January 2011 - The Health Care Blog

Health Problem Quantified

By JOHN GOODMAN, PhD We now know how many people have the problem most often cited as the reason for last years’ health overhaul legislation. Answer: 8,000 No, that’s not a misprint. Out of 310 million Americans, only 8,000 people... Read More...

Published Fri, Jan 07 2011 8:38 AM by The Health Care Blog

The Needle In the Haystack

By J. LEONARD LICHTENFELD, MD Well, it didn't take long to get into the New Year, did it? There I was this earlier this week, starting my New Year right by getting exercise on my elliptical when I heard the... Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 06 2011 9:01 AM by The Health Care Blog

A Healthcare Information Services Provider Business Model

I've written previously about Healthcare Information Exchange Sustainability and the need for Healthcare Information Services Providers (HISPs) to serve as gateways connecting individual EHRs. How should HISPs be funded and how can we encourage HISP...

Published Wed, Jan 05 2011 4:49 PM by The Health Care Blog

Eighth Annual Healthcare Conference at Harvard Business School

Please join us for the 8th Annual Healthcare Conference at Harvard Business School on Saturday, January 29th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Hosted by the HBS Healthcare Club, the student-run Conference – titled “The State of Healthcare Reform: Challenges.....

Published Wed, Jan 05 2011 2:02 PM by The Health Care Blog

Health Impact Assessment: A Tool That Can Build A Healthier America

By AARON WERNHAM, MD In December, the Department of Health and Human Services released “Healthy People 2020” — a 10-year blueprint aimed at improving the health of the nation. The plan comes amidst rising rates of many diseases – such... Read More...

Published Wed, Jan 05 2011 7:02 AM by The Health Care Blog

Turning the Clock Back Isn't Enough: The Nasty Surprise Awaiting the GOP on Health Care and the Deficit

By SCOTT BITTLE and JEAN JOHNSON The Republicans who will take control of the House this January have made it clear there are two things they hate: deficits and President Obama's healthcare reform. They've promised to reduce the first and... Read...

Published Tue, Jan 04 2011 5:52 AM by The Health Care Blog

Wanted: A PCAST Patient Portal

By Adrian Gropper, MD What do the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report and the New England Journal of Medicine article on value in health care by Porter have in... Read More....

Published Tue, Jan 04 2011 5:20 AM by The Health Care Blog

Health 2.0 Heads to San Diego: Early Bird Pricing Ends TODAY

The New Year is here and Health 2.0 is celebrating by announcing some new updates for the Spring Fling Conference in San Diego, March 21-22, 2011 and the Fifth Annual Fall Conference is San Francisco, September 26-27, 2011. We also... Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 10:48 AM by The Health Care Blog

2010 Unplugged

By BOB WACHTER, MD For people like me, who, perversely enough, get a certain thrill from studying healthcare policy, there's never been a more exciting, if also dizzying, year than 2010. Passage of the reform bill last March was only... Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 7:23 AM by The Health Care Blog

The "Unreasonable" Premium Increase Rule

By ROGER COLLIER HHS has now released its final set of draft regulations for provisions of the Affordable Care Act scheduled to go into effect early in 2011. This last regulatory publication—actually a “notice of proposed rulemaking” inviting comments...

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 7:00 AM by The Health Care Blog

What Would A Truly Patient-Centered Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Look Like?

By KENT BOTTLES Health care leaders are busy talking to attorneys and consultants about how to set up Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). A recent Advisory Board survey found that 73 per cent of hospital finance executives said that creating such....

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 6:43 AM by The Health Care Blog

Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba Boom!

By RICHARD REECE, MD January 1, 2011 -Yes, yes, it’s true. Today 79 million baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, start turning 65. Yes, yes, it’s true. Boomers begin qualifying for Medicare. Yes, yes, it’s true. If my math... Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 4:58 AM by The Health Care Blog

Does Medicare Have it Right in 2011?

By ED PULLEN, MD Starting in 2011 with the regulations required by the PPACA Medicare will mandate copay and deductible free preventative services for our older Americans. This is great news for primary care physicians. I’m a family physician, and......

Published Mon, Jan 03 2011 4:44 AM by The Health Care Blog