MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'competition'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:12 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174587&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Fthe-cost-of-medicare-you-get-what-you-pay-for%2F In the battle over bending the cost curve in Medicare, a recent article in Health Affairs should set off alarms.  In it, Francis Lukas and colleagues describe the proliferation of new cardiac surgery programs—300 in 10 years–at exactly the same time that the number of cardiac bypass grafts fell.  Moreover, the new programs generally did [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174587 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:11:24 +0100 5174587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139911&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=38038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcosmicwatercooler.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Ftoronto-bodybuilding-competition-2009.html As you now know, timing is everything. Make sure you are a teenager who is trying to build muscle and repair themselves following a workout. Muscles is a big guy with a high BV rather than relying on protein such as diuretics, growth hormone, beta-blockers, insulin, EPO, amphetamines, steroids and countless other doping substances are highly criticized for their actions.. Because of their age and stage of human development, teenagers are undergoing natural hormone surges and are also able to adapt to change and stress without significant damage. A healthy person is well-nourished and physically fit inside and out.Muscles are the toronto bodybuilding competition 2009 are all ready and willing to take the toronto bodybuilding competition 2009 it looks like they will be given to maintain as m... Cosmic Watercooler blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139911 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:40:00 +0100 5139911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130658&cid=t_100126_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fcan-competition-and-integration-co-exist-in-a-reformed-nhs%2F Scan or Click to go to King's Fund website to download 'Can competition and integration co-exist in a reformed NHS?' Title: Can competition and integration co-exist in a reformed NHS? The Skinny: King’s Fund report that addresses the fundamental question of whether competition and integration can co-exist and considers the role that different bodies, especially the NHS Commissioning Board and Monitor, will play within a new system. The NHS Commissioning Board and Monitor must: develop bundled payment mechanisms so that commissioners can contract for packages of care from different providers allow flexibility for local innovation – regulations and guidance from both are critical access to specialist procurement support for clinical commissioning groups is vital ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130658 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:00:21 +0100 5130658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118591&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F10%2Fhealth-affairs-briefing-confronting-costs%2F On September 8, Health Affairs will release its September 2011 issue, “Confronting Costs.” The issue explores the third element of the famed Three-Part Aim for health care: namely, the objective of lowering costs. Topics to be discussed include chronic disease costs and opportunities for savings through prevention; who bears the burden of health costs; the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118591 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:36:17 +0100 5118591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096216&cid=t_100126_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FanQlu37J9YM%2F This year we created a literary competition "Unzip your Talent" where we invited readers to submit a limerick relating to Jeans for Genes day. I had no idea our readers would find this literary challenge so difficult...we will have to set the bar much lower next year! (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096216 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:32:54 +0100 5096216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050596&cid=t_100126_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FPkUzTl3_7X4%2F Try your hand at the Jeans for Genes Double-helix tongue twister challenge. Use your literary skills to come up with a novel, witty, poignant or just plain ordinary limerick or tongue twister using theme of Jeans and Genes and be a WINNER (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050596 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:47:25 +0100 5050596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029314&cid=t_100126_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fg3VB_LkUyH0%2F It’s a fact that when we are born we have become yet another member of the human race. But at the same time we have entered a long distance event, not a 100-meter sprint, also called the human race Our competitors? Ourselves – and our last performance. So let’s delve a little deeper into how you can position yourself, all your life, to win your human race. 1. Know You There are so many human beings living on planet earth who are trying either to live their lives like someone else or trying to fill a role that has been ‘expected of them’ by others. This is why it is imperative that you make a study of you. Ask yourself these questions: Who am I? What are my gifts and natural talents? What do I love doing? Wherein lies my passion? What was I born for? Whom can I effectively se... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029314 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:38:18 +0100 5029314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029052&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F07%2F40-words-the-winners%2F I couldn’t decide, in the end. I have 5 favourites from the 40 words competition, and here they are. Remember the rules: a 40 word uplifting piece, incorporating the word Bah! (capital letter and exclamation mark optional). Here’s the entry that made me laugh most, from Leigh Forbes: Old Girl peers at my daughter, all in pink. “Fine-looking lad. What’s he weigh?” “13lbs.” She nods. “I was a midwife. I know all about babies. What’s his name?” “Lilian.” “Bah!” She snorts. “That’s no name for a boy.’ * Hilda Lolly wins for being properly clever, and telling a great story: Bright and happy Beryl always had Birthdays at her Brother Alfred’s hotel. “Beryl’s annual holiday” Became a habit, But Alfred’s hospitality Belied a hi... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029052 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 07:31:53 +0100 5029052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008134&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiMKGbSr6JdU%2F By Chris EdwardsThe new issue of Mid-Atlantic Brewing News has a nice article about the District of Columbia’s laissez-faire rules for beer distribution. (See page 8 in the “digital edition“). Columnist George Rivers explains that the D.C. rules encourage entrepreneurship, bring jobs and economic activity to the city, and are a big plus for consumers: While most jurisdictions in the U.S. erect regulatory barriers to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol, DC’s legal framework encourages retailers and wholesalers to compete for consumers’ dollars through increased selection and lower prices. Rivers notes that beer consumers flee Maryland’s red tape and higher tax burden to enjoy the lower prices in D.C. At the same time, entrepreneurial beer retailer... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008134 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:42:22 +0100 5008134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008138&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FB2KdU9Tg7-o%2F By Daniel IkensonIn hailing this week’s ruling by a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel that certain Chinese government restrictions on raw material exports violate China’s WTO commitments, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk made the point that such restrictions hurt U.S. manufacturers who rely on those imported raw materials. Today’s panel report represents a significant victory for manufacturers and workers in the United States and the rest of the world. The panel’s findings are also an important confirmation of fundamental principles underlying the global trading system. All WTO Members – whether developed or developing – need non-discriminatory access to raw material supplies in order to grow and thrive. And, simultaneously, by artificially increasing domestic... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008138 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:18:28 +0100 5008138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008114&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F06%2Fhypercostitis-political-theater-in-massachusetts%2F The Play’s the Thing. America boasts the highest health care costs on God’s green earth, and Massachusetts spends more per capita than any other state. Some might say we have a problem. On June 30th, Massachusetts completed four days of hearings on run-away medical costs — what drives them and how to rein them in. [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008114 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:35:34 +0100 5008114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984653&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fnot-long-now%2F The deadline for entry to my 40th birthday competition ends at midnight on Friday 1st July. Remember, here’s how it works: Take 40 words and make them into something joyous. Anything you like. A poem, a play, a story, a word-sculpture…. the only criterion is that one of those 40 words must be ‘bah’. (The Bah! capital letter and exclamation mark are optional.) Email your entry to stephaniewrites (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk, no later than midnight on 1 July. I’ll choose my favourites and publish them here on the blog. Winners will get a signed copy of the Bah! book when the time comes. And depending on where in the world you are, I may also send you some cake. The entries I’ve had so far are terrific, and I’m looking forward to getting some more. And while we&#82... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984653 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:55:57 +0100 4984653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975812&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F27%2Fnew-cardiac-surgery-programs-improving-access-or-duplicating-services%2F With cardiac services contributing 25 to 40 percent of a hospital’s net revenues, do new cardiac surgery programs improve access or exacerbate the duplication of services? To answer this question, the authors of a new Health Affairs Web First article published June 23 examined Medicare claims data to identify where new cardiac surgery programs were [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975812 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:35:27 +0100 4975812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960283&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fcompetition-40-words%2F I may have mentioned this, but I’m nearly 40. I’m celebrating out in the real world… but I thought we should celebrate here on the blog too. So… welcome to the Bah! 40 words competition. Here’s what I’d like you to do. Take 40 words and make them into something joyous. Anything you like. A poem, a play, a story, a word-sculpture…. the only criterion is that one of those 40 words must be ‘bah’. (The Bah! capital letter and exclamation mark are optional.) Email your entry to stephaniewrites (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk, no later than midnight on 1 July. I’ll choose my favourites and publish them here on the blog. Winners will get a signed copy of the Bah! book when the time comes. And depending on where in the world you are, I may... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960283 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:25:09 +0100 4960283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952775&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F21%2Fsetting-the-record-straight-on-drug-shortages%2F John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) says in a June 8 Health Affairs Blog entry that the Public Health Service 340B drug discount program is part of a “web of [federal] regulations that are preventing life saving drugs from reaching the patients who need them.” More specifically, he says that the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952775 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:15:59 +0100 4952775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911438&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F08%2Frx-drug-shortages-regulation-can-be-deadly%2F Cass Sunstein, President Obama’s regulatory czar, announced last week that the administration intends to repeal cost-increasing, unnecessary regulations from 30 different agencies. If the administration is serious in this effort, a good place to start is with a web of regulations that are preventing life saving drugs from reaching the patients who need them. Doctors [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911438 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:35:46 +0100 4911438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893755&cid=t_100126_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F2NjmJE1ZWUc%2F The pool at my apartment complex opened this past weekend. There we all were in our bathing suits — mostly pale-skinned but some unseasonably tan; mostly bikini-clad but some in one-pieces; flip-flopped and pony-tailed. Girls girls girls. Oh, and there were men there, too. But I have to say, I didn’t pay them much mind. I was focused solely on the ladies. This has nothing to do with sexual preference, though. No, I was simply sizing them up. Did she look better in her bikini than I did? Was her stomach flatter than mine? It’s the ones who look really good that drew my attention most, because they are the ones I’m holding myself up to in comparison. In a poll conducted by Fitness magazine, 80 percent of women said they think other women are scrutinizing them in their swimwear. (Who ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893755 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:22:59 +0100 4893755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862488&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F05%2F25%2Fpioneer-acos-surging-to-a-new-level-of-integration%2F Editor’s Note: The post below discusses the recent announcement regarding accountable care organizations by the Center For Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. This is also the topic of another post, by Steve Lieberman, published today on Health Affairs Blog. In a speech on February 1, among other comments, Dr. Don Berwick, the Administrator for the Centers [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862488 Wed, 25 May 2011 15:28:44 +0100 4862488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4795054&cid=t_100126_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F7XNwRvu223Y%2F When it comes to the animal health business, the laws of the jungle are what matters. Consider the spat between Bayer and Eli Lilly. Over the past year, Lilly’s Elanco animal health unit allegedly used a smear campaign to discredit Bayer in hopes of convincing veterinarians and distributors to end their business relationships with its rival, according to a lawsuit filed in a New York federal court. Such fingerpointing complaints are, of course, not an uncommon event among drugmakers, especially when it comes to promotional activities. But this latest lawsuit underscores the extent to which the animal health world is an increasingly important business to companies that are finding it harder and harder to develop big-selling meds to treat those two legged-creatures known as humans. At ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4795054 Fri, 06 May 2011 20:23:48 +0100 4795054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789203&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fl0GNcXjeCls%2F By Daniel GriswoldOur friends at the Economic Policy Institute are at it again, issuing another study this week that shows some particular trade agreement has costs X thousands of jobs over a certain number of years. The latest target of EPI’s flawed model is the North American Free Trade Agreement. Enacted in 1994, NAFTA has created a free trade zone comprising the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the EPI report, U.S. trade deficits with Mexico as of 2010 displaced production that could have supported 682,900 U.S. jobs; given the pre-NAFTA trade surplus, all of those jobs have been lost or displaced since NAFTA. This estimate of 682,900 net jobs displaced takes into account the additional jobs created by exports to Mexico. The report’s author, Robert Scott, claims it f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789203 Fri, 06 May 2011 01:40:06 +0100 4789203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747602&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOOz5ZFxMdvA%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThere hasn’t been much good economic news in recent years, but one bright spot for the economy is that the United States is a haven for foreign investors and this has helped attract more than $10 trillion to American capital markets according to Commerce Department data. These funds are hugely important for the health of the U.S. financial sector and are a critical source of funds for new job creation and other forms of investment. This is a credit to the competitiveness of American banks and other financial institutions, but we also should give credit to politicians. For more than 90 years, Congress has approved and maintained laws to attract investment from overseas. As a general rule, foreigners are not taxed on interest they earn in America. Moreover, by not... