Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day The overall financial cost of poor adherence to medication totals $290 billion per year, or 13 percent of total health care expenditures.
(New England Healthcare Institute) | Health Resources |
Under the Microscope STUDY: Thinking Outside the Pillbox: A System-wide Approach to Improving Patient Medication Adherence for Chronic Disease
In its new research brief, "Thinking Outside the Pillbox," NEHI addresses the root causes of poor patient medication adherence - a significant contributor to overall health care waste - and offers promising solutions to improve adherence, particularly among chronic disease patients.
[New England Health Care Institute, 8/12/09] Study Urges Action to Get Patients to Follow Prescriptions
Patients who do not take their medications as prescribed pay a price in poorer health, more frequent hospitalizations, and a higher risk of death. [Boston Globe, 8/14/2009]
Health Care Headlines White House: No Change On Public Option
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs insisted Monday that there has been no change in President Barack Obama’s desire to see a public health insurance option be part of a healthcare bill. [The Hill, 8/17/2009] Public Option Called Essential
Several leading Democrats voiced concern Monday about an apparent White House shift on health-care reform, objecting to signals from senior administration officials that they would abandon the idea of a government-run insurance plan if it lacked the backing to pass Congress.
[Washington Post, 8/18/2009] Cooperatives Being Pushed as an Alternative to a Government Plan
As prospects fade for a public, or government-run, option as part of health-care reform, key senators are considering another model to create competition for private insurers: member-owned, nonprofit health cooperatives. [Washington Post, 8/18/2009] Senate Dems, Groups Step Up Attacks on GOP
Stung by early coverage of efforts to disrupt Democratic town halls on healthcare reform, Democrats have stepped up efforts to put Republicans on the defensive over what healthcare reform supporters call GOP efforts to mislead Americans about the legislation and its ties to insurers. [CongressDaily, 8/17/2009] AARP Faces Test on Healthcare Reform
President Barack Obama's ability to secure healthcare reform may depend on the clout of the AARP, the influential lobby for older Americans. [The Hill, 8/18/2009] Unemployed Workers Flock to COBRA for Health Coverage
A federal subsidy designed to make health insurance more affordable for laid-off workers has led to a doubling in the number of people who have opted to continue their former employer's coverage.
[USA Today, 8/18/2009] Doctor Shortage Looms as Primary Care Loses its Pull
Family medicine is what Doug Dreffer has wanted to practice ever since he was a second-year medical student 14 years ago at Ohio State. He listened to a different drummer from the majority of doctors entering a workforce in which subspecialties generally are considered more glamorous — and lucrative.
[USA Today, 8/18/2009] Ads Question Opponents’ Motives
Health Care for America Now, a coalition of Democratic and labor groups, began running $650,000 worth of television commercials on Monday against various Republicans who have opposed overhauling the health care system. [New York Times, 8/18/2009] |