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
March 2008
California Considers Imposing a Health Insurance Mandate
After nearly a year of tense negotiations, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) announced they had ... (read more)
After nearly a year of tense negotiations, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) announced they had ... (read more)
California Dreams On
California continues to stumble along down the road in dealing with health care. The state is facing a $14 billion budget deficit in the coming year, and ... (read more)
California continues to stumble along down the road in dealing with health care. The state is facing a $14 billion budget deficit in the coming year, and ... (read more)
Colorado Commission Proposes More Government Intervention
The Colorado Legislature's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform has approved a package of recommendations for comprehensive reform of the state's ... (read more)
The Colorado Legislature's Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform has approved a package of recommendations for comprehensive reform of the state's ... (read more)
Congress Delays Action on SCHIP and Medicare Reforms
In response to presidential vetoes, Congress has set aside action on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicare until at least the ... (read more)
In response to presidential vetoes, Congress has set aside action on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicare until at least the ... (read more)
Congress Grants Reprieve for Cancer Treatment
Congress has reversed a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pay less than the acquisition cost for popular cancer-treating ... (read more)
Congress has reversed a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pay less than the acquisition cost for popular cancer-treating ... (read more)
Doctors Oppose Limits on Specialty Hospitals
Physicians groups are working to head off federal legislation preventing doctors from investing in physician-owned hospitals, after earning a brief respite ... (read more)
Physicians groups are working to head off federal legislation preventing doctors from investing in physician-owned hospitals, after earning a brief respite ... (read more)
Federal Action on Health Care Unlikely This Year
As the presidential campaign heats up, we certainly can anticipate a hot political debate over the future direction of our health care sector. I hope this ... (read more)
As the presidential campaign heats up, we certainly can anticipate a hot political debate over the future direction of our health care sector. I hope this ... (read more)
Judge: San Francisco 'Play or Pay' Measure Violates Federal Law
A U.S. district judge has ruled a controversial expansion of a city health care plan violates a federal law addressing government regulation of employee ... (read more)
A U.S. district judge has ruled a controversial expansion of a city health care plan violates a federal law addressing government regulation of employee ... (read more)
March 2008 Health Care News (PDF)
The March 2008 issue of Health Care News features several articles on telemedicine and other efforts to make health care less expensive, more convenient, ... (read more)
The March 2008 issue of Health Care News features several articles on telemedicine and other efforts to make health care less expensive, more convenient, ... (read more)
Massachusetts Collecting Fines from its Uninsured Residents
Penalties went into effect this year for Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance. The penalties, assessed in the form of monetary fines, ... (read more)
Penalties went into effect this year for Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance. The penalties, assessed in the form of monetary fines, ... (read more)
Massachusetts Doctors Move to Fill Low-Dose Radiation Market Niche
The increasing use of Computed Tomography ("CT") scans in today's hospitals is prompting health professionals to look more closely at the potential effects ... (read more)
The increasing use of Computed Tomography ("CT") scans in today's hospitals is prompting health professionals to look more closely at the potential effects ... (read more)
MassHealth Is a Mess
Proponents of government-provided health care continue to tout Massachusetts as a model for the nation. The state has enrolled some 300,000 people in free ... (read more)
Proponents of government-provided health care continue to tout Massachusetts as a model for the nation. The state has enrolled some 300,000 people in free ... (read more)
Medical Establishment Is Slow to Embrace Telemedicine Options
Dr. Allen Wenner, a family practice physician, works for Prime Time Medical Software in Lexington, South Carolina, where he develops programs that collect ... (read more)
Dr. Allen Wenner, a family practice physician, works for Prime Time Medical Software in Lexington, South Carolina, where he develops programs that collect ... (read more)
Michigan Offers Health Care Price-Shopping Online
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) has launched a free Web site enabling consumers to review charge, payment, and quality information about ... (read more)
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) has launched a free Web site enabling consumers to review charge, payment, and quality information about ... (read more)
Michigan Proposal Would Erode Health Care Quality, Choice
At the end of 2007, after a single, perfunctory committee meeting, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a series of four bills which, if approved ... (read more)
At the end of 2007, after a single, perfunctory committee meeting, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a series of four bills which, if approved ... (read more)
Practicing Medicine Without Borders
There is only one thing you need to know about telemedicine: Location doesn't matter. The pathologist who examines your blood tests, the radiologist ... (read more)
There is only one thing you need to know about telemedicine: Location doesn't matter. The pathologist who examines your blood tests, the radiologist ... (read more)
Principles of State Health Care Reform
Excerpted from The Handbook on State Health Care Reform, by John C. Goodman, Michael Bond, Devon M. Herrick, and Pamela Villarreal.Five recommended principles ... (read more)
Excerpted from The Handbook on State Health Care Reform, by John C. Goodman, Michael Bond, Devon M. Herrick, and Pamela Villarreal.Five recommended principles ... (read more)
Report Claims More Government Can Solve Health Care Problems
The Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based advocacy group, has released a report claiming government-mandated health insurance, combined with personal health ... (read more)
The Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based advocacy group, has released a report claiming government-mandated health insurance, combined with personal health ... (read more)
State-Level Reforms Are Unlikely in 2008
Most of the legislative action on health care in the past year has been in the states, and it will continue to be so in 2008, though we don't expect a lot ... (read more)
Most of the legislative action on health care in the past year has been in the states, and it will continue to be so in 2008, though we don't expect a lot ... (read more)
States that Use SCHIP to Cover Adults Face Funding Shortfalls
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report finds states that use the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover adults are more prone ... (read more)
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report finds states that use the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover adults are more prone ... (read more)
Telemedicine Holds Promise for Health Care
A new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), "Convenient Care and Telemedicine," says telemedicine can remedy several of the problems ... (read more)
A new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), "Convenient Care and Telemedicine," says telemedicine can remedy several of the problems ... (read more)
Walk-in Clinics Are Growing Fast, Increasing Consumer Options
Walk-in clinics are quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing providers of health care, and experts say a major reason for their expansion is that they ... (read more)
Walk-in clinics are quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing providers of health care, and experts say a major reason for their expansion is that they ... (read more)
Wisconsin Bill Would Increase Health Care Price Transparency
Patients could know the price of more medical procedures before receiving treatment if a bipartisan bill on health care transparency makes it through the ... (read more)
Patients could know the price of more medical procedures before receiving treatment if a bipartisan bill on health care transparency makes it through the ... (read more)