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747602 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:40:43 +0100 4747602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742356&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F04%2F22%2Faccountable-care-organizations-an-opportunity-to-transform-care%2F The latest study, out last week, shows one in three patients in the hospital may experience a medical error—an incidence almost ten times higher than previously assumed.  Health care costs still make up approximately 17 percent of GDP—about $2.5 trillion dollars a year—and are rising three times faster than inflation.  Unfortunately, it continues to be [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742356 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:19:10 +0100 4742356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734026&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F04%2F21%2Fwill-price-competition-lead-to-quality-competition%2F Editor’s Note: In addition to John Goodman (photo and bio above), this post was coauthored by Gerald Musgrave and Devon Herrick. In our third-party-payer health insurance system the price for care is typically set by entities external to the doctor-patient relationship.  As a result, providers rarely compete for patients based on money prices. Potentially they [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734026 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:13:12 +0100 4734026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4733991&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fabbott-laboratories-settles-again.html In 2007, we discussed a scheme that Abbott Laboratories seemed to be using to boost the price of Kaletra, a combination of two protease inhibitors it markets to treat HIV and AIDS. Kaletra is a combination of rinoavir (Norvir, sold by Abbott as a single drug), and leponavir. Kaletra was apparently losing sales to the combination of Norvir with Reyataz (atazanavir), made by Bristol-Myers-Squibb. So Abbott increased the price of Norvir by 400%.As reported so far only by Bloomberg, Abbott just settled a class-action lawsuit alleging that its price hike for Norvir was anti-competitive.Abbott Laboratories agreed to pay $52 million to resolve claims by direct drug buyers that it tried to harm competition when it quadrupled the price of its HIV medicine Norvir in 2003.The settlement, which is sub... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4733991 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:40:00 +0100 4733991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714710&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F04%2F14%2Fthe-proposed-accountable-care-organization-antitrust-guidance-a-first-look%2F Editor’s note: This post, by Joe Miller, is part of a series of Health Affairs Blog posts examining the proposed rules and guidelines implementing the Medicare Shared Savings Program, issued March 31 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other agencies.  You can read other posts in the series by Mark McClellan and [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714710 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:11:59 +0100 4714710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684246&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fvouchers-or-premium-support-whats-in-a-name%2F In the mid-1990s, a number of health care analysts and some elected officials, worried about projected growth of Medicare spending, suggested replacing Medicare with flat dollar payments to Medicare beneficiaries.  These payments could be used to buy private insurance plans that the recipients preferred. Federal payments would be capped.  Individuals could buy any approved plan. [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684246 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:56:26 +0100 4684246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684687&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fsave-2nd-base-bah-giveaway%2F One of the things I enjoy about blogging (apart from the blogging) is hearing from other people out there doing their own thing on Planet Cancer. I love the different ways that people choose to challenge cancer, fundraise, raise awareness, and generally say Bah! in their own sweet way. I recently heard from an organisation in the US called ‘Save 2nd Base’. They work to raise funds and breast cancer awareness in memory of Kelly Rooney, who died of breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 43. And I just love the way they do it. What I wouldn’t have given to walk into an oncology clinic wearing one of these babies. For the uninitiated – and I had to check with Twitter – in the US there are dating analogies related to baseball. So, getting to first base is kissing, se... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684687 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 07:19:51 +0100 4684687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684250&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F04%2F05%2Fthe-medicare-aco-proposed-rule-legal-structure-governance-and-regulatory-sections%2F Editor’s Note: This post, by Douglas Hastings, is part of a series of Health Affairs Blog posts examining the proposed rule implementing the Medicare Shared Savings Program, issued March 31 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Hastings’ post offers a first look at the rule’s legal structure, governance, and regulatory sections. You can [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684250 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:38:18 +0100 4684250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631458&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F24%2Fwhy-is-there-a-problem-with-health-care-quality%2F Editor’s Note: In addition to John Goodman (photo and bio above), this post was coauthored by Gerald Musgrave and Devon Herrick. Go to the web site of the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) and you will learn that DMC facilities rank among the “nation’s best hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report and that they have [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631458 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:08:58 +0100 4631458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592346&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F14%2Fmedicare-advantage-facts-fallacies-and-the-future%2F Medicare Advantage (MA) has been at the center of partisan debate on the tradeoff between preserving Medicare solvency and protecting consumer choice. CMS’s recent release of preliminary payment policies for Medicare health plans — that is, plans offered through Medicare Advantage (MA) — is likely to refuel the ongoing debate on MA payments that continues [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592346 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:28:42 +0100 4592346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560507&cid=t_100126_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FSpqEG5FnmHs%2Fdiabetes-news-and-prizes.php If you've read my blog at all, you'll know that I'm a bit of a news junky. I maintain the diabetes search engine by visiting a great many sites, and many of those don't make the cut. And I really like it when I come across a site that's really interesting and informative. If you've not come across diaTribe you're in for a treat. diaTribe.us was started by Kelly Close, who founded the diabetes consultancy group CloseConcerns. Their excellent newsletter was first published in late 2006, and each issue is packed with news about new product developments, conference information and opinion pieces from Kelly, James Hirsch, Kerri Morrone, and others. It's one of those emails that I open as soon as I see it in my mailbox. You can read the current issue, and the archives, here.This month, you've di... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560507 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:55:13 +0100 4560507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536051&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPzWOR-NmY5s%2F By Daniel J. MitchellHere's a new mini-documentary from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, narrated by Natasha Montague of Americans for Tax Reform, that explains why the process of tax competition is a critical constraint on the propensity of governments to over-tax and over-spend. The issue is very simple. When labor and capital have the ability to escape bad policy by moving across borders, politicians are more likely to realize that it is foolish to impose high tax rates. And they oftentimes compete for jobs and investment by lowering tax rates. This virtuous form of rivalry helps explain why so many nations in recent years have lowered tax rates and adopted simple and fair flat tax systems. Another great feature of the video is the series of quotes from winners of the Nobel Prize... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536051 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:41:13 +0100 4536051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477682&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F14%2Fhealth-care-in-the-2012-budget-looking-forward-and-backward%2F Today, President Barack Obama released his Annual Budget, which emphasizes the Administration’s vision for moving forward by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building out of a recession.  The President proposes a freeze on non-security discretionary spending for the next five years, bringing this spending to the lowest levels since the Eisenhower White House. Health care is not as [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477682 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:06:47 +0100 4477682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472947&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbqeqM8c5fSo%2F By Jim HarperA Texas tax official estimates in this story that Texas loses an estimated $600 million in Internet sales taxes every year. Its part of a long-running debate about whether state governments should be able to collect taxes from out-of-state retailers who send goods into their jurisdictions. What happens with the $600 million depends on what you mean by "Texas." If you mean the government of the state of Texas in Austin, why, yes, the government appears not to collect that amount, which it wants to. If by "Texas" you mean the people who live, work, and raise their families throughout the state--Texans--they actually save $600 million a year. They get to do what they want with it. After all, it's their money. The Texas tax collector is complaining because the last thing state tax... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472947 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:45:29 +0100 4472947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441975&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwill-your-hospitals-maternity-ward-close%2F2011.02.06 When our country starts closing obstetrical units in hospitals because they “cost too much” money to operate, pregnant women need to pay attention because their babies are in serious trouble. Such was the case of the most recent casualty, South Seminole Hospital, a 200-bed hospital, that’s located within 30 minutes of my neighborhood. More than 20,000 babies were born in South Seminole Hospital during the past 18 years, and many of the babies were delivered by a local obstetrician who died approximately three years ago. I recall sitting in the emergency room of the hospital with a fractured ankle and listening to a chime that used to ring every time a baby was born. It was a soothing and humbling sound knowing that a new life was making its grand entrance each time that chime rang.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441975 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:00:12 +0100 4441975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433080&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLxPM9_27Jk4%2F By Jerry TaylorThe other day, The Wall Street Journal provided a public service by lambasting Newt Gingrich for his absurd speech to the ethanol lobby in Des Moines last month (money line:  "Obviously big urban newspapers want to kill it because it's working, and you wonder, 'What are their values?'").  Today, Gingrich and fellow ethanol-maven James Woolsey struck back in those very same pages.  In doing so, Gingrich provided yet more evidence that he's intellectually unfit for office. "It is in this country's long-term best interest," he said, "to stop the flow of $1 billion a day overseas."  Really?  So money sent overseas is gone forever.  News to me.  The only thing you can buy with dollars earned from oil sales to the U.S. is to buy things denominated in dollars or to exc... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433080 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:32:14 +0100 4433080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433086&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2i4m6WXAzh4%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe Internal Revenue Code is nightmarishly complex, as illustrated by this video. Americans spend more than 7 billion hours each year in a hopeless effort to figure out how to deal with more than 7 million words of tax law and regulation. Why does this mess exist? The simple answer is that politicians benefit from the current mess, using their power over tax laws to raise campaign cash, reward friends, punish enemies, and play politics. This argument certainly has merit, and it definitely helps explain why the political class is so hostile to a simple and fair flat tax. But a big part of the problem is that tax lawyers dominate the tax-lawmaking process. Almost all the decision-making professionals at the tax-writing committees (Ways & Means Committee in the House ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433086 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:30:45 +0100 4433086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399496&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoDrngqB050w%2F By Sallie JamesWhen it became clear that President Obama would make “competitiveness” a theme of his SOTU address, I looked forward to seeing Paul Krugman’s statement pointing out how much nonsense that is. Here he is, after all, in his excellent 1997 book, Pop Internationalism (MIT Press): …International trade, unlike competition among businesses for a limited market, is not a zero-sum game in which one nation’s gain is another’s loss. It is [a] positive-sum game, which is why the word “competitiveness” can be dangerously misleading when applied to international trade. Sure enough, President Obama’s speech last night was peppered with references to “the competition for jobs,” “new jobs and industries take root in this... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399496 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:56:54 +0100 4399496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389176&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxPMowgGLFf4%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThere’s a supposed expose’ in the U.K.