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
February 2004
'Best Practices' Provoke Controversy, Opposition
The notion of “best practices” is an emerging concept in health care policy and practice. Exactly what it means and how it will affect patient care are ... (read more)
The notion of “best practices” is an emerging concept in health care policy and practice. Exactly what it means and how it will affect patient care are ... (read more)
Consumer Choice Matters: HSAs and Some Devilish Details
Some readers will find the discussion below tedious, and I apologize for that. We’ll get back to fun stuff next month ... but how well Health Savings ... (read more)
Some readers will find the discussion below tedious, and I apologize for that. We’ll get back to fun stuff next month ... but how well Health Savings ... (read more)
Destroying Insurance Markets: Introduction to a Series
During the early 1990s, state legislators and insurance regulators faced growing public concern over two health insurance problems. The first was rising ... (read more)
During the early 1990s, state legislators and insurance regulators faced growing public concern over two health insurance problems. The first was rising ... (read more)
Drug Importation Remains Illegal
The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, signed by President George W. Bush in December, contains language allowing prescription ... (read more)
The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, signed by President George W. Bush in December, contains language allowing prescription ... (read more)
Economists Warn of Dangers of Drug Importation, Price Controls
We are deeply concerned about proposed legislation to remove pharmaceutical companies’ ability to control the importation of their products. The goal ... (read more)
We are deeply concerned about proposed legislation to remove pharmaceutical companies’ ability to control the importation of their products. The goal ... (read more)
Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Importation
Managing Editor’s note: On October 23, 2003, The Heartland Institute hosted a National Symposium on Drug Importation featuring elected officials from Illinois ... (read more)
Managing Editor’s note: On October 23, 2003, The Heartland Institute hosted a National Symposium on Drug Importation featuring elected officials from Illinois ... (read more)
FDA: Cost of Enforcement Would Exceed Benefits of Importation
As millions of Americans turn to Canada and even borderless Internet drug stores for less-expensive medicines, the FDA’s pharmacy affairs director, Tom ... (read more)
As millions of Americans turn to Canada and even borderless Internet drug stores for less-expensive medicines, the FDA’s pharmacy affairs director, Tom ... (read more)
February 2004 Health Care News (pdf)
The February 2004 issue of Health Care News launches a series of articles describing how community rating and guaranteed issue have destroyed the individual ... (read more)
The February 2004 issue of Health Care News launches a series of articles describing how community rating and guaranteed issue have destroyed the individual ... (read more)
Lessons from the Flu Vaccine Shortage
Every year, influenza--“the flu”--invades the U.S., striking the elderly and the ill especially hard. Every year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ... (read more)
Every year, influenza--“the flu”--invades the U.S., striking the elderly and the ill especially hard. Every year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ... (read more)
Medicare’s Long Rx History
They say the wheels of progress grind slowly. The history of getting a prescription drug benefit into Medicare seems to validate that truism: It took ... (read more)
They say the wheels of progress grind slowly. The history of getting a prescription drug benefit into Medicare seems to validate that truism: It took ... (read more)
Mental Health Parity on 2004 Agenda
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, and Senator Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) are drafting ... (read more)
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, and Senator Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) are drafting ... (read more)
MyTurn: A Reasonable Doubt
Thanks to increased border security in the wake of September 11, seizures of diluted and counterfeit drugs entering the U.S. from Asia, Europe, and other ... (read more)
Thanks to increased border security in the wake of September 11, seizures of diluted and counterfeit drugs entering the U.S. from Asia, Europe, and other ... (read more)
Report: TennCare 'Not Financially Viable'
A management consulting firm hired to evaluate the financial viability of TennCare, the state’s troubled Medicaid program, issued the first of a two-part ... (read more)
A management consulting firm hired to evaluate the financial viability of TennCare, the state’s troubled Medicaid program, issued the first of a two-part ... (read more)
Responding to Critics of HSAs
Myth: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) will not be popular. Response: HSAs will revolutionize the U.S. health care and health insurance industries. Authoritative ... (read more)
Myth: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) will not be popular. Response: HSAs will revolutionize the U.S. health care and health insurance industries. Authoritative ... (read more)
Rx Discount Cards Could Pave Way for Future Reform
The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 creates a new Medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance ... (read more)
The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 creates a new Medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance ... (read more)
Seniors Wary of New Medicare
President George W. Bush praised the new Medicare legislation he signed into law on December 8, saying it represents a “victory for all of America’s seniors.” But ... (read more)
President George W. Bush praised the new Medicare legislation he signed into law on December 8, saying it represents a “victory for all of America’s seniors.” But ... (read more)
Supreme Court Takes Up Patients’ Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in November to consider whether patients can bring suit against insurance companies and health plans when they refuse to ... (read more)
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in November to consider whether patients can bring suit against insurance companies and health plans when they refuse to ... (read more)
The New Jersey Car Wreck
Welcome to New Jersey, where people with individual health insurance routinely pay more than $12,000 a year for premiums, and can spend as much as $263,904. Thanks ... (read more)
Welcome to New Jersey, where people with individual health insurance routinely pay more than $12,000 a year for premiums, and can spend as much as $263,904. Thanks ... (read more)
