Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Pretty good. I’d say better than 50:50; probably 60:40 or better that there will be major reform in the next Congress. Here’s why. Sen Ron Wyden’s (D OR) Healthy Americans Act has six D and six R Senate cosponsors, including … Continue reading Health care reform – what are the chances?
Read More...The third session of the World Health Care Congress was begun by a talk from Rep Jim Cooper (D TN), one of Barack Obama’s health policy folks. Rep Cooper primarily condemned Sen McCain’s policy, while noting that both Democrats’ platforms … Continue reading Obama, Clinton, McCain and health care reform
Read More...Drug costs now account for 15% of total medical expense in workers comp, a percentage that has grown dramatically over the last few years. My firm has conducted the only survey of payers focused on prescription drug management in workers … Continue reading Survey of Prescription Drugs in Workers Comp
Read More...There’s big trouble brewing in Florida – trouble in the form of a seemingly-innocuous workers comp fee schedule change that would increase medical expense by almost 20%. Yes, twenty percent. We’ll delve into the details in future posts. First, I’m … Continue reading Florida hospital reimbursement – Mayday Mayday Mayday
Read More...There has been, and will be, a lot of comparing and contrasting among competing versions of health care reform in this election. The brouhaha surrounding Sen Obama’s not-quite-universal coverage consumed a good bit of the blogosphere earlier this year, and … Continue reading Get your figures right
Read More...A couple weeks ago I used this space to make a few pointed recommendations to entrepreneurs thinking of selling their companies. This week’s news that FairIsaac is selling off its bill review unit reminds us that mistakes can be made … Continue reading Be careful what you buy
Read More...THIS WAS A SPECIAL POST IN HONOR OF APRIL 1. In a deal set to be announced later this week, billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway unit will be acquiring troubled health plan Wellpoint. This may be the first of several … Continue reading Buffett buying Wellpoint
Read More...My post a few days ago complimenting Aetna on their progress in a number of areas struck a few nerves and elicited more than a few emails from ballistic providers (a couple of the printable ones are in the comment … Continue reading Aetna’s comp network – struggles and progress
Read More...In a word, No. The industry-specific event that triggered the recent selloff in health plan stocks was teh announcement by Wellpoint that they underpriced their premiums for certain products. This was followed by Humana’s problem – their Medicare Part D … Continue reading Should health plan stocks be dropping?
Read More...Here in New England we’re about to welcome spring – that glorious time of year when the wind howls and the rain pours and mud covers all, best enjoyed while standing outside freezing your tukus watching one of your progeny … Continue reading HWR – the ‘fearless leader’ edition
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