Jay Hancock

Feds Push Maryland To Think Big On Health Cost Control

If quiet negotiations between policymakers and industry bear fruit, Maryland could join the short list of states attempting to go far beyond the Affordable Care Act in improving health and limiting spending. Federal officials are urging Maryland and its powerful health industry to build on the state’s unique hospital rate-setting system to develop sweeping cost […]

Jay Hancock
By Jay Hancock
Supporters of health care reform rally in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, March 28, 2012, on the final day of arguments regarding the health care law signed by President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

If quiet negotiations between policymakers and industry bear fruit, Maryland could join the short list of states attempting to go far beyond the Affordable Care Act in improving health and limiting spending. Federal officials are urging Maryland and its powerful health industry to build on the state's unique hospital rate-setting system to

Read Full Article

Businesses Will Push Perry to Rethink Medicaid Expansion

Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he rejects the “Obamacare power grab” and will block measures expanding health insurance to millions in his state. The country’s second-biggest health insurer is betting he won’t succeed. The same day last week that Perry said expanding Medicaid would be like “adding a thousand people to the Titanic,” WellPoint Inc. […]

Jay Hancock
By Jay Hancock
In this Jan. 18, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he rejects the "Obamacare power grab" and will block measures expanding health insurance to millions in his state. The country’s second-biggest health insurer is betting he won’t succeed. The same day last week that Perry said expanding Medicaid would be like "adding a thousand people to the Titanic," WellPoint Inc.

Read Full Article

Study: High CEO Pay Doesn’t Boost Hospital Quality

Everybody agrees the health system needs to improve patient results even as it becomes more efficient. So shouldn’t we reward hospital managers who make progress in both areas? That doesn’t seem to be the case in New Hampshire, according to a new study from the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. At a time when many contend that hospitals should focus on outcomes rather […]

Jay Hancock
By Jay Hancock
Charge nurse Eshter Marania checks on a patient at a hospital in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Everybody agrees the health system needs to improve patient results even as it becomes more efficient. So shouldn’t we reward hospital managers who make progress in both areas? That doesn’t seem to be the case in New Hampshire, according to a new study from the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. At a time when many contend

Read Full Article

Hospitals Celebrate Decision, But Threats Remain

Everybody agreed hospitals would be the biggest business losers if the Supreme Court overthrew the health act. But the Thursday ruling that preserved most of the law — along with the promise of billions in extra hospital revenue — raises new problems for the industry. Hospital bosses applauded and hospital stocks soared as investors bet […]

Jay Hancock
By Jay Hancock
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Obama administration's health care law in a landmark 5-4 decision in Washington, DC, June 28, 2012. (Mannie Garcia / MintPress News 2012)

Everybody agreed hospitals would be the biggest business losers if the Supreme Court overthrew the health act. But the Thursday ruling that preserved most of the law — along with the promise of billions in extra hospital revenue — raises new problems for the industry. Hospital bosses applauded and hospital stocks soared as investors bet that

Read Full Article