The week in healthcare reform
“Switching seniors to Medicare Advantage plans has cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars more than keeping them in original Medicare, a cost that has exploded since 2018 and is likely to rise even higher….”
Researcher: Medicare Advantage Plans Costing Billions More Than They Should
Kaiser Health News | Fred Schulte | November 11, 2021
“Although lowering drug costs has support across the political spectrum, it’s unclear if messaging-muddled Democrats will be able to effectively explain their multi-layered legislation to consumers.”
Real Medicare Drug Savings in Dems’ Bill — But Not Overnight
Associated Press | Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar | November 11, 2021
“Health insurance provided by employers this year cost an average of $22,200 for families and $7,700 for individuals, a 4% increase from a year ago….”
Health Insurance Costs for Workers Rose 4% During Pandemic
Axios | Bob Herman | November 10, 2021
“The fact that millions of older adults and people with disabilities who have Part D coverage … haven’t had a cap on their drug spending has posed real affordability problems….”
Lobbyists, Advocates Seek to Revise Budget Bill’s Drug Price Changes
Roll Call | Lauren Clason, Mary Ellen McIntire | November 10, 2021
“Depending on the drug, insurers are paying hospitals several times what Medicare pays, and that ultimately flows through to workers’ insurance premiums.”
Private Insurers Pay Steep Markups for Hospital Drugs
Axios | Bob Herman | November 9, 2021
“The privatization of Illinois’ health care system for the poor has shifted hundreds of millions of dollars in profits to insurance companies and away from frontline medical providers….”
Insurance Firms Reap Billions in Profits While Doctors Get Stiffed for Serving the Poor
Better Government Association | David Jackson & Kira Leadholm | November 8, 2021
“US residents of low-income, crowded, and racially diverse communities had outsized rates of death, heart attack, stroke, and new-onset heart failure when hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19….”
COVID Patients in Poor Areas at High Risk for Death, Heart Events
CIDRAP News | Mary Van Beusekom | November 8, 2021
“In the end, the ‘free lunch’ that Medicare Advantage provides is paid for by taxpayers, health facilities, and providers. The ‘cost’ borne by MA beneficiaries is in their narrowed selection of caregivers.”
American Council on Science and Health | Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA | November 5, 2021
“Health insurers remain significantly more profitable today than they were before the pandemic, even after factoring in COVID costs.”
Health Insurers Still Aren’t That Worried About the Coronavirus
Axios | Bob Herman | November 5, 2021
____________________________________________
HEAL California is an independent news and information hub focused on the Medicare for All movement.
We feature non-partisan, timely news and views on social and streaming media, and uplift the voices of those fighting for healthcare reform around the country.
Our Podcasts shine a light on the failures of America’s healthcare system, while explaining how Medicare for All could help.
Our Media page offers connections to experts and additional resources including links to legislation and studies.
Keep up with the Medicare for All movement!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe for email updates.