Our great country needs health reform. Most people want the President to succeed and our country to thrive…I certainly do. But given the hand we have been dealt on health reform, it is time to fold our cards and deal another round. Read about what we can, and should, about Obamacare and health reform.
Obama Makes A Bad Bet…And Doubles Down
Posted by David Edman in Blog, Healthcare Reform Blog, March 2010 on March 8th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Healthy Lifestyle…Less Money
Posted by David Edman in Blog, Corporate Wellness, March 2010 on March 5th, 2010 | No Comments »
Your choices about lifestyle are a matter of life, death, and health. Learn what Safeway Corporation does to encourage its employees to maintain their health and reduce costs, and what you can do.
Case Study: Bending the Cost Curve–How Indiana Does It
Posted by David Edman in Health Benefit Strategies, Insurance Purchasing Strategies, March 2010 on March 3rd, 2010 | No Comments »
On March 1, 2010, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels wrote an opinion column for the Wall Street Journal called Hoosiers and Health Savings Accounts. We support Gov. Daniels in his advocacy for consumer driven healthcare in general and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in particular. Why? Because there is compelling evidence that 30% of what we spend on healthcare in this country is wasted—the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calls it overuse, underuse, and misuse of health care in the United States. Gov. Daniels and the State of Indiana are finding solutions and setting an example for the rest of the country, so let’s see what we can learn from their experience.
Health Reform: Is Bi-Partisan Action Possible?
Posted by David Edman in February 2010, Healthcare Reform, Healthcare Reform Blog on February 26th, 2010 | No Comments »
We actually saw bi-partisan action to fix our healthcare system this week. But, it was NOT on Thursday, February 25, when President Obama convened Democrats and Republicans to discuss health reform. Real bi-partisan action took place the day before, on February 24.
Fix MEDICARE Now–Start With Medicare Advantage
Posted by David Edman in February 2010, Healthcare Reform, Healthcare Reform Blog on February 7th, 2010 | No Comments »
In January 2010, while speaking to GOP Congressman at a planning retreat, President Obama asked for ideas on how to improve health care without spending lots of money. Here’s one suggestion—we should fix Medicare Advantage NOW!!
Republicans: WAKE UP!!
Posted by David Edman in Healthcare Reform Blog, January 2010 on February 3rd, 2010 | No Comments »
It is February 2010. The Obama Presidency is one year old. Health reform as passed by the House and the Senate in late 2009 is essentially dead—these bills cannot be reconciled. So, it is time for Republicans and Democrats to come together, focus on their areas of agreement, and pass a smaller, incremental, and low cost health reform bill.
After Massachusetts: NOW WHAT?
Posted by David Edman in Healthcare Reform Blog, January 2010 on January 21st, 2010 | 5 Comments »
On Tuesday, the people of Massachusetts cast their votes, the process that makes America great. Their message was similar to the messages were sent by voters last November in Virginia and New Jersey. But what exactly is the message?
How to Help Make Your Health Insurance Broker a “Trusted Advisor”
Posted by David Edman in Insurance Purchasing Strategies, January 2010 on January 18th, 2010 | 1 Comment »
In your efforts to manage health benefit costs, do you wait until 2 to 3 months before your renewal and then invite one or more brokers to submit a bid? It does create competition, but we would argue the wrong kind of competition. To quote one of my clients, “There has to be a better way.”
U.S. Healthcare Spending: Are Regional Differences Indicators of Waste?
Posted by David Edman in January 2010, Metrics on January 18th, 2010 | 4 Comments »
According to 2006 data from Medicare, the average annual cost per beneficiary for people residing in Honolulu, HI, was $5,311. In contrast, Medicare recipients in Miami each cost the government $16,351 in 2006, over three times as much. Why the difference?
About RMP in the New Year
Posted by David Edman in Healthcare Reform Blog, January 2010 on January 12th, 2010 | No Comments »
Risk Management Partners LLC would like to wish its clients and friends a happy, healthy, and prosperous year in 2010. Keep an eye on these pages for current information on the important deliberations in Washington, DC over the future of our healthcare system (see notes from my fall visit to the White House).