Health Policy and Public Health

Physicians writing on KevinMD about policy as it reaches the exam room: prior authorization and the state and federal rules now written for it, scope of practice laws state by state, the CDC opioid guideline and what forced tapers did to patients, and public health from vaccination to the pandemic. Four maintained records draw on this archive: Prior authorization: what physicians say, in their own words, Scope of practice: what physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs say, in their own words, Opioids: what physicians and pain patients say, in their own words, and Vaccines: what physicians say, in their own words.

August 21, 2009Aug 21, 2009

Today's health care communications lesson is brought to you courtesy of Whole Foods ... I mean John Mackey. John Mackey's stepped in it again. Last week, Mackey, the libertarian CEO of natural-foods behemoth Whole Foods, wrote an op-ed piece on…

Today’s health care communications lesson is brought to you courtesy of Whole Foods … I mean John Mackey.

John Mackey’s stepped in it again. Last week, Mackey, the libertarian CEO of natural-foods behemoth Whole Foods, wrote an op-ed piece on health reform for The Wall Street Journal. But Mackey felt it necessary to republish it on his blog because the Journal editors lightly edited it, Journal headline writers wrote a …

Health Policy

Is it fair to compare American health care with systems in Europe or Canada?

Kevin

August 18, 2009Aug 18, 2009

by Ralph Silverman, MD, FACS, FASCRS I am tired of the comparisons people make between health care in the United States and other countries. For instance, there are those who think that we should have universal health care because some…

by Ralph Silverman, MD, FACS, FASCRS

I am tired of the comparisons people make between health care in the United States and other countries. For instance, there are those who think that we should have universal health care because some European countries and Canada do.

It is true that those countries do have universal health care, but is it a fair comparison?

Who does Canada rely on to defend its borders? When the …

Health Policy

AMA: A look at the facts on health reform

Kevin

August 13, 2009Aug 13, 2009

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association. by J. James Rohack, M.D. As members of Congress return to their districts this month, it should be a time for thoughtful dialogue on…

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association.

by J. James Rohack, M.D.

As members of Congress return to their districts this month, it should be a time for thoughtful dialogue on health system reform so that when lawmakers return to Washington they can complete their work. Physicians nationwide are …

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Health Policy

ACP: Putting effectiveness into the health care equation: Rational or rationing?

American College of Physicians

July 30, 2009Jul 30, 2009

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians. by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP “Effectiveness” has become a buzzword these days in discussions about healthcare reform. It is often accompanied by different…

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians.

by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP

“Effectiveness” has become a buzzword these days in discussions about healthcare reform. It is often accompanied by different preceding modifiers, such as “cost” or “comparative,” each conjuring up different images in the minds of physicians, patients, insurers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Some say that cost effectiveness and comparative …

Health Policy

AMA working for reform that benefits patients and physicians

Kevin

July 26, 2009Jul 26, 2009

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association. by J. James Rohack, MD Physicians know first-hand the frustrations of caring for patients in our broken system and also the joys of patient…

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association.

by J. James Rohack, MD

Physicians know first-hand the frustrations of caring for patients in our broken system and also the joys of patient care that get us out of bed before the sun rises. The AMA is committed to getting health reform this year – so that the joys can again outnumber the …

Physician

Will the lack of primary care doctors make universal coverage useless?

Kevin Pho, MD

July 23, 2009Jul 23, 2009

It appears that one source of agreement among health reformers is that there isn't enough primary care doctors. The New York Times wrote a front-page piece on this issue last month, which I had commented on. Now, an article in…

It appears that one source of agreement among health reformers is that there isn’t enough primary care doctors.

The New York Times wrote a front-page piece on this issue last month, which I had commented on. Now, an article in the Washington Post re-iterates the same theme:

As the debate on overhauling the nation’s health-care system exploded into partisan squabbling this week, virtually everyone still agreed on one point: There are …

Read more…

Will the lack of primary care doctors make universal coverage useless?

Health Policy

Should doctors support Congress’ health reform efforts?

