Ten days away does wonders.
My real job was rather hectic last year, so I missed out on a few notable events, and finally got a few minutes to warap up some of 2006’s more interesting developments.
I reported that Sen. Bill Frist, erstwhile Presidential candidate, launched a blog in 2006. It seems to be stuck in the sand, as the Senator has not been able to update since September. So much for the great leap into the new media…
On the good news side, Health Affairs launched a new blog and looks to be learning quickly. Bob Laszewski’s new blog got in under the wire, adding a Bob’s 30+ years in the insurance industry to the discussion. Bob’s not wasting any time joining the fray…
Ethics – my very un-scientific review of MCM over the last year says there were more posts about ethical issues than any other topic. Either I’m too picky, or there are too many ethically challenged folks in our business.
Ethical problems dogged large payers, with the biggest problems appearing to bite the biggest payer. Some of these payers also got their imaginary behinds bitten by consumer groups in California. And the new-Guv’nor, then Attorney General of NY Spitzer took down some mighty big names; the latest to cave is MetLife, who just agreed to pay $19 million in penalties.
On the lite side, we got a much-needed infusion of humor and wonderment from the various debacles in Ohio. From lost gold coins, to illicit campaign contributions, to the flat out blindingly incompetent, the Buckeye folks outdid themselves. (muted applause) And they look to be ending the year on a bang, as the latest indicates 27 apparently well-connected employers got (very) favorable insurance rates from the Ohio Workers Comp department
There was much talk about the pros and cons and reality and hyperbole surrounding Consumer Directed Health Plans – with advocates noting their ability to get people to think about how much care costs, and detractors noting the propensity of folks in high-deductible plans to not get routine care. The most recent and best research to date makes it look like we’re not arguing about much, as CDHP plans have not grown at allover the last year.
The CDHP mumbo-jumbo found its way into Pres. Bush’s agenda for health care reform, an agenda that went exactly nowhere. So, while there was precious little done to improve things in 2006, there have already been several initiatives announced by politicians, industry groups, and states looking to do SOMETHING about health care reform. So far, Sen Ron Wyden’s Healthy Americans Act makes the most sense.
Finally, as if I needed any more proof that I have no idea how people make money in the stock market, there’s the CorVel story. CorVel’s stock hit another 52 week high, a mere 11 days after analysts cut earnings forecasts for 2007. Benjamin Graham, where are you?
Oh, and Managed Care Matters is now 2+ years in existence (as much as anything in the blog-o-sphere exists…). Thanks to all – those who agree and those who don’t, and especially to those I can’t thank for their insights and info because their present employers would be really ticked if they knew…
