August 18: Health Care Reform News
Obama’s Delay in Naming a Medicare Chief Baffles Many in Congress
President Obama has made health care his top priority. He says the cost of Medicare and Medicaid is "the biggest threat" to the nation's fiscal future. But to the puzzlement of Congress and health care experts around the country, Mr. Obama has not named anyone to lead the agency that runs the two giant programs…"The vacancy stands out like a sore thumb," said Dr. Denis A. Cortese, president of the Mayo Clinic, often cited by the White House as a health care model. "In effect," Dr. Cortese said, "Medicare is the nation's largest insurance company. The president and Congress function as the board of directors. "Under a strong administrator, it could take the lead in making major changes in the health care delivery system, so we'd get better outcomes and better service at lower cost."
NY Times, by Robert Pear, 8/18/2009
Additional Mayo Clinic health care reform coverage:
Top stories
Public Option — Here or History?
CQ Politics
Aug. 18, 2009
Obama administration officials are insisting that the government-run public option in their health overhaul proposal is alive and well, despite remarks, comments and responses that hint otherwise.
Obama's Health Care Trade-Off
The Los Angeles Times
Aug. 18, 2009
By backing away from a public option, he increases the chances for his reform proposal overall.
Public Option Called Essential
The Washington Post
Aug. 18, 2009
Several leading Democrats voiced concern Monday about an apparent White House shift on health-care reform, objecting to signals from senior administration officials that they would abandon the idea of a government-run insurance plan if it lacked the backing to pass Congress.
The Wall Street Journal
Aug. 18, 2009
The White House sought Monday to reassure allies that its enthusiasm for a government-sponsored insurance plan remains strong, following an uproar over comments by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Transparency/Safety
Diabetes Case Shows Pitfalls of Treatment Rules
The New York Times
Aug. 18, 2009
A guideline calling for aggressive control of blood sugar was withdrawn after a study suggested that such action could harm or even kill some patients.
Probing Doctors' Ties to Industry
The Washington Post
Aug. 18, 2009
A survey shows 94 percent of physicians have "a relationship" with the pharmaceutical, medical device or other related industries, which concerns some activists.
Medicare/Medicaid
Lack of Medicare Appointee Puzzles Congress
The New York Times
Aug. 18, 2009
To some, trying to remake the health care system without a Medicare administrator is like fighting a war without a general. Includes comments from Dr. Cortese.
Medical Fraud Carries A Staggering Price Tag
NPR
Aug. 18, 2009
In the midst of the health care debate, there's a point of certainty. Everyone — Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives — would like to see health care fraud wiped out. But the big question is, how much money could be saved by eliminating fraud?
Reform efforts
Cooperatives Being Pushed as an Alternative to a Government Plan
The Washington Post
Aug. 18, 2009
As prospects fade for a public, or government-run, option as part of health-care reform, key senators are considering another model to create competition for private insurers: member-owned, nonprofit health cooperatives.
Alternate Plan as Health Option Muddies Debate
The New York Times
Aug. 17, 2009
The option of a co-op instead of a government health plan is so ill defined that no one knows exactly what it would look like or how effectively it would compete with commercial insurers.
Conrad Defends Health Co-ops Plan
The Wall Street Journal
Aug. 18, 2009
Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad defended his proposal for government-chartered insurance cooperatives, estimating they would start with 12 million members and be the third-largest player in the U.S. health-insurance market.
Checking In With Ascension Health, Largest Catholic Health System
Kaiser Health News
Aug. 18, 2009
An interview with the Chief Advocacy Officer and president and CEO of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic system and largest nonprofit provider in the United States, which runs 66 general hospitals, along with cancer centers, home health services, clinics and nursing homes. Last year, its bad debt from treating uninsured and under insured people grew by $167 million, or 23 percent.
Health Reform and the Great Recession: an RWJF Conversation With Stakeholders
Health Populi
Aug. 18, 2009
The recession in America impacts health care in many ways that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently explored in an off-the-record meeting including representatives from health care, the public sector, business, insurance, policy and research. The results of this meeting are synthesized in an issue brief from RWJF, Impact of the Economy on Health Care; click here to read the brief.
Prescription drugs
Boehner Letter to PhRMA chief Billy Tauzin
Kaiser Health News
Aug. 18, 2009
Minority Leader John Boehner is taking issue with "the drug industry's decision to agree to $80 billion in concessions to the White House." In a letter to PhRMA chief Billy Tauzin, he said the agreement "was short-sighted, will hurt drug manufacturers and their customers, and 'has all the markings of a deal gone sour.'
Miscellaneous
Doctor Shortage Looms as Primary Care Loses Its Pull
USA Today
Aug. 18, 2009
Longer days, lower pay, less prestige, and more administrative headaches have turned doctors away in droves from family medicine. The number of U.S. medical school students going into primary care has dropped 51.8% since 1997.
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