Health policy: the Obama era

176 articles · Since 2005

Articles, page 3

I support the Affordable Care Act, but not Obamacare

October 7, 2013Oct 7, 201315

More than three years after being signed into law, and more than a year after surviving a Supreme Court challenge, the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, finally begins to fulfill its promise. Most of this country has long since taken sides, despite appalling gaps in popular understanding of what the law means, what it does, and what it doesn’t do.

Let me admit that I’ve never had particularly …

Health policy

How the Obamacare exchanges will transform health care

Robert Pearl, MD

October 7, 2013Oct 7, 20136

When the next phase of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) kicks into gear January 1, 2014, each state will be required to offer its residents access to health care insurance through an online marketplace, often referred to as a “health insurance exchange.” These exchanges are now open for business on Oct. 1, 2013, allowing individuals to sign up online, by phone or in-person, with health insurance coverage starting next year.

Until now, buying health …

Health policy

The problem with Obamacare is that it doesn’t do enough

John Mandrola, MD

October 7, 2013Oct 7, 201340

Obamacare is here. It’s really here. You might be wondering what’s been going on in the hospital or office -- the contact points where health care actually happens. The funny thing is: nothing seems any different. And this is the…

Obamacare is here. It’s really here.

You might be wondering what’s been going on in the hospital or office — the contact points where health care actually happens.

The funny thing is: nothing seems any different.

And this is the problem with Obamacare. It hasn’t, won’t, or perhaps couldn’t, change the fundamental problem with US health care. Namely, that it is too big, too disruptive, and too devoid of nuance. In this way, health care …

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Health policy

Can President Obama and the GOP agree on improving health reform?

Bob Doherty

February 2, 2011Feb 2, 201118

Everything seems to be pointing toward two years of partisan and ideological confrontations over health reform. The leadership of an emboldened Republican party has made it clear that it will use its newfound House majority to seek to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and if that doesn’t work, to “defund” it. Huge GOP gains in statehouses make it likely that more states will resist implementation. Meanwhile, President …

Patient voices

Childhood obesity and chronic illnesses that result from being overweight

David B. Nash, MD, MBA

January 4, 2011Jan 4, 20117

Our national health status is in imminent danger from the effects of a condition that most population health experts acknowledge is out of control. I am speaking of obesity -- and, in particular, its increasing prevalence in American adolescents and…

Our national health status is in imminent danger from the effects of a condition that most population health experts acknowledge is out of control.

I am speaking of obesity — and, in particular, its increasing prevalence in American adolescents and children.

Almost every study that has been done concerning obesity shows a correlation with soda consumption. As a result, some states and municipalities have tried to implement initiatives that make it more …

Health policy

Why the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR) is here to stay

Jaan Sidorov, MD

August 29, 2010Aug 29, 20108

According to the Washington Post, it is highly unlikely that Congress will undo the planned "sustainable growth rate formula" (SGR) mandated Medicare fee schedule cuts. While there's an outside chance of a fix, the American Medical Association, as well as…

According to the Washington Post, it is highly unlikely that Congress will undo the planned “sustainable growth rate formula” (SGR) mandated Medicare fee schedule cuts. While there’s an outside chance of a fix, the American Medical Association, as well as other organized physician groups, can’t be happy about the constant threat of the 20% payment reductions.

Recall that the SGR was signed into law back in 1998. It was designed to …

Health policy

Why general internists are quitting clinical medicine

Glenn Laffel, MD, PhD

July 16, 2010Jul 16, 201012

The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that by 2025, the US health system will have 46,000 fewer primary care physicians than it needs. If the prediction proves correct and we fail to develop effective mitigation strategies, the manpower shortage…

The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that by 2025, the US health system will have 46,000 fewer primary care physicians than it needs.

If the prediction proves correct and we fail to develop effective mitigation strategies, the manpower shortage will create quite a mess. Ironically, the health reform law signed by President Obama in March will exacerbate the problem by increasing demand for services provided by primary care physicians.

The American …

Health policy

Who really benefits from President Obama’s health reform plan?

Erin Marcus, MD

June 15, 2010Jun 15, 20107

I don’t know about you, but as I watched coverage of President Obama signing the health care bill three months ago, it was hard not to notice the constant ads for power wheelchairs. Emblazoned across the ads was a flashing…

Don’t get me wrong. As a primary care doctor who takes care of low-income patients, I was glad to see something being done to …

Conditions and diseases

President Obama should have had colonoscopy without sedation

Michael Kirsch, MD

April 19, 2010Apr 19, 20108

by Michael Kirsch, MD Does anyone out there know why President Obama underwent a virtual ‘colonscopy’ (VC) instead of a conventional colonoscopy earlier this year? In my gastroenterology practice, we do not offer colon cancer screening to 48-year-old individuals, unless…

by Michael Kirsch, MD

Does anyone out there know why President Obama underwent a virtual ‘colonscopy’ (VC) instead of a conventional colonoscopy earlier this year?

