mong people who’ve recently required a lot of care, significant proportions say their treatment was poorly managed, with nearly a third complaining of poor communication among their caregivers. One in eight believe they got the wrong diagnosis, treatment or test.
It may sound counterintuitive, but a panel of experts from the Institute of Medicine has concluded that the best way to slow the nation’s breakneck spending on medical care is to impose a tax on every health care transaction.
Seattle’s City Club begins a four-part series on the cost of health care April 17: Why is it so high? and what can be done about it?
“As the President has said, if it was easy to do, it would have been done already.”
“. . . at the end of the day, Harry Reid’s about getting the deal done.”
“The biggest challenge is getting the money sorted out. . . “
“Seniors are incredibly important politically.”
Polls show that most Americans want a public option, but supporters may not be able to muster the Democratic votes in the Senate needed for passage.
The system pushes doctors to give unnecessary care, writes NPR’s Alix Spiegel
By Robert Laszewski President of the consulting firm Health Policy and Strategy Associates “From the looks of these health care bills, this ‘health care reform’ thing will be great for business!” Have you noticed how none of the big health care business special interests is running any negative health care reform ads? Why should they [...]
By Pam Fessler, NPR News NPR is a Kaiser Health News partner Most homeless people in America are too poor to buy their own health coverage, but many also don’t qualify for Medicaid, the government-run health program for the poor. In 41 states, single adults are not eligible for Medicaid…you can have zero income and [...]
By Julie Rovner, NPR News August 13, 2009 This story is from KHN partner NPR The story has spread so fast even President Obama got asked about it at one of his town hall meetings. But no, the health care overhaul bill now working its way through Congress would not require seniors to learn how [...]
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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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