Category: Medicare
By Phil Galewitz August 11, 2009 When Congress and the White House began talking about a health care overhaul, the industries that profit from the $2.5 trillion system were understandably nervous. But as the legislation takes shape, it appears much of the anxiety was misplaced. Most of the major health care players, including hospitals, health [...]
The White House has launched a “Reality Check” Website to counter what the administration considers to be lies and distortions being spread about health-care reform plans now being considered by Congress by opponents of the measures. The site features videos of experts addressing concerns that have been raised about rationing, euthanasia, and the effects reform [...]
OPINION: Joseph Califano, Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University As President Obama and Congress struggle to bend the rising cost curve in order to make health care available to all Americans, the history of the first great expansion of health care coverage when Lyndon Johnson drove Medicare and [...]
In his weekly address, President Barack Obama promises that health-care reform legislation will be passed by the end of the year and he charges that opponents of reform are spreading “the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia, cut Medicaid, or bring about a government takeover of health care.” “As we draw close to finalizing [...]
By Phil Galewitz July 24, 2009 While a cornerstone of President Obama’s plan to trim medical costs – an independent commission to determine how much Medicare pays doctors and hospitals – has run into strong opposition from powerful industry groups, certain hospital systems are breaking ranks and supporting it. Many are these are so-called “model” systems, [...]
FDA may require glucose monitors to be more accurate The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may soon require glucose monitors used by more than 11 million diabetics in the U.S. to be more accurate, Gardiner Harris reports in the New York Times. Under current standards, these monitors can be off by as much as 20 [...]
By Phil Galewitz – Kaiser Health News July 17, 2009 When talking about his vision for the health care system, President Barack Obama praises places like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Intermountain Healthcare in Utah for providing high-quality care at low cost. “We need to identify the best practices across the country, learn from [...]
By Phil Galewitz – Kaiser Health News July 17, 2009 Imagine a health system that pays doctors and hospitals to keep you well, not just treat you when you’re sick. A system where doctors would have a financial incentive to limit unnecessary tests and prod patients to exercise more and eat better. A system where [...]
By Joseph Shapiro NPR – a Kaiser Health News partner July 08, 2009 Until recently, it looked like long-term care was not going to be a serious part of any potential health care overhaul. But that changed when the Obama administration this week endorsed a new government social insurance program that would help people put [...]
Hospitals, After Agreeing to Cuts, Push Ahead With a Full Agenda By Eric Pianin and Phil Galewitz – Kaiser Health News July 08, 2009 With the Obama administration’s help, hospitals are moving aggressively to resolve their biggest objections to legislative proposals to overhaul the health system. The deal announced today by Vice-President Biden — an [...]
Health reform is within reach says New York Times columnist New York Times columnist and Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman cites the latest analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to back his claim that substantive health reform is within reach of Congress this summer. “…last week the budget office scored the full proposed [...]
Which is larger: Medicaid or Medicare? In fact, Medicaid “dwarfs other insurance programs” writes Kaiser Health News reporter Phil Galewitz. To learn more, take his Medicaid: True of False test below: Medicaid: True or False? By Phil Galewitz – Kaiser Health News July 01, 2009 Because of its size and cost, Medicaid has been called [...]
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Lost in translation: Lack of trained interpreters can lead to medical errors
Interpreter services at hospitals and other medical settings are often inadequate, forcing family members, including children, to step in, or the task falls to medical staff members who may not speak the language well.
Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking
Laws in more than half the states permit insurers to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use. Faced with the prospect of not getting paid for care, some ER personnel sidestep the problem by simply not testing patients’ blood or urine for alcohol.
Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation
Think your regular health insurance policy will cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas?
Don’t bet on it.
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