Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
I fly a lot. You probably do too. Flying is not much fun – when it’s not downright miserable. So the news that the furlough of air traffic controllers mandated by sequestration was leading to even more delays was most … Continue reading Air traffic controllers, health care, and Head Start
Read More...Florida’s legislature is working thru several workers’ comp bills – and the news isn’t good. A PDMP bill has been emasculated; Florida’s prescription drug monitoring program won’t require physicians check the system before prescribing drugs. And while there’s ongoing negotiations … Continue reading A tough week for work comp in Florida
Read More...According to the NYTimes, the FDA’s ongoing investigation into compounding pharmacies: “found numerous unsafe practices at about 30 compounding pharmacies, the same type of facility responsible for the tainted drug that caused a deadly meningitis outbreak last year. Among the problems found … Continue reading Drug compounding’s continuing problems
Read More...Lost in the political arguments over whether or not to accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid is a rather basic question – what happens if you don’t expand Medicaid? This is especially important in states such as Florida and Texas, … Continue reading Medicaid expansion – waiting for the alternatives
Read More...There are almost 900 people attending the second annual national Rx abuse summit, and many are workers comp stakeholders. There are PBMs, UR firms, testing companies, drug companies, a few clinicians from large payers: but no executives no C-suite residents, no … Continue reading Rx drug abuse summit – who’s not here
Read More...Way more dangerous than we’ve been led to believe by compounding pharmacies and their supporters. A report in the Washington Post by two investigative journalists highlights shoddy practices and unsanitary conditions at three pharmacies that have sickened and killed patients. … Continue reading Just how dangerous is compounding?
Read More...Here’s the highlights from the week after the annual WCRI meeting and Physician Dispensing Summit… The incontrovertible proof that physician dispensing of repackaged drugs extends disability and increases claims costs has raised the stakes in Maryland, Hawai’i, and Pennsylvania, states … Continue reading Wrapping up the workers’ comp week
Read More...Over the last week I’ve had several conversations with folks opposed to Obamacare/the Affordable Care Act. Their criticisms are focused in several general areas: it doesn’t do enough to control costs; it is too expensive and we can’t afford it; … Continue reading Obamacare – criticisms considered
Read More...Good friend, colleague, and social media/marketing star Mark Walls is now at Marsh, where he’ll be “developing market research, insight, and other content for Marsh colleagues, clients, and prospects on emerging issues, trends, regulatory, and other changes that affect the … Continue reading Mark Walls moves to Marsh
Read More...Operation UNITE’s Karen Kelly led off with some of the most disturbing data I’ve ever seen on the impact of opioids in Kentucky and the country. average age of first drug use is 11. Eleven. in some counties, 50% of … Continue reading WCRI and Opioids, part three – Interventions – a successful community approach
Read More...