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Will The Nation’s Shaky Finances Trump Health Reform Efforts?
The U.S. is in debt and faces a huge budget deficit. This may help put health reform on the back burner . . . or not.
Sweet Home Alabama Will Charge State Employees for Being Obese
Alabama becomes the first state to institute obesity surcharge for state workers. A sign of things to come?
General Motors is auditing employee health benefit eligibility in effort to lower their costs
So why is it so hard to track eligibility?
Charlie Baker, Head Of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Talks Health Reform & The Cost Conundrum
The CEO of a major non-profit health plan views rising health costs as the major barrier to improving access.
When It Comes To Calls For Reform, US Is Far From Alone
Although a new Harris Interactive poll beats up on the US health system, deeper analysis reveals that all is not rosy overseas.
InnoCentive Idea Submissions Add to Vast Pool of Ideas in Change Now 4 Innovation xChange
132 Submission Reviewed to Date from InnoCentive with more being compiled, providing ChangeNow4Health a total of over 230 ideas to date to review
Could Workplace Wellness Be Taken Too Far?
Recent article and poll on CNN.com suggests that companies should be delicate about promoting workplace wellness initiatives.
New Study: Affluent, Less Sick Health Savings Account Users Unlikely To Skip Care
A new study answers a few questions about HSAs, but may also reinforce conventional wisdom about high-deductible health plans.
Do Healthy People Cost Us Lots of Money?
A new book stakes out a controversial and perhaps politically incorrect viewpoint: prevention is bad and prolonging lives is too costly
Economic Pressure Causes Consumers To Cut Back On Medicines
New data indicates that increasing economic pressure on American consumers and increased cost-sharing moves by third party payers is causing Americans to cut back on prescription drug spending. These trends are being closely watched by economists and the health industry as we transition to a health system where consumers will pay more for care.
Providing Answers to Lingering Questions on HSAs and HDHPs
The IRS has issued Notice 2008-59, addressing 40 FAQs on Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Plans
Wellness Programs Can Help Small Businesses Reduce Healthcare Costs
Wall Street Journal has a great overview of how small businesses can save on healthcare costs by promoting wellness
Maggie Mahar: “Runaway Health Care Inflation Is The Elephant In The Middle Of The Room”
With a significant minority of Americans forgoing needed medical treatment because of cost concerns, health inflation may become a more significant issue for Americans than the uninsured. Maggie Mahar, a noted progressive writer, discusses the merits of a health reform plan that would sharply reign in costs and give consumers responsibility for spending their own health care dollars.
PwC puts a price tag on waste in healthcare spending
Pricewaterhouse Coopers estimates up to $1.2 trillion from identified health care waste, which they've classified into three "wastebaskets."
Electronic Medical Records: DOA?
Cost is a major barrier to widespread physician adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs). What's your take, are EMRs DOA? If so, what will be the impact on consumers?
Administrative Simplification Conference 2008
Health Care Professionals Can Register at No Cost
Idea Highlight: Interactive Prevention Seminars for General Public
Innovation xChange submission proposes stepped up prevention education for the public, using interactive technology
An Idea From The Community: Pay For Hospitals’ “Standing Costs”
As hospital costs continue to rise, one community member diagnosis the problem and offers his prescription: subsidize hospitals’ “standing costs.” Could reducing hospital costs reduce premiums for those with preexisting conditions?
As Massachusetts Universal Healthcare Plan Struggles, Debate Over Consumer-Driven Healthcare Heats Up
Massachusetts' ambitious universal healthcare plan has run into a number of problems -- many of them related to costs. In an effort to control expenses, some suggest consumer-driven healthcare may be an answer.