In my gastroenterology practice, we do not offer colon cancer screening to 48-year-old individuals, unless special risk factors are present. Of course, maintaining the president’s health is in the national interest, so I understand why professional screening guidelines might not apply to him. For …

Health policy

How health reform can be popular with the American public

Kevin Pho, MD

April 1, 2010Apr 1, 201012

The health reform legislation was decidedly unpopular, with a variety of polls showing the majority disapproved of the bill. What did the people want? The ACP's Bob Doherty linked to a post by Princeton's Uwe Reinhardt, who observed 10 things…

The health reform legislation was decidedly unpopular, with a variety of polls showing the majority disapproved of the bill.

What did the people want?

The ACP’s Bob Doherty linked to a post by Princeton’s Uwe Reinhardt, who observed 10 things that the public wants in health care reform:

1. Lets only patients and their own physicians determine how to respond clinically to a given medical condition, never an insurance clerk or, even

…

Patient voices

Why being President of the United States is a health hazard

MedPage Today

February 24, 2010Feb 24, 2010

Originally published in MedPage Today by Liz O'Brien Exactly whom are we honoring on Presidents (or is it President's) Day? A. George Washington B. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln C. All presidents The answer is more complicated than you'd ever…

Originally published in MedPage Today

by Liz O’Brien

Exactly whom are we honoring on Presidents (or is it President’s) Day?

A. George Washington
B. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
C. All presidents

The answer is more complicated than you’d ever expect. Probably A is most correct, but if it were up to me, I’d pick C.

Certainly every one of these 43 men has earned the …

Health policy

How President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech will impact healthcare reform

MedPage Today

January 27, 2010Jan 27, 20103

Originally published in MedPage Today by Emily P. Walker, MedPage Today Washington Correspondent President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech Wednesday night will likely focus on job creation and the economy and not -- as many Democrats once hoped…

Originally published in MedPage Today

by Emily P. Walker, MedPage Today Washington Correspondent

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech Wednesday night will likely focus on job creation and the economy and not — as many Democrats once hoped — on congratulations for the passage of healthcare reform.

In the week following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. …

Health policy

When political discourse is like borderline personality disorder

Marya Zilberberg, MD, MPH

October 7, 2009Oct 7, 20096

When I was a kid in Odessa my Dad and I went to see The Sound of Music at least 17 times in the span of 3 months. Remember that song sung by the nuns when Maria is late for…

When I was a kid in Odessa my Dad and I went to see The Sound of Music at least 17 times in the span of 3 months. Remember that song sung by the nuns when Maria is late for the vespers, “How do you solve the problem like Maria?” One nun says “She’s an angel”, another one counters “She’s a demon”, when the voice of reason from Mother Superior …

Health policy

Analysis of the Senate Finance Committee health care reform bill

MedPage Today

October 3, 2009Oct 3, 20094

Originally posted in MedPage Today by Emily P. Walker, MedPage Today Washington Correspondent The Senate Finance Committee finished work on its healthcare reform bill in the wee hours of Friday morning, paving the way for a committee vote next week.…

Originally posted in MedPage Today

by Emily P. Walker, MedPage Today Washington Correspondent

The Senate Finance Committee finished work on its healthcare reform bill in the wee hours of Friday morning, paving the way for a committee vote next week.

After considering hundreds of amendments, the committee is now waiting for a cost-estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) before it …

Physician voices

Medical malpractice reform by President Obama and the White House

MedPage Today

September 19, 2009Sep 19, 200912

by Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today The White House today announced details of a $25 million grant program to test alternatives to the tort system for medical liability cases. In his Sept. 9 speech before Congress, the president…

by Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today

The White House today announced details of a $25 million grant program to test alternatives to the tort system for medical liability cases.

In his Sept. 9 speech before Congress, the president announced he would direct Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services secretary, to launch pilot programs meant to cut down on physicians …

Health policy

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

Kevin Pho, MD

June 29, 2009Jun 29, 20099

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

Reflections from the AMA: President Obama’s Speech

American Medical Association & J. James Rohack, MD

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, 200978

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 …

Health policy

Maggie Mahar: Removing the hazardous waste from healthcare

Maggie Mahar

June 8, 2009Jun 8, 20097

Most of us are now familiar with the estimates that as much as one-third of our health care dollars are squandered on ineffective, often unnecessary, unproven and overpriced products and services. But which third? The fat in our health-care system…

The fat in our health-care system is not hanging out conveniently on the edges of the steak, waiting to be trimmed. It will take a scalpel, a keen eye, and a steady hand to remove at least …

Health policy

AMA: Curbing the rise in health care costs is key to health-system reform

American Medical Association & J. James Rohack, MD

May 14, 2009May 14, 2009

The following is the first in a series of original guest columns by the American Medical Association.by J. James Rohack, M.D.In an unprecedented endeavor aimed at achieving health-care reform this year, the American Medical Association (AMA) stood with President Obama…

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

by J. James Rohack, M.D.

In an unprecedented endeavor aimed at achieving health-care reform this year, the American Medical Association (AMA) stood with President Obama and other key health-care stakeholders Monday to announce efforts to “bend the spending curve” on health care. U.S. health-care …

Health policy: the Obama era

Articles, page 3

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