What could the Repeal of ACA look like?

With the election of President Donald Trump a lot of talk arose about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Barack Obama’s healthcare policy legacy and if that legacy was going to be quickly repealed.

As of recently we learned that a full repeal without a replacement was not passed through the United States Senate but many GOPs are still looking for some changes to the ACA with what is being called a ‘skinny repeal’.

The ‘skinny repeal’ bill would repeal the ACA’s individual mandate as well as employer mandate. But what else would be in the ‘skinny’ bill? Some reports state that the drafted bill may include:

·        repealing ACA individual mandate

·        partially repeal the ACA law’s employer mandate

·        eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood for one year

·        Add more funding for community health centers

·        Modify provisions that allow states to waive certain ACA requirements

The bill may face some challenges in getting passed, such as, many lawmakers have not seen or read the actual bill, as it hasn’t been released from committee. It also needs to meet budget saving reform stipulations.

Even without a bill there have been many voices of concern as to how a ‘skinny repeal’ would effect premiums and coverage. Estimates for the uninsured are in the tens of millions over a 15 year span. Insurers have been very vocal on their concerns, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in a statement said, ‘If there is no longer a requirement for everyone to purchase coverage, it is critical that any legislation include strong incentives for people to obtain health insurance and keep it year-round. A system that allows people to purchase coverage only when they need it drives up costs for everyone.’

All in all the health policy in Washington is messy and complex leaving many American's wondering what their healthcare may look like in the near future?

Share your Thoughts:

What do you think about the ‘skinny bill’? Do you thing the ACA should or needs to be repealed? What are the changes on health policy that you see happening with a repeal? Do you think government should have a role in health policy in general, if not who should?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare for educating students on complex health policy issues.

Sources:

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2017/07/27/skinny-repeal

http://img.wennermedia.com/article-leads-horizontal/mitch-mcconnell-skinny-repeal-obamacare-health-care-senate-8be69551-74eb-4e07-b19e-fbcf5c61de15.jpg

An ACA Replacement coming in 2017?

There is a lot of discussion and conjecture leading up to the possible changes President-Elect Donald Trump may make to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) once inaugurated later this month.

What has been somewhat surprising is the number of Democratic lawmakers that may be open to Trump’s ACA changes. A repeal of the ACA is expected to take place quickly but what will not happen quickly is the introduction of a healthcare replacement bill. 

Many Republican lawmakers are estimating three to four years until the replacement bill is up for a vote. At that time the replacement bill would need full Republican support and it's estimated only eight Democrats for the hypothetical healthcare bill to be passed.

The timing of the assumed bill is not a coincidence it is timed due the re-election of twenty-five Democrats. Using their re-election to possibly influence their support. It’s a situation where health leaders recognize that their jobs and the care of their patients involves a lot of politics and health policy.

It is a new world of health care and health policy each election cycle. Hopefully keeping in mind what is best for health leaders and the American population at large.

Share your Thoughts:

Do you think health policy will change in 2017? Do you think health policy should impact health management and leadership? What health policies would you want to change, if any?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare for the encouragement to problem solve and persevere to build strong healthcare leadership.

Sources:

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2016/12/16/aca-replacement?WT.mc_id=Email|DailyBriefing+Headline|DBA|DB|2016Dec16|ATestDB2016Dec16||||&elq_cid=1339315&x_id=003C000001tclvqIAA

https://www.healthinsurance.org/assets/2016/11/trump-repeal-obamacare-1560x816.jpg

Surgeons Upset with CMS Coding Demands

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently proposed a health policy change that has many medical organizations in protest. CMS wants to require surgeons to document every ten minutes their post-operative patient care activities for certain surgical procedures. What does that mean? It means that time surgeons spend out of the OR working on patient cases would need to be documented every 10 minutes. This healthy policy change that could affect reimbursement rates from CMS has many surgeons up in arms.

In a letter from the American College of Surgeons to CMS indicated that patient care cannot be easily coded in 10 minute increments. Many surgeons review patient files throughout the day and switch from one task to another. The letter stated the chaos that could ensue with a 10-minute coding mandate.

‘The surgeon would have to stop the timer on the first patient’s pathology review, start and stop timers on the second and third patients while answering the phone and then restart the timer on the first patient in the office. This often happens many times in a day.’

The American Medical Association sites the burden and burnout that this policy would create.

