Tag Archives: Health Care

SCOTUS Takes Up Health Care Law

Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United States announced that it would take up the case of the constitutionality (among other issues) of President Obama’s health care law. This will likely be not only the case of the year, but also perhaps the most important case in decades. Oral arguments are expected to be heard sometime this spring, and a decision is possible in late June – right as the 2012 presidential campaign really starts to heat up. Just like the political and legislative path of the law, the decision to hear this case has a few interesting twists and turns. The basic case taken up by the Supreme Court is the Florida-based lawsuit brought by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). But the Court also gave itself an out, if it chooses. One of the issues it wants argued for and against is the Anti-Injunction Act, which two lower courts have used to dismiss cases against the law.
Posted on November 14, 2011 By Bill Pierce
Categories  Health Care Health Policy U.S. Elections U.S. Politics | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Health Care and the Debt Ceiling

A lot has been written and said about the politics of the debt ceiling debate – perhaps too much. Therefore, this is not another piece about the potential impact of reaching the debt ceiling. This is about a major driver of the debate – health care. Although it doesn’t often appear so, there is a fair amount of agreement in the health care debate. Most will acknowledge that Medicare and Medicaid are growing at rates that are unsupportable in the long run. The disagreements, however, are about how and when to address the problem. Politicians, being the kings of the short term, almost always seek to push off the hard choices until the next time, frequently only acting when there is a crisis (see economic meltdown, auto-maker bailout, mortgage bailout, etc.).
Posted on June 7, 2011 By Bill Pierce
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Competition In Health Care – What Does It Mean? It All Depends On Who You Ask

In the debate over health care reform, “competition” is one of the words used most often by both sides. Republicans and Democrats both claim to support it, want more if it and put it at the heart of success when it comes to building a better health care system. However, once you get behind the rhetoric, there is a difference between how each side defines the term.
Posted on April 18, 2011 By Bill Pierce
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Good Cop, Bad Cop – Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Risk

The Administration’s approach to implementing the new health care law has the look and feel of a traditional “good cop bad cop” routine. And while it may have some short-term political benefits, the long-term consequences could be harmful. If you’ve ever heard CMS Administrator Don Berwick speak, you’d think there was little or no disagreement between Republicans or Democrats on health care. His tone is moderate, cooperative and positive. Even HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy Ann Deparle, former head of the Health Reform Office, have been sounding much less confrontational. However, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill continue to fight...
Posted on March 25, 2011 By Bill Pierce
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The Value of Biotech to Health Care

During an appearance on BioCentury This Week, a weekly Sunday morning show about biotechnology, I discussed the need for the biotech industry to demonstrate the value of its products. I also urged support for FDA to be well-funded as it addresses its ever expanding challenges. Click on the image below to watch the clip:
Posted on December 16, 2010 By Wayne Pines
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The Defining Issue in Health Reform Success: Health Exchanges

While much has been made of the recently enacted insurance reforms (no more pre-existing conditions, coverage for kids up to 26 years of age, etc.), Robert Pear of The New York Times recently claimed that the defining issue for success of health care reform is, in fact, state-based health exchanges.
Posted on October 27, 2010 By Bill Pierce
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