Sunday, July 25, 2010

Maine Voices: New federal health care law falls far short of being a real reform | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Maine Voices: New federal health care law falls far short of being a real reform | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

"Now Washington sends us, by a narrow vote, new health care "reforms" touted as bipartisan solutions to our crippled health care system. Even a glance at these changes uncovers little more than a Ponzi scheme enriching some at the expense of others."

I found these comments from a doctor in Maine to be right on. The reason the 'big boys' in the health care industry are not trying to kill what has been touted as reform is because they wrote it and will get richer from it.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Insurers Push Plans That Limit Health Choices - NYTimes.com

Insurers Push Plans That Limit Health Choices - NYTimes.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
And here's the other side of the story on what might be happening with small employers. They can get a tax credit but the insurance companies plan to offer cheap policies that put too much financial burden on the employee.

Tax credit to help small firms on health care | StarTribune.com

Tax credit to help small firms on health care | StarTribune.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
"These employers would qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of health care costs starting in 2010, according to a report released Wednesday by Families USA, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that calculated the potential impact for small businesses in each state."
Interesting that current reform efforts can help small business but the naysayers keep touting that reform hurts them.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

AMA battles insurers over doctor ratings | StarTribune.com

AMA battles insurers over doctor ratings StarTribune.com
"A letter that the American Medical Association sent major insurers reflects doctors' concerns about a practice that is expected to spread as insurers compete to offer cheaper coverage to millions of Americans as health reform rolls out.


Insurers steer members by making them pay more to use doctors rated as less efficient, based on quality of care and cost. But the AMA says the ratings are often inaccurate."
 
Other articles show that the big insurance companies are now offering cheaper plans if you agree to use only a certain group of doctors.  Sounds like managed care on steroids.  HMOs failed because the incentive was to not provide care.  Looks like a repeat performance to me.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Health care changes you may not know of - TwinCities.com

Health care changes you may not know of - TwinCities.com

"Several little-known provisions of the new health care overhaul law take effect in coming months that could have a lasting impact on the nation's health care system.


They include eliminating co-payments for certain preventive services such as mammograms, giving the government more power to review health insurers' premium increases and allowing states to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income adults without children."

See article for details.

Saturday, July 3, 2010