Health stories in the news
UW graduate nursing students protest tuition rise
Students enrolled in the University of Washington’s doctoral program for family nurse practitioners are protesting administrative changes that will boost their tuition 43 percent, Nick Perry reports in today’s Seattle Times.
The changes also mean some students who work at UW programs will lose tuition subsidies they have been receiving as employees.
As a result, one student will see her tuition jump from $2,600 a year to $26,532 next year, Perry writes.
Maria Salmon, dean of the nursing school, told Perry that the changes were necessary because of state budget cuts.
“She said the alternatives—to lay off staff or cut programs entirely—were even less desirable,” Perry writes.
- To learn more read Nick Perry’s article: UW program gets pricier; one student’s cost up tenfold.
Sweeping health reform plan drafted by Sen. Kennedy
Massachusetts’ Senator Edward Kennedy has drafted a health reform bill that would provide all Americans with access to “essential health care benefits” and would establish “a new insurance program to provide home- and community-based care for 10 million people with severe disabilities”, reports Robert Pear in the New York Times.
“The draft provides a partial road map for how the nation might address health coverage gaps and problems such as rising costs and inferior quality” but does not explain how the programs will be paid for, writes Washington Post reporter Ceci Connolly.
“The 170-page bill, dubbed the “American Health Choices Act,” does not include cost estimates or specifics on how to pay for the expansion,” Connolly writes.
“Perhaps its most controversial element is the creation of a new government-sponsored health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. Republicans and industry groups have opposed the so-called “public option,” arguing it would undermine the private marketplace and could lead to a “single-payer” system. President Obama reiterated his support for the public option earlier this week.
“Under the approach crafted by the Kennedy staff, doctors and hospitals serving patients in the new public insurance plan would be paid 10 percent above current Medicare rates. The bill suggests the costs of the program would be covered through premiums.”
To learn more:
- Read Robert Pear’s article: Sweeping health plan is drafted by Kennedy.
- Read Ceci Connolly’s article: Kennedy Readies Health-Care Bill.
How much will you pay for a good night’s sleep?
Lesley Alderman focuses on insomnia in her New York Times “Patient Money” column.
For pure insomnia there are “cost-effective ways to get the sleep you need,” Alderman writes.
To learn more:
Read Lesley Alderman’s column: Cost-Effective Ways to Fight Insomnia.
Category: Education, Harborview, Health Insurance, Health-care Policy, Uncategorized, University of Washington
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There are two things that could be done that don't require another inefficient, wasteful and fraudulent government-run health care program.
First, allow all Americans the privilege of purchasing health insurance coverage through the same companies and the same rates as postal workers and federal employees. Why should these groups have special advantages over other Americans?
Secondly, tort reform would go a long way in reducing health care costs. Medical malpractice insurance is unreasonable. Huge jury compensation awards are unreasonable.