Health Care Reform Articles - January 1, 2012

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A Model of Health

ROBERT KUTTNER

NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Members of New York's Local 6 have some of the best—and most cost-effective—care in the country.

http://prospect.org/article/model-health

Maine Voices: Legislature is tackling the causes of Maine's high health care costs

Posted: December 30

Updated: Today at 10:46 PM

Maine's Medicaid system is one of its biggest obstacles to affordable insurance, the writer says.

By DEBORAH SANDERSON

It's no secret that health insurance in Maine is costly. Maine people pay some of the highest rates in the country and have for quite a while.

There are a number of reasons for this. First, medical services in Maine are very expensive. Second, we have a large medical welfare population that pays little to nothing into the system. Finally, Maine's restrictive health insurance laws have decreased competition among insurers and forced individuals away from private insurance.

http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/legislature-is-tackling-the-causes-of-maines-high-health-care-costs_2011-12-30.html

Citizens plead with Rector to preserve health care programs

By Stephen Betts | Dec 30, 2011

 
THOMASTON — There will be cuts in state-supported health care programs for low-income citizens and higher taxes to cover the budget shortfall are not practical, according to state Sen. Chris Rector.But the Republican state senator from Thomaston received considerable feedback from about 30 citizens that the proposed cuts in MaineCare should be avoided even if it requires higher taxes.
http://knox.villagesoup.com/news/story/citizens-plead-with-rector-to-preserve-health-care-programs/476587

December 31, 2011

F.D.A. Is Finding Attention Drugs in Short Supply

By GARDINER HARRIS

Medicines to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in such short supply that hundreds of patients complain daily to the Food and Drug Administration that they are unable to find a pharmacy with enough pills to fill their prescriptions.

The shortages are a result of a troubled partnership between drug manufacturers and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with companies trying to maximize their profits and drug enforcement agents trying to minimize abuse by people, many of them college students, who use the medications to get high or to stay up all night.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/health/policy/fda-is-finding-attention-drugs-in-short-supply.html?_r=1&ref=global-home&pagewanted=print

Connecticut drops insurers from Medicaid – USATODAY.com

By Stan Godlewski, for USA TODAY
Pediatrician Elsa Stone helps 7-day-old Evan enjoy his first bottle.Connecticut, the "insurance capital of the world," is bucking the trend.
Beginning Sunday, Connecticut will jettison its private health plans from Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program. Instead of paying the companies a set monthly fee to cover the health costs of more than 400,000 children and parents, the state will assume financial responsibility.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-28/connecticut-health-care-medicare-insurance/52257962/1