‘Asking physicians and their staff to use 10-minute increments to document all their non-operating room patient care activities is by itself and incredible burden, and especially so during MACRA implementation-the most significant payment system change in 25 years.’

It seems clear that CMS is getting strong pushback on this new proposed health policy change. We will have to see if CMS holds to its policy or alters based on the burden physicians are already feeling.

Share your Thoughts:

Do you think this health policy regarding 10-minute coding is reasonable or too burdensome? What do you think CMS should do? What would you do if you were one of these surgeons?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare program for providing a setting of learning and discussion to solve complex health policy issues.

Sources:

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2016/09/13/cms-wants-surgeons-to-code-every-10-minutes?WT.mc_id=Email|DailyBriefing+Headline|DBA|DB|2016Sep13|OldDB2016Sep13||||&elq_cid=1339315&x_id=003C000001tclvqIAA

https://ryortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/CMS_AndrewHuthSurgeonChecklist_WEB.jpg

Yuck Factor: Hospital Hygiene

In a popular TV show a character gave a comical alternative name for the iPhone he named it, ‘a slippery germ brick.’ Well in the Henry Ford Hospital that is exactly what the administrative leadership was trying to display to their staff. In an effort to increase hygiene practices hospital leadership swabbed commonly touched surfaces and items such as doorknobs and phones and then showed the staff what was germs were lingering around.

Healthcare professionals can become complacent or numb about the fact that they work in a germ infested environment. This visual experiment was a tangible reminder that washing hands and following proper procedure helps them and their patients.

But what continues to be the best form of hygiene compliance and lessened bacterial infections, patients. Patients speaking out and asking health care professionals to wash their hands when they enter their room. It’s not rude, it’s a reminder. A hand washing health policy is only as good as those who follow it and its always better to be without a bacterial infection.

Share your Thoughts:

What health policy would you use to encourage hygiene in a hospital? Have you ever been a patient and asked a health care professional to wash their hands? Are you a health care professional, what is the health policy where you work?

Thank you to Baylor MBA in Healthcare for educating and encouraging lifelong learning and leadership.

Sources:

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2016/06/16/henry-ford-hospital-increase-hand-hygiene-compliance?WT.mc_id=Email|DailyBriefing+Headline|DBA|DB|2016Jun16|ATestDB2016Jun16||||&elq_cid=1339315&x_id=003C000001tclvqIAA

https://cypresshealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Public-Health-Germs-Hand-Washing-624x313.jpg

Your Candidates Health Care Plan

We are in the midst of a primary election in case you haven’t heard. As we are healthcare leaders and professionals it is important to be informed on health policy as it can directly affect our personal health and professional future. So what do the candidates plan on doing if elected in regards to health policy? Below is a short snapshot of what the various candidates’ plan, if they have one, would look like. Many of the ‘health policy plan’ facts are from the candidates’ websites; other information is pulled from various sources in an attempt to pull together a bipartisan and someone comprehensive picture of the candidate’s health policy ideas.

Ted Cruz (R): Proposed the ‘Health Care Choices Act’ that would allow people to buy health insurance across state lines. This bill would repeal Title I of ObamaCare undoing much of that law including the mandate to buy insurance, insurance marketplaces and subsidies.

Hillary Clinton (D): Continue supporting ObamaCare or the Affordable Care Act and proposed slowing the out of pocket costs. Continue the healthcare insurance exchanges and encourage states to expand Medicaid. 

Marco Rubio (R): Repeal ObamaCare and replace with consumer-centered health reforms that expand coverage and lower costs. Providing every American with an advanceable, refundable tax credit that can be used to purchase insurance. Reduce health care costs, promote innovation and ensure access for the most vulnerable. Finally promote innovation in Medicaid program by giving states per-capita block grants which preserves funding Medicaid’s unique populations.

Bernie Sanders (D): Build upon ObamaCare but expand into universal health care federally administrated. Build on the Medicare program. Make federal investments on training health care providers. Separate health insurance from employment.

Donald Trump (R): Trumps plan was not listed on his website and has received intense criticism for being vague and not explaining how he will complete his plan. The information I did find is listed as follows: Repeal Affordable Care Act. Allow sale of health insurance across state lines. Health insurance premiums fully tax deductible. Establish individual HSA. Require transparency from providers. Restructure Medicaid to convert it to block grants run by the states. Remove barriers to entry for international pharmaceutical companies.

