Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
CorVel continues to intrigue. After my last post/prognostication about the potential for CorVel to be on Coventry’s acquisitions-we’re-thinking-about list, trading volume jumped by 40%. I’m not claiming a causal relationship, just a statistical one.
Since then, the average volume has been six times what it was earlier in the year. The stock price itself has seen a similar trajectory, with CorVel now trading close to $60 a share, almost four times its 52 week low.
The problem with consumer-directed health plans as presently constructed is fundamental.
They will not work.
They miss the target entirely, mis-understand the problem, and, if taken seriously, will distract from getting to a real solution.
On the other hand, when they fail miserably, as they inevitably will, we’ll be in such bad shape that a radical revision of the health care system may well be possible.
Thanks to Graham for the reminder…
My first reaction to a picture of a Medicaid recipient with one leg lost to diabetes smoking was outrage. After reflecting, I’m still outraged.
Continue reading Personal responsibility and health care costs
It’s starting.
Rep. Stark (D CA) is already talking about cutting subsidies for Medicare Advantage programs, which he claims are costing taxpayers over 12% more than standard Medicaid programs.
This comes as no surprise to loyal readers and those who are old enough to remember when “Pete” Stark was a major player in national health care policy.
Michael Cannon brings his Libertarian perspective to the latest edition of Health Wonk Review at his blog Cato-at-Liberty.
Michaels finds himself agreeing with Ezra Klein, complimenting Matthew Holt, and finding common ground with Lief Wellington Haase.
I can almost hear faint strains of “Kumbaya”…
There’s been a lot of news, non-news, and rumor about deals and transactions and changes in the work comp managed care industry floating around out there. As usual, for some of the rumors there’s a little basis in fact and none at all for others. Here’s a compendium of the more solid stuff.
Medicare Advantage subsidies will be cut, while Medicare will gain the ability to negotiate drug prices, albeit on a limited basis. Those are my predictions for legislation that will be passed early in January by Congress. The trick will be to get the Senate and Bush to go along.
But that may actually happen.
Walmart will be introducing their discount program for selected generics to shoppers in California shortly, causing much gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes by pundits, independent pharmacies, and generic manufacturers.
What’s really going on here?
Non-insurance folks, especially those who aren’t happy with their insurance for whatever reason, or those seeking to write best-selling books (John Grisham, for one), use some pretty strong adjectives describing the heartless penny-pinching mean-spirited folk who are “the insurance company”.
While I don’t doubt that a few individuals and insurance companies really are cold-hearted emotionless drones, I’ve met very few that fit that description.
This was brought to mind recently while listening in on a meeting at an insurance company.
Tommy Noe is going to be behind bars till 2026. At least that’s how an Ohio judge sees him spending his time for the next 20 years.