Health Care
WPC's Center for Health Care develops patient-centered solutions to reduce costs and improve the availability and quality of health care for businesses and individuals, providing the only detailed, independent critique of health care issues available in the Northwest.
Publications
The Right Way to Preserve Medicare Doesn't Limit Access to Care
The Seattle Times published this column on April 23, 2012.
Nearly 1 million Washington residents, 14 percent of our state's population, rely on Medicare for health coverage each year. It should go without saying that the long-term fiscal health of the program is crucial for our seniors.
Federal Health Care Reform: Two-year Report Card
Major health care reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) became law two years ago. The legislation passed with only Democratic votes and totaled a massive 2,700 pages. The Medicare and Medicaid programs, by contrast, were enacted in 1965 with broad support from both parties and totaled only 137 pages. Although the 2010 PPACA will not be fully implemented until 2018, we know much more about it today than was apparent two years ago.
Solutions to Our Health Care Crisis
The Spokane Journal of Business published this column on February 16, 2012.
The fundamental problem with the health care system in this country is its ever-rising cost. We spend 17% of our gross domestic product, or nearly $2.5 trillion, on health care each year. Most policy proposals attempt to control these expenses by imposing more top-down regulations, “better” medicine, and ultimately, a government-managed system.
Proposals to Impose Drug Take-back Mandate Would Increase Health Care Costs and Do Little for the Environment
Introduction
Proposals to force collection of unused pharmaceuticals claim such mandates are needed to protect ground water quality, stating: “Disposing of medicines by flushing them down the toilet or placing them in the garbage can lead to the contamination of groundwater and other bodies of water, contributing to long-term harm to the environment and to animal life.” There is no firm evidence, however, that this is an accurate description of how pharmaceutical elements end up in groundwater.
Background
Purchasing Health Insurance across State Lines
Background
Officials in Washington state currently ban citizens from buying health insurance in other states, forcing consumers to choose among a handful of in-state insurers. They also require individual health insurance plans sold in Washington to contain 58 different benefit and provider mandates. Each mandate adds a small incremental cost to the plan, as little as 0.5%, but added together state mandates drive up the cost of health coverage significantly. A total of 58 mandates can increase the price of health insurance by 20 to 25%.
An Opportunity to Tailor Health Plans
The Spokesman-Review published this column on January 22, 2012.
Health insurance premiums have been increasing much faster than the cost of living. A new ruling from the federal government has the ability to lower these insurance premium costs.
Insurance Commissioner Proposal Would Weaken Insurance Carriers by Lowering their Financial Reserves
Introduction
By law, health insurance carriers must retain a certain amount of money, or capital, above and beyond the company’s fixed liabilities. These reserves are an indicator of a company’s ability to pay claims and reflect the carrier’s financial stability.
Background
Creating the Safety Net Assessment to Fund Services for People with Developmental Disabilities
Washington state is currently facing a budget shortfall of billions of dollars. In spite of holding a special session this past fall, lawmakers failed to solve the budget deficit. Many social services are facing either significant funding cuts or no appreciable increase in state-paid reimbursement levels.
Looming Doctor Shortage Is One More Example Why Central Planning Doesn't Work In Health Care
The U.S. in general, and Washington state in particular, are facing a severe doctor shortage in the next 10 to 15 years. Not only is the population growing, but the baby boomer generation is aging and will require more medical services in the near future.
Also, the new federal health care law will give health insurance to 30 million previously uninsured people over the next few years. These millions of newly insured patients will further strain our stretched provider network.
