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Consumer Power Report
Written by Greg Scandlen, director of Consumers for Health Care Choices at The Heartland Institute, the Consumer Power Report is a weekly email summarizing recent developments on consumer-directed healch care in the media, legislative, and regulatory arenas.
Consumer Power Report
Consumer Power Report
This has to be a skip week for the Consumer Power Report. I have been traveling all week. We held town hall meetings in Indianapolis and Grand Rapids this ... (read more)
This has to be a skip week for the Consumer Power Report. I have been traveling all week. We held town hall meetings in Indianapolis and Grand Rapids this ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #159
Looking back on 2008, Time magazine made a mistake in naming Barack Obama its Man of the Year. Oh, certainly Mr. Obama was consequential, but the iconic ... (read more)
Looking back on 2008, Time magazine made a mistake in naming Barack Obama its Man of the Year. Oh, certainly Mr. Obama was consequential, but the iconic ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #160
I was in a meeting where we were talking about Republican support in the Senate for an individual mandate. Probably a quarter of Senate Republicans support ... (read more)
I was in a meeting where we were talking about Republican support in the Senate for an individual mandate. Probably a quarter of Senate Republicans support ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #161
And so it begins. The new administration hasn't even taken office and Congress is already going wild in health care. Last week the House passed its version ... (read more)
And so it begins. The new administration hasn't even taken office and Congress is already going wild in health care. Last week the House passed its version ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #162
There is way too much going on these days. It's a full-time job just trying to stay up with it all. I'm beginning to wonder if these weekly missives are ... (read more)
There is way too much going on these days. It's a full-time job just trying to stay up with it all. I'm beginning to wonder if these weekly missives are ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #163
I've been compiling a lot of good stuff on consumer-driven health, but I ran out of room for it this week. The horror stories coming out of Washington continue ... (read more)
I've been compiling a lot of good stuff on consumer-driven health, but I ran out of room for it this week. The horror stories coming out of Washington continue ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #164
Wow! Two weeks and the wheels are already falling off the bus. The commentators who were saying a month ago that this was the smoothest transition in history ... (read more)
Wow! Two weeks and the wheels are already falling off the bus. The commentators who were saying a month ago that this was the smoothest transition in history ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #165
The House and Senate have agreed on a massive stimulus package, and it's on its way to the White House. Like most of the Members of Congress, I have no ... (read more)
The House and Senate have agreed on a massive stimulus package, and it's on its way to the White House. Like most of the Members of Congress, I have no ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #166
Sometimes when the debate gets heated we can lose track of basic principles and start cutting deals just to resolve a dispute. As necessary as that may ... (read more)
Sometimes when the debate gets heated we can lose track of basic principles and start cutting deals just to resolve a dispute. As necessary as that may ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #167
If you haven't visited the Heartland Institute Web site recently, you should really check it out. The organization has a lot going on, and those of us working ... (read more)
If you haven't visited the Heartland Institute Web site recently, you should really check it out. The organization has a lot going on, and those of us working ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #168
A recent meeting I was supposed to attend was cancelled because the group I was supposed to meet with got a last-minute invitation to attend the Big White ... (read more)
A recent meeting I was supposed to attend was cancelled because the group I was supposed to meet with got a last-minute invitation to attend the Big White ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #169
I apologize for misplacing Manitowoc last week. I said it was in Minnesota when of course it is in Wisconsin. I was using two different newspapers ... (read more)
I apologize for misplacing Manitowoc last week. I said it was in Minnesota when of course it is in Wisconsin. I was using two different newspapers ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #170
The news from Washington gets more disturbing by the day. It is interesting that many of President Barack Obama's most stalwart supporters are becoming ... (read more)
The news from Washington gets more disturbing by the day. It is interesting that many of President Barack Obama's most stalwart supporters are becoming ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #171
I don’t know about where you live, but our tulips and daffodils are coming up, the cherry blossoms are about to bloom, the sun is shining today, and ... (read more)
I don’t know about where you live, but our tulips and daffodils are coming up, the cherry blossoms are about to bloom, the sun is shining today, and ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #172
I was very pleased this week to be able to spend some time with two formidable people in health care, Uwe Reinhardt and Rick Scott.I've known Uwe for a ... (read more)
I was very pleased this week to be able to spend some time with two formidable people in health care, Uwe Reinhardt and Rick Scott.I've known Uwe for a ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #173
Pretty long issue this week, so I'll keep this introduction short. Have a joyous Easter.IN THIS ISSUE:Milliman StudyLewin StudyFrom the Think TanksMassachusetts ... (read more)
