Posts All of our commentary in one spot. You can also browse by topics or search. 414 posts in this category Posts pagination Newer 1 … 23 24 25 26 27 … 42 Older During COVID Insurers Collected Full Premiums But Paid Less for Care, Forcing Government to Bail Out Providers May 27, 2022 Summary: In 2020, private insurer profits – largely from Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care – jumped 20-30% because they collected full premiums even as claims from health care providers fell due to decreases in elective care. Meanwhile, the government also compensated providers for revenue shortfalls. So taxpayers paid two-fold for the care dip. Taxpayers […] Social Harms Induced by Private Financial Gain May 25, 2022 Summary: As we grieve the latest horrific mass shooting of school children, this and other recent stories highlight a broad societal challenge: untrammeled focus on profit that undercuts basic social values. We see this with guns, corporate norms, foreign policy, and US health care. It’s time to elevate values over profits. Letters from an American […] Value-Based Payment = Corporate Control of Health Care May 21, 2022 Summary: A blog in Health Affairs promotes ACOs and other VBP despite the lack of evidence for benefits. Why? Because VBP reinforces the corporate / private equity model of health care with growing profits for shareholders. We must elect those who would instead foster a truly equitable system. ACO REACH and Advancing Equity Through Value-Based […] Fighting Racism with Health Reform May 18, 2022 Summary: The “Great Replacement Theory” is a deeply racist philosophy pushed by the US right wing in a bid for political power. The current system of health care financing is no less racist, though mainly as side effect rather than tactic. Single payer would contribute immensely to decreasing racism. Comment by: Jim Kahn On Saturday, […] Bernie’s Medicare for All vs. Price Manipulation for Profiteering May 16, 2022 Summary: Recent news highlights the stark choice we face. Bernie Sanders’ updated Medicare for All bill was introduced in the Senate. Meanwhile, a JAMA Health Forum article reveals another way that corporations (this time, Pharma) manipulate prices to maximize profits on the financial backs of patients. The choice is clear! Bernie Sanders Reintroduces Medicare for […] Who’s in charge, them or us? May 13, 2022 Summary: This JAMA commentary supports doubling down on “value-based care” despite a dismal record of failed demonstrations, and doing so in the context of our dysfunctional multi-payer system. Make no mistake – this is all about enriching corporations that increasingly control our health system. They’re winning, but single payer can still come from behind. The […] Medicare Advantage is Plundering Medicare: Expansion Would Be Disastrous May 11, 2022 Summary: A JAMA viewpoint published in December advocated Medicare Advantage for All, ignoring the sordid record of Medicare Advantage plans. Those plans extract tens of billions in profits, avoid and eject unprofitable patients, decrease funds available for medical care, have a worrisome quality record, and constrain patient choice of providers. Inserting private insurers into Medicare […] The US: Inspiration, Embarrassment, & Struggle May 9, 2022 Summary: Friends around the world watch in disbelief as the US is mired in democratic crisis, hoping we re-normalize soon. The frailties of our political system are on display, challenging its core strengths. This battle is paralleled in the health system, with similar dynamics and perhaps linked futures. Comment by: Jim Kahn A European colleague […] Lame CMS Defense of REACH, the Corporate Takeover of Traditional Medicare May 5, 2022 Summary: Medicare’s funder is defending its plan to yield control of the traditional fully public side of Medicare to private investors. The evidence they present is flawed, and the story they tell is misleading. This is abetting a corporate Medicare money grab. Expanding Accountable Care’s Reach among Medicare BeneficiariesBy Douglas Jacobs, Purva Rawal, Liz Fowler, […] Obama, Obamacare, & Disinformation May 3, 2022 Summary: We hear lots, including from former President Obama, about the serious problem of disinformation stoked by social media algorithms, polarizing our society. What we hear less about is disinformation regarding private health insurance that comes from both Dems and the GOP and that compromises our ability to get care. We must address both. ‘Regulation […] Posts pagination Newer 1 … 23 24 25 26 27 … 42 Older
