On Wednesday, the U.S. men’s national soccer team upset Spain, the #1 team in the world (see video highlights). They will play in the Confederations Cup Final on June 28th against either Brazil or host South Africa.
In honor of the surprising U.S. victory, this edition of the Health Wonk Review will examine some equally surprising findings in the world of health care from the web’s best and brightest bloggers.
LEADOFF
Atul Gawande’s New Yorker article on cost differences between similar Texas cities has garnered a lot of attention. Daniel Gilden of The Health Care Blog investigates Gawande’s claimsof supplier-induced demand in McAllen: The Tale of Three Counties.
Health Care Renewal: Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are offering to market particular drugs…for a fee.
HEALTH REFORM IDEAS
- A MANIFESTO:
- What be included in any health reform proposals? The Healthcare Economist weighs in with his Healthcare Economist Manifesto.
- Senate HELP Committee’s health overhaul bill:
- Kaiser Health News reviews CBO estimates that “The plan will cost $1 trillion and insure only an additional 16 million people.”
- The New America Blog gives some shortcomings of this “preliminary” CBO estimate.
- Joe Paduda believes “The Finance Committee’s effort is a path to financial ruin; without cost controls we’re looking at a deficit creator that will make Part D’s eight trillion dollar ultimate liability look paltry in comparison.”
- PUBLIC PLAN:
- Budd’s Blog reviews opinions on the public health insurance plan from three experts: Jacob Hacker, Mark Pauly, and Victor Fuchs.
- Is this reform inevitable? It Takes Work Blog believes “We’ll get a public health insurance agency of some type. And we’ll be paying through the nose for it.”
- In a post titled “A Health Reform Agenda for Black America,” JudyLubin.com supports a public health plan.
- InsureBlog: “Advocates of government-run health care should be embarassed – indeed, appalled – that their arguments are so weak that they can’t stand to be questioned.”
- AMERICA’s AGENDA:
- David Harlow’s Health Care Law Blog talks with Dick Gephardt and Mark Blum about America’s Agenda health reform efforts and whether or not more preventive care will actually save money.
- WYDEN’s HEALTHY AMERICANS ACT:
- Health Access Blog reviews a few reasons why Senator Wyden’s health reform plan won’t be adopted.
- BUNDLING PAYMENTS:
- BNET Healthcare reports on replacing Medicare fee-for-service reimbursement with bundled payments tied to outcomes, comprehensive services, and shared risk.
- RESCISSION:
- Patients can have their health insurance rescinded if they lie about their pre-existing conditions. Colorado Health Insurance Insider believes that if health insurers had access to patients electronic medical records, rescissions would greatly decrease.
- Dr. Rich of The Covert Rationing Blog gives his take on the rescission debate and finds “UnitedHealth Group and Assurant Inc. had retrospecively canceled the policies of 20,000 sick subscribers over the past 5 years“
HEALTH CARE in CANADA
- Can you rely on a government contract? Canadian Medicine reports that the New Brunswick government broke a deal with doctors over wage increases in light of the latest recession.
- The Ismological writes that “Canadian Health Care Doesn’t Suck“
PUBLIC HEALTH and WORKERS’ COMP
- What was life like without women workers and health & safety standards? Workers’ Comp Insider finds some intriguing videos.
- The Gormley Files: Opportunistic Peddlers of phony anti-Swine Flu products.
- Health Business Blog: Are old drivers unsafe drivers? Elderly drivers do get in more accidents per mile driven, but because elderly drivers drive less than younger drivers, accident rates per person are comparable for those under and over 65.
- Boston Health News has a video on health issues in the gay community.
TECHNOLOGY
- According to Healthcare Technology News, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) is extending its certification options for electronic medical records (EMR) developers.
Definitely a winner here, Jason!
Thanks for hosting, and for including our post.