-based Daily Mail about how major British companies have subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions. It even includes this table with the ostensibly shocking numbers. This is quite akin to the propaganda issued by American statists. Here’s a table from a report issued by a left-wing group that calls itself “Business and Investors Against Tax Haven Abuse.” At the risk of being impolite, I’ll ask the appropriate rhetorical question: What do these tables mean? Are the leftists upset that multinational companies exist? If so, there’s really no point in having a discussion. Are they angry that these firms are legally trying to minimize tax? If so, they must not understand that management has a fidu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389176 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:32:12 +0100 4389176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343113&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmkInMDtTIGQ%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe Laffer Curve is one of my favorite issues (see here, here, here, here, here, etc). But it is a very frustrating topic. Half my time is spent trying to convince left-leaning people that the Laffer Curve exists. I use common-sense explanations. I cite historical examples. I even use information from left-of-center institutions in hopes that they will be more likely to listen. The other half of my time is spent trying to educate right-leaning people that the Laffer Curve does not mean that “all tax cuts pay for themselves.” I relentlessly try to make them understand that there is a big difference between pro-growth tax cuts that increase incentives for productive behavior and therefore lead to more taxable income and other tax cuts such as child credits th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343113 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:01:52 +0100 4343113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337893&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F01%2F12%2Funfreezing-the-health-it-market%2F Washington Post columnist Ezra Klein recently described the Obama administration’s consistent efforts to improve troubled private markets: Isolate the eight key economic decisions of the Obama presidency: The intervention in the financial sector, the intervention in the auto sector, the intervention in the housing sector, the stimulus package, the health-care bill, financial regulation, and the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337893 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:38:44 +0100 4337893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337916&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5B9bA0hn2vw%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThere is a very bizarre race happening in Illinois. The Governor and the leaders of the State Senate and General Assembly are trying to figure out how to ram through a massive tax increase, but they’re trying to make it happen before new state lawmakers take office tomorrow. The Democrats will still control the state legislature, but their scheme to fleece taxpayers would face much steeper odds because of GOP gains in last November’s elections. As a result, the Illinois version of a lame-duck session has become a nightmare, sort of a feeding frenzy of tax-crazed politicians. Here’s the Chicago Tribune‘s description of the massive tax hike being sought by the Democrats. The 3 percent rate now paid by individuals and families would rise to 5 perce... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337916 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:15:04 +0100 4337916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277819&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_qhasNPgoDc%2F By Daniel IkensonThe U.S. antidumping law still enjoys broad bipartisan support in Congress and within pockets of the executive branch. Although some of that support can be chalked up to politicians representing the narrow interests of influential constituencies that have mastered the use of antidumping as a bludgeon to cripple the competition, much more support stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose, history, mechanics, and consequences of the law. Too many policymakers passively accept the anachronistic rationalizations proffered by the steel industry, labor unions, other big antidumping users, and their hired guns in Washington. Too many buy into the idealized imagery of a patriotic, upstanding American producer working tirelessly to ensure the preservation of well-pay... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277819 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:23:09 +0100 4277819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265696&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FX5Wl5PN0vJM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellSometimes it’s not a good idea to be at the top of a list. And now that Japan has announced a five-percentage point reduction in its corporate tax rate, the United States will have the dubious honor of imposing the developed world’s highest corporate tax rate. Here’s an excerpt from the report in the New York Times. Japan will cut its corporate income tax rate by 5 percentage points in a bid to shore up its sluggish economy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said here Monday evening. Companies have urged the government to lower the country’s effective corporate tax rate — which now stands at 40 percent, around the same rate as that in the United States — to stimulate investment in Japan and to encourage businesses to create more jobs. Lowering the corpor... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265696 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:26:48 +0100 4265696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214060&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2F30%2Fama-conservatives-revolt-against-the-individual-mandate%2F The Republican drive to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act nearly got a surprise boost earlier this month from the American Medical Association, which up to now has provided valuable support for President Obama’s health care reform effort. At the AMA’s interim meeting on Nov. 9, conservatives within AMA’s House of Delegates won [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214060 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:01:15 +0100 4214060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183272&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2Fimplementing-health-reform-emerging-guidance-on-insurance-exchanges%2F Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series of posts by Timothy Jost on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Earlier posts by Jost provide analyses of regulations implementing provisions of the Act governing coverage for pre-existing conditions, appeals of coverage denials, coverage for preventive services, a patient bill of rights, grandfathered plans, tax exempt hospitals, the small employer tax [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183272 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:29:55 +0100 4183272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105641&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F10%2F25%2Fhealth-care-prices-ignored-once-again%2F The United States spends far more on health care than other industrialized countries, yet Americans visit the doctor less and spend fewer days in the hospital than our counterparts abroad. Why do we get less for more? Because we pay far higher prices, four Health Affairs authors declared in a seminal 2003 article, “It’s The [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105641 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:05:46 +0100 4105641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065630&cid=t_100126_180_f&fid=38608&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FLifeDev%2F%7E3%2FLBq53C_96qw%2F I used to run from competition like a schoolboy runs from the playground bully. I’ve had plenty of ideas for sites and products that I never developed because I was scared stiff of the competition. In fact, a couple of years ago I abandoned a project that was 95% completed because a huge company entered the space and was touted as the “total solution”. (It turns out that the service was mildly successful, but never gained market share or lived up to the hype.) But instead of just finishing the 5% that was left with development, trusting in what I had built, and releasing the product anyway, I threw up the white flag. Hindsight tells me that had I actually released the website, it probably would have been pretty profitable. Needless to say, it was a valuable lesson for me.... LifeDev blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065630 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:51:19 +0100 4065630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018234&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FxElpb4wC7Vo%2F The news today is all agog about the racily-titled Rare chromosomal deletions and duplications in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a genome-wide analysis. Not exactly a title that screams of exploding helicopters and sex scenes, but the media are excited. This is because it’s a Lancet paper that claims to have found the first evidence of a genetic basis to ADHD. I must confess to being not sexy enough to be a true geek. Therefore I don’t feel I have the scientific expertise to critique the findings. Though such failure to understand the research hasn’t stopped Oliver James from blathering on about it. So, let’s do what we always do when we don’t have anything insightful to say. It’s time for a caption competition. The Daily Mail has illustrated ... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018234 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:12:23 +0100 4018234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999244&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fnominated%2F This blog has been nominated for the Little Blog Awards over at the scrumptious Dorset Cereals site. (When I typed that I meant that the cereals were scrumptious, which they are, but actually the site is also pretty cool.) If you vote for me you can also win something. Dollars to dimes it will be cereal, but hey, cereal’s good. (You can also vote for other people and win cereal. I won’t be checking, and there are some really good blogs over there.) I’ll let you know how it goes. I hope better than the whole Wikio thing. Hmph. 5th to 14th most influential UK health blogger in 3 months! With a little red downward pointing arrow next to my name in case you hadn’t realised! It’s a good job I am too well adjusted and uninterested in such lists to care….. (Sni... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999244 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:14:34 +0100 3999244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994268&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fbah-bbb-tiger-hills-by-sarita-mandanna%2F I really don’t want to give this one away. It looks fabulous. ‘Tiger Hills’ by Sarita Mandanna is, as the Daily Express put it, “an epic and extraordinary debut from an astonishing new talent” (Caroline Jowett). It’s the story of Devi and her family, a saga set in the late 1800s in India. If you’re in need of a good read, just leave a ‘Pick Me’ comment and I’ll draw a winner at random next week. * I know I’m a bit late, but here are the winners of the last two Bah! Brilliant Book Bonanzas…… Gaynor won the signed copy of ‘The Bridesmaid Pact’ by Julia Williams, and the signed copy of ‘Murder in the Green’ by Lesley Cookman goes to Ebren. Just email me your address and I’ll get your b... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994268 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:53:05 +0100 3994268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3968992&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FnaeXpB6NehA%2F By David BoazIn the Washington Post, columnist Courtland Milloy praises the “profound egalitarian insights” and “radical oneness” of D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee (and billionaire Warren Buffett): “I believe we can solve the problems of urban education in our lifetimes and actualize education’s power to reverse generational poverty,” Rhee wrote. “But I am learning that it is a radical concept to even suggest this. Warren Buffett [the billionaire investor] framed the problem for me once in a way that clarified how basic our most stubborn obstacles are. He said it would be easy to solve today’s problems in urban education. ‘Make private schools illegal,’ he said, ‘and assign every child to a public school by rand... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3968992 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:16:42 +0100 3968992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965414&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-insurance-pre-authorization-services-for-free%2F2010.09.13 The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an advisory opinion at the end of last month okaying a hospital’s proposal to provide insurance pre-authorization services free of charge to patients and physicians. This is an issue that has long vexed folks in the imaging world. Clearly, this is a free service provided to referral sources (to the extent they are obligated by contract with third-party payors to obtain the pre-authorization before referring a patient for an MRI, for example), so why is the OIG okay with it? In their opinion, the OIG blesses the arrangement for four reasons. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at HealthBlawg :: David Harlow's Health Care Law Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965414 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:00:13 +0100 3965414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929218&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcIecKUx-rM0%2F By Daniel J. MitchellHere’s a Reuters story about the Australian Tax Office harassing Paul Hogan, better known to Americans as Crocodile Dundee, because of a tax dispute. The grinches at the tax office took advantage of Hogan’s return for his mother’s funeral to hold him hostage, refusing to let him leave the country until he coughs up some cash. It appears that the tax police in Australia are just as politicized and above the law as the IRS. Hogan has never been charged with tax evasion and there are plenty of signs that the bureaucrats want to make him a high-profile victim to justify the amount of money that has been squandered in a probe of supposed offshore evasion. Actor Paul Hogan, star of the “Crocodile Dundee” movies, has vowed to continue fighting ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929218 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:02:34 +0100 3929218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911848&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fand-the-winner-is-2%2F Brigita. She’s the new owner of a signed copy of ‘Like Bees To Honey’ by Caroline Smailes. Congratulations, Brigita. Email me your address and I’ll post your book out. If you missed out, you can buy a copy from Amazon here. You might also want to check out Caroline’s website, and follow her on Twitter. She’s a star. Just a note about the Bah! BBB: winners are drawn completely at random so please don’t feel affronted if your eloquent plea for a book was ignored – it’s nothing personal. Just, as they say, the luck of the draw. (Source: Bah! to cancer) Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911848 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:22:04 +0100 3911848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889281&cid=t_100126_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fand-the-winner-is%2F Rebecca Brown! Rebecca, there’s a lovely signed copy of ‘Not So Perfect’ waiting for you here. Just let me know your address and I’ll send it to you. Thanks to everyone who entered. (Source: Bah! to cancer) Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889281 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 06:10:49 +0100 3889281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812939&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F08%2F02%2Fjulys-most-read-health-affairs-blog-posts%2F Topping July’s list of most-read Health Affairs Blog posts is Uwe Reinhardt’s essay arguing that increasing the number of health insurers is not likely to contribute to controlling health care cost growth. Also on the list: a look at Health Affairs‘ July issue on health reform; John Goodman on likely trends in emergency department traffic; John Halamka on the final “meaningful use” standards for electronic health records; Carol Levine, [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812939 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:49:36 +0100 3812939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784239&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FeyOkz-Lp6CU%2F By Daniel J. MitchellIn the future, dictionary publishers should get rid of their existing definitions for “hypocrisy” and replace them with a photo of Massachusetts Sen.ator John Kerry. He’s just been caught committing the horrible sin of saving his family more than $500,000 by domiciling his new yacht in Rhode Island (which is a tax haven for such luxuries) rather than his home state. Or at least Senator Kerry says that tax planning is a horrible sin when conducted by “Benedict Arnold” companies and facilitated by those wicked tax havens. But I guess that it’s not such a bad thing when Senator Kerry is protecting his wealth. For the rest of us peasants, it’s our job to meekly get in line and submit to whatever taxes Senator Kerry graciously dec... