Medicare
California
California’s ‘All-Payer’ Healthcare Proposal Is Rationing by Another Name
California lawmakers believe they’ve found an ingenious way to make health care more affordable — just legislate lower prices. That’s effectively what AB 3087, which was introduced by San Jose Democrat Ash Kalra in the Assembly in March, would do. The bill would direct a panel of nine experts to set prices for ...
Business & Economics
New Study: Patients, Employers and Taxpayers Could Save Significantly if Barriers to Biosimilars Removed
A new study released today found that, by removing barriers holding back the increased use of biosimilars, savings could be significant. In a case study of infliximab, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other illnesses, reforms could realize an annual savings of between $412 million and $465 million. ...
Blog
When the Public Option Is the Only Option
Single-payer has failed abroad and at home. Yet the call for single-payer from progressives has never been louder. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and his dedicated followers have been the loudest. In his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, he promised “Medicare for All.” In September 2017, he ...
Commentary
Don’t Let Britain’s Single-Payer Sickness Spread Stateside
Several contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination are staking their candidacies on a government takeover of the U.S. health care system, whereby the feds become the lone payer, or “single-payer” for health care services. Sens. Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker are all co-sponsors of a ...
Commentary
Liberals Sue Gov. Paul LePage For Protecting Them From Fiscal Disaster
Activist groups in Maine are suing Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, for refusing to participate in Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. The suit comes months after Maine became the first state in the nation to expand Medicaid via a ballot vote. Expansion advocates claim that growing the program would enable thousands of ...
Commentary
Trump’s Drug Pricing Speech Mostly Hit the Right Notes
Last Friday, President Trump delivered a major speech from the White House Rose Garden on prescription drug prices. He announced several policies aimed at reducing the overall cost of pharmaceuticals and limiting patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. His reform agenda, entitled “American Patients First,” is largely excellent. It mostly harnesses the power ...
Business & Economics
Pharmaceutical Price Controls Will Not Improve Health Care Outcomes in Illinois
Due to its national implications, last week’s introduction of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) blueprint on drug prices is garnering all the attention. Despite its importance, HHS’ blueprint should not overshadow the many poor, and even unconstitutional, policy proposals that are occurring at the state level. For ...
Business & Economics
Federal Government Must Revamp Spending To Maximize Economic Growth
It’s not news that the federal government spends too much. This year, the federal government will spend about $30,000 per taxpayer. That doesn’t count the public debt — every taxpayers’ share is over $145,000 — or unfunded liabilities like Social Security and Medicare, which add another $600,000 to $1.6 million per taxpayer. ...
Commentary
In Progressive America, All Roads Lead to Single-Payer
Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., recently introduced the “Choose Medicare Act,” which would give every American the option to buy into Medicare. Their colleagues have already rolled out three other bills that would provide for a more limited Medicare buy-in, a Medicaid buy-in, and a full-fledged, government-run, ...
Commentary
Canadians Can’t Wait Any Longer For Healthcare Justice
Canada’s health care system is back on trial. Last month, a nine-year-old lawsuit challenging British Columbia’s prohibition on private health insurance and private payment for medical care resumed. Dr. Brian Day, an orthopedic surgeon who runs the private Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver, is leading the suit. He alleges that ...
California’s ‘All-Payer’ Healthcare Proposal Is Rationing by Another Name
California lawmakers believe they’ve found an ingenious way to make health care more affordable — just legislate lower prices. That’s effectively what AB 3087, which was introduced by San Jose Democrat Ash Kalra in the Assembly in March, would do. The bill would direct a panel of nine experts to set prices for ...
New Study: Patients, Employers and Taxpayers Could Save Significantly if Barriers to Biosimilars Removed
A new study released today found that, by removing barriers holding back the increased use of biosimilars, savings could be significant. In a case study of infliximab, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other illnesses, reforms could realize an annual savings of between $412 million and $465 million. ...
When the Public Option Is the Only Option
Single-payer has failed abroad and at home. Yet the call for single-payer from progressives has never been louder. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and his dedicated followers have been the loudest. In his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, he promised “Medicare for All.” In September 2017, he ...
Don’t Let Britain’s Single-Payer Sickness Spread Stateside
Several contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination are staking their candidacies on a government takeover of the U.S. health care system, whereby the feds become the lone payer, or “single-payer” for health care services. Sens. Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker are all co-sponsors of a ...
Liberals Sue Gov. Paul LePage For Protecting Them From Fiscal Disaster
Activist groups in Maine are suing Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, for refusing to participate in Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. The suit comes months after Maine became the first state in the nation to expand Medicaid via a ballot vote. Expansion advocates claim that growing the program would enable thousands of ...
Trump’s Drug Pricing Speech Mostly Hit the Right Notes
Last Friday, President Trump delivered a major speech from the White House Rose Garden on prescription drug prices. He announced several policies aimed at reducing the overall cost of pharmaceuticals and limiting patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. His reform agenda, entitled “American Patients First,” is largely excellent. It mostly harnesses the power ...
Pharmaceutical Price Controls Will Not Improve Health Care Outcomes in Illinois
Due to its national implications, last week’s introduction of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) blueprint on drug prices is garnering all the attention. Despite its importance, HHS’ blueprint should not overshadow the many poor, and even unconstitutional, policy proposals that are occurring at the state level. For ...
Federal Government Must Revamp Spending To Maximize Economic Growth
It’s not news that the federal government spends too much. This year, the federal government will spend about $30,000 per taxpayer. That doesn’t count the public debt — every taxpayers’ share is over $145,000 — or unfunded liabilities like Social Security and Medicare, which add another $600,000 to $1.6 million per taxpayer. ...
In Progressive America, All Roads Lead to Single-Payer
Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., recently introduced the “Choose Medicare Act,” which would give every American the option to buy into Medicare. Their colleagues have already rolled out three other bills that would provide for a more limited Medicare buy-in, a Medicaid buy-in, and a full-fledged, government-run, ...
Canadians Can’t Wait Any Longer For Healthcare Justice
Canada’s health care system is back on trial. Last month, a nine-year-old lawsuit challenging British Columbia’s prohibition on private health insurance and private payment for medical care resumed. Dr. Brian Day, an orthopedic surgeon who runs the private Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver, is leading the suit. He alleges that ...
