In a study that could have implications for the health overhaul in Congress, researchers have found that there's not necessarily a link between more expensive hospital services and the quality of care for chronically ill patients. In some instances, the care actually declined when spending went up. Read more »
Rejecting a costly overhaul of the health care system might seem like the fiscally prudent thing to do but sticking with the status quo would be an expensive alternative, according to a new study by researchers from the Urban Institute. Read more »
The Obama administration's top health information appointee noted that there's considerable skepticism since lawmakers put almost $20 billion or so into the stimulus law to further adoption of the technology that it can deliver on promises to improve quality and lower costs. But he said it can play a "critical" role in a revamped health system because of the importance of information in health care decision making. Read more »
To pay for an expansion of health insurance to nearly every American, lawmakers are considering taxing beverages believed to be unhealthy—alcohol and, for the first time, sweetened beverages such as sports drinks, fruit punch, and soda. Read more »
The Senate Finance Committee package of options to fund a coverage overhaul includes a wide array of changes in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, ranging from reducing payment updates to different health care sectors to reducing geographic variations in spending. The panel seems to be taking the approach that just about everybody is going to have to take a hit to fund a dramatic expansion of coverage. Read more »
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus raised eyebrows briefly when he told reporters that "we're not going to get 100 percent coverage" of Americans under health overhaul legislation. But in later remarks he amended that to predict "near universal coverage." Read more »