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784239 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:16:36 +0100 3784239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784219&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F23%2Fwonk-review-features-reinhardt-on-insurers-and-cost-control%2F Over at the Workers’ Comp Insider, Julie Ferguson presents some of the best examples of recent health policy blogging in the latest edition of the Health Wonk Review. Among the posts included is Uwe Reinhardt’s Health Affairs Blog post asking whether increasing the number of health insurers would decrease health care cost growth. Other posts [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784219 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:09:52 +0100 3784219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767075&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcleveland-clinic-targets-the-heart-of-chicago%2F2010.07.19 All I can say is, best of luck. From the Chicago Tribune: In a move likely to shake up the market for heart care in the Chicago area, the well-known Cleveland Clinic’s cardiac surgery program said Thursday that it has signed an affiliation agreement with Central DuPage Hospital in the western Chicago suburbs. The internationally known Cleveland Clinic draws patients from more than 85 countries around the world for everything from open-heart surgery and valve replacement to heart transplants. Its deal with Central DuPage, in Winfield, is designed to enhance the heart care provided at the 313-bed community hospital and potentially bring Cleveland Clinic patient referrals at a time heart surgeries are less needed than they were a decade ago. This won’t shake up the market in Chicago. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767075 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3767075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750043&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBajCOojQbZg%2F By Jason KuznickiPolitical scientist Larry Arnhart heads this month’s Cato Unbound. He argues that libertarians need to integrate biological evolution into their thinking about human cultures and even politics. More provocatively, he claims that the “a Darwinian science of human evolution supports classical liberalism.” This is the case, he argues, even though market competition differ[s] radically from biological competition. Biological competition is a zero-sum game where the survival of one organism is at the expense of others competing for the same scarce resources. But market competition is a positive-sum game where all the participants can gain from voluntary exchanges with one another. In a liberal society of free markets based on voluntary exchanges, success dep... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750043 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:10:48 +0100 3750043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743512&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgoodbye-vuvuzelas-video-of-the-day%2F Our photo of the day may have you feeling melancholy that the World Cup is finally over. But we have one reason to rejoice, loud and clear: No more vuvuzelas! Post from: BlissTree Goodbye Vuvuzelas: Video of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743512 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:00:01 +0100 3743512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743513&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fworld-cup-photo-of-the-day%2F The World Cup final is today. Are you drunk yet? Spain or Holland? Make sure to enjoy the excitement, the glory, and your last look at all those super-hot sweaty soccer players – until we meet again four years from now. Photo via Flickr user vramak Post from: BlissTree 2010 FIFA World Cup Final: Photo of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743513 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:00:28 +0100 3743513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740584&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcqY5QUVJim0%2F By Daniel J. MitchellSupporters of the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially the owner of the team, are upset that basketball superstar LeBron James has decided to sign with the Miami Heat. The anger is especially intense because the Cavaliers offered James $4 million more over the next five years. But their anger is misplaced because more money in Cleveland actually translates into about $1 million less disposable income when the burden of state and local income taxes is added to the equation. Rather than condemn James for making a rational choice, local basketball fans should tar and feather Ohio politicians. This story from CNBC walks through the calculations. [I]f you match up what James’ salary would be for the first five years in Cleveland and the five years in Miami, you find that the C... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740584 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:26:49 +0100 3740584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740564&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F09%2Fwill-more-insurers-control-health-care-costs-better%2F A common theme among health reformers has been that the small-group and individual markets for health insurance are too concentrated and thus inadequately competitive. The proposed remedy is to have more independent insurers compete within local markets.  Reformers left of center on the ideological spectrum – President Obama prominent among them – advanced this thesis [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740564 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:38:26 +0100 3740564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718382&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsPvhQSrvB5M%2F By Daniel J. MitchellMany people assume that Europe is the land of high-tax welfare states and America is an outpost of laissez-faire capitalism. We should be so lucky. The burden of government in America is still lower than it is in the average European nation, but the United States is a lot closer to France than it is to Hong Kong — and the trend is not comforting. We recently endured the embarrassing spectacle of President Obama arguing with Europeans that they should increase the burden of government spending. Now we have a new report from the European Commission indicating that the average corporate tax rate in member nations of the European Union has plummeted to just 23.5 percent while the corporate tax rate in the U.S. has stagnated at 35 percent. In the past dozen years a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718382 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:10:33 +0100 3718382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710534&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F185972%2F Win Food Network Cooking Gear: All you have to do is tweet or share this post on Facebook, and you’ll be entered to win an autographed copy of Cat Cora’s Classics with a Twist and a Food Network apron signed by chef Aarón Sánchez. Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710534 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:43:16 +0100 3710534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699706&cid=t_100126_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FAM2Nw1RqLtc%2F Rejecting an appeal, the Federal Competition Commission voted 4 to 1 to fine the companies $11.6 million for conspiring to raise prices of meds sold to a social-services agency, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, according to this statement. The decision comes shortly after the antitrust regulator indictated new investigations may be launched into drugmakers for scheming to inflate prices (background). According to the CFC, the drugmakers engaged in monopolistic practices during public bidding organzied by the agency and, in doing so, eliminated competition, which forced the IMSS, as its known, to pay artificially high prices. Those fined include Eli Lilly, Laboratorios Cryopharma, Probiomed, Fresenius Kabi Mexico, Baxter and Laboratorios Pisa. The meds involved were insulin and injecta... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699706 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:03:59 +0100 3699706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3658934&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fexclusive-mediabistro-com-founder-laurel-touby-on-making-millions-marriage-and-moving-forward%2F Laurel Touby and husband Jon Fine at the Webutante Ball in NYC, June 8, 2010 A former freelance writer, Laurel Touby came up with the idea for her influential media company, Mediabistro.com, in 1994, and in 2007, sold it for a cool $23 million. (She didn’t pocket all of that, though.) Just back from an eight-month international sabbatical, Laurel took some time out to answer our 11 questions about marriage, making more money than her husband, and moving on after major success. Long before you sold Mediabistro (the company you founded) for many millions of dollars, did you care who made more money, you or your then-boyfriend? I would love to say that it didn’t matter, because I’m an emancipated woman who went to Smith College. But, it was nice to know that he could pay his part of... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3658934 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:30:40 +0100 3658934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614510&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fthis-weeks-top-10-posts-on-crushable%2F Laura Leighton (photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com) 10 of our recent faves from Crushable, our sassy sister site, for your entertainment and enjoyment: 1. Cutegreggator: 23 Napping Kittens! 2. Bravo Readies Another Food Competition Show With Rocco DiSpirito 3. Young People More Emo Than Old People 4. Best Baby of the Week: Iron Man Baby 5. Patricia Field’s Fashion Advice: A Jersey Dress and a Pair of Heels 6. Fashion Do-Do: Jean Diapers 7. Gallery: Who’s Still In Character at the “Get Him to the Greek” Premiere? 8. “Pretty Little Liars” Mom Laura Leighton Likes Controversial Characters 9. iPad Outfits: Yay or Nay? 10. Meowmania: Best Site on the Internet? Post from: BlissTree This Week's Top 10 Posts on Crushable (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614510 Sun, 30 May 2010 16:00:05 +0100 3614510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581836&cid=t_100126_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fx3xcHLRFS7Y%2F The French Competition Authority is investigating allegations made by Teva Sante, a unit of Teva Pharmaceuticals, that Sanofi-Aventis disparaged generic versions of its best-selling Plavix bloodthinner, and deliberately attempted to restrict generic access to the marketplace. In its November 2009 complaint, Teva charged that Sanofi’s communications with doctors and pharmacists emphasized differences between Plavix and generics, including Teva’s 75mg version, without revealing the differences. However, Sanofi failed to say the differences have no therapeutic significance or effect on safety or efficacy (see the statement). Sanofi’s communications with scientists and practitioners emphasised differences between Plavix and competing generics, including Teva’s clopidogrel 7... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581836 Thu, 20 May 2010 15:22:58 +0100 3581836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585836&cid=t_100126_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fx3xcHLRFS7Y%2F The French Competition Authority is investigating allegations made by Teva Sante, a unit of Teva Pharmaceuticals, that Sanofi-Aventis disparaged generic versions of its best-selling Plavix bloodthinner, and deliberately attempted to restrict generic access to the marketplace. In its November 2009 complaint, Teva charged that Sanofi’s communications with doctors and pharmacists emphasized differences between Plavix and generics, including Teva’s 75mg version, without revealing the differences. However, Sanofi failed to say the differences have no therapeutic significance or effect on safety or efficacy (see the statement). Sanofi’s communications with scientists and practitioners emphasised differences between Plavix and competing generics, including Teva’s clopidogrel 7... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585836 Thu, 20 May 2010 15:22:03 +0100 3585836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569803&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-transparent-healthcare-system-whats-more-clear%2F2010.05.17 Congressional democrats want more transparency in healthcare, believing it would further drive down the cost of care, reports Politico. Hoping to drive competition, some lawmakers are grumbling to force doctors to reveal business negotiations between them and drug and device makers. Opponents worry that manipulating economics would backfire. If everyone knows their competitor’s business, why bother negotiating lower prices? But transparency worked for Wisconsin’s hospitals, not in business dealings but in reporting outcomes, reports The Fiscal Times. By voluntarily revealing clinical outcomes on the Web, the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality was able to spur low-performing hospitals to improve, high-performing facilities to eliminate tests that didn’t improve... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569803 Mon, 17 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3569803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560308&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F8XdVicPSGuc%2F Before the election that nobody won, the Prime Minister commissioned a report into the future of nursing. Did you know that? No? Well, you can find it here (PDF) It’s 115 pages long, but thankfully, you can skip straight to the 20 recommendations, which appear from page 100 onwards. What pleases me and, hopefully, others who want to see nursing dragged up to the same level as other healthcare professions is this, recommendation 16: - To ensure high quality, compassionate care, the move to degree-level registration for all newly qualified nurses from 2013 must be implemented in full. All currently registered nurses and midwives must be fully supported if they wish to obtain a relevant degree. A relevant degree must become a requirement for all nurses in leadership and specialist pract... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560308 Wed, 12 May 2010 17:42:02 +0100 3560308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545501&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FE1tSTlHoNuk%2F While we are waiting to see what happens here is a quick CamCapComp to keep us busy. If anyone has particularly good images of other party leaders feel free to let us know and we can hopefully add them to this post. [Brown Added, Nick Added] David Cameron and the Nurses Rules as per normal. I wish I had thought of a better image title. Kingmaker Nick I Agree With Nick (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545501 Fri, 07 May 2010 19:07:14 +0100 3545501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508175&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2eo4GCuWN88%2F By Jim HarperThe Consumerist relates the story of a potential Verizon customer who grew frustrated with his inability to get its high-speed FiOS Internet service. After resorting to emailing the CEO of the company, his service was promptly installed. “Verizon is a corporation who cares about their customers and not only about the bottom line,” wrote the newly happy customer. Now ask yourself: Just how separable are “caring for customers” and “the bottom line”? It’s interesting that many people’s ideological grooves have these concepts in opposition. But business owners know how much time they spend slavishly trying to please customers—because that affects their bottom lines. When big businesses do it badly, that affects their bottom li... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508175 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:56:19 +0100 3508175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504898&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoGlAdo6D2n8%2F By Daniel J. MitchellPrice fixing is illegal in the private sector, but unfortunately there are no rules against schemes by politicians to create oligopolies in order to prop up bad government policy. The latest example comes from the bureaucrats at the International Monetary Fund, who are conspiring with national governments to impose higher taxes and regulations on the banking sector. The pampered bureaucrats at the IMF (who get tax-free salaries while advocating higher taxes on the rest of us) say these policies are needed because of bailouts, yet such an approach would institutionalize moral hazard by exacerbating the government-created problem of “too big to fail.” But what is particularly disturbing about the latest IMF scheme is that the international bureaucracy wants ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504898 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:31:50 +0100 3504898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480835&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FfFD5W7grGqE%2F I’m a bit delayed in doing the third instalment of the This Election in Mentalists series, mainly because the Scottish National Party still haven’t published their manifesto yet. Not exactly inspiring confidence in their claim that Scotland would be more efficiently-run if they were left to govern it. So, in the meantime, let’s have an election-themed caption competition. As usual, a brief moment to state… THA ROOLZ: Enter your caption entries via the comments thread. One caption per comment – for multiple entries do multiple comments. Vote for an entry as being WIN and not FAIL by clicking on the thumbs-up icon by the side of each comment. The entry with the most points by Sunday 25th April is declared THA WINNAR OF TEH INTERNETS. Incidentally, the joint winners... