Health Care News
The Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication devoted to consumer-driven health care reform.
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Health Care News
November 2007
'Disclosure' Becomes Pharmaceutical Industry Watchword
In late August, Boston residents were rocked by a report that insurers were paying local doctors $100 every time they switched a patient from Lipitor to ... (read more)
In late August, Boston residents were rocked by a report that insurers were paying local doctors $100 every time they switched a patient from Lipitor to ... (read more)
A Valuable Roadmap for Health Care Solutions
Redefining Health Care By Michael E. Porter and Elizabeth Olmstead Teisberg Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2006 385 pages, hardcover, ISBN: 1-59139-778-2, ... (read more)
Redefining Health Care By Michael E. Porter and Elizabeth Olmstead Teisberg Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2006 385 pages, hardcover, ISBN: 1-59139-778-2, ... (read more)
Californians Dislike the State's Employer-Based Insurance System
Polls asking California voters their views of the state's health care system suggest growing support for replacing the current employer-based health insurance ... (read more)
Polls asking California voters their views of the state's health care system suggest growing support for replacing the current employer-based health insurance ... (read more)
Companies Reward Workers for Their Healthy Behavior
Instead of penalizing workers for unhealthy behaviors, a growing number of companies are rewarding them for giving up smoking and controlling obesity. Clarian ... (read more)
Instead of penalizing workers for unhealthy behaviors, a growing number of companies are rewarding them for giving up smoking and controlling obesity. Clarian ... (read more)
Competing Health Reform Plans Battle it Out on Campaign Trail
In early September, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said he wants to make preventive care mandatory in his proposed universal health insurance ... (read more)
In early September, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said he wants to make preventive care mandatory in his proposed universal health insurance ... (read more)
Court Rules Against Potential FDA Reform
The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in early August ruled terminally ill patients do not have a constitutional right to use drugs ... (read more)
The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in early August ruled terminally ill patients do not have a constitutional right to use drugs ... (read more)
Don't Mandate: Innovate
Mandating that every American be forced to purchase health insurance is the latest fad among politicians. From Massachusetts to California, they are embracing ... (read more)
Mandating that every American be forced to purchase health insurance is the latest fad among politicians. From Massachusetts to California, they are embracing ... (read more)
Electronic Medical Records May Not Improve Quality of Care: Study
Electronic medical records (EMRs) have been touted as a major advancement in health care technology since their inception early this decade. Yet a Stanford ... (read more)
Electronic medical records (EMRs) have been touted as a major advancement in health care technology since their inception early this decade. Yet a Stanford ... (read more)
GAO Predicts Huge State, Local Budget Deficits
State and local governments will have to raise taxes 17 percent or cut spending 14 percent to keep their operating budgets in balance over the next decade, ... (read more)
State and local governments will have to raise taxes 17 percent or cut spending 14 percent to keep their operating budgets in balance over the next decade, ... (read more)
Georgia Launches Insurance Plan to Cover the Working Uninsured
On August 7, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) announced preliminary details of the Health Insurance Partnership for Georgia, a new health care initiative for ... (read more)
On August 7, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) announced preliminary details of the Health Insurance Partnership for Georgia, a new health care initiative for ... (read more)
Giuliani Rolls Out Health Care Plan
Former New York City mayor and current presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani made headlines at a mid-August campaign stop in Columbia, South Carolina by ... (read more)
Former New York City mayor and current presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani made headlines at a mid-August campaign stop in Columbia, South Carolina by ... (read more)
Illinois Smoking Ban Goes into Effect January 1
Smoking is no longer allowed in Illinois--at least, not in public. On July 23, Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signed a statewide public smoking ban. As of ... (read more)
Smoking is no longer allowed in Illinois--at least, not in public. On July 23, Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signed a statewide public smoking ban. As of ... (read more)
Mexico Is Attracting U.S. Medical Tourists
Traditionally, wealthy Mexicans often traveled to the United States for high-quality health care that was unavailable at home. But increasingly, uninsured ... (read more)
Traditionally, wealthy Mexicans often traveled to the United States for high-quality health care that was unavailable at home. But increasingly, uninsured ... (read more)
Michigan Hospitals to Post Prices Online
To meet consumer and business demands for more information on the rising costs of health care, starting next January nonprofit hospitals in Michigan plan ... (read more)
To meet consumer and business demands for more information on the rising costs of health care, starting next January nonprofit hospitals in Michigan plan ... (read more)
New Jersey Defies President on SCHIP
Though the conflict between President George W. Bush and Congress over the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was still being waged at press ... (read more)
Though the conflict between President George W. Bush and Congress over the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was still being waged at press ... (read more)
New Medicare Rule on Specialty Hospitals Will Hurt Patients, Doctors, Experts Say
A stringent new Medicare rule barring doctors from referring patients to specialty hospitals in which they have a financial stake has some experts crying ... (read more)
A stringent new Medicare rule barring doctors from referring patients to specialty hospitals in which they have a financial stake has some experts crying ... (read more)
New York State's LTC Compact a Trojan Horse
Paying for Baby Boomers' long-term care (LTC) is becoming a huge burden on public programs. Medicaid and Medicare pay for most professional LTC today, ... (read more)
Paying for Baby Boomers' long-term care (LTC) is becoming a huge burden on public programs. Medicaid and Medicare pay for most professional LTC today, ... (read more)
November 2007 Health Care News (PDF)
The November 2007 issue of Health Care News reports on new efforts to require pharmaceutical firms to disclose gifts to physicians and make hospital pricing ... (read more)
The November 2007 issue of Health Care News reports on new efforts to require pharmaceutical firms to disclose gifts to physicians and make hospital pricing ... (read more)
Pharmacies Fear Coming Change to Medicaid Reimbursement Rule
Neighborhood pharmacy owners are paying close attention to federal legislation making its way through Congress that many say could make or break their businesses. Without ... (read more)
Neighborhood pharmacy owners are paying close attention to federal legislation making its way through Congress that many say could make or break their businesses. Without ... (read more)
Providing Health and Safety through Insect Elimination
I live in a log home deep in the woods of Ohio. It is a beautiful place we must share with countless insidious insects that would threaten the very foundation ... (read more)
I live in a log home deep in the woods of Ohio. It is a beautiful place we must share with countless insidious insects that would threaten the very foundation ... (read more)
Texas Legislates Medical Price Transparency
Texas passed legislation in June that will require health care providers to give consumers statewide greater access to price information for medical services ... (read more)
Texas passed legislation in June that will require health care providers to give consumers statewide greater access to price information for medical services ... (read more)
Web Drugstore Serves HSA Holders
In mid-August, the Internet retailer drugstore.com unveiled a new online store designed for holders of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): http://www.drugstore.com/hsa. The ... (read more)
In mid-August, the Internet retailer drugstore.com unveiled a new online store designed for holders of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): http://www.drugstore.com/hsa. The ... (read more)
Where's the Consensus on Secondhand Smoke?
More than a year has passed since U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, "The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, ... (read more)
More than a year has passed since U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, "The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, ... (read more)
