Blog


IPAB and the Nuclear Option

November 26, 2013

With U.S. Senate Democrats exercising the so-called ‘nuclear option’ – changing Senate rules so that executive branch nominations can be approved by a simple 51-vote majority instead of the 60 … Continued


Good for the Exchanges, Good for Medicare

October 9, 2013

Let’s set aside for the moment the glitches taking place with the Affordable Care Act health exchange websites.  It provides grist for late-night comedians, but we can presume the software … Continued


Mayo, Morning Joe and the Affordable Care Act

September 25, 2013

Yesterday, Dr. John Noseworthy, President and CEO of the Mayo Clinic and a Healthcare Leadership Council member, appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. It was an interesting and informative discussion … Continued


The Need to Put Patients First

September 10, 2013

Whenever we talk about comparative effectiveness research (CER) and using data to shape the direction of American healthcare, it’s always important to remind ourselves that the needs of patients must … Continued


Leadership on the Quality/Cost Front Lines

August 22, 2013

Building on my last post about U.S. healthcare leaders making a difference – one for which they’re often not given full credit – in containing health system costs while still … Continued


The Health Cost Slowdown: Credit Where Credit’s Due

August 14, 2013

It’s no longer fresh news that health cost increases are undergoing a considerable slowdown.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has presented statistics showing a historic decline in Medicare … Continued


Dean v. Orszag on IPAB

July 31, 2013

The opposition to the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) gained public support this week from what was, to some, an unlikely voice.  Former Vermont governor and one-time … Continued


The Health Value of Carrots

July 18, 2013

A new study published in Health Affairs provides compelling evidence that “carrots” — in this case, not the vegetable, but rather financial incentives — can make a significant difference in … Continued


Understanding Our Understanding of Comparative Effectiveness Research

July 15, 2013

We know that comparative effectiveness research is important.  How important, though, and what impact it will have on healthcare delivery and clinical decisionmaking is still something of an unknown variable. … Continued


Care in the Most Appropriate Venue

June 25, 2013

A federal advisory panel is suggesting that payments to hospitals should be reduced in cases in which a patient could receive care less expensively in a physician’s office.   This is … Continued