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480835 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:24:53 +0100 3480835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424832&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5mbmUMVcPcI%2F By David BoazWhen I was a kid in the 1960s and we came back from a visit to my grandmother’s, my mother used to call my grandmother, let the phone ring twice, and then hang up. It was important for my grandmother to know that we’d arrived home safely, but long-distance telephone calls were too expensive to indulge in unnecessarily. When I entered Vanderbilt University in 1971, my parents had to decide whether to pay for a telephone in my dorm room. They decided to do so, but most of the thoroughly upper-middle-class students on my floor did not have phones. Phones cost real money back then. Then came the breakup of the AT&T monopoly in 1984. Phone technology and competitive service provision exploded. In 1982, Motorola produced the first portable mobile phone. It weighe... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424832 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:09:17 +0100 3424832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3411158&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F1ixIhK1uMWw%2F In the comments thread, Jan says, Never mind all that sTuff, we need a caption competition on the new designer NHS hospital gown QUICKLY!!!!!!!!!! Well, never let it be said that we don’t listen to reader feedback. Here is the new hospital gown, being modelled by two individuals flanking its designer Ben de Lisi. Gimme your captions. As always, I shall remind you of… THA ROOLZ: Enter your caption entries via the comments thread. One caption per comment – for multiple entries do multiple comments. Vote for an entry as being WIN and not FAIL by clicking on the thumbs-up icon by the side of each comment. The entry with the most points by Thursday 1st April is declared THA WINNAR OF TEH INTERNETS. (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3411158 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:41:15 +0100 3411158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395087&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F23%2Fprivate-payer-hospital-profits-can-lead-to-negative-medicare-margins%2F In an article published March 18 by Health Affairs, researchers at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission challenge a common assumption about Medicare patients and hospital profit margins. The study finds that hospitals with strong market power lose money on Medicare patients because these hospitals tend to have high cost structures. In contrast, hospitals less able to charge higher private rates are under pressure to constrain their costs and thereby can generate profits on Medicare patients, say MedPAC principal policy analyst Jeffrey Stensland, MedPAC senior analyst Zachary R. Gaumer, and MedPAC executive director Mark E. Miller The authors examined all 2,950 U.S. hospitals that had complete Medicare Cost Report data from the years 2002 through 2007, excluding critical-access hospita... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395087 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:25:51 +0100 3395087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378678&cid=t_100126_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fdesign-challenge-insights-from-last-years-big-winner.html I proudly present Samantha Katz as Exhibit A: the graduate student from Northwestern University who (along with project partner Erik Schickli) won last year’s DiabetesMine Design Challenge Grand Prize, and was subsequently hired by Medtronic Diabetes to help design their next-generation insulin pumps. (See yesterday’s big Medtronic announcement.) Samantha is living proof that “crowdsourcing” exercises [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378678 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:03 +0100 3378678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374110&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fo6bHglWcXtw%2F By Michael F. CannonMassachusetts state treasurer and recent Democrat Timothy Cahill has harsh words for the health plan foisted on his state and the identical plan that President Obama is trying to foist on the nation.  From The Boston Globe: “If President Obama and the Democrats repeat the mistake of the health insurance reform here in Massachusetts on a national level, they will threaten to wipe out the American economy within four years,” Cahill said in a press conference in his office. Echoing criticism leveled by congressional Republicans in recent weeks, Cahill said, “It is time for the president, the Democratic leadership, to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan that does not threaten to bankrupt this country.” [T]he state’s health insurance l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374110 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:55:19 +0100 3374110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366169&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Fthree-cheers-for-individual-health-insurance%2F The most significant and most radical change to the health care system that President Obama is proposing is to virtually eliminate the market for individual insurance and replace it with a highly-regulated health insurance exchange. But why would anyone want to do that? One reason is the persistent myth that the market for individual insurance is broken. An extreme version of the myth is contained in an article in Health Affairs during the 2008 election by Sherry Glied and others, attacking John McCain’s proposal to replace all the subsidies for health insurance with a lump sum refundable tax credit of about $5,700 for every nonelderly family. You would think this proposal would be an enormous boon to the currently uninsured. But Glied’s complaint was that some 20 million people would ... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366169 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:47:27 +0100 3366169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354302&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3DM13Mv6d28%2F By Neal McCluskeyThree days ago I reported that draft, grade-by-grade, national curricular standards would soon be released by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Yesterday, they were. (If you want to get a sense for what the proposed standards are follow the link to them. Don’t bother with the appendices, though, unless you really want to get into the weeds.) Naturally, in the coming days lots of people will be offering heaps of commentary about what the standards do or do not contain. That’s not my main concern (though reading through the English standards I am dubious that mastery of them could be easily or consistently assessed). You see, the content of the standards is largely irrelevant because the main problem isn’t what the standards are, but stan... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354302 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:38 +0100 3354302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338202&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F05%2Fdeath-of-a-sales-job-a-three-act-ploy%2F With apologies to Arthur Miller … President Obama went back before the cameras again Wednesday, providing yet another recycling of fading rationales for his health reform product that more voters would rather leave on the Capitol Hill store shelves than purchase.   But “attention must be paid” whenever the president speaks.  He tried to claim that “we have now incorporated most of the ‘serious’ ideas from across the spectrum about how to contain the rising cost of health care.”  Perhaps that includes compromising on the implementation date for taxing the extra amount of premiums in the most expensive and comprehensive private insurance plans (just short of waiting either “in perpetuity” or “forever;” whichever comes sooner and still meets the approval of org... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338202 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:15:16 +0100 3338202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331275&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu3lFBBg7i2M%2F By Chris Edwards1. Additional federal spending transfers resources from the more productive private sector to the less productive public sector of the economy. The bulk of federal spending goes toward subsidies and benefit payments, which generally do not enhance economic productivity. With lower productivity, average American incomes will fall. 2. As federal spending rises, it creates pressure to raise taxes now and in the future. Higher taxes reduce incentives for productive activities such as working, saving, investing, and starting businesses. Higher taxes also increase incentives to engage in unproductive activities such as tax avoidance. 3. Much federal spending is wasteful and many federal programs are mismanaged. Cost overruns, fraud and abuse, and other bureaucratic failures are e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331275 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:34:12 +0100 3331275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318604&cid=t_100126_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fannouncing-the-2010-diabetesmine-design-challenge-open-for-entries-now.html After months of preparation, today I am indescribably excited and proud to kick off the 2010 DiabetesMine™ Design Challenge, an online competition to encourage creative new tools for improving life with diabetes! You know the drill: Do you have an idea for an innovative new diabetes device or web application? This is your chance to win [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318604 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:00:24 +0100 3318604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311641&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fhealth-care-summit-half-time-report%2F Editor’s Note: This is the first of 2 posts from Tim Jost on the summit. Part 2 looks at budget deficit, Medicare, malpractice, and possible areas of agreement. The health care summit has now been underway for almost 3 hours.  President Obama established in his opening statement what he hoped would come of the summit, which was to reach agreement on areas of commonality in the need for health care reform.  The President, as well as a number of the Democratic speakers, has stressed these commonalities.  The message is, of course, we both have the same goals and our bill meets these goals, so what is the problem?  The Republicans are having none of it.  They showed up to reject the Democratic bill and present their own alternatives.  They came heavily armed with facts and figures... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311641 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:26:14 +0100 3311641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302289&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fshould-we-be-able-to-buy-insurance-across-state-lines%2F I live in Texas. Right now, the only health insurance I can buy is insurance regulated under Texas law. But if bills before Congress (most notably, one sponsored by Arizona Republican Congressman John Shadegg), are enacted, I would be able to buy insurance regulated, say, by the laws of Virginia, or the laws of Delaware, or 47 other states. Proponents claim this would greatly increase competition. Opponents claim it would undermine “consumer protections.” I think both claims are mainly wrong. I would not expect the number of insurance companies trying to sell me insurance in Dallas, Texas to change at all. And if I am worried about consumer protections, I can continue to buy Texas-regulated insurance, just as I did before. In fact, far from losing consumer protections, I would gain acc... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302289 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:50:41 +0100 3302289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290798&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8oeAvTgWY2E%2F By Daniel J. MitchellDemagogues such as Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), as well as many other politicians and journalists, often assert that low-tax jurisdictions are havens for dirty money and terrorist financing. From a theoretical perspective, this does not make sense. So-called tax havens have a big incentive to avoid scandal since they are much more vulnerable to reputational risk. Just imagine what would have happened, after all, if the 9-11 terrorists had used a bank in the Bahamas instead of a bank in Florida. Critics of low-tax jurisdictions automatically would have assumed that the bank was complicit and the entire financial services industry in the Bahamas would have been crippled — or even destroyed. But because the terrorists used American banks (as well as banks in high-tax Eur... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290798 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:00:18 +0100 3290798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283518&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FD2bJDckIaMo%2F By Andrew J. CoulsonTomorrow night at 8:00pm, Fox Business News will air a John Stossel special on the failures of state-run schooling and the merits of parental choice and competition in education. I make an appearance, as do Jeanne Allen and James Tooley. News of the show is already making the rounds, and over at DemocraticUnderground.com, one poster is very upset about it, writing: When will these TRAITORS stop trying to ruin this country? HOW can AMERICANS be AGAINST public education? Stossel is throwing out every right-wing argument possible in his namby pamby singsong way while he “interviews” a “panel” of people (who I suspect are plants) saying things like preschool is a waste of money and why invest in an already-failing system…. I hate Stossel and I ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283518 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:15:05 +0100 3283518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3272893&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoNbEv1aIZFs%2F By Daniel J. MitchellIn a rational world, Switzerland would be a role model for other nations. It is quite prosperous thanks largely to a modest burden of government. There is remarkable ethnic and religoius diversity, but virtually no tension because power is decentralized (sort of what America’s Founders envisioned for the United States). Yet despite these — and many other — attractive features, Switzerland is being persecuted because of strong human rights laws that protect financial privacy. Money-hungry politicians from other nations resent Swtizerland’s attractive policies, and they would rather trample Swiss sovereignty rather than fix their own oppressive tax laws. An official from the Swiss Bankers Association provides some background in a New York Times co... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3272893 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:06:43 +0100 3272893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231450&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYsUdwzn3Ljo%2F By Cato EditorsGlobalization holds tremendous promise to improve human welfare but can also cause conflicts and crises. How will competition for resources, employment, and growth shape economic policies among developed nations as they attempt to maintain productivity growth, social protections, and extensive political and cultural freedoms? In a new study, Cato scholar Jagadeesh Gokhale offers policy recommendations for developed nations to reduce globalization’s negative effects and, indeed, harness it for solving economic challenges. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231450 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:47:15 +0100 3231450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231433&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fnoticing-elephant-in-room-bigger.html We recently discussed a report on hospital prices here in Rhode Island, which showed that hospitals that are part of hospital systems were paid more for the same services than independent hospitals.  