I would encourage all, not just health policy leaders and health professionals, to go to each candidate’s website and see how your view of America’s health care future lines up with your candidate’s vision. I found it a fascinating study in the various candidate’s tone and ideals for America.

Share Your Thoughts:

What do you think would be the best way to improve Health Policy? What would you like healthcare to look like in America? How should healthcare policy affect healthcare leadership on the micro and macro scale?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare for helping their students stay informed and educated on health policy and encouraging them to enhance the future of healthcare worldwide.

Sources:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/234499-cruz-unveils-obamacare-alternative

https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/health-care/

https://marcorubio.com/sidebar-featured/marco-rubio-health-care-obamacare-repeal-replace/

https://berniesanders.com/issues/medicare-for-all/

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/donald-trump-unveils-healthcare-policy-details-in-7-points.html

http://www.dgiwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Health-Policy-USA.jpg

Glitches with ICD-10 Implementation

Until this point most billing is done with ICD-9 codes. These billing codes would be sent from a hospital, clinic, physician's office etc. to a private insurance company or to Medicare and Medicaid offices to let them know what procedure was performed. However now the billing codes need to be changed to ICD-10. ICD-10 is updated and more specific based on the diseases, ailments and surgeries we have in 2015 versus many years ago when ICD-9 were first coded. This means all the procedures, old and new, need to be assigned to this new form of ICD-10 coding. 

Believe it or not, not everything has going completely according to plan with the recent ICD-10 implementation, and there have been “glitches” so to speak.

An article published by Healthcare IT News has noted some of these glitches and some of the response.

1. Private payers want your coding to be right. Although it’s true that CMS is allowing a year grace period to allow coders to get the hang of it, many private payers are not necessarily committed to the same standard. Some practitioners are even giving themselves an extra hour just for coding. 

2. “Clearinghouses.” Some clearinghouses cannot go through until they have been cleared, and not all new codes are currently being recognized. This may take some time.

3. “Referrals.” For some physicians this is the lifeblood of their practice. They rely on referrals for much of their patient clientele. Somehow ICD-10 was not allowing one physician to give, or receive referrals.

4. “Eligibility checks. Some insurance websites were unavailable for the first 2 days. We were not able to check eligibility on some patients. We may or may not be paid for these visits and according to our insurance contracts; we are not allowed to bill the patient. Any patients I saw on the first 2 days of October who we were unable to verify their insurance was treated for free and there's nothing I can do about it. I know some people will say not to see them without this verification but they were sick. What good is a doctor who doesn't treat sick patients?”

5. “Wait times.” Billers always have a difficult time contacting payers, it’s probably their biggest complaint. There was a story of one biller who had to be on hold for three hours with their payer.

In time, the glitches will decrease. Some of them are obviously very short term while other will take longer to sort out, but one thing is certain, everyone will be a lot happier when they are resolved.  

Share your Thoughts:

Did you know about this change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes? Do you think this was a necessary update for healthcare policy? How do you think this healthcare policy change will impact billing to private and public insurance? 

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare for keeping their students up to date on the changes and future in healthcare policy. 

Sources:

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/6-glaring-disruptive-icd-10-glitches

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/ppt2013icd-10preparationwrafbfinal11012013-131108070936-phpapp02/95/icd10-presentation-takes-coding-to-new-heights-11-638.jpg?cb=1383894713

New Solutions to Healthcare Delivery

A fascinating blog was recently written in a Harvard Business Review blog explaining why our efforts to change the way we delivery healthcare might not work. 

For a while now the discussion has focused around how our healthcare providers are compensated – fee for service vs. paying for patient outcomes. It’s no secret that many providers are motivated and incentivized by their payment structure, however this blog argues, rather convincingly, that we need to change much more than the payment structure if we want to change how healthcare is delivered today. This blog offers 4 ways that we might be able to achieve the kind of change we are looking for.

1. “Let doctors be doctors, not managers.” It’s true that physicians now days have so much more to do than just provide care for their patients. Perhaps if we allow physicians to just concentrate on the healthcare delivery, then we could see more efficient outcomes.

2. “Develop standard protocols for care.” Relativity is the enemy of efficiency. If we can help hospitals and providers to offer care using standardization, we will see more efficient outcomes.