Kevin

July 20, 2009Jul 20, 2009

The American Medical Association recently gave unqualified support to the House health reform bill, H.R. 3200, and that is drawing the ire of some of their supporters. To be sure, H.R. 3200 is the most left-leaning of the proposals, and…

The American Medical Association recently gave unqualified support to the House health reform bill, H.R. 3200, and that is drawing the ire of some of their supporters.

To be sure, H.R. 3200 is the most left-leaning of the proposals, and there is clear ideological opposition to the so-called “public plan,” which expands the government’s role in our health care system. It’s a tremendously sensitive topic, with some expressing their outrage …

Health Policy

Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First, medical bloggers at Washington, DC

Kevin Pho, MD

July 20, 2009Jul 20, 2009

Well, that was fun. This past Friday, I participated in Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First, an event put together by Better Health's Dr. Val Jones. It was an impeccably organized gathering, and provided medical bloggers a valuable opportunity to…

Well, that was fun.

This past Friday, I participated in Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First, an event put together by Better Health’s Dr. Val Jones. It was an impeccably organized gathering, and provided medical bloggers a valuable opportunity to discuss health care reform. Great timing too, given the fact that two major reform bills were introduced earlier …

Health Policy

Improve primary care access before guaranteeing universal health coverage, my address at the National Press Club

Kevin Pho, MD

July 17, 2009Jul 17, 2009

The following are my prepared remarks at Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First, held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on July 17th, 2009. President Obama recently declared that, "We are not a nation that accepts nearly 46…

The following are my prepared remarks at Health Care Reform: Putting Patients First, held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on July 17th, 2009.

President Obama recently declared that, “We are not a nation that accepts nearly 46 million uninsured men, women, and children.” And indeed, finding a way to provide universal health coverage to every American is one of the focal points in today’s health care debate. …

Health Policy

ACR: Reducing medical imaging costs requires a short term investment

Kevin

July 9, 2009Jul 9, 2009

The following is a guest post from the American College of Radiology. by James H. Thrall, M.D. Health care reform cannot be approached with a “one size fits all” cost-cutting mentality. Reducing costs in the long term often requires an…

The following is a guest post from the American College of Radiology.

by James H. Thrall, M.D.

Health care reform cannot be approached with a “one size fits all” cost-cutting mentality. Reducing costs in the long term often requires an investment in the short term — particularly, in regard to medical imaging.

Medical imaging saves lives. Imaging also saves dollars through earlier disease diagnosis, less invasive medical procedures, shorter hospital stays, and …

KevinMD

Op-ed: Doctors are forced into running a business

Kevin Pho, MD

July 3, 2009Jul 3, 2009

A version of this op-ed was published on June 18th, 2009 in The New York Times' Room for Debate blog. In his recent address to the American Medical Association, President Obama noted that our health care system "rewards the quantity…

A version of this op-ed was published on June 18th, 2009 in The New York Times’ Room for Debate blog.

In his recent address to the American Medical Association, President Obama noted that our health care system “rewards the quantity of care rather than the quality of care.” This perverse incentive leads to unnecessary and potentially harmful medicine, while also being a major contributor to spiraling health care costs.

Doctors …

Health Policy

Can the American Medical Association still be an influential voice in health reform?

Kevin

June 29, 2009Jun 29, 2009

The repercussions after Obama's speech to the AMA's delegates continue to be felt. Not least of which are the murmurings of the other professional physician groups, who say that the AMA does not represent a majority of physicians. In this…

The repercussions after Obama’s speech to the AMA’s delegates continue to be felt.

Not least of which are the murmurings of the other professional physician groups, who say that the AMA does not represent a majority of physicians. In this piece from pediatrician Rahul Parikh, he notes that about 30 percent of physicians are AMA members. Remaining doctors belong to groups with more liberal political leanings, including the American …

Health Policy

ACP: Embracing a culture of cost-effective health care

American College of Physicians

June 25, 2009Jun 25, 2009

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians. by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP In his column in the June 1 issue of The New Yorker, Dr. Atul Gawande used the example…

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians.

by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP

In his column in the June 1 issue of The New Yorker, Dr. Atul Gawande used the example of McAllen, Texas, to illustrate the widely disparate spending on health care around the country. This oft cited article captured the attention of President Obama, who reportedly has made it required …

Health Policy

Reflections from the AMA: President Obama’s Speech

Kevin

June 21, 2009Jun 21, 2009

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association. by J. James Rohack, M.D. We have a historic opportunity for health reform this year and the AMA was delighted to welcome President Obama…

The following is part of a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association.

by J. James Rohack, M.D.

