Researchers looked at patients' decision-making when they were hearing a very strong physician recommendation versus when they were solely responsible for a medical decision. The patients were more risk-avoiding than…
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The CBO estimates that the Senate reform bill will raise individual premiums by ten percent, although that will be offset by subsidies for many individuals. Overall the CBO finds group…
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The Senate takes up its version of the health reform bill, creating an opportune moment to revisit what the goals of reform are and whether this bill will actually widen…
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A Pittsburgh study indicates that a telephone-based depression intervention following CABG surgery improves quality outcomes. Another example of relatively inexpensive method to improve care quality.
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No turkeys here, just stuffing you will relish. Don't cramvery much into your brain at once!
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Researchers from Harvard University find that hospitals with more extensive use of electronic records have neither lower costs or better quality, but caution should be used as these researchers have…
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The CBO released a brief report looking at the potential impact of various changes in federal policies on research and development spending for drugs. Current and future policies are not…
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AHRQ issues a statistical brief examining the costs of end-of-life care. About one-third of American's who die do so in a hospital, at an average cost two-and-a-half times greater than…
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Another summary of miscellaneous health care items, including telemedicine and prevention and wellness.
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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a policy brief examining the potential of accountable care organizations to remedy the health system's ills. The brief concludes that ACOs will not…
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The CBO analyzes the most recent Senate health reform bill, finding it would increase coverage to 94% of Americans and reduce the deficit over the next ten years, but the…
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The ECRI Institute released a report advising payers on technologies to watch for in 2010, including genetic testing, imaging technologies, orthopedic devices and EHRs and PHRs. Most are very expensive…
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Deloitte issues one of its periodic reports on retail clinics, finding that growth has slowed, if not stopped, but payer and consumer acceptance has increased. Deloitte anticipates renewed growth in…
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The CMS Office of the Actuary zings the House bill, finding it will likely increase total national health care spending, its proposed savings from cuts in payments to Medicare institutional…
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Thomson Reuters and the AHA release updated reports on hospitals, Thomson showing that their revenues and profits are improving, as are credit availability and investment portfolios, while the AHA continues…
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About this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.