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
August 2004
A Guide to the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in late 2003 is like a giant ... (read more)
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in late 2003 is like a giant ... (read more)
August 2004 Health Care News (PDF)
Pfizer Inc., the nation’s largest manufacturer of prescription drugs, announced plans in July to substantially reduce prices for its drugs for all people ... (read more)
Pfizer Inc., the nation’s largest manufacturer of prescription drugs, announced plans in July to substantially reduce prices for its drugs for all people ... (read more)
Book Review: Saving Lives & Saving Money
Saving Lives & Saving Money by Newt Gingrich, with Dana Pavey and Anne Woodbury ($24.95, 337 pages, Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, 2003, ISBN: 0970548540) Saving ... (read more)
Saving Lives & Saving Money by Newt Gingrich, with Dana Pavey and Anne Woodbury ($24.95, 337 pages, Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, 2003, ISBN: 0970548540) Saving ... (read more)
Consumers Take Control with HSAs
According to a May 23 story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Susan Grabiak's health insurance premiums were about to jump 28 percent. In the blink of an ... (read more)
According to a May 23 story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Susan Grabiak's health insurance premiums were about to jump 28 percent. In the blink of an ... (read more)
Hospital Price Transparency
The Boston Globe published a laudatory write-up on June 8 about a new essay in the June issue of Harvard Business Review, by Michael Porter of the Harvard ... (read more)
The Boston Globe published a laudatory write-up on June 8 about a new essay in the June issue of Harvard Business Review, by Michael Porter of the Harvard ... (read more)
Illinois Insurance Brokers Seek Solutions for the Uninsured
On May 26, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Health Care Justice Act (House Bill 2268). The bill sets as a policy goal the creation of a state health ... (read more)
On May 26, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Health Care Justice Act (House Bill 2268). The bill sets as a policy goal the creation of a state health ... (read more)
Massachusetts Will Try Anything ... Except Markets
A proposed amendment to the Massachusetts state constitution, which would mandate that lawmakers provide medical insurance to all residents of the state, ... (read more)
A proposed amendment to the Massachusetts state constitution, which would mandate that lawmakers provide medical insurance to all residents of the state, ... (read more)
Minnesota 'Best Practices' Law Riles Opposition
Minnesota has recently become a national hotspot in the battle over health care reform. Pushed by employer groups, state agencies, and health plan providers, ... (read more)
Minnesota has recently become a national hotspot in the battle over health care reform. Pushed by employer groups, state agencies, and health plan providers, ... (read more)
Obesity Claims Overstated, Consumer Advocate Tells FDA
Obesity is a genuine problem in America, but our national debate on the subject has become nothing short of hysterical. And around every corner is a hidden ... (read more)
Obesity is a genuine problem in America, but our national debate on the subject has become nothing short of hysterical. And around every corner is a hidden ... (read more)
Obesity Considered 'Disease' for Medicare Purposes
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced on July 15 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would remove ... (read more)
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced on July 15 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would remove ... (read more)
Pfizer Lowers Rx Prices for Uninsured Americans
Pfizer Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of prescription drugs, has announced plans to substantially reduce prices for its drugs for all people without ... (read more)
Pfizer Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of prescription drugs, has announced plans to substantially reduce prices for its drugs for all people without ... (read more)
Physicians and Surgeons Examine Consumer-Directed Care
South Africa and the United States are on different continents and in different hemispheres, but experience with consumer-directed health plans in the former ... (read more)
South Africa and the United States are on different continents and in different hemispheres, but experience with consumer-directed health plans in the former ... (read more)
State Update: Health Savings Accounts
Connecticut Chambers of Commerce Offer HSAs ConnectiCare will soon be the first HMO plan in the country to offer a consumer-directed health plan compatible ... (read more)
Connecticut Chambers of Commerce Offer HSAs ConnectiCare will soon be the first HMO plan in the country to offer a consumer-directed health plan compatible ... (read more)
Table: How The Rx Drug Benefit Will Affect You
Annual Income/Assets Your AnnualPrescription DrugExpense LINE 1 LINE 2 LINE 3 $250 $16 $500 $500 $32 $538 $750 $48 $575 $1,000 $64 $613 ... (read more)
Annual Income/Assets Your AnnualPrescription DrugExpense LINE 1 LINE 2 LINE 3 $250 $16 $500 $500 $32 $538 $750 $48 $575 $1,000 $64 $613 ... (read more)
Table: Monthly Premiums For Nongroup Health Insurance
Sample Monthly Premiums for Nongroup Health Insurance in Massachusetts, September 2003 Carrier Status Rate Offered in Boston* Aetna Life Insurance ... (read more)
Sample Monthly Premiums for Nongroup Health Insurance in Massachusetts, September 2003 Carrier Status Rate Offered in Boston* Aetna Life Insurance ... (read more)
The Pain in Maine Is Dirigo
Mainers are beginning to have second thoughts about Dirigo health care, the new state-run plan that looks like national health care, sounds like national ... (read more)
Mainers are beginning to have second thoughts about Dirigo health care, the new state-run plan that looks like national health care, sounds like national ... (read more)
Wisconsin Gov. Says No to HSA Tax Break
As the Wisconsin legislative session came to a close, state legislators passed a bill to give citizens a state tax deduction for contributions to Health ... (read more)
As the Wisconsin legislative session came to a close, state legislators passed a bill to give citizens a state tax deduction for contributions to Health ... (read more)
