Monthly Archives: May 2011

The Case for Tracking Health Spending as a Share of “Potential” GDP

Filtering out misleading signals from business cycles provides a clearer view of whether health spending is on a sustainable path.

Fighting a Silent Epidemic: A New Strategic Approach to Viral Hepatitis

Millions of baby boomers and others have hepatitis B or C and don't know it. Nearly two percent of the U.S. population may have some form of it, and approximately five million individuals will develop a chronic form of the diseases.

Bundled Payment, Transparency, and Market Competition: What’s Under Wraps?

Bundling provides incentives for providers to differentiate product and price and enables purchasers and payers to compare and contrast offerings.

Recess: Moving People to Action

Children, just as much as adults, need breaks in which they can engage in physical activity, get their blood flowing, and reduce stress levels. Many here in the U.S. are failing to see play as anything more than a luxury.

New Labels Will Help Consumers Choose Health Plans

Cars have sticker prices, ketchup bottles have nutrition facts labels and soon health plans will get coverage labels, too.

What You Need to Know to Engage Patients…and Why

Comfort, support, and behavioral change: all three need to interact to become the pillars of a new era in health care.

Is the Political Terrain Shifting on Health Reform?

ACA is not only the law of the land but a law that will begin to put down roots, affect people’s lives, and become part of the socio-legal-economic fabric, just like Social Security and Medicare did.

Being a Consumer Isn’t Just About Money, It’s About Choice

In a system that generates income by providing more and more services, the only party currently paying attention to the necessary care question is the government and employers. Shouldn’t people receiving the care have the greatest say in...

Essential Health Benefits: The Secretary’s Joystick

There's a potential for small-business health insurance premiums to rocket skyward and face permanent administrative uncertainty. At the same time, the brunt appears largely to bypass big business, unions, and governments.