We have a historic opportunity for health reform this year and the AMA was delighted to welcome President Obama to our Annual Meeting in Chicago earlier this week. Like the President, we are committed to health-care reform that will provide all Americans with affordable, high-quality health coverage.

I was personally honored …

Health Policy

My reaction to President Obama’s speech to the AMA

Kevin Pho, MD

June 15, 2009Jun 15, 2009

I was seeing patients during the actual speech, so I had to rely on the transcript. The points that interested me the most were any language pertaining to malpractice, addressing the AMA's recent concerns about the public plan option, and…

I was seeing patients during the actual speech, so I had to rely on the transcript.

The points that interested me the most were any language pertaining to malpractice, addressing the AMA’s recent concerns about the public plan option, and reforming the physician payment system.

I think he did pretty well.

Regarding the physician payment system, he again addressed McAllen, Texas, which is fast becoming the symbol of what’s wrong with American …

Patient

5 top medical comments, June 14th 2009

Kevin

June 14, 2009Jun 14, 2009

Here are some of the more interesting comments readers have left recently. 1. Carla Kakutani on how Massachusetts' health reform won't relieve ER overcrowding: Insurance does not equal access (although it’s better than nothing). Nothing changes until every stakeholder recognizes…

Here are some of the more interesting comments readers have left recently.

1. Carla Kakutani on how Massachusetts’ health reform won’t relieve ER overcrowding:
Insurance does not equal access (although it’s better than nothing). Nothing changes until every stakeholder recognizes they have to control costs and allow a rebuilding of primary care in the US. That includes doctors and patients, along with everybody’s favorite villains, the insurance companies and big pharma. …

Read more…

5 top medical comments, June 14th 2009

Health Policy
5 top medical comments, June 7th 2009

Kevin
June 7, 2009Jun 7, 2009

Here are some of the more interesting comments readers have left recently. 1. David Block on the ACP's guest column, A practice model for increasing the appeal of General Internal Medicine: Weinberger talks about the efficiency of Care. Our commentators…

Here are some of the more interesting comments readers have left recently.

1. David Block on the ACP’s guest column, A practice model for increasing the appeal of General Internal Medicine:
Weinberger talks about the efficiency of Care. Our commentators talk about the efficiency of Consumption. Weinberger assumes the one-on-one of two individuals, known to each other, who together negotiate the terms of personhood. Medicine is “spiritus”; no wonder he became …

Read more…

5 top medical comments, June 7th 2009

Health Policy
Physician payment reform is the key to fixing the health care system

Kevin
June 1, 2009Jun 1, 2009

Changing the way doctors are paid is more important than the debate over the public insurance option, or the arguments over whether we should adopt a single-payer system or not. Atul Gawande's recent New Yorker article is a tour de…

Changing the way doctors are paid is more important than the debate over the public insurance option, or the arguments over whether we should adopt a single-payer system or not.

Atul Gawande’s recent New Yorker article is a tour de force, and gets down to the core of why American health care is so expensive. I won’t bother summarizing it here – it deserves to be read in its …

Read more…

Physician payment reform is the key to fixing the health care system

Physician
ACP: A practice model for increasing the appeal of General Internal Medicine

American College of Physicians
June 1, 2009Jun 1, 2009

The following is the first in a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians. by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP Much is written and discussed these days about the importance of care coordination by a primary care…

The following is the first in a series of original guest columns by the American College of Physicians.

by Steven Weinberger, MD, FACP

Much is written and discussed these days about the importance of care coordination by a primary care physician, not only to facilitate patient-centered quality of care, but also to curb the unsustainable growth in the nation’s health care tab. Yet, we hear that the current shortage of …

Read more…

ACP: A practice model for increasing the appeal of General Internal Medicine

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