The impact of provider market consolidation is being felt all around the country – but the effect may not be as clear as one may think. From the good folk at Health Affairs we get two Contributing Voices pieces on provider consolidation and market power in health care:
- Bob Berenson, “Acknowledging The Elephant In The Room: Moving Market Power And Prices To The Center Of Health Care,” ,
- and Stu Guterman: “Making Markets Work: What Does That Mean In Health Care?”
- These two posts jump off from and comment on the recent package of Web Firsts on the same subjects.
While hospitals are consolidating, there’s also significant stress within management as many hospitals are still struggling to transform their culture from one that worked in the past to one that will thrive in the new world of health care. And some places, like Lehigh Valley Health Network, are further along in the journey.
Despite Its Best Efforts, ObamaCare Might Improve Some Health Care Delivery is by John R. Graham, NCPA Senior Fellow; Graham finds that certain aspects of ObamaCare might be leading to unintended outcomes that improve medical care.
Kynecting the Dots on Obamacare discusses the puzzling but very real dichotomy between what people don’t like (Obamacare) and what they like (all the parts of Obamacare). Sen. Mitch McConnell’s recent comments about Obamacare and the state health insurance marketplace in Kentucky make it clear that he’s in a quandary as well…
The public debate about the price of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir – Gilead) continues, but is completely focused on whether $1000/ pill for a “miracle” cure can be justified, not on whether in fact the drug is a miracle cure. But a third skeptical appraisal of the current evidence from clinical research about the drug concluded that the evidence that the drug cures nearly everyone, will prevent most bad results of hepatitis C infection (cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, premature death), and is safer than previous alternatives is weak and questionable. It seems that the marketing and public relations blitz for Sovaldi and other new, extremely expensive anti hepatitis C drugs has been so effective that it has prevented people from thinking critically about the evidence. Skeptical, level-headed appraisal of clinical evidence would go a long way to addressing our dysfunctional health care system. Fortunately, Roy Poses has kept a sharp focus on the important issues…
At Workers Comp Insider, Tom Lynch profiles Dr. Jennifer Christian, a key thought leader in the occupational health arena, focusing on some of her key initiatives aimed at changing the landscape for disability management.
We conclude with a very different type of post, by Amy Berman; Updating her April 2012 Narrative Matters essay, Berman discusses her experiences since being diagnosed with terminal cancer and choosing to utilize palliative care.
Next up to bat: June 19 when Julie Ferguson at Work Comp Insider takes the reins!
In depth yet easy to read. Nicely done, Joe.
Outstanding job, Joe. Fast-paced and full of great links.
Thanks for hosting, and for including our post!
Thank you, Joe. Agreed, quick, to the point. Much appreciated.