3. “Hold people accountable for the little things. An endemic problem in many healthcare institutions is the unfinished task. Who is accountable for stocking the amoxicillin? For making sure the bathrooms are clean? For fixing patient beds? For paying vendors? These small tasks make a big difference to the experiences—and survival—of patients. We use simple tools like pareto analysis of drug use and reports of patient-centered outcomes to hold providers and their managers accountable to the care they deliver.”

4. “Invest in technologies that promote efficiency and transparency” Change is difficult for most of us, but it’s even more difficult for healthcare providers that have been doing things the same for decades. The average healthcare provider today is not a spring chicken, and they are not used to the technology changes that many of us are. However, this is an important step to moving healthcare into a more efficient industry.

I believe that these four suggestions are spot on. It’s amazing to know that healthcare challenges are global, and we can learn a lot about ourselves by looking abroad.

Share your Thoughts:

What do you think about the suggestions to change/solve the healthcare challenges? Do you think health policy should be involved in implementing some of these ideas?

Thank you to Baylor MBA Healthcare Program for encouraging creative solutions to complex health care and policy difficulties.

Sources:

https://hbr.org/2015/04/fixing-health-care-will-require-more-than-a-new-payment-system

https://rmsbunkerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/what-is-an-aco.jpg

Big Data Results: Healthcare

‘Big Data’ is a buzz phrase that you hear a lot these days, but not necessarily something that you hear being associated with healthcare. Other industries like the airlines or just about any manufacturing company has used big data to analyze the hundreds of thousands and millions of flights, or used when producing a ‘widget’ that millions of Americans use. Big data has been effective for these industries for over a decade for the simple fact that these industries can use information to predict demand of their services.

Recently the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has supported an initiative that is examining whether the ACA’s health policy coverage expansion has been as effective for patients and healthcare providers. The foundation used data from 14,300 providers caring for about 5.8 million patients. Some of the results of this initiative were fascinating.

“There was no evidence that patients with previously untreated illnesses were taxing primary care capacity during the first nine months of 2014 (though new patients may require more time to schedule and attend appointments). New patient visits to primary care doctors represented 21.8% of all visits this year through September, compared with 21.6% for the same months in 2013. And minimal changes in national rates of three major chronic diseases—diabetes, high-blood pressure and elevated cholesterol— provided no support for the concern that new patients were sicker than they have been in the past.”

This kind of data analysis can help everyone involved in healthcare from patients, physicians, hospital facilities and even health policy makers. Using this data analysis is easier said than done however. Let’s not forget that healthcare information is highly protected by HIPPA laws, and is worth millions of dollars by those trying to hack into systems and steal this information.

Be that as it may, the value for healthcare managers by leveraging this information is there, and should be used effectively in the future.

Share your Thoughts:

Do you think using healthcare data can help health policy more focused and effective? Do you think these types of analyses are important for tax payers and politicians to use in shaping American health policy? Do you think the results discussed are of interest?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare program for helping their students focus on real world health care practice and policy. 

Sources:

https://hbr.org/2014/12/public-health-data-should-rely-on-software-not-surveys

http://mhealthwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Big-Data-Health-Initiative-Unveiled-at-White-House-Event-300x189.png 

Pricing Transparency: Healthcare Policy

It is absolutely amazing how difficult it is sometimes to find out how much it costs to go to a healthcare facility, either a hospital and/or a clinic and receive a procedure or treatment. If you have ever asked for the price of a procedure you know how difficult it is to get a price or even an answer. Those of us with high deductible healthcare plans, or even no healthcare have figuratively (or maybe literally) pulled out our hair trying to get an answer on ‘what is this going to cost me to come in and get something done!’

Accomplishing healthcare cost transparency is a step in the right direction if our country is ever going to get our costs under control.

A recent opinion article written by a healthcare executive, Douglas Ghertner, criticized an attempt by CMS to release information about how we might become better healthcare consumers in an article published by CNBC. In the article Ghertner points out that while CMS’ intentions may have been sincere, the attempt neglected to capture what costs are truly conveyed to the actual patients. In point, CMS uses hospital charges and did not actually take into account what the reimbursements were after Medicare, Medicaid and insurers have negotiated what they would actually pay the hospital.

In the noted study, CMS also neglected to take into account quality of care measures that hospitals monitor. Certainly they don’t believe that all healthcare is created equal, and could probably agree that some measure should be in place for consumers to judge the quality of care they receive.

Ghertner also mentions in his article the increase need for this healthcare cost transparency, noting a study that showed the rise in high deductible healthcare plans.