Pretty long issue this week, so I'll keep this introduction short. Have a joyous Easter.IN THIS ISSUE:Milliman StudyLewin StudyFrom the Think TanksMassachusetts ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #174
I'd say the Tea Parties were a tremendous success. President Barack Obama went to Europe to apologize for the United States being "arrogant, dismissive, ... (read more)
I'd say the Tea Parties were a tremendous success. President Barack Obama went to Europe to apologize for the United States being "arrogant, dismissive, ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #175
If you don't do anything else today, read this blog, "The Data Model That Almost Killed Me." It is by Joe Bugajski and describes his experience ... (read more)
If you don't do anything else today, read this blog, "The Data Model That Almost Killed Me." It is by Joe Bugajski and describes his experience ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #176
I have never seen the free-market proponents in a debate as discouraged as they are over health care. We had a conference call recently and the mood was ... (read more)
I have never seen the free-market proponents in a debate as discouraged as they are over health care. We had a conference call recently and the mood was ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #177
At this point it is all about money. One of the articles below mentions that the liberal group Health Care for America Now has $40 million to spend on inflicting ... (read more)
At this point it is all about money. One of the articles below mentions that the liberal group Health Care for America Now has $40 million to spend on inflicting ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #178
I'm not going to spend much time this week on the meeting President Barack Obama had with some industry groups. There has been plenty of gushing about it ... (read more)
I'm not going to spend much time this week on the meeting President Barack Obama had with some industry groups. There has been plenty of gushing about it ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #179
We had a terrific call with Professor Regina Herzlinger on the monthly Health Policy Call we sponsor with the Council for Affordable Health Insurance and ... (read more)
We had a terrific call with Professor Regina Herzlinger on the monthly Health Policy Call we sponsor with the Council for Affordable Health Insurance and ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #180
We had a meeting of the Health Care Freedom Coalition on Thursday, May 27. It included a lot of reports from a lot of people, but most notable was the extraordinary ... (read more)
We had a meeting of the Health Care Freedom Coalition on Thursday, May 27. It included a lot of reports from a lot of people, but most notable was the extraordinary ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #181
I'm very excited that the new CHCC Web site (www.chcchoices.org) is up--just in time for the Big Debate. Please take a look. We have retained most of the ... (read more)
I'm very excited that the new CHCC Web site (www.chcchoices.org) is up--just in time for the Big Debate. Please take a look. We have retained most of the ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #182
There is just too much going on, and it is going to get worse before it gets better. I try to pull information together in some semblance of coherence, ... (read more)
There is just too much going on, and it is going to get worse before it gets better. I try to pull information together in some semblance of coherence, ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #183
Things in Washington get weirder by the day. It reminds me of a bunch of toddlers playing in the sand box. They move their toys around haphazardly--let's ... (read more)
Things in Washington get weirder by the day. It reminds me of a bunch of toddlers playing in the sand box. They move their toys around haphazardly--let's ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #184
The Heartland Institute is holding two Town Hall Meetings on health reform next week, one on June 30 in Indianapolis and another in Grand Rapids, Michigan ... (read more)
The Heartland Institute is holding two Town Hall Meetings on health reform next week, one on June 30 in Indianapolis and another in Grand Rapids, Michigan ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #185
This is a particularly long issue of Consumer Power Report, made necessary by my travel last week and the fact that health reform is heating up to a boiling ... (read more)
This is a particularly long issue of Consumer Power Report, made necessary by my travel last week and the fact that health reform is heating up to a boiling ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #186
Wow, the cracks are really beginning to show. Everywhere the "aura of inevitability" that President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats tried ... (read more)
Wow, the cracks are really beginning to show. Everywhere the "aura of inevitability" that President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats tried ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #187
While things are moving in the right direction on health care, it would be foolish to get complacent. As the stories below show, public opinion is slipping ... (read more)
While things are moving in the right direction on health care, it would be foolish to get complacent. As the stories below show, public opinion is slipping ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #188
Never a dull moment in the health care battles, eh? No sooner do four of the Blue Dogs come to an agreement with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman ... (read more)
Never a dull moment in the health care battles, eh? No sooner do four of the Blue Dogs come to an agreement with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #189
I sent a copy of the last newsletter to the White House hall monitor that wants to know if there is "anything fishy" going on out there. I explained ... (read more)
I sent a copy of the last newsletter to the White House hall monitor that wants to know if there is "anything fishy" going on out there. I explained ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #190
