Category Archives: Health Reform Impact

Medicare Demonstration Projects: Not Ready for Prime Time

 > Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare demonstration projects can be expanded on a national scale if they meet either of two standards: reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality of care, or improve quality of care without raising costs. A new CBO report concludes that they have a long way to go. read more »
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The Cost Control Derby

 > If health care reform legislation were a horse race, what are the odds that it would control health care costs over the next decade? One projection is 10-1. Another is more like 7-6. read more »
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Cost Control: Pathologies of Hope

 > While most evidence shows that medical technology is one of the main drivers of health care cost increases, some new technologies could reduce costs. To what extent do the minority of cost-saving technologies seduce us into a pathology of hope? read more »
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Can This Marriage Be Saved?

 > Health care reform legislation left many problems and much acrimony in its wake. But if history is any guide, the law will remain intact and the public will eventually come to like it. read more »
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“At Least 48 Cost Curve Benders”

 > A veteran of Clinton-era health reform efforts says that the new law is "a big win." But he adds, "A lot depends on keeping Republican ‘anything goes in markets’ types from controlling Congress." read more »
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Cost Control in Many Hands

 > Two panels will oversee comparative effectiveness research, and there will be numerous health insurance exchanges. The responsibility for saving money will rest with far more stakeholders than have been considered before. read more »
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Small Steps Toward Cost Control

 > The only serious measures to constrain collective costs will involve shifting the boundaries between social and individual responsibility in ways that have not yet been developed. read more »
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Holding the Line on Health Spending

 > It will probably be years before we can tell whether the health care reform legislation makes a difference to costs, and its effect is likely to be obscured by the poor state of the economy. read more »
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A Broader, Leakier Umbrella

 > States will struggle with the added costs of Medicaid, and "cost savers," such as electronic medical records and reduced waste, are unlikely to decrease aggregate health care spending. read more »
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