Blog


The Need to Put Patients First

September 10, 2013

Whenever we talk about comparative effectiveness research (CER) and using data to shape the direction of American healthcare, it’s always important to remind ourselves that the needs of patients must … Continued


Leadership on the Quality/Cost Front Lines

August 22, 2013

Building on my last post about U.S. healthcare leaders making a difference – one for which they’re often not given full credit – in containing health system costs while still … Continued


The Health Cost Slowdown: Credit Where Credit’s Due

August 14, 2013

It’s no longer fresh news that health cost increases are undergoing a considerable slowdown.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has presented statistics showing a historic decline in Medicare … Continued


Dean v. Orszag on IPAB

July 31, 2013

The opposition to the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) gained public support this week from what was, to some, an unlikely voice.  Former Vermont governor and one-time … Continued


The Health Value of Carrots

July 18, 2013

A new study published in Health Affairs provides compelling evidence that “carrots” — in this case, not the vegetable, but rather financial incentives — can make a significant difference in … Continued


Understanding Our Understanding of Comparative Effectiveness Research

July 15, 2013

We know that comparative effectiveness research is important.  How important, though, and what impact it will have on healthcare delivery and clinical decisionmaking is still something of an unknown variable. … Continued


Pinocchioizing the Medicare debate

July 1, 2013

Even if we can’t find a way to eliminate ‘Mediscare’ political tactics altogether, shouldn’t we be able to at least limit retiree-scaring strategies to election years? This weekend, Glenn Kessler, … Continued


Care in the Most Appropriate Venue

June 25, 2013

A federal advisory panel is suggesting that payments to hospitals should be reduced in cases in which a patient could receive care less expensively in a physician’s office.   This is … Continued


Impressions from Datapalooza

June 7, 2013

I attend a pretty good number of healthcare and health policy conferences over the course of a year so I can say with confidence that it’s rare to find an … Continued


No Time for Complacency

May 31, 2013

Washington, D.C. has long had a tendency to avoid decisive action until crises make continued delays untenable.  This being the case, there should be a great sense of joy and … Continued