Individualized Health Plans - The Bite of Demand-Side Discipline
This article was originally published in RPM Report
Executive Summary
Since the end of World War II, the employer-based health plan has been part of the social compact for many Americans. While Senator Barack Obama’s proposal for expanded coverage is greeted enthusiastically by those who favor change, Senator John McCain’s proposal offers the boldest departure from business as usual.
You may also be interested in...
Health Care Reform and the Changing Dynamics Between Payers and Drug Makers
Why drug makers should pay close attention to the pressures bearing down on payers.
Medicare Price Negotiation -- Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
At present, the federal government is prohibited from negotiating outpatient prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of Medicare Part D. But, Senator Barack Obama (and perhaps John McCain, whose stance on this policy is unclear) favors a health system in which the government can bring its bargaining power to the table. What happens when the other shoe drops?
Greater Access - The More the Merrier
The 47 million uninsured Americans are a cause célèbre for politicians seeking to prove that the US health care system is broken. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain look upon this huge number as a national embarrassment and vow in their health care platforms to expand access aggressively.