Truth Squad: The Insurance Industry Spreads Misinformation about What a Public Sector Plan Would Mean For Your Family
Claim: "A new government-run health plan will raise costs for Americans with private insurance. By systematically underpaying doctors and hospitals, our country's existing public plans--Medicare and Medicaid--raise the average family's premiums by $1,800 a year. A public option will only exacerbate this problem -- and make insurance more expensive."…
Truth: They know that some hospitals stay in the black when treating Medicare patients simply because they are more efficient. In private conversation, hospital CEOs have confirmed this. Medical Centers such as Mayo Clinic, and the accountable care organizations that Atul Gawande wrote about in the June 1 New Yorker provide better care at a lower cost. Meanwhile, other hospitals make a profit on the majority of their Medicare patients. They should analyze where they lose money and why. Maybe Medicare does need to increase payments for certain patients—while slicing overpayments in other areas. Or, maybe the hospital needs better system management to improve the way it delivers care.
Health Beat Blog by Maggie Mahar 8/6/2009
Additional Mayo Clinic health care reform news:
Childhood Game of 'Tag' In Boston ED Changes to 'Assassin' By • August 6, 2009
The Early Word: Back to the Economy
The White House shifts its focus back to the economy on Wednesday, with President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. fanning out to the Midwest to talk up the administration’s recovery efforts. Comment from reader: The Mayo Clinic states that the legislation is “not patient focused or results oriented…unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the Citizens of the United States”.
NY Times by Bernie Becker, 8/5/09
Additional Mayo Clinic health care reform coverage:
People as young as 40 with borderline or high cholesterol levels are at increased risk for [...]
America is well served by Mayo Clinic's thoughtful health-reform critique
In recent weeks the American Medical Association (AMA) stepped out and enthusiastically endorsed the health-reform bill proposed by House Democrats. This sparked a nationwide flurry of criticism from health-care providers, who made it known that the AMA does not speak for them and that the bills in Congress fall far short of solving America's health care issues...Of these provider voices, the Mayo Clinic's may be the most influential. President Barack Obama regularly cites Mayo as a model for reform. Consequently, its criticism of congressional reforms is tough to ignore.
MinnPost, by Peter Nelson 8/5/09
Additional Mayo Clinic Health Care Reform Coverage:
A hastily scheduled health-reform panel in Rochester drew members from both main political parties. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar requested the panel discussion, seeking health-reform suggestions from [...]
NY Times, Swine Flu Plan Would Put Some Ahead for Vaccine, by Denise Grady, A panel of health experts laid out a plan on [...]
Dr. Sharonne Hayes on Twin Cities Live discusses women and alcohol.
A businesswoman with 20 employees asks Obama: What is your government model for health care? Obama cites Medicare and the Veterans Administration, saying both government-run [...]
Greetings! We are glad to roll out our new and improved Mayo Clinic News and Health Care Environment blog. With the [...]