The price differences could not be explained by quality of care or severity of illness.  The results suggested that market power determines the price of hospital services, and that increasing concentration of power in hospital networks is likely to further increase costs, without improving quality of care.  The end of last week, a similar report out of the neighboring state of Massachusetts was announced.  As reported by Liz Kowalczyk in the Boston Globe,Massachusetts insurance companies pay some hospitals and doctors twice as much money as others for es... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231433 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:07:00 +0100 3231433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212399&cid=t_100126_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FCF13wLrEteQ%2F It’s now time to reflect back on the excitement of the past few days, with all the fun we’ve had at the expense of far-right astroturf operation Nurses for Reform and their “NHS? Well, it’s like Nazism” rhetoric. As we all know, there’s only one way to reflect on these matters here at Mental Nurse. Yes, that’s right. It’s time for another caption competition. Here’s NFR’s Dr Helen Evans at her meeting with David Cameron, where she presumably warned him of the SS Panzer divisions currently employed in our hospitals. THA ROOLZ: Enter your caption entries via the comments thread. One caption per comment – for multiple entries do multiple comments. Vote for an entry as being WIN and not FAIL by clicking on the thumbs-up icon by the... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212399 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:06:42 +0100 3212399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200420&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7LjzmN67R6o%2F By Daniel J. MitchellA Swiss court just threw a wrench in the gears of an IRS effort to impose bad U.S. tax law on an extraterritorial basis, ruling that Switzerland-based UBS does not have to hand over data to the American tax authorities. This ruling nullifies an agreement that the Swiss government was coerced into making with the U.S. government last year. In typical arrogant fashion, the IRS already has indicated that it still expects acquiescence, notwithstanding Switzerland’s strong human rights policy on personal privacy. The Bloomberg story excerpted below has the details, but it’s worth noting that this entire fight exists solely because the Internal Revenue Code imposes double taxation on income that is saved and invested, and imposes that bad policy on economic acti... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200420 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:51:33 +0100 3200420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175843&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F14%2Fnew-policy-brief-examines-individual-mandate%2F As negotiations continue to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House versions of the health reform legislation, one thing is clear: most Americans would be required to obtain health insurance and penalties would be imposed on those who failed to do so.  This provision is known as “individual responsibility” or an “individual mandate.”  An updated Health Policy Brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines the individual mandate issue.  It updates the policy brief issued by Health Affairs on September 29, 2009. Highlights include: Ways in which legal residents could comply with the provision – for example, by obtaining  coverage through an insurance exchange or, if they qualified, through a government program such... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175843 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:37:02 +0100 3175843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149038&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fi4laDEwh48A%2F By Daniel IkensonIn a post at the Enterprise Blog two days ago, economist Mark Perry deftly parodies a typical mainstream media account of trade protectionism by editing the story in redline to contrast its original presentation with its true significance. I recommend reading the whole thing, but here’s the first paragraph: WASHINGTON POST (Reuters) – A U.S. trade panel gave final approval on Wednesday to duties taxes ranging from 10 to 16 percent on cost-conscious firms in the U.S. who purchase low-priced Chinese-made steel pipe rather than high-price domestic pipe, in the biggest U.S. trade case to date against China American companies (and their shareholders, employees, and customers) who shop globally for their inputs and find the best value in China. Perry’s point—and I s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149038 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:40:45 +0100 3149038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3145922&cid=t_100126_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F06%2Fnhs-european-office-policy-priorities-2010%2F Title: NHS European Office: policy priorities 2010 The Skinny: Identifies the following priorities for the NHS European Office in monitoring and disseminating information about risks arising from EU regulation in the following areas. Patient mobility Research and Innovation Competition and Public Procurement Employment Quality and Safety of Health Care Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Environment Commercial Transactions Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publication: 2p Published: 05/01/2010 Posted in Grey Literature, Legislation, NHS, Public Sector, Quality Tagged: Commercial Transactions, Commissioning, Competition, Drug Therapy, Employment, Environment, European Union, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Horizon Scanning, Innovation, Legislation, Medical Technology, Patient Mobil... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3145922 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:50:17 +0100 3145922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111384&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Fwould-reform-bills-control-costs-a-response-to-atul-gawande%2F Atul Gawande, MD, is one of the best medical writers of our time. I subscribed to the New Yorker just so I could read him.  I reached eagerly for my Dec. 14, 2009 New Yorker when I heard he had an article there. I was deeply disappointed. What worries me is that his article will be used to support a political campaign to gloss over the failure of proposed legislation to significantly moderate health expenditure growth. Gawande acknowledges that the cost of health care “…will essentially devour all our future wage increases and economic growth.  The cost problem, people have come to realize, threatens not just our prosperity but our solvency.”  “So what does the reform package do about it? …Does it institute nationwide structural changes that curb costs and raise quality? I... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111384 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:27:46 +0100 3111384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075454&cid=t_100126_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F10%2Fbritish-journal-of-general-practice-2009-vol-59-no-569%2F Contents Page Title: The present state and future direction of primary care: a qualitative study of GPs’ views Skinny: A qualitative study exploring the views of GP principals and salaried doctors on current working practices and the future of primary care in England. Study uses semi-structured interviews including questions on motivations for working in primary care and descriptions of working lives. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Competition, Employment, General Practice, Journals, Motivation, Primary Care Tagged: Competition, GP Principals, GPs, Motivation, Primary Care, Salaried GPs, Workforce (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075454 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:11:39 +0100 3075454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056617&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FP1wbE-cyLCA%2F That is one of the conclusions in my new paper, “Made on Earth: How Global Economic Integration Renders Trade Policy Obsolete.” For hundreds of years, trade policy has been premised on the assumptions that exports are good, imports are bad, and the interests of domestic producers are tantamount to the “national interest.” Though that mercantilist worldview has never been accurate, its persistence as a pillar of trade policy into the 21st century is especially confounding given the emergence and proliferation of disaggregated production processes, transnational supply chains, and cross-border investment. Those trends have blurred any meaningful distinctions between “our” producers and “their” producers and speak to a long chain of interdepende... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056617 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:57:28 +0100 3056617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048084&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHQqn4XqYCUI%2F John Kay’s column in yesterday’s Financial Times criticizes government guarantees to banks because they involve hidden but large costs. According to Kay: Such guarantees distort competition: sheltered banks outperform rivals not because of greater efficiency, but because capital becomes cheaper to obtain. Sheltered banks gain too-big-to-fail status, which creates barriers to entry for smaller, more efficient banks. Relief from business risk leads to more risk taking, AKA moral hazard. Cheaper private risk management incentives are reduced within and outside the bank. Other kinds of government guarantees, such as social insurance, also involve large hidden costs. Social Security and Medicare’s guarantee of a paid holiday with medical care for the rest of retirees’ lives generates ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048084 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:23:22 +0100 3048084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3045022&cid=t_100126_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fl_nzGtSnEiw%2F File this under stiff fine. The Swiss Competition Commission, which is known as WEKO, has tagged the Swiss units of Pfizer, Lilly and Bayer a total of $5.7 million for fixing the prices of their erectile dysfunction drugs - Viagra, Cialis and Levitra - through public price recommendations. These recommendations are usually made by pharmacies and medical practitioners, are illegal, Dow Jones writes. Bayer rejected the charge. Earlier this year, WEKO concluded a 2006 investigation by deciding that the publication and observance of recommended retail prices for the pills represented illegal vertical collusion between the drugmakers and distributors. At the time, this was the biggest investigation to be undertaken by WEKO, which recommended sanctions. Whether $5.7 million in collective fines c... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3045022 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:58:43 +0100 3045022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026658&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fuw5v4TlItIY%2F Regular readers of this blog are familiar with the tax competition battle, which largely revolves around high-tax governments attempting to track — and tax — economic activity that migrates to lower-tax jurisdictions. But this is not just a global fight between decrepit welfare states such as France and fiscal havens such as the Cayman Islands. American states also compete with each other, and there are numerous examples of high-tax states such as California and New York trying to grab money from people who escape to zero-income tax states such as Nevada and Florida. The fight even exists at the local level, and a good example is the attempt by politicians to tax faraway online travel agencies. The Orange County Register opines about these extraterritorial tax grabs: A recent l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026658 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:43:25 +0100 3026658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023101&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2j5YiSASHWY%2F Imagine if the government got to pick your pocket every time you engaged in a financial transaction? That nightmare scenario is a distinct possibility now that senior Democrats have joined with European politicians and urged that such a tax be applied on a worldwide based. Reuters has the disturbing details: Any tax imposed on financial transactions would have to take effect internationally to keep Wall Street jobs and related business from moving overseas, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday. “It would have to be an international rule, not just a U.S. rule,” Pelosi said at a news conference. “We couldn’t do it alone, we’d have to do it as an international initiative.” Several House Democrats have proposed a Wall Street ta... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023101 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:14:35 +0100 3023101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984774&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFqA1hClCe5U%2F The final guidelines for the Administration’s “Race to the Top” education reform program have now been released. It’s a system that stimulates competition between the states to produce results that the customer (Secretary Duncan) wants, using financial incentives. Déjà vu, anyone? It’s as though Arne Duncan recognizes the merits of free market forces, but rather than faithfully reproducing them in the field of education, he’s decided to give us his own reimagining of them. Here’s the problem. There are already 25 years of scientific research comparing real free education markets to traditional public school systems. It overwhelmingly finds that markets do a better job of serving families. But we have no evidence at all that Secretary Duncan’s newly invented system will do... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984774 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:12:05 +0100 2984774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984764&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2F11%2Fpolicy-brief-examines-public-option-debate%2F A new policy brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation explores a key aspect of landmark health reform legislation passed by the House of Representatives: the proposal for a government-run public health insurance plan. The brief lays out details of the plan, including who could enroll, who could receive subsidies to buy coverage, and the anticipated impact on health insurance premiums. The brief also describes pros and cons of the House proposal, such as why public plan supporters think it is necessary and why critics believe the idea will backfire. Supporters say that a public plan would offer more affordable coverage, could stimulate competition, and could lead the way in improving the entire health insurance market. Those opposed question the public plan’s ultim... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984764 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:53:56 +0100 2984764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981058&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FqX9P6h_jem8%2F Import competition can throw Americans out of work. Even advocates of free trade like me will readily acknowledge that fact. And nobody needs to remind the people of Hickory, North Carolina. On the front page of the Washington Post this morning, under the headline, “In N.C., damage not easily mended: Globalization drives unemployment to 15% in one corner of state,” the paper reports in detail how the people of that community are struggling to adjust to a more open U.S. economy: The region has lost more of its jobs to international competition than just about anywhere else in the nation, according to federal trade-assistance statistics, as textile mills have closed, furniture factories have dwindled and even the fiber-optic plants have undergone mass layoffs. The unemployment rate is on... