Will The Affordable Care Act Succeed? (March 2013)

We need health reform in the United States, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land. But is it designed for success? We think it needs some further refinement, and make suggestions how. Read the article

Medicare Premium Supports—How It REALLY Works? (October 2012)

There is a basic lack of understanding and confusion how a 'Premium Support' program under Medicare would work. This posting helps to clear up the matter. Read the article

Fix MEDICARE Now—Part 3 (Rs vs. Ds) (August 2012)

There is so much 'noise' in the debate over how to fix Medicare. This article defines the problem, and attempts to clarify the differences between the Republican approach and the Democratic approaches to solve the problem. Read the article

“Wow!—I Just Received My Insurance Rebate Check” (August 2012)

Have you received a health insurance rebate check? Good news, right? No, because we have entered a vicious cycle of the 3 Rs of health reform: regulation, rebates, and rationing. It's Christmas in July, and not a pretty picture. Read the article

Health Reform Corner (July 2012)

Most people believed that Obamacare would be declared unconstitutional because of the individual mandate. Never before has the federal government compelled all of its citizens to purchase a product (in this case health insurance) in the private market — or face a financial penalty (or tax) if one does not comply. Read the article

“Proceed With Caution”; The Supreme Court Rules on the Affordable Care Act in NFIB vs. Sebelius (June 2012)

The Supreme Court has spoken, issuing its ruling yesterday (6/28/12) on the constitutionality of Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare), in a case called NFIB vs. Sebelius. The verdict is in—Obamacare is constitutional. What happens next? Proceed with caution. Read the article

Why Not Open Up FEHBP? (May 2012)

Given the possibility, or perhaps the likelihood, that Obamacare will be declared unconstitutional in total or in part, what happens next? Returning to the status quo prior to Obamacare is unacceptable, so I want to suggest an approach and request your reactions. Health exchanges, when operated well to promote competition, are a good thing. Instead of starting from scratch, why not consider using an existing exchange, the FEHBP? Read the article

Health Reform in America–It IS Possible (February 2012)

This blog captures some of the essential differences in healthcare spending and results in Israel compared to the United States, and what if possible through effective state by state reform of their healthcare systems. Read the article

Every State Needs A Health Exchange — It’s Time (February 2012)

It’s 2012 and a Presidential election year, and health care in the United States remains a mess. Do I like Obamacare? No. Should it be repealed? Yes. But, let’s be clear and let’s be honest. Even if Obamacare never existed, EVERY STATE IN THESE UNITED STATES NEEDS A WELL-DESIGNED HEALTH EXCHANGE. And, if Obamacare is declared unconstitutional this summer, or it is repealed in total or in part in the future, the same is true — your state should have a Health Exchange. Why? Read the article

Should Individuals Be Required to Purchase Health Insurance? (December 2011)

Most people do not understand the role of the Individual Mandate in the reform of our healthcare system--the pros, cons, and legality of the mandate. We hope to put this issue to rest (though it may have to wait until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling). Read the article

The Individual Mandate: Pros and Cons (August 2011)

This posting is about the role of the Individual Mandate within a health exchange. What exactly does it accomplish and is it essential to the proper functioning of a health exchange? If it is not essential, then is it desirable from an economic and/or public policy perspective? Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Read the article

Health Reform Corner (July 2011)

Though the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, the debate over its implementation and the future of health reform in the United States rages on. PPACA may yet be revised, repealed, defunded, or declared unconstitutional. Here are some of the more salient issues, with information that will allow you to make your own informed judgments… Read the article

A Primer On Health Insurance Exchanges (April 2011)

Change is coming to our healthcare system, and if you haven’t yet heard of health insurance exchanges, you soon will. As a consumer of healthcare services (and sometime patient), it is a concept that you should learn more about. Read the article

Obamacare Needs Fixing (February 2011)

I wanted to share with you an article that was published in the Philadelphia Business Journal on Jan. 7 called “Obamacare Needs Fixing”.  This is the short version that was prepare to fit into the available space of an Op-Ed column in the PBJ.

It is true that the devil is in the details.  [...] Read the article

Health Reform in the 112th Congress—What Should We Do in 2011? (December 2010)

In March 2010, the President signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, followed by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Together, these two pieces of legislation constitute what is commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” representing the most significant restructuring of our healthcare system in decades. Everyone agrees that the healthcare system in the United States needed (and still needs) fixing—it costs too much, quality is inconsistent, and outcomes oftentimes vary inappropriately and based on an individual’s economic status. So does Obamacare fix what is broken? To a certain degree it does, but from the political left to the political right, most Americans (including the President) are saying that Obamacare itself needs to be fixed. Read the article