Finally, Ghertner talks about the increasing need from a national perspective to increase this transparency.

“A recent analysis by West Health Policy Institute suggests that transparency initiatives could cut $100 billion over 10 years from health spending. This may be a small step towards reducing the trillions of dollars we spend each year on health care in this country, but it is a step in the right direction. Additionally, as we improve our ability to make public provider level outcomes from a quality perspective, the patient can assess the value of health-care services, forcing providers to compete on quality as well as cost.”

Hopefully those of us who manage healthcare today will be able to take additional steps to assist patients healthcare cost decisions. 

Share your Thoughts:

Have you ever tried to find out the price of a procedure before having the procedure? Was it difficult? Do you think transparency in healthcare costs is important? Do you think that health care policy should be transparent? What types of improvements would  you like to see in your healthcare?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA Healthcare for an education that encourages critical and creative thinking to solve complex healthcare and business problems. 

Sources:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101880007

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American's Don't Feel Impacted from the ACA

Interesting poll results came out last week concerning American’s attitudes towards the Affordable Care Act. According to the latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll 

"More than four years after passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and several months into the first year of its coverage expansions, most Americans do not feel personally impacted by the law. Among the minority who say they have felt an impact, more feel they have been harmed than helped by the law, with Republicans more likely to say they have been hurt and Democrats more likely to say they have been helped."

However most would like politicians to stop talking about it. 51% of registered voters say they are tired of hearing candidates for Congress talk about health care law and want them to focus more on other issues like jobs. These results were also found similarly within Gallop poll findings. 

The Gallop poll results reiterated the same results regarding the health policy with more detail,

"About one month after the new healthcare exchanges closed with over 8 million new enrollees, there has been little substantial change in Americans' perception that the healthcare law has helped them. Most Americans say the law has had no impact on their healthcare situation, while those who do perceive an effect are more likely to say it has hurt them rather than helped them. The majority of Americans have reported that the Affordable Care Act has had little effect on their personal situations since Gallup first asked this question in early 2012. In more recent months, after the exchange-based enrollment opened up, Americans have gradually become more likely to indicate that the law has had an effect -- both positive and negative. The current 24% who say the law has hurt them is by one percentage point the highest measured, while the 14% who say the law has helped them is also within one point of being the highest measured on that dimension. In all instances, across seven different surveys, Americans have been at least marginally more likely to say the law has hurt them and their families than to say it has helped them.Americans' views on how the healthcare law has affected them personally are predictably partisan, as are almost all attitudes about Obamacare."

Share Your Thoughts:
Do you feel impacted by the Health Policy of the Affordable Care Act? If you were impacted by the change in health policy was it positive or negative? Do you feel this political debate about health policy is overdone or still of concern?



Thank you to Baylor MBA in Healthcare Program for helping it's students understand the impact of health policy in America.

Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/aca-poll_n_5420425.html
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Healthcare Fraud Uncovered

Something those of us who are learning to become leaders in the healthcare industry are being taught is that we have to keep our eyes out for those who might be taking advantage of the system. Many of my posts have been about the significant costs of healthcare, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars on an annual basis. 

We have also discussed the causes of this cost, and why it continues to increase. But every once in a while, we are reminded about one of the causes of rising healthcare costs, and it may not be what you think.

Today it is being reported that one of the biggest scams in healthcare history is coming to a verdict. 

"Between 2006 and 2012, federal law enforcement authorities allege more than 230 Dallas-area home health care agencies funneled patients to an Arlington physician, Joseph Megwa to approve $100.5 million in care they did not need. The owner of the largest home care agency in the case, Nigerian-American Ferguson Ikhile of Irving, has pleaded guilty."

In a separate case, more than 500 home health agencies were accused of sending their patients for unnecessary care to a man, who gave 347 million dollars worth of unnecessary treatments. In both cases it was reported that most of the elderly patients who participated in the schemes did not even know what was going on. 

With this information, it’s important to realize that most individuals just simply don’t understand all the healthcare jargon like those of us training to become healthcare administrators. It’s always a good idea to take a step back and remember the entire scope of our responsibility going forward.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS:

Do you think there is enough health policy preventing healthcare fraud? How would you feel if your elderly loved one had been taken advantage of? Who do you think is the biggest victim in these types of fraudulent cases?

Special thank you to Baylor University Healthcare MBA program for the education to encourage honest, efficient healthcare policy and leadership. 

