Health Reform: Is Bi-Partisan Action Possible? (February 2010)

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. Read the article

Fix MEDICARE Now–Start With Medicare Advantage (February 2010)

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!! Read the article

Musings on Health Reform—Where Do We Go from Here (January 2010)

As we go to press, House and Senate conferees are working (behind closed doors) to create a final health reform bill. Regardless of the result, I believe we will be dealing with this issue for years to come. If a bill passes, there are massive regulations still to be written, and the next Congress will undoubtedly seek to recast the legislation. On the other hand, if a merged bill fails to pass both houses of Congress, the country still needs to pass a reduced version of health reform in which the parties can agree. Read the article

About David Edman, partner (January 2010)

David Edman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Risk Management Partners LLC. David has worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years, since receiving a BS in Economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA in Health Services Management from The Kellogg School at Northwestern University in 1978. Read the article

Policy Update: An Analysis of Health Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962) (November 2009)

The House of Representatives Has Spoken; Can We Do Better in the Senate? If we are to effectively reform healthcare in the United States and keep the system private, there is one critical concept that needs to be accepted and respected—that is, we must properly apply the general principles of insurance to healthcare. Insurance is meant to provide individuals with financial protection against large, unexpected losses. When used in that way, insurance works, such as in the markets for automobile and fire insurance. When insurance is used to pay for smaller, routine, day-to-day expenses, insurance doesn’t work—it is an inefficient and wasteful financing mechanism. If we want to fix healthcare in this country, preserve choice, and keep the system private, there is a way and it doesn’t have to bust the federal budget. Read the article

Primer on Health Reform (September 2009)

If you have a position on healthcare reform that you're comfortable with, you can keep it. If not, we'll give you information on the choice of a "public option" — a position on health reform that you can communicate to your members of Congress — if you choose to do so. Here are a set of resources to help you understand and participate in the debate. Read the article

A Businessman’s Message to Congress:
Health Reform Dos and Don’ts (September 2009)

As Americans, we are facing one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime — how to fix our broken healthcare system. There is widespread agreement on the following set of goals: address the cost of health insurance, improve access to care, and reduce wasteful spending. We face a choice of protecting our children's future with constructive health reform or behaving like them and achieving nothing. President Nixon tried National Health Insurance reform in the early 1970s and failed. Twenty years passed until the Clintons tried again in the early 1990s — and failed. After 15 more years of the status quo, we can ill afford to fail again. Read the article

Examining Uncle Sam’s Role in Health Care (July 2009)

Sure, the American healthcare system needs to be fixed, but there's a risk that curing the system will harm the patient. Will reform bankrupt our country or saddle future generations with enormous debt? Will we curtail or end access to services and healthcare providers of our choosing? Read the article

Policy Update: Healthcare Policy Reform Is Hot! (July 2009)

Washington lawmakers are hard at work on a variety of healthcare reform options. And, we've seen our share of commentary both for and against the reforms. That’s why we've compiled a group of links covering different sides of the issue — from the impact of reform on small businesses and the uninsured, to how to understand and gauge the potential reform program costs. Read the article

Report from Harrisburg: “If You Fix Healthcare for Small Business, You Fix It for America” (May 2009)

On May 4, 2009, 85 business owners gathered for this panel discussion on healthcare challenges to small business. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sponsored the forum during Pennsylvania Small Business Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg. Here are the key points. Read the article