News & Comment
Blogs and Opinion
"Sicko" Vs. A Sick Show by Isaiah J. Poole, OurFuture.org | July 2, 2007
"Sicko" is required viewing, not because it's a contender for the Oscar for Best Picture—though given this year's paltry offerings, anything is possible—but because it is far better than the play now being staged by the White House. read more »Bloggingheads on the Obstructionists by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | July 2, 2007
I had the pleasure of doing a BloggingHeads.tv segment with Eric Alterman, where we had a lively discussion about how to handle the obstructionist conservative minority, how SiCKO will impact the health care debate, and more. read more »'Sicko' Draws A Line by John Nichols, The Nation | June 25, 2007
Either health care is a right or it isn't. Michael Moore challenges lawmakers to take a side. read more »Framing The Health Care Picture by RJ Eskow, | June 19, 2007
To win, Dems need to develop and verbalize solid positions on health care. read more »An Entrepreneurial Take On Health Care by Ned Lamont, | June 18, 2007
A return to a bold and willing political spirit will cure health care stagnation. read more »Health Care, Not Borders by David Gartner, | June 14, 2007
The new TB comes from decades of medical neglect, not weak border controls. read more »Lindsay Lohan And The Rest Of Us by Kirsten D. Levingston and Alan Jenkins, | June 5, 2007
From Beverly Hills to Brooklyn, the nation needs accessible and evenly-applied drug treatment programs for all. read more »Poor Country, Rich Health Care by Sarah van Gelder, yesmagazine.org | June 5, 2007
Cuba is increasing export of its outstanding level of medical care. read more »Hacker: Obama's Health Plan's Actually Pretty Good by Isaiah J. Poole, OurFuture.org | June 4, 2007
Jacob S. Hacker, the Yale University professor who has crafted a health-care-for-all plan that he has discussed with several Democratic presidential candidates, has taken a close look at the health care proposal released last week by Sen. Barack Obama and concludes that it's better than the early reviews concluded. read more »Obamacare: Clearing Away The Fog by Jacob S. Hacker, | June 4, 2007
The closer you look, the more radical Sen. Barack Obama's health plan appears. read more »
The Latest
Lobbies Backing Health Care Reforms, boston.com | December 3, 2008
Powerful special interest groups that helped torpedo healthcare reform 16 years ago are now advocating significant changes in the nation's health insurance and delivery system. They are participating in regular discussions about how to expand health coverage and lower costs, key commitments that President-elect Barack Obama made in his campaign. read more »
Consensus Emerging on Universal Health Care, Los Angeles Times | December 1, 2008
After decades of failed efforts to reshape the nation's health care system, a consensus appears to be emerging in Washington about how to achieve the elusive goal of providing medical insurance to all Americans. read more »
U.S. 'Not Getting What We Pay For', The Washington Post | November 30, 2008
Talk to the chief executives of America's preeminent health-care institutions, and you might be surprised by what you hear: When it comes to medical care, the United States isn't getting its money's worth. Not even close. "We're not getting what we pay for," says Denis Cortese, president and chief executive of the Mayo Clinic. read more »
Big Pharma Seeks to Shape Health Plan, Reuters | November 20, 2008
Major drug makers want their voices heard as U.S. Democrats, traditionally critics of the industry, start crafting plans to expand health insurance coverage and cut the escalating costs of care. Companies are promoting the success of Medicare's prescription drug coverage and potential for pharmaceuticals to save money in the long term. read more »
Health Insurers Offer Acceptance, on Condition, The New York Times | November 20, 2008
The health insurance industry said that it would support a health care overhaul requiring insurers to accept all customers, regardless of illness or disability. But in return, the industry said, Congress should require all Americans to have coverage. read more »
Americans Skipping Care, The Washington Post | November 18, 2008
Chronically ill patients in the United States spend more out-of-pocket money, skip needed care, and report more medical errors than patients in seven other industrialized countries, a new survey finds. Results of the survey were published online Nov. read more »
Employers Offer Fewer Health Plans, The New York Times | November 17, 2008
It’s the annual “open enrollment” season in corporate America, when employees choose their medical plans for the coming year. But this time, even if they are fortunate enough to have a job at a company that still offers health benefits, many workers are finding that the buffet of options has been trimmed to a very short menu. read more »
U.S. Trailing in Chronic Care, Reuters | November 13, 2008
Chronically ill Americans are more likely to forgo medical care because of high costs or experience medical errors than patients in other affluent countries, according to a new study released. The study comparing the experiences of patients in eight nations reflected poorly on the U.S. health care system. read more »
Senator Takes Initiative on Health Care , The New York Times | November 12, 2008
Without waiting for President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the Finance Committee, will unveil a detailed blueprint to guarantee health insurance for all Americans by facilitating sales of private insurance, expanding Medicaid and Medicare, and requiring most employers to provide or pay for health benefits. The plan proposed by Mr. read more »
Women Face Penalties on Health Coverage, The New York Times | October 31, 2008
Striking new evidence has emerged of a widespread gap in the cost of health insurance, as women pay much more than men of the same age for individual insurance policies providing identical coverage, according to new data from insurance companies and online brokers. read more »
