HHS releases plan to curb Health Care Disparities

A great start:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/04/20110408a.html

In the news this week:Acountable Care Organizations

The new ACO rules will be profitable for some, not all, the article below from Kaiser news talks about the gains and risks for Doctors and hospitals.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/March/31/ACO-rules.aspx

The rules hope to guide Doctors and Hospital to better corporate and care delivery at a cheaper price.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/03/obama-administration-offers-rules-to-guide-hospitals-doctors-toward-more-cooperation.html#

By offering incentives such as allowing providers to keep a percent of the cost saved, medicare is hoping to get more providers to sign up.

I think this program is good start as it will allow better coordination of care for the patient which will lead to improved health, and lower health care costs.

Health car reform is a year old!

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/23/6327399-health-care-one-year-later?pc=25&sp=25#discussion_nav

Medicare Part D donut hole saving News from HHS

Nearly Four Million Seniors Received Cost Relief, 50 Percent Discount on Prescription Drugs Saves Seniors $38 Million in Just Two Months

http://www.healthcare.gov/center/reports/donuthole03222011a.html

Summary
The Affordable Care Act has strengthened the Medicare Part D prescription drug program by beginning to close the coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has successfully implemented many of these provisions of the Affordable Care Act, allowing millions of people with Medicare to see reduced out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs. Many more will receive benefits as the coverage gap is further reduced over the next several years. This report summarizes the Affordable Care Act’s progress in reducing out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and reports on how many individuals have received tangible benefits in the law’s first year.

Interesting article of the week 3-16

The article speak about loneliness. It is an interesting read especially for people like me who cherish solitude. I love being around people as much as I love my time to myself.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219322.php

More American Uninsured in 2010 as compared to 2001

If I do not find a job by May 2nd I will not have insurance, I just will not be able to afford it on unemployment income and me and my unemployed colleagues are not the only ones. Our Unemployment income will be around $1200 and insurance via cobra will be around $800. That leave 400 for rent, grocery, utilities and debt.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219322.php

Favorite Health care sites/ blogs

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

http://www.healthaffairs.org/

http://www.heritage.org/Issues/Health-Care

www.who.org