Sources:

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/health-care/20140215-dallas-area-home-to-huge-health-care-frauds.ece

London's Calling....to Help America's Healthcare System.

With the current healthcare policy and system in constant debate, one element remains inevitable, healthcare services are becoming more in demand on a daily basis. 

As we have discussed in other posts there are many contributing factors to the increased demand in healthcare, not to mention the obvious increase in insurance that will be offered as a result of the healthcare policy of the Affordable Care Act.

Occasionally it might be a good idea to listen to our good friends ‘across the pond’ when it comes to how hospitals might handle the challenge of potentially providing services to so many new and returning patients. American’s situation of a higher demand to supply (access to doctors) is not unique. Great Britain is also feeling the pressure of dealing with an increased population demanding healthcare services. However, Great Britain does not seem to disagree with where to focus their efforts in confronting this potential crisis as a recent article in the UK’s Guardian points out.

“Ultimately, in order to increase efficiency in the National Health System and meet the public's top priorities of waiting and access, General Practitioners need to be resourced and equipped to do more. They also need to build teams to perform and complete more episodes of care in their primary care setting in modern, purpose-built 21st-century facilities. It is extremely difficult to change the expectations of the general population, but what we can do is ensure that healthcare practitioners are working in the right environment to respond to the demands effectively.”

Unfortunately Americans appear to be reacting to increased healthcare policy pressure and are not incentivized to see their primary care physicians before an issue becomes a crisis. Ultimately, if we want to find ways to take care of the healthcare system, we have to let them, the physicians, take care of us, early, so that it is not too late.

Thank you to Baylor Healthcare MBA for helping their students see how to prioritize healthcare needs in America.

Sources:

http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2013/sep/09/primary-care-ease-pressure-hospitals

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White House Delays Affordable Care Act for Big Business

Just a week ago President Obama and the White House Administration announced that one of the most essential elements of the Affordable Care Act, or ‘Obamacare’ which states that businesses with 50 or more full-time employees must provide healthcare benefits to their workers was delayed one year. Because the employer mandate deems a 30 hour work week as ‘full-time,’ this provision has affected thousands of businesses in America. One such business, Fatburger, claims that this news has simply come too late since they have been in “slash” mode to cut additional employees now for more than 6 months.

Mike Johnson, the owner of a Buffalo’s Café franchise has said that the mandate has made his life particularly difficult. "I've been worried nearly sick about it," Johnson said. "This gives me another year to look at all the options, and lets the politicians talk about what the best course of action would be. The employer mandate never made any sense to anybody, especially to struggling small businesses," he said.

Still, the White House claims that these changes will make very little difference considering that according to their facts, 96% of businesses already offer their employees some kind of healthcare benefits. What these statistics don’t consider however, is that the Affordable Care Act also mandates that these health plans contain 10 ‘essential health benefits’ which typically expands what current business health plans offer. Many are continually questioning the Presidents healthcare policies.

In a closed meeting to Republicans, Speaker of the House John Boehnor said “Is it fair for the president of the United States to give American businesses an exemption from his health care law’s mandates, without giving the same exemption to the rest of America? Hell no, it’s not fair.” With the Affordable Care Act still lacking favorability, and Americans getting even more nervous about its implementation, comments like this are certain to continue to political bonfire. 

Share your Thoughts:

Do you think the Affordable Care Act Health Policy will benefit or hurt small businesses? Do you think Health Policy should be mandated to all people or should certain groups be except? What do you think the best plan of action would be for Health Policy in America?

Thank you to Baylor MBA in Healthcare Program for continuing to challenge their students’ thoughts on Health Policy.

Sources:

http://money.cnn.com/2013/07/08/smallbusiness/obamacare-fatburger/?hpt=hp_t3

http://www.newsmax.com/politics/boehner-obamacare-business-exemptions/2013/07/09/id/514200

http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/healthcare_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg

A Physician's vision of Healthcare in America

In February of this year Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson gave a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in front of President Obama and Vice-President Biden. His speech ranged from quoting scripture, telling of his impoverished upbringing, education, taxation and healthcare in America.

With this blog the ‘Health Policy Institute’ I am constantly looking to find different healthcare leaders who are talking about Healthcare Policy and how they feel it should be improved and how these improvements should be accomplished.

