Politics and Policy

AHIP healthcare reform ads touted as one that will resonate with many Americans.

Sensitive to market pressures, 67% of employers prefer a phased approach to reform and 68% believe the current tax treatment of coverage should not be changed

Democrats back insurance market changes, coverage mandates and a public plan option. House leaders generally ignored Republican protests.

Through access to more robust data, actuaries can help predict and analyze the long-term feasibility of proposed healthcare reform plans.

Educate policymakers on the industry to avoid bad or over-simplified healthcare reform legislation.

Industry weighs the pros and cons of an Obama-appointed Federal Insurance Czar.

In the wake of healthcare reform, pharmaceutical executives help take charge.

Independence Blue Cross premium increases illustrates the need for individual mandates and finding a way to level out risk pools.

Providers, plans and pharma companies promise to produce savings through tried and true methods, but skeptics doubt they'll make any sacrifices

Federal government lags when it comes to domestic partners' equal treatment in benefit, but states make progress.

New federal health IT leaders need to focus more on personal health records, says one expert.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius is confirmed as HHS Secretary.

The reinvestment act contains more than $100 billion in federal funding for healthcare initiatives

MedPAC reports 2009 MA payments will be 14% above fee-for-service rates.

Knowing what works will help the country direct its resources toward best buys in healthcare, according to economist Gail Wilensky

The CVS privacy settlement sends a clear message to executives that paper privacy and data security are insufficient.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius fills HHS secretary post, while Tennessee health commissioner Nancy Ann DeParle fills director of the White House Office for Health Reform.

The problems exposed in California reveal the need for focus on state rescission guidelines

Performance registries are designed for data collection in reporting to CMS or potentially other payers

One way to level the playing field is to offer the public plan through an administered market system.

Regina Herzlinger's prescription for reform calls for payment based on episodes of care.

Sponsors of Part D legislation believe private Medicare Part D plans have been less effective than the government could be in negotiating price concessions.

Absent regulatory reform prompts Michigan Blues to make some hard business decisions while groups such as Put Michigan People First say BCBSM wasn't able to get individual insurance reform legislation passed because it failed to compromise with key stakeholders.

Consultants speculate on who President Obama will tap to fill the HHS, FDA and IT Coordinator posts after Tom Daschle announces his withdrawal from the HHS appointment.

MCO execs should be looking at payment changes that are win-win for the payer, consumer

Pick your poison. Even with the grand number of proposals on the table, healthcare will still cost the nation trillions.

As a compromise effort for individual insurance reform dies in Michigan, BCBSM is left with tough options.

Healthcare leaders are concerned about future public programs under the new administration that simply shift costs

Most consumers and healthcare experts want to see a reduction in costs or coverage expansion in 2009

New political leaders and intense economic woes set the stage for a new day in healthcare reform. No one disagrees with the need, just the means for getting there.