Category Archives: Health Care Politics

What Santorum Means

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

This exchange from last Thursday’s Florida Republican debate was the most extensive discussion of health care so far in the primary season: Romney gave a cogent, articulate defense of Massachusetts health reform (which of course goes just as well for … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform, National Health Reform | Leave a comment

Must Reading: Berwick’s Reply

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

In a talk at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement annual forum this week, Don Berwick encapsulated his wisdom of how health care change can happen, his rage at the politics and cynicism that accompanied his work at CMS, and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control, National Health Reform | 2 Comments

Lower Copays Create Better Patient Outcomes

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

A recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that the simple strategy of eliminating copayments may improve the quality of health outcomes for patients. The study, supported by the Commonwealth Fund, concludes that patients discharged from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, Healthcare Cost Control, Private Market | 2 Comments

Who Fact Checks The Fact Checker? (UPDATED to Reflect Changes in the Original Column)

Posted on November 3, 2011 by

[Update: The Post revised their column in response to our request, after a conversation I had with the author. They removed some of the most egregious errors, but the column still reflects a hazy understanding of the goals and results … Continue reading →

Posted in HCFA, Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

FactCheck.org slams down Beacon Hill Institute “RomneyCare Lost Jobs” Study

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

The factcheckers at FactCheck.org are continuing to debunk the bunk. When the Rick Perry campaign started picking up the illogical conclusions of the latest Beacon Hill Institute study, the issue started getting national attention. The FactCheck.org reporters started checking around, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform | 4 Comments

Romnesia

Posted on April 4, 2011 by

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the legislature’s enactment of chapter 58, the Massachusetts health reform law. Five years ago, we wrote that supporters should thank Speaker DiMasi, Senate President Travaglini, but also give Governor Romney his due: “We’ve had … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform | 3 Comments

What None of the Critics Understand About the Health Safety Net/Uncompensated Care Pool

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

The Health Safety Net (HSN, formerly the Uncompensated Care Pool) program, which reimburses hospitals and community health centers for some care provided to very low income patients, is under fire. A report by the Inspector General, later amplified in news … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform | 2 Comments

FactCheck Fact Checks Romneycare

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

As former Governor’s Romney’s presidential campaign heats up, Massachusetts health reform will again become a beanbag for politicians to kick around to score points. Mike Huckabee’s trashing in his book (“we should take a lesson from RomneyCare, which shows that … Continue reading →

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Harvard Medical School Joins the Gift Ban & Disclosure Club

Posted on July 21, 2010 by

The Globe reports today that Harvard Medical School (HMS) has approved new conflict-of-interest rules.  In doing so, HMS joins the growing list of top medical schools and teaching hospitals that are enacting strict conflict-of-interest policies in an effort to protect … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics | 1 Comment

Brown / Coakley and Massachusetts Health Reform

Posted on January 18, 2010 by

We always knew that national health reform policy was going to be very dependent on Massachusetts. From the very beginning, we heard that Washington policy path was following “Massachusetts Avenue.” One Washington staffer said the goal was to do “Massachusetts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, MA Health Reform, National Health Reform | 2 Comments