A better way – single payer, universal health care
By Jeff Hardwig, M.D. for International Falls Journal When I started my medical training 37 years ago, my only focus was on becoming a competent physician. There was little thought given to the systems of care that support the practice of medicine. My first job after residency was as a Navy psychiatrist where all patients […]
Before Big Pharma Kills Us, Maybe Public Pharma Can Save Us
Drug companies are abandoning antibiotic research to make more money elsewhere. Yet another reason why we need a publicly owned company. By Dana Brown for The American Prospect Drug-resistant “superbugs” are predicted to kill more people per year than cancer by 2050. Already, more than two million Americans annually are infected with bacteria that have evolved to […]
Our health care system is killing us
By Jennifer Perkins, MD for Juneau Empire How much longer are we going to tolerate incremental approaches to fix a broken health care system that feeds off disease and profits on the sick? Extremely high health care costs have become so common place that we rarely question them. News headlines flash “Plan to control […]
Providence Medical Group CEO: We’re 5-10 years out on single payer system
By Morgan Haefner for Becker’s Hospital Review Payer mix changes, like a shift toward more patients in government programs, coupled with rising healthcare costs, mean change is likely coming for America’s healthcare payment system, according to the Beaverton Valley Times. Doug Koekkoek, MD, chief executive of Portland, Ore.-based Providence Medical Group, said a possible result […]
Why Your Health Insurer Doesn’t Care About Your Big Bills
By Marshall Allen for Pro Publica Patients may think their insurers are fighting on their behalf for the best prices. But saving patients money is often not their top priority. Just ask Michael Frank. Michael Frank ran his finger down his medical bill, studying the charges and pausing in disbelief. The numbers didn’t make sense. […]