private insurance benefits negotiated by labor unions. Additional questions should be asked: Will people be allowed to keep their employer-provided insurance if they do not belong to a union, or to […]
There is an outpouring of Angst about the prospect that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals might rule the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional—or dismiss the appeal because the Trump Administration declines to defend the law and California and other intervenors lack standing. Then the District Court decision by Judge Reed O’Connor would stand, and ACA […]
At Tuesday’s hearing on Texas v. Azar, pursued by 18 states and two individuals, questions by two judges signaled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare) could be in peril. Seven months ago, District Judge Reed O’Connor held all of ACA to be unconstitutional. Since Congress zeroed out the tax penalty for failing to […]
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on July 9 regarding the decision holding all of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “ObamaCare”) unconstitutional, which had been rendered by federal District Judge Reed O’Connor. The challenge is pursued by Texas, 17 other states, and two individual plaintiffs who claimed to be harmed by […]
The U.S. House of Representatives just voted to repeal the prohibition on the use of federal funds to create a “unique patient identifier,” which former Representative Ron Paul, M.D., sponsored in 1998. Unless the prohibition is reinstated, the federal government will have the authority to assign every American a medical ID. “This ID will be […]
In response to the rising rate of drug overdose deaths, 49 states had a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) by 2014. By requiring physicians to report all prescriptions for controlled drugs, and to consult the database before prescribing, state agencies hoped to stop “doctor shopping,” writes John Lilly, M.B.A., D.O., in the summer issue of […]
For patients who do not want all their medical data on the internet in these days of frequent cybercrime, Philip Eskew, D.O., J.D., M.B.A. offers some suggestions in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Under the HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) of 2009, patients […]
In a letter to President Trump, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) writes that reports on “surprise billing” make an effective emotional appeal, but legislation is actually being pushed by insurers to protect themselves against having to pay a fair market price for services patients need. The reason patients get unexpected bills from […]
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) has provided reform-minded Congressmen a one-page outline of ways to “increase options, encourage competition, and unwind unsustainable spending in American medicine.” https://aapsonline.org/10-solutions-to-increase-options-encourage-competition-and-unwind-unsustainable-spending-in-american-medicine/ Americans need more choices, not fewer, AAPS states. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevents patients from choosing more affordable and desirable alternatives to the costly […]