Today’s Op-Eds: ‘Perverse’ Incentives Of Health Care; U.S. Debt And Health Costs; Elizabeth Edwards’ Legacy
Legacy Of Elizabeth Edwards Includes Frank Talk About Health MarketWatch
Maybe her life and death will usher in a new era of frank talk about what end-of-life care can be when people have grown-up conversations about the trade-offs of various approaches (Kristen Gerencher, 12/7).
Gov. Gregoire Caves To Union On Health-Care Premiums The Seattle Times
They have put their interests ahead of the lower-income people who rely on the Basic Health Plan, children's Medicaid, rural public schools and the many other state programs for the vulnerable. Because state employees have contributed less than expected, these programs are likely to be cut more or eliminated (12/7).
Stents, St. Joseph And The Perverse Incentives Of Health Care The Baltimore Sun
It may be too early to conclude for certain that Dr. Mark Midei is to blame for excessive and improper implantation of cardiac stents in his patients at St. Joseph Medical Center. ... But the issue is bigger than one doctor or one hospital or one particularly lucrative procedure. The problem is that our system of paying for health care creates perverse market incentives for everyone in the system (12/7).
Fixing The Debt By Fixing The Healthcare System The Washington Examiner
Unfortunately the healthcare status quo is left virtually untouched by recent reforms. Health insurance is still impossible to purchase across state lines. De facto regional monopolies dominate the marketplace. And consumers have very little or no say as to what insurance they receive. Price transparency is not only opaque, but patients have very little say in how healthcare costs are distributed, leading to higher and higher premiums (E.D. Kain, 12/7).