Nancy and I went to Ben Cardin's town hall meeting in Hagerstown this week. We couldn't get in to the hall, but from news reports the inside was much like ... (read more)
Nancy and I went to Ben Cardin's town hall meeting in Hagerstown this week. We couldn't get in to the hall, but from news reports the inside was much like ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #191
A new survey by United Benefits Advisors finds that enrollment in consumer-driven plans now exceeds that of HMOs. The survey included more than 12,000 employers ... (read more)
A new survey by United Benefits Advisors finds that enrollment in consumer-driven plans now exceeds that of HMOs. The survey included more than 12,000 employers ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #192
Senator Ted Kennedy has died, as we knew he would. His legacy is profound, being a sponsor or cosponsor of most of the significant legislation of the past ... (read more)
Senator Ted Kennedy has died, as we knew he would. His legacy is profound, being a sponsor or cosponsor of most of the significant legislation of the past ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #193
For some time now, commentators have been bemoaning the loss of comity in Washington. They fondly remember how Ronald Reagan would get together with Tip ... (read more)
For some time now, commentators have been bemoaning the loss of comity in Washington. They fondly remember how Ronald Reagan would get together with Tip ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #196
Forgive me for not getting out a newsletter last week. I was in Michigan all week working with the Mackinac Institute to give four speeches in three days. Meanwhile, ... (read more)
Forgive me for not getting out a newsletter last week. I was in Michigan all week working with the Mackinac Institute to give four speeches in three days. Meanwhile, ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #197
First, a bit of context. The CBO has been busy lately. Along with estimating the cost of the Senate Finance "framework," it revealed this week ... (read more)
First, a bit of context. The CBO has been busy lately. Along with estimating the cost of the Senate Finance "framework," it revealed this week ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #198
Boy, it is getting to be wacky season in Washington. I am glad to be able to get out of town from time to time. This week I was in Pittsburgh, next week ... (read more)
Boy, it is getting to be wacky season in Washington. I am glad to be able to get out of town from time to time. This week I was in Pittsburgh, next week ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #199
Roy Ramthun and I did a couple of events in Virginia in the past week. About 250 people attended, mostly small business owners with a few insurance brokers. ... (read more)
Roy Ramthun and I did a couple of events in Virginia in the past week. About 250 people attended, mostly small business owners with a few insurance brokers. ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #200
We're keeping it short this week. I'll just note that this is the 200th issue of Consumer Power Report. It's a milestone of sorts, though I have been doing ... (read more)
We're keeping it short this week. I'll just note that this is the 200th issue of Consumer Power Report. It's a milestone of sorts, though I have been doing ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #201
What a week last week was! First were Tuesday's elections, which should have been a wake-up call for Democrats everywhere. The Democrat establishment tried ... (read more)
What a week last week was! First were Tuesday's elections, which should have been a wake-up call for Democrats everywhere. The Democrat establishment tried ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #202
Well, now. Since our last visit Mrs. Pelosi did indeed come up with the votes needed to pass her bill in the House. Congratulations are in order. For her, ... (read more)
Well, now. Since our last visit Mrs. Pelosi did indeed come up with the votes needed to pass her bill in the House. Congratulations are in order. For her, ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #203
With all the public opinion polls going against them and the likelihood of losing a very large number of seats in next year's elections, what in the world ... (read more)
With all the public opinion polls going against them and the likelihood of losing a very large number of seats in next year's elections, what in the world ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #204
This is going to be an abbreviated issue this week to accommodate Thanksgiving.I don't know about you, but I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I ... (read more)
This is going to be an abbreviated issue this week to accommodate Thanksgiving.I don't know about you, but I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #206
If you are in San Diego or know people who are, The Heartland Institute is holding a Health Care Roundtable on December 15 at the Marina Village Conference ... (read more)
If you are in San Diego or know people who are, The Heartland Institute is holding a Health Care Roundtable on December 15 at the Marina Village Conference ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #207
I don't know where to start this week. A little prognosticating would be in order, but I have no idea what to say. Mr. Obama said the Congress is "on ... (read more)
I don't know where to start this week. A little prognosticating would be in order, but I have no idea what to say. Mr. Obama said the Congress is "on ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #208
I have never been more worried about the future of liberty than I am this Christmas. I am normally pretty calm (if a tad cynical) and don't like to get ... (read more)
I have never been more worried about the future of liberty than I am this Christmas. I am normally pretty calm (if a tad cynical) and don't like to get ... (read more)
Consumer Power Report #209
During the Bolshevik revolution Lenin reportedly said that capitalists would sell him the rope by which they would be hanged.More recently in 1971, Chicago's ... (read more)
During the Bolshevik revolution Lenin reportedly said that capitalists would sell him the rope by which they would be hanged.More recently in 1971, Chicago's ... (read more)
