The week in healthcare reform
“This is a fundamental change in the architecture of Medicare. … Medicare is evolving into … a marketplace of private plans with a public plan as a backup option.”
Medicare Has Become More of a Private Marketplace — And It’s Costly
Axios | Bob Herman | August 11, 2021
“U.S. hospital groups, startups and nonprofits have started making their own medicines in a bid to combat stubbornly high prices and persistent shortages of drugs….”
Groups Make Own Drugs to Fight High Drug Prices, Shortages
Associated Press | Linda A. Johnson | August 10, 2021
“The goal of the incentives, Cooper said, is to spur the private insurance companies who manage the bulk of the state’s Medicaid plans to get more of those people vaccinated.”
California to Offer Vaccine Incentive to Medicaid Population
Associated Press | Adam Beam | August 9, 2021
“The $3 billion in profits for the quarter was an improvement on the $2 billion the system posted in the first quarter … earnings were boosted in part by steady growth in its Kaiser Foundation Health Plan.”
Kaiser Permanente Posts $3B in Profits in Q2 as Membership in Health Plan Increases
Fierce Healthcare | Robert King | August 9, 2021
“NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said that if the current coronavirus surge continues, the U.S. could face a deadlier strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines.”
World Must Prepare to Coexist with COVID-19 Mutations, Top Scientist Says
Axios | Oriana Gonzalez | August 7, 2021
“Health insurance companies’ second quarter earnings contrast sharply with the hardships faced by many Americans.”
‘This Ain’t Right!’: Top US Insurers Made $11 Billion in 2nd Quarter
Common Dreams | Kenny Stancil | August 6, 2021
“Pelosi told noted national Medicare for All campaigner, Ady Barkan, ‘I don’t want my members to walk a plank on a vote that we ain’t gonna win….’”
Pelosi Kills Medicare for All Bill for Lack of Votes
People’s World | Mark Gruenberg | August 5, 2021
“…the vast majority of those now hospitalized are unvaccinated.”
‘There Are Only So Many Beds’: COVID-19 Surge Hits Hospitals
Associated Press | Kelli Kennedy, Philip Marcelo | August 5, 2021
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