Americans Mad As Hell About Cost of Health Care

Poll: 56 percent of public supports ‘Medicare for all’

BY PETER SULLIVAN – 01/23/19

A majority of the public supports a single-payer health insurance system, often called “Medicare for all,” as the idea gains steam among Democrats, according to a new poll.

The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 56 percent of the public supports a single-payer plan, compared to 42 percent who oppose the idea.

Progressives are pushing the new Democratic House majority to move forward on the idea, and many Democratic presidential hopefuls have signed on to the idea as well. More centrist Democratic lawmakers remain opposed to the proposal, however.

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Another Vendor Enters Reference Based Pricing Marketplace

Another vendor, touting a NEW strategy to reduce health care costs, enters the Reference Based Pricing arena. They, along with the rest of their competitors are 35 years late in identifying the concept. Back in the early 1980’s J Patrick Rooney (1927 – 2008) contended that authoritative research showed that Medicare plus 25 percent is the reasonable amount for hospitals to charge. Then, of course, there is J.P.Farley (www.jpfarley.com)who has actually been implementing Reference Based Pricing plans since the 1990’s……………………….

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Texas Teachers Giveth Raises – Health Insurance Taketh Away…………

A RETIRED TEXAS SUPERINTENDENT ON WHY TEACHERS ARE QUITTING IN DROVES: “UPS starts people with no experience (HS diploma or GED) at $13 per hour plus full benefits. Within a couple of years you can graduate to a route where drivers make six figures after five years. In 7 years you can make over $100k delivering packages. In contrast, my wife is in her 25th year as a teacher with a Masters degree. She makes $57k and has some of the worst insurance in the country”

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PBM Consultants Know More Than General Benefits Consultants

 

 

“Find help from experts—do not use a general benefits consultant—this is tricky stuff!” That is a true statement. Most general benefits consultants don’t know squat about the PBM world and simply make recommendations off spreadsheets. “This one is the best because they are offering AWP-28%!”

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Health Care’s Most Needed Next Step

January 14, 2019

By Brian Klepper

It seems inevitable that, in the near future, an innovative health care organization is going to seize the market opportunity, gradually cobble all the pieces together, and demonstrate to organizational purchasers that it consistently delivers better health outcomes at significantly lower cost than has previously been available.

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School District Fails To Address Rising Health Care Costs?

Houston Independent School District is in financial hot water. There are many reasons for this. One is the Robin Hood effect wherein HISD must transfer local taxpayer money to the state for re-distribution to poorer school districts. Another is the rising cost of health care, Houston ISD’s second largest budget item. 

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Confessions of a Reformed Health Insurance Broker – From Innocence To Darkness

Slowly we saw the rise of third party administrators, the evil purveyors of self-funded employee health & welfare plans…..

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