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For the informed consumer of health care

January 2007 Monthly Archive

Opinions on Bush's Health Care Tax Proposal

I've been reading a lot of opinions on President's Bush's proposal to tax health care benefits. The one that's closest to my opinion is this one from the Wall Street Journal. "The Bush health insurance proposal would make insurance more affordable for most Americans than the current employer-sponsored health care system, which leads to inequities and insulates individuals from the real cost of their treatment decisions. The biggest problem with Mr. Bush's plan is that it wasn't offered two years... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 27, 2007 6:11 PM
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Most People With Diabetes Don't Exercise

Study after study has confirmed that regular exercise, combined with modest weight loss and a healthy diet, can lower type 2 diabetes risk and improve outcomes once people have the disease. In one of the most persuasive, researchers from the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group concluded that diet and regular exercise were more effective than one of the most widely prescribed drug treatments for preventing type 2 diabetes Yet, only 39% of surveyed adults with diabetes engaged in regular physical... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 27, 2007 5:41 PM
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Disclosure and Apology Policies Reduce Malpractice Costs

Until recently, when hospitals and physicians made errors when dealing with patients, the hospital risk managers and insurers generally recommended "defend and deny" policies. A growing number of health care providers are adopting "disclosure and apology" policies for dealing with patients who have experienced a medical error. Several states have passed laws protecting doctors' apologies from being used at trial, and more hospitals are implementing policies requiring that doctors and nurses quickly reveal errors to patients and families when warranted.... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 26, 2007 12:44 PM
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Pennsylvania Governor Proposes Expanded Health Care Access

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell announced a proposal that would expand access to health care services, improve quality and reduce the state's health costs. The "Prescription for Pennsylvania" proposal would phase in a requirement that state residents whose annual incomes exceed 300% of the federal poverty level obtain health insurance. Residents with lower incomes would not be required to obtain coverage but would have the option of buying it at reduced rates. The proposal also would expand Cover All Kids --... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 25, 2007 10:01 PM
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California Health Insurance Industry Supports Governor's Proposal

The health insurance industry in California has been quick to voice its qualified support for a proposal announced last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that would require all state residents to obtain health insurance. Their reaction suggests how much the political momentum behind health care reform efforts has intensified and how health insurers plan to cope, or even benefit. The new proposal could expand the industry's market by four million to five million currently uninsured Californians something health plans have... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 25, 2007 9:48 PM
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Bush Proposes Sending Federal Money to States To Cover The Uninsured

President Bush proposed sending federal money to help the states that are coming up with innovative ways to cover the uninsured. States would be free to come up with their own plans --as Massachusetts, California, and others are doing as long as they met certain standards. Instead of new spending, the White House plan would take federal money now used for charity care at hospitals and redirect it to the state initiatives. In an interview this week, Tommy Thompson, who... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 25, 2007 9:39 PM
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Employers, Small and Large React to Universal Health Care Proposals

According to some state proposals for expanded coverage, companies will have to pay into a state fund if they don't provide health insurance for their employees. This has some smaller companies worried because they are more likely not to provide group health plans. Some larger companies could benefit from the proposals because of a reduction in the number of uninsured residents should decrease health care costs. Companies cover some of the cost of uncompensated care for uninsured residents through higher... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 25, 2007 4:27 PM
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Risk of Shingles Increases With Age

My golf buddy recently got shingles. I didn't know what it was. It turns out, most people don't know about shingles unless they know someone who has had shingles, or they develop it themselves. Shingles, a disease caused by the same virus as chickenpox, affects roughly one million Americans each year. Shingles is nasty and very painful.The first signs of shingles may not be visually noticeable. People often experience tingling, burning, itching or pain. During the first few days of... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 21, 2007 8:39 PM
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Healthcare is a Bipartisan Issue

American consumers and business leaders are ready to have a very bipartisan solution. Now everyone is on the same side saying, "We want universal coverage.' The only question is 'How?'" Clearly, there are states that are looking into this. Whether Washington will do more than talk about the problem remains to be seen. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a proposal, based on a Massachusetts law enacted last year, that would require all state residents to obtain health insurance, and Pennsylvania... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 21, 2007 8:39 PM
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The Bush Healthcare Tax Proposal

The Bush administration has proposed federal tax deductions of $7,500 for individuals or $15,000 for families who acquire health insurance on their own or through an employer. The deduction would be available to all individuals and families who purchase health insurance, regardless of the value of their policies or whether they itemize deductions on their tax returns For U.S. residents who receive employer-based health insurance, the deduction would be offset by the cost of their coverage. The proposal would for... read more

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 21, 2007 8:39 PM
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