Town hall meetings are popping up like mushrooms.
Senator: Non-profit co-ops would help drive down health costs
A top Democratic senator touting the creation non-profit cooperatives for health care reform said the business model has been "very successful" and "would certainly contribute to holding down" soaring health costs.
But Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota told CNN's American Morning Tuesday that such a plan, floated as an alternative to public health insurance, wouldn't be the chief driver in decreasing health care costs.
Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic that work so well in holding down costs and delivering high quality care and other reforms — the insurance market reforms and changing the tax subsidy to health care. The experts tell us those are the big drivers in terms of altering costs," Conrad said…Doctors at the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic are paid fixed salaries for their services. In most other hospitals, doctors are paid fees for each service they perform, a structure that critics say drives up health care costs.
CNN, 8/18/2009
Top stories
Pelosi Statement on Health Insurance Reform Legislation
Pelosi Newsroom Aug. 17, 2009
On Monday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement on health insurance reform legislation pending before Congress, which emphasizes Democratic support for the public option.
Gibbs Says Obama Isn’t Backing Away From Public Option
Roll Call Aug. 18, 2009
The White House on Tuesday denied that comments by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius were meant to signal that President Barack Obama is backing away from a public insurance option.
House Dems Seek Info From Health Insurers
The Washington Post
Aug. 19, 2009
Dozens of the nation's largest insurance firms must decide whether to honor a request from House Democrats for detailed financial records, part of an investigation into executive compensation and other business practices in an industry that opposes President Barack Obama's health care proposals.
Democrats Seem Set to Go It Alone on a Health Bill
The New York Times Aug. 18, 2009
Given hardening Republican opposition to Congressional health care proposals, Democrats now say they see little chance of the minority’s cooperation in approving any overhaul, and are increasingly focused on drawing support for a final plan from within their own ranks.
Do you know a child who has a racing heart? Perhaps a tall child, with long [...]
Probing Doctors' Ties to Industry
You may not be able [...]
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.
Cut your hospital’s energy bills with these award-winning ideas
It may seem that [...]
A push for the wired Patient’s Bill of Rights
Americans are fatter and more depressed, but are choosing better health behaviors
Americans [...]
Putting Strategy to work
Harvard Business Review has collected a series of articles [...]
Cut your hospital’s energy bills with these award-winning ideas
It [...]
It’s hard to look at Dr. Michael Yaszemski’s CV and not think of superlatives: Gifted surgeon. Groundbreaking [...]