Politics (Page 22)

HEALTH CARE

Health Care insurance industry whistleblower Wendell Potter talks about the next PR move insurers are likely to make in order to keep putting profits ahead of patients.

More from Potter: Want proof that Big Insurance has figured out how to make a lot of money off reform? Last Monday WellPoint announced it will pay nearly $5 billion to buy the country’s largest private Medicaid managed care company, AmeriGroup. Rest assured that lobbyists for WellPoint and other firms wanting to get their hands on that new Medicaid money will have a “here’s how it has to be” talk with their buddies on Capitol Hill. 
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 16, 2012 – Corporate Insurance Giants Plan to Cash in on ACA  »

HEALTH CARE

Insurers Not Keeping a Lid on Costs   With federal healthcare reform still facing political head winds despite its validation by the Supreme Court, this probably isn’t the best time for health insurers to admit their utter incompetence in handling their most important role under the reform, which is keeping a lid on healthcare costs.

Amid Debate and Uncertainty Over Health Care, Mayo Expands   “I’ve done more merger affiliations in the last 24 months than previously done in 23 years” as a consultant, said James Berarducci, a health care consultant in Minnesota for global management firm Kurt Salmon, who has done work for Mayo.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 12, 2012: Insurers bungle; Mayo expands; Firefighters prevail  »

HEALTH CARE

Thousands of Minnesotans to Receive Health Rebates Under Franken Provision of ACA   If the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision didn’t signal that at long last it’s time to actually get to know the Affordable Care Act, then perhaps the appearance of a check in the mailbox will get John and Jane Q. Public’s attention.

Worst TB Outbreak in 20 Years Kept Secret     The CDC officer had a serious warning for Florida health officials in April: A tuberculosis outbreak in Jacksonville was one of the worst his group had investigated in 20 years. Linked to 13 deaths and 99 illnesses, including six children, it would require concerted action to stop. 
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 9, 2012: FL gov. keeps TB outbreak secret; Expanding Medicare makes sense  »