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981058 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:35:09 +0100 2981058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2971881&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDDFXh_5jKqc%2F The Democrats who still control the Virginia State Senate (which wasn’t on the ballot this week) say they want to work with the new Republican governor. “I won’t be like the House Republicans were, where anything they propose is bad,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), who like many Democrats says the GOP-led House obstructed the agenda of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). “If there are areas where we can work things out, I’m ready, willing and able, and so is my caucus.” But not so fast: But asked about certain key pieces of McDonnell’s agenda, Saslaw demurred. Selling state-run liquor stores to raise money for transportation, for instance, would sacrifice the annual revenue the stores provide to schools and other purposes, ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2971881 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:36:27 +0100 2971881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950718&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6O-iV2k_mkk%2F Tax competition is an issue that arouses passion on both sides of the debate. Libertarians and other free-market advocates welcome tax competition as a way of restraining the greed of politicians. Governments have lowered tax rates in recent decades, for instance, because politicians are afraid that the geese that lay the golden eggs can fly across the border. But collectivists despise tax competition — for exactly the same reason. They want investors, entrepreneurs, and companies to passively serve as free vending machines, dispensing never-ending piles of money for politicians. So when a left-wing group puts together a ranking of the world’s “top secrecy jurisdictions” in hopes of undermining tax competition, proponents of individual freedom can use that list as a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950718 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:45:24 +0100 2950718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946884&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F30%2Fthe-public-option-and-insurance-exchange-in-the-house-bill%2F In my first post, I described the major features and basic approach of HR 3962, as well as the provisions of the bill that would go into effect more or less immediately.  This post will look more closely at some of the bill’s basic insurance reform elements.  In a final post, I will discuss the bill’s other features. To begin, there is the public option.  It is one of the most popular features of the bill—many polls find that it is supported by a majority of Americans—but the media continues to insist that it is a loony left-fringe idea and it terrifies the insurance industry.  Some analysts believe the public option to be the most effective cost-control mechanism in the reform legislation, as a public plan paying something close to Medicare rates could introduce competition in... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946884 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:05:12 +0100 2946884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943748&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F29%2Fthe-ahip-report-beneath-questionable-numbers-is-a-serious-concern%2F On October 12 America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released a commissioned report by Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC), “Potential Impact of Health Reform on the Cost of Private Health Insurance Coverage.”   The study reported that health care reform as envisioned by the Senate Finance Committee would raise the cost of private health insurance by 23 percent above the costs projected for the current system from 2009-2016.  The timing of the report–released one day before the vote of the Senate Finance Committee of its bill–brought an immediate and sharp response by the mainstream media, congressional Democrats, and the Obama administration.  Besides its timing, other issues impaired the study’s credibility.  First, the report did not include potential savings brought... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943748 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:43:33 +0100 2943748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927290&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJFugYms2TSU%2F Some people have labored under the impression that “net neutrality” regulation was about the government stepping in to ensure that large corporations would not control the Internet. Now that the issue is truly joined, it is clear (as exhibited in this Wall Street Journal story) that the debate is about one set of corporate interests battling another set of corporate interests about the Internet, each seeking to protect or strengthen its business model. The FCC is surfing the debate pursuing a greater role for itself, meaning more budget and power. Tim Lee’s paper, The Durable Internet, dispels the idea that owners of Internet infrastructure can actually control the Internet. The preferred approach to “net neutrality” is to let Internet users decide what they w... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927290 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:27:51 +0100 2927290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920159&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSluhLULSoik%2F David Freddoso of the Washington Examiner reveals how the monopolies that states enjoy over licensing doctors, nurses, and other clinicians reduce access to care for low-income Americans: Stan Brock just wants to help. The former co-star of “Wild Kingdom” wants to deliver free medical, dental and vision care to the poor. Whereas most politicians talk about “bending the cost curve” in health care, Brock simply wants to break it – to provide care free of charge, at the hands of unpaid volunteer doctors and dentists using donated equipment. Brock’s group, Remote Area Medical, wants to bring its services to Washington, and soon. He wants his volunteer eye doctors to grind new glasses on the spot for those having trouble seeing. He wants his dentists to pull ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920159 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:57:53 +0100 2920159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912162&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNn-RkQ-j_Z0%2F Just days after the health-insurance lobby released a report criticizing the Senate Finance Committee’s health care overhaul (for not expanding government enough!), Democrats and President Barack Obama lashed out at health insurers, threatening to revoke what the Government Accountability Office calls the insurers’ “very limited exemption from the federal antitrust laws.” Democrats say they’re motivated by the need to increase competition in health insurance markets.  Right. According to Business Week: David Hyman, a professor of law and medicine at the University of Illinois College of Law and adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute…considers it unlikely that repeal would fundamentally change the nature of the market. While it might increase competition ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912162 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:55 +0100 2912162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2898920&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F22d1H8azSQk%2F With the House Financial Services Committee moving forward with a bill to increase the regulation of our consumer credit markets, particularly our mortgage market, it is worth asking the question:  what’s the best protection for consumers, regulation or competition? Let’s take the example of mortgage brokers.  They’ve often been targeted as one  of the causes of the crisis.  The story goes that they just made the loans and passed it along to the lenders and/or Wall Street and so, didn’t care about the quality of the loan. The response of government, first at the state then the federal level, has been to subject mortgage brokers to increased oversight and licensing, with the intent to keep the “bad actors” out of the marketplace.  How well did this a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2898920 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:01:54 +0100 2898920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890606&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F14%2Fthe-insurance-exchange-in-health-reform-essential-characteristics%2F Insurance exchanges, or “Gateways” as they are called in the Senate HELP bill, are a key element in all of the congressional health reform proposals, as well as the proposal outlined by President Obama in his speech to Congress. The exchange is not some new heavy-handed government regulatory body. Rather, the purpose of the exchange is to make the private market work better and more efficiently. In this post, I set forth several design principles and insurance market reforms that are necessary if the exchange is to achieve its desired objectives. I then discuss how well these criteria are met in the health reform bills approved by the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and three committees in the House of Representative... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890606 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:46:41 +0100 2890606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886374&cid=t_100126_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F13%2Fcourt-of-justice-of-the-european-communities-including-court-of-first-instance-decisions-3%2F Title: GlaxoSmithKline Services v Commission (Competition) [2009] The Skinny: Case relating to an appeal regrding a judgement on price fixing in Spain. Publisher: Bailii Size of Document: Webpage Case No.: EUECJ C-501/06 Posted in Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmacy Tagged: Competition, Jurisprudence, Pharmaceutical Industry (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886374 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:35:24 +0100 2886374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876021&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fymn1_XTNQfs%2F The Congressional Budget Office released a report this week that revealed that the proposed health care bill would not increase the deficit.  But is it that simple? Cato health care policy experts have examined the bill and added up the costs. Here are a few things they have found: Congress has been cooking the books: “When it comes to the health care reform debate…honest budgeting is nowhere to be seen.” Costs will only decrease if we give market forces room to breathe. How some in Congress are hiding the true costs of the health care overhaul. Healthy Competition: What’s Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It Podcast: Do You Smell the Books Congress is Cookin’? (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876021 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:33:40 +0100 2876021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851732&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F01%2Fobama-speech-assessment-tops-ha-blog-most-read-list%2F Uwe Reinhardt’s assessment of President Obama’s address to Congress on health reform tops the list of most-read Health Affairs Blog posts for September.  Additional comment on all posts is always welcome.  Grading The President’s Health Care Speech by Uwe Reinhardt Health Affairs Briefing: Bending The Cost Curve In Health Spending by Chris Fleming Regional Payment And Delivery Reforms: Critical To Obama Plan’s Success by Harold Miller Unstable Ground: The Need for Better Data to Make Better Health Care Policy by Michael O’Grady Bending The Cost Curve: Do We Have The Will? by Chris Fleming Health Affairs Briefing: Fact Versus Fiction In Health Reform by Chris Fleming Why A Public Health Insurance Option Is Essential by David Balto Fact Or Fiction: The Role Of Governmen... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851732 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:55:32 +0100 2851732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846334&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Fa-tax-that-targets-health-insurance-innovation%2F The Senate Finance Committee is now considering a proposal that would impose an aggregate tax of $6.7 billion dollars per year on “any U.S. health insurance provider,” in proportion to market share, whether for profit or not for profit, but not on employers who “self fund” their employees’ coverage. About 160 million Americans have private health coverage through employment, 55% or 88 million of whom receive their coverage through employer “self funded” arrangements. “Self funded” means that the employer is the insurer.  Employers hire “administrative service providers” (often just an arm of an insurance company) to process the claims, but they write the checks to providers on the employer’s bank account. Government actions are biased in favor of self insurance: em... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846334 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:41:16 +0100 2846334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838903&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNy2-231gpm8%2F In the latest example of “We had to burn the village to save it” logic, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) argues in a letter in the Washington Post this morning that the way to “support more trade” in the future is to raise barriers to trade today. Brown criticizes Post columnist George Will for criticizing President Obama for imposing new tariffs on imported tires from China. Like President Obama himself, Brown claims that by invoking the Section 421 safeguard, the president was merely “enforcing” the trade laws that China agreed to but has failed to follow. He scolds advocates of trade for talking about the “rule of law” but failing to enforce it when it comes to trade agreements. Brown concludes, “If America is ever to support more trade, its people need to know that the rules... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838903 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:05:06 +0100 2838903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823939&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Funderneath-the-democratic-health-bills-are-republican-roots%2F In recent days, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have taken up the argument that the Democratic health reform bills represent a “government takeover” of the health care system.  These claims misrepresent the substantive content of the bills, since the approach of the main committee bills is to extend employer-sponsored, private insurance.  But this rhetorical exaggeration also reveals how far today’s Republicans have moved from the policy ideas of the previous generation of Republican officials.  Indeed, a careful reading of today’s main Democratic bills reveals, to a surprising degree, a set of policy approaches that were at the core of mainstream Republican proposals a few decades ago, which focused on employer-provided health insurance, private sector insure... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823939 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:04:41 +0100 2823939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820206&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyOSuDWU6edg%2F I won’t go on at too much length about FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s speech at Brookings announcing his intention to codify the principle of “net neutrality” in agency rules—not because I don’t have thoughts, but because I expect it would be hard to improve on my colleague Tim Lee’s definitive paper, and because there’s actually not a whole lot of novel substance in the speech. The digest version is that the open Internet is awesome (true!) and so the FCC is going to impose a “nondiscrimination” obligation on telecom providers—though Genachowski makes sure to stress this won’t be an obstacle to letting the copyright cops sniff through your packets for potentially “unauthorized” music, or otherwise interfere wit... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820206 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:41:58 +0100 2820206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807563&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F17%2Fwhy-a-public-health-insurance-option-is-essential%2F The biggest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the future of the U.S. health system is whether Congress should change the balance of power that now favors the private health insurance industry. Opponents of the idea argue that a public health insurance plan competing with private insurers would lead to inferior health care, harm providers, and drive the multibillion dollar for-profit health plans out of the market. Fears of Armageddon are without merit and inconsistent with reality. The U.S. has a health care crisis created by the private insurance companies that some are so worried about protecting.  Health care costs are out of control, threatening the viability of American businesses and the hopes of millions of American families. More than 47 million Americans are uninsured, and ac... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807563 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:56:34 +0100 2807563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800327&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F16%2Fhigh-quality-low-cost-care-an-interview-with-gundersen-lutheran-ceo-jeff-thompson%2F Editor’s Note: In terms of “bending the cost curve,” health-care providers in La Crosse, WI., have clearly demonstrated the ability to deliver high-qualty care for comparatively low costs. La Crosse was one of ten communities featured at a July 21 conference in Washington, D.C. titled “How Do They Do That?  