Dr. Carson is one such person. He understands how important healthcare is, saying ‘It’s the most important thing a person can have. Money mean nothing, titles mean nothing when you don’t have your health. But we have to figure out efficient ways to do it.’ He continues stating, ‘we spend a lot of money on healthcare, twice as much per capita as anyone else in the World, and yet not very efficient.’

Dr. Carson then briefly lays out what he sees as the most effective way to handle healthcare in America. ‘Here's my solution: When a person is born, give him a birth certificate, an electronic medical record, and a health savings account to which money can be contributed -- pretax -- from the time you're born 'til the time you die. When you die, you can pass it on to your family members, so that when you're 85 years old and you got six diseases, you're not trying to spend up everything. You're happy to pass it on and there's nobody talking about death panels.

Number one. And also, for the people who were indigent who don't have any money we can make contributions to their HSA each month because we already have this huge pot of money. Instead of sending it to some bureaucracy, let's put it in their HSAs. Now they have some control over their own health care.

And what do you think they are going to do they’re going to learn very quickly how to be responsible. When Mr. Jones gets that diabetic foot ulcer he’s not going to the emergency room and blowing a big chunk of it. He’s going to the clinic and he learns that very quickly. Gets the same treatment- in the emergency room they send him out, in the clinic they say now let’s get your diabetes under control, so you’re not back here in three weeks with another problem. That’s how we begin to solve these types of problems. It’s much more complex than that and I don’t have time to go into that all but we can do all these things because we are smart people.’

I think it is important to look at any and all solutions to improve the healthcare system in America. And while working together on these healthcare policies we can improve the nation and the people of this nation’s health and strength.

(The full speech has been posted on this blog.)

Tell the Health Policy Institute what you think?

Do you agree with Dr. Carson’s idea of a Health Savings Account? Do you think a HAS would cause people to live a healthier lifestyle? Would you rather keep the system we have currently?

Thank you to Baylor University Healthcare MBA for advising its students to see problems as a potential opportunity to become creative.

Sources:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/02/07/dr_benjamin_carson_addresses_national_prayer_breakfast_criticizes_obamacare.html

Healthcare in Politics

HEALTHCARE IN POLITICS

With the election five days away, it is hard to get away from the political banter. While this blog is not of a political but a healthcare nature it seems this election has a lot to do with two visions of America’s healthcare. I want this post to be a side by side comparison of what the current Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) allows currently and what Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has planned for his healthcare plan; and see if there are many differences.

MITT ROMNEY HEALTHCARE PLAN

o   STATE HEALTHCARE PLANS:

 ‘Give each state the power to craft a health care reform plan that is best for its own citizens.’

o   FEDERAL GOVERNTMENT ROLE:

‘The federal government’s role will be to help markets work by creating a level playing field for competition.’

o   BLOCK GRANT PAYMENTS:

‘Block Grant Medicaid and other payments to states.’

o   PREVENT DISCRIMINATION:

‘Prevent discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions who maintain continuous coverage.’

o   LIMIT FEDERAL REGULATION:

‘Limit federal standards and requirements of private insurance and Medicaid coverage.’

o   CONSUMER CHOICE CHANGES:

‘Purchase insurance across state lines’

‘Promote alternatives for “fees for service”’

‘Encourage “consumer reports”- types ratings of alternative insurance plans’

BARACK OBAMA : Affordable Care Act

o   FEDERAL REGULATIONS:

STATE FLEXIBILITY

Federally established regulations, State flexibility in operation and enforcement of insurance exchanges.

o   NEW TAX CREDITS & PURCHASE OF INSURANCE:

Tax credits for families making less than 250k annually; which can help families reduce their premiums and purchase insurance.

o   PREEXSISTING CONDITIONS:

Allow for coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Eligibility not based on income.

o   PUBLIC PROGRAM ACCESS:

Extends Medicaid and allows for more access to Medicaid. Additional federal financial participation for CHIP (Children’s Medicaid).

o   REVENUE PROVISIONS:

‘Inclusion cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on W-2 (Sec. 9002).’

‘Imposition of annual fee on medical device manufacturers and importers. (Sec. 9009).

What do you think of the upcoming election’s effect on Healthcare? Is it important to you?

Thank you to Baylor University Healthcare MBA for a great education and willingness to let their students think critically.

Sources:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/index.html

http://www.mittromney.com/issues/health-care

http://www.barackobama.com/health-care?source=primary-nav

http://media1.policymic.com/site/articles/15792/photo.jpg

http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/capital_drawing0202108.jpg