Tag: Healthcare Reform

EMRs Don’t Reduce Healthcare Costs

President Obama insists that electronic medical records will help cut healthcare costs, and as part of the February 2009 economic stimulus bill, Congress has offered $19 billion in incentives to adopt them. But Sue Blevins of the Institute for Health Freedom has continually warned that EMRs could endanger privacy and freedom of choice.

HSAs in the Crosshairs of Congressional Healthcare Reform

The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal has sounded the alarm about a bill proposed by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a bill that could cripple consumer-driven healthcare saving accounts plans. According to the editorial, not only does the Reid bill change the tax provisions to make HSAs less desirable, but its regulations threaten the… Continue reading HSAs in the Crosshairs of Congressional Healthcare Reform

Obama Talks of Cutting Healthcare Costs

President Obama has promised to trim the growth of healthcare-spending by 1.5 percent over the next decade, yet the New York Times stated on Nov. 10, 2009: “The [congressional] bills, including one passed Saturday night by the House, are unlikely to meet that goal, analysts say.” Also on Nov. 10, the Wall Street Journal declared:… Continue reading Obama Talks of Cutting Healthcare Costs

Update on Last Week’s House Healthcare Bill Story

Last week we discussed the difficulty of knowing what is and is not in the nearly 2,000 page House Healthcare bill. Here is a really bizarre example. Some commentators noted that the House bill provided for jail time of up to five years for anyone who failed to buy mandated insurance and also did not pay the financial penalty. Reference was also made… Continue reading Update on Last Week’s House Healthcare Bill Story

Are Federal “Expert Panels” Essential to Overhauling the Nation’s Healthcare System?

We have previously written here about the ramifications of the economic stimulus bills that became law in February 2009. Putting aside the economic and security consequences of adding to the nation’s debt, let’s focus on the $1.1 billion for a Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) program, designed to determine which healthcare treatment options are most effective… Continue reading Are Federal “Expert Panels” Essential to Overhauling the Nation’s Healthcare System?

Does the Safeway Amendment Address Workplace Wellness in a Financially Responsible Manner?

As the debate for healthcare reform continues inside the beltway, on the airwaves, and around many a dinner table and water cooler, how can we — a nation known for ingenuity and entrepreneurship — deliver quality care for a reasonable price? Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in his book Saving Lives, Saving Money, is but… Continue reading Does the Safeway Amendment Address Workplace Wellness in a Financially Responsible Manner?

Plaintiffs Win Suit to Keep Their Social Security Benefits Even if They Reject Medicare

Constitutional attorney Kent Masterson Brown has won an important legal victory on behalf of three plaintiffs — former Congressman Dick Armey, Brian Hall and John Kraus — who sued to keep their Social Security benefits after they withdrew from Medicare Part A, preferring to keep their private healthcare coverage. The Department of Health and Human… Continue reading Plaintiffs Win Suit to Keep Their Social Security Benefits Even if They Reject Medicare

Health Insurance Lobby Claims Legislation From Senate Democrats Would Raise Premiums

As the battle for healthcare reform heats up inside the beltway, the insurance industry has launched a blistering attack on legislation drafted by Senate Democrats. According to the New York Times, the health insurance lobby, America’s Health Insurance Plans, claims that the new Senate bill drafted by Democrats would significantly raise the cost of coverage.… Continue reading Health Insurance Lobby Claims Legislation From Senate Democrats Would Raise Premiums