Blog


The Short-Term Thinking on Medicare That Can Cause Long-Term Problems

May 7, 2015

It was very encouraging, to say the least, when Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together this spring to pass legislation bringing much-needed reform to the Medicare physician payment system.  … Continued


Why the Roe-Sanchez Bill Matters

May 6, 2015

Thanks to the healthcare industry’s success in containing per-capita Medicare cost increases, it’s easy to make the case that there’s no urgency to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  … Continued


The Congressional Budget Debate and Its Potential Impact on American Seniors

March 25, 2015

This is the time of year in which the President, the U.S. Senate and House engage in a debate over the federal budget for the coming fiscal year.  This is … Continued


Medicare Advantage and Lessons for Healthcare’s Future

February 5, 2015

(The following post is co-authored by Mary Grealy, President of the Healthcare Leadership Council, and Don Crane, President and CEO of CAPG) As healthcare policymakers continue to seek to incentivize … Continued


Washington’s Inaccurate Way with Words

December 11, 2014

In assembling the so-called “CRomnibus” legislation that will set federal government spending levels until September 2015, U.S. House of Representatives appropriators have included language in the measure that would significantly … Continued


Put This on the End-of-Year To Do List

November 17, 2014

There are not high expectations for this lame duck session of Congress.  We may see passage of a bill to authorize the Keystone XL pipeline and there will have to … Continued


Aetna CEO: New Math for Medicare

October 22, 2014

(We have made the point often in this space that, even with the private sector’s successes in containing healthcare costs and reducing Medicare per-capita spending to historic lows, the sheer … Continued


The Burwell Direction

September 8, 2014

If her first public address as Health and Human Services Secretary is any indication, Sylvia Burwell has her department headed in a positive and much-needed direction. Speaking to an audience … Continued


When in Doubt, Always Opt for Choice

August 8, 2014

Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed regulations that would have made significant, sweeping changes in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.  Among … Continued


A Case for Retiring America’s Worst Four-Word Phrase

July 7, 2014

As summer heats up, so will the mid-year congressional campaigns.  When they do, we can unfortunately expect to hear more of the dreary rhetoric that arises every time Medicare comes … Continued