Alaska Health Policy Review

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October 6, 2009 • 10:32 am 0

New Report: Stemming the Rising Costs of Health Care Through Globalization

Here is an interesting idea for Alaskans…considering Canada is so close. Of course there may be some other factors to consider. CEPR is full of economists, not public health people. ~~ ldw

Study Projects Substantial Savings From Allowing Medicare Beneficiaries to Buy into Health Care Systems of Other Countries

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2009
Contact: Alan Barber (202) 293-5380 x115

Washington, D.C.- As the national debate continues over health care and the long- term budget picture, a report just released by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) suggests a substantial savings to both the government and individuals through the globalization of Medicare and Medicaid.

“In the United States, per person health care costs averaged $6,714 in 2006, compared with an average of $2,964 in the 26 nations with longer life expectancies,” said Dean Baker, Co-Director of CEPR and an author of the report. “A gap this large suggests significant benefits and gains from trade.” Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: General, Insurance related, Of interest

October 5, 2009 • 1:00 pm 0

Massachusetts Health Reforms: Expanded Access to Employer Coverage for Workers

Senator French’s health reform bill in Alaska is based on health reform in Massachusetts.  For that reason, following what is happening there is relevant to us…   –ldw

Despite an economic downturn and rising health care costs, Massachusetts residents have experienced expanded access to employer-sponsored coverage since the state enacted comprehensive health reforms in 2006, according to a study published in Health Affairs. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Insurance related

October 5, 2009 • 12:41 pm 0

San Francisco’s Public Option Receives High Marks

Here is a unique and apparently successful health reform accomplishment at the local level. Any lessons here for Alaskan communities? –ldw

The Los Angeles Times reports on San Francisco’s public option: “Over the last two years, three-quarters of San Francisco’s uninsured adults have enrolled in a public program that guarantees access to medical services, an effort that is being touted as a national model during the rancorous debate over healthcare reform. More than 46,000 adults have enrolled in Healthy San Francisco since it was launched; this first-in-the-nation, city-run universal healthcare effort has received high marks in recent independent studies.” Funding for the program depends in part on an employer mandate. “One analysis has concluded that this mandate on employers with 20 or more workers has not driven businesses away.” And a recent survey indicates that patient satisfaction is high. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: General, Insurance related

October 5, 2009 • 12:24 pm Comments Off

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NOW AVAILABLE–The publishers of Alaska Health Policy Review are pleased to offer all issues over a year old to the public, in full and free of charge. To read archived copies of Alaska Health Policy Review, click on the archives box on the right, scroll down the page and click on the dates seen in blue. Each live link should open the complete issue of AHPR corresponding with the date in a new window. The archives are updated weekly during the Alaska state legislative session and monthly the remainder of the year.

Filed under: Alaska, General

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