Low-Cost, High-Quality Health Care in America.” The conference was organized by four nationally noted health care improvement experts: Don Berwick, Elliott Fisher, Atul Gawande, and Mark McClellan. But that is only part of what has grabbed national headlines for this community that borders on the Mississippi River in Northwest Wisconsin.  La Crosse has become embroiled in a national controversy over end-of-life planning that has swirled around the health-care reform debate.�... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800327 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:42:47 +0100 2800327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796377&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F14%2Fgrading-the-presidents-health-care-speech%2F After decades of teaching, I view everything around me as a final exam and assign it letter grades. Naturally, I graded President Barack Obama’s speech as well. The overall grade is A–, a highly respectable grade at Princeton, although there is variation around this overall average for the different themes in the speech. The elegance and force of the delivery deserved a clear A, and one slouching toward an A+. I do not grade it A+ mainly because our Dean frowns at throwing around A-plusses lightly. The president does, however, deserve a clear A+ for reminding Americans so clearly and forcefully of the moral dimension of health reform, assisted in that task by the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s eloquent farewell letter. One may disagree with these two gentlemen’s policies, but one shoul... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796377 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:49:16 +0100 2796377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796408&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FslSQYwK3I5Q%2F Republicans made many big mistakes when they controlled Washington earlier this decade, so picking the most egregious error would be a challenge. But continued American involvement with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development would be high on the list. Instead of withdrawing from the OECD, Republicans actually increased the subsidy from American taxpayers to the Paris-based bureaucracy. So what do taxpayers get in return for shipping $100 million to the bureaucrats in Paris? Another international organization advocating for big government. The OECD, for example, is infamous for trying to undermine tax competition. It also has recommended higher taxes in America on countless occasions. And now it is suggesting that Iceland impose high tax increases – even thoug... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796408 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:25:47 +0100 2796408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778388&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FjerIjbKhW7M%2F Will the President raise taxes on new tires? President Obama will need to decide any day now whether to impose tariffs on lower-end automobile tires imported from China. As my colleague Dan Ikenson has ably argued, the decision will tell us much about whether the president believes trade policy should serve the general interest of all Americans, or whether it is simply a political tool to satisfy key constituencies. Neglected in the news coverage of the pending decision is the impact it could have on consumers. The imported tires targeted by this Section 421 case are of the cheaper variety, the kind that low-income Americans would buy to keep their cars on the road during a recession. If the president decides to impose tariffs, his union supporters will cheer, but “working families’ wi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778388 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:15:35 +0100 2778388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774607&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsQnzXQxW7fE%2F President Obama continues to portray the debate over health care reform as a choice between his plan for a massive government-takeover of the US healthcare system and “doing nothing.”  Those who oppose his plan are said to be “obstructionist” or in favor of the status-quo.  Yesterday, the President again said, “I’ve got a question for all those folks [who oppose his plan]: What are you going to do? What’s your answer? What’s your solution?” Well, I can’t speak for all his critics, but the Cato Institute has a long record of supporting health care reform based on free-markets and competition.  If the President wanted to know more he might have read my recent op-ed in the Los Angeles Times or Michael Cannon’s piece in Investors Business Daily.  H... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774607 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:15:10 +0100 2774607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765988&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fhealth-exchanges-different-political-railroad-tracks-to-the-same-station%2F One by one, various cars are falling off the chugging legislative locomotive of Obama-style health “reform” as it tries to climb hills that are too steep.  The public plan option has checked in for rehab as a co-op and even some end-of-life counseling.  Bending-the-cost-curve measures were turned upside down by the Congressional Budget Office in July.   Plans to raise taxes didn’t square with a deep recession that reduced the supply of deep pockets to pick and increased the supply of voters more worried about restoring economic growth and reducing debt.  Mandatory universal coverage dreams have been downscaled in size, scope, and speed.  But remaining relatively unscathed and drawing little critical attention is the seemingly benign design offered by President Obama and congre... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765988 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:55:23 +0100 2765988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741341&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FjWPKqE-3z8Y%2F Some well-known bloggers are being terrible bullies, beating up on private schools. Felix Salmon kicks things off by hoping the government tightens the definition of a “charitable” organization and begins taxing private schools who don’t “do a bit more to earn it.” Matt Yglesias agrees that private schools are mooching deadbeats and ups the ante, calling them actively harmful as well. Finally, Conor Clarke at The Atlantic agrees, but makes the other two look like panty-waists by proposing the government radically narrow what is considered a charity in the first place. Yglesias even has the temerity to indict private schools for the failure of NYC public schools: And as best one can tell, their main impact on the common weal is negative, drawing parents with resources and social c... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741341 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:57:50 +0100 2741341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741342&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5licmh14wD4%2F A story in USA Today is a perfect illustration of the liberalizing power of tax competition. In an effort to attract more jobs and investment, states are competing with each – even taking the aggressive step of advertising in high-tax states. This does not guarantee that states will always use the best approach since states sometimes try to lure companies with special handouts, but tax competition generally encourages states to lower tax rates and control fiscal and regulatory burdens. The same process works internationally, which is precisely why international bureaucracies controlled by high-tax nations are seeking to thwart fiscal competition between nations: Las Vegas is running ads in California warning businesses they can “kiss their assets goodbye” if they stay in ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741342 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:46:45 +0100 2741342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715921&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSJ4MMFjngnY%2F It’s an annoying, hackneyed trope of foreign policy types to say “if you want to understand X, you have to understand Y.”  That said, let me engage in a little bit of it. What’s going on in Afghanistan, we’re supposed to believe, is about terrorism, failed states, economic development, counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, human rights, and some other stuff.  And to an extent, it is about each of those things.  But to my mind, if you want to get a handle on what’s driving events over there, and on its historical status as a plaything of regional and extraregional powers, you ought to read this article in today’s Wall Street Journal. The themes that permeate the article are familiar: States as the primary actors in international politics, their un... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715921 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:05:15 +0100 2715921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688953&cid=t_100126_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fz0BHr8FYJWY%2F In many situations in life – especially within a company or within a family – co-operation is a much more powerful principle than competition. We all have a competitive instinct or drive, though, and many games make the most of this to ramp up the level of fun, excitement and involvement. (Sports, multi-player computer games, and board games all have “winners” and “losers”.) As well as enjoying being competitive in game and play situations, we can use our natural competitive bent to give ourselves an edge when we’re trying to make gains in our personal life. I’m going to give just three examples, but I’m sure you can come up with more areas of your life to apply this to (let’s hear them in the comments!) Eating More Healthily Perhaps you and your partner, or you and you... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688953 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:50:46 +0100 2688953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660717&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fbuilding-a-health-marketplace-that-works%2F In the debate about health reform, many issues are getting an inordinate amount of attention, but one is not getting the detailed consideration it deserves. How it is finally resolved is likely to be one of the key factors of the ultimate plan’s success or failure. That issue is the design of the health insurance exchange. An exchange is a managed marketplace in which individuals can choose among a variety of health plans. Why do we need an exchange? An exchange would help to remedy serious deficiencies in the current health care system: • Lack of consumer choice. Most employees are offered only one insurance option. Health insurers usually don’t allow small employers to offer competing plans, due to high administrative costs and concerns about adverse selection; as a result, the... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660717 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:39:28 +0100 2660717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645273&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEMa-TNTzYU4%2F President Obama and other leading Democrats have proposed creating a new government health insurance program as an “option” for Americans under the age of 65. In a new study, Cato scholar Michael F. Cannon shows that government programs cost more and deliver lower-quality care than private insurance. “If Congress wants to make health care more efficient and increase competition in health insurance markets, there are far better options,” argues Cannon. Fannie Med? Why a "Public Option" Is Hazardous to Your Health, Cato Policy Analysis No. 642 (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645273 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:18:49 +0100 2645273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2637794&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2Fa-modest-proposal-on-payment-reform%2F Editor’s Note: In the post below, Uwe Reinhardt proposes to move from the present, price-discriminatory system of private-sector pricing of health services toward an all-payer system that could serve as a transition to an eventual system based on bundled payments per episode of illness for acute care, or capitation for chronic care. In a response to Reinhardt’s post, Paul Ginsburg suggests that an all-payer system could apply pressure on providers to contain costs in a “far less radical” manner than the public plan proposed by many advocates of health reform. Ginsburg discusses the success of Maryland’s all-payer system. For a thorough discussion of the Maryland’s regulatory scheme and its results, look for the article by Robert Murray, chair of the Maryland Health Service... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2637794 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:50:48 +0100 2637794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605943&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fid-1khc1UNI%2F Earlier this week, SEC Chair Mary Shapiro appeared before Congress to suggest ways to fix the failings in our credit rating agencies.   Sadly her proposals miss the market, although that shouldn’t be so surprising as her suggestions appear to rest upon a misunderstanding of the problem. The thrust of the SEC’s current approach is more disclosure, such as releasing “pre-ratings” that debt issuers may get before final issuance.  Additional disclosure of ratings methodology and assumptions is likely to be useless.  Almost all that information was available during the building housing bubble.  The problem is that the rating agencies had little incentive to go beyond the consensus forecasts of increasing to at most modest declines in home prices.  These same assum... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605943 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:27:44 +0100 2605943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598193&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FB0HUbJHo-qk%2F The Democrat’s latest plan to raise money for federal health care expansion is to impose surtaxes ranging from 1 percent to 3 percent on higher-income earners. Currently, the United States is in the middle of the pack of industrial nations when it comes to imposing punitive tax rates on higher earners. The chart shows the top statutory personal income tax rates for the 30 nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The current top U.S. rate is 42 percent (including state taxes), which is the same as the 30-nation average. The data is from the OECD. With the top federal rate scheduled to jump 5 percentage points in 2011, plus the new 3-percent surtax, the top U.S. rate would hit 50 percent. Fifty percent! Half of all additional income earned by the nat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598193 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:50:16 +0100 2598193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580203&cid=t_100126_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Finfertility-subject-of-short-film-contest%2F Infertility - it’s something that has affected millions of people around the world. And the National Infertility Association and Fertility LifeLines™, a free patient resource provided by EMD Serono, want to hear their stories. They are  holding the first-ever In The Know Short Film Competition. Have you got a story to tell about dealing with infertility? Anyone touched by infertility can enter the In The Know Short Film competition by  submitting a creative, inspirational short film about their path to parenthood (or the journey of someone close to them). These films will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Competition finalists will have their films screened at a festival in New York City this fall where a winner and runners-up will be chosen and awarded prizes. The winner will receiv... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580203 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:48:30 +0100 2580203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571098&cid=t_100126_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FwEAOi986EVQ%2Fwhats-your-d-story.php Ask anyone with diabetes about how they were diagnosed, or something that's happened because of diabetes and you'll hear a story. Even though we're living with a serious illness, our stories generally aren't depressing. Along with the bumps and bruises because of diabetes, we've learned important life lessons, including how to spin a good yarn.For a little while longer you've a chance to share your story online and get in... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571098 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:09:34 +0100 2571098