Welcome to HealthCare REPAIR
Posted by: norao on: December 9, 2009
- In: General
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HealthCare REPAIR is building a movement for major change in the way health care is delivered and paid for in America. A project of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center, HealthCare REPAIR strives to ensure that quality health care will be available for all into the future.
Mayo Clinic Perspectives on Health Reform
Read our latest Perspectives for specific opinions on payment reform, cost-containment, expanding coverage, and enhancing quality. Mayo Clinic will neither endorse nor oppose entire bills, but will continue to point out provisions that we think move the country toward patient-centered health care and areas where we have concerns.
Stop the expansion of unsustainable, price-controlled, government-run health care!
The Senate is considering a major expansion in Medicare to help get Americans insured. If this provision is enacted, it could be disastrous. Medicare’s price controls lead to reduced access, compromised quality and increasing costs. Senators should be addressing these problems — not perpetuating them — through health reform legislation. Contact your Senators today to say NO to Medicare expansion!
Health Reform News for December 15, 2009
Posted by: emilyblahnik on: December 15, 2009
- In: News
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Health Care Reform News – December 15, 2009
TOP STORIES
Democrats Drop Plan to Expand Medicare ; The Wall Street Journal – Dec. 15, 2009
Senate Democrats on Monday evening dropped a plan to expand Medicare, winning the support of moderates and the reluctant acquiescence of liberals, in another major step toward building enough support to pass a health-care overhaul.
Gawande’s latest
Posted by: norao on: December 15, 2009
In case you missed it, Dr. Atul Gawande in the current issue of the New Yorker looks at complex challenges in America’s history and considers what will be required to solve today’s most pressing issue – addressing the nation’s soaring medical costs. He concludes, “The task will require dedicated and talented people in government agencies and in communities who recognize that the country’s future depends on their sidestepping the ideological battles, encouraging local change, and following the results. But if we’re willing to accept an arduous, messy, and continuous process we can come to grips with a problem even of this immensity. We’ve done it before.”
Senate bill unlikely to contain Medicare Expansion
Posted by: norao on: December 15, 2009
While it’s not over till it’s over, it appears that the recent deal-making around a Medicare buy-in for people age 55 – 64 has lost most of its steam. (see Washington Post Story). Democrats are committed to passing someting this year, and the need for 60 votes seems to be impacting many of the “deals” currently in the works.
Twelve Democratic senators express concern over proposed Medicare buy-in
Posted by: norao on: December 14, 2009
Last week twelve senators expressed their misgivings over the proposed Medicare buy-in for Americans aged 55-64 in a strongly worded letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In part, they state, “Creating a Medicare buy-in program that reimburses providers at current Medicare rates and according to today’s payment structure will exacerbate the existing funding inequity. Medicare is spending over one-third more for each Medicare beneficiary in some states compared to ours. The combination of an antiquated payment forumla that tends to penalize rural providers and greater medical efficiency in our states has forced many physicians to stop accepting Medicare patients or limit the number of Medicare patients they serve. Increasing the number of Medicare patients under a buy-in proposal without fixing the Medicare reimbursement rate will further exacerbate this problem.”
Providers Speak out against Medicare Expansion
Posted by: norao on: December 14, 2009
In a phone news conference last Friday organized by the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center, CEOs and other leaders from several health care organizations expressed strong opposition to expanding Medicare eligibility to patients in the 55-64 age range, urging that this proposal be defeated even if it means the health reform debate continues into 2010.
Listen to the full News Conference audio.
Among the participants were:
- John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic CEO, Rochester, MN
- Dr. Denis Cortese, M.D., Mayo Clinic CEO Emeritus
- Karl Ulrich, M.D., President and CEO, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI
- Rob Nesse, M.D., CEO, Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, LaCrosse, WI
- David Barrett, M.D., President and CEO, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA
- Andrea Walsh, Executive Vice President, HealthPartners, Minneapolis, MN
