The Republican primary in Florida brought discussions of healthcare, particularly Medicare, back to the forefront of the national discourse. With its sizeable senior population, Medicare and Social Security were top of mind to Florida voters.It is certainly important that health care, and particularly Medicare, be debated thoroughly during the Presidential campaign, as entitlement reform is [...]

On the hit A&E cable show “Storage Wars,” competing buyers take a peek inside foreclosed self-storage lockers, guess what might be hidden inside, then bid for the salvage rights. It’s entertaining television. But it’s a terrible model for the federal government acquire life-and-death treatments for Medicare patients.Yet that’s almost exactly what’s happening. The Centers for [...]

Current medical news from today, including Medicare nominee Marilyn Tavenner receives lifetime payout from largest U.S. hospital chain, public school lunch reform, and progress in diabetes treatment.

The U.S. health care industry has evolved and changed rapidly over the past several decades. This evolution took place in response to a number of environmental influences including, technological advances, demographic shifts, and economic and political changes.

Current medical news from today, including legislators delay cuts to Medicare payments, Mead Johnson stumbles during newborn formula conundrum, and venture capitalists become bloggers.

The Bipartisan Options for the Future white paper [PDF] by Ron Wyden (Senate Democrat from Oregon) and Paul Ryan (Republican Congressman from Wisconsin) is billed as a bold move to reform Medicare. It is admirable that two prominent legislators from across the aisle have come together on the pivotal fiscal question of our era, but [...]

Current medical news from today, including CMS Administrator Donald Berwick’s last day, Pfizer’s plan to fight generic Lipitor doesn’t fly with pharmacy benefit managers, and a proposed solution for cheaper medical journal articles.

Current medical news from today, including what the super committee’s failure means for healthcare, Gilead Sciences acquires Pharmasset, and Cigna acquires HealthSpring.

Sometimes life does unfortunately imitate art. In 1993, the movie ’Groundhog Day’ hit the big screen. The plot of the movie, starring Bill Murray, centered on Murray’s character being forced to live the same day over and over again until he managed to get it right.Four years later, Congress created a completely flawed formula surrounding [...]

I’m pleased to learn that the super committee is seriously contemplating having higher income senior citizens pay more for their Medicare coverage (Kaiser Health News: Affluent seniors could take a hit on Medicare). I’m also intrigued that such a policy appears to have broad support from the public and policymakers at [...]