Under the health reform law, insurers will have to spend 80-85% of premium dollars on health care related expenses, thereby limiting the amount that can be spent on administration. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners was charged with the task of delineating what counts as health care vs. administrative costs. They have reached a compromise that, according to Timothy Jost, an expert at Washington and Lee School of Law, strikes a good balance and leans in favor of consumers.
By limiting administrative costs, not only should dollars spent on health care lead to increased quality, but premiums should come down because insurers will not be allowed to build in huge salaries and bonuses. NAIC's process has been long but very transparent and fair, allowing for comments at all stages of the process.
This is a critical piece of the health reform puzzle. Congress was right to delegate it to the NAIC. Jennifer
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday Morning News Round-Up
The NY Times reports on new rules for medical residents, starting with shorter hours. Hopefully, that means an increase in quality of care.
And here's more on the controversy about the value of mammograms.
WaPo gives us 5 questions to ask the doctor before we agree on tests or treatment.
The LA Times says it's the 9th annual women's health and fitness day. I'll swim and eat my veggies and fruit. What will you do?
And insurers are looking to base provider networks on quality of care. Will this improve health quality or just restrict patients' choices?
HuffPo reports that the House passed a health care plan for first responders at Ground Zero. Finally.
That should keep you busy for a little while!!! Jennifer
And here's more on the controversy about the value of mammograms.
WaPo gives us 5 questions to ask the doctor before we agree on tests or treatment.
The LA Times says it's the 9th annual women's health and fitness day. I'll swim and eat my veggies and fruit. What will you do?
And insurers are looking to base provider networks on quality of care. Will this improve health quality or just restrict patients' choices?
HuffPo reports that the House passed a health care plan for first responders at Ground Zero. Finally.
That should keep you busy for a little while!!! Jennifer
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tea Party Would Cut Social Security to Those Under Age 55
Don't believe me? Read here. This is what the Tea Party has to offer you. Jennifer
Presidential Mingling
Wednesday Morning Lite
Not a whole lot of health news today.
The LA Times tells us to take our meds at the right time so we get maximum effect and avoid adverse interactions.
They also have a whole series of articles about Celiac disease.
Politico reports on Michelle Obama's advocacy for the health care law.
And HuffPo reports that the appeals court is allowing stem cell research to continue until it hears the appeal of the case that struck down stem cell research in a couple of months.
That's about it. Jennifer
The LA Times tells us to take our meds at the right time so we get maximum effect and avoid adverse interactions.
They also have a whole series of articles about Celiac disease.
Politico reports on Michelle Obama's advocacy for the health care law.
And HuffPo reports that the appeals court is allowing stem cell research to continue until it hears the appeal of the case that struck down stem cell research in a couple of months.
That's about it. Jennifer
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Weight Part 12
I feel like a failure.
I didn't mean that in the context of my weight. Over the last few weeks, we've been talking about wanting to work less, letting the Advocacy for Patients board take some ownership and responsibility for fundraising, and while I consciously believed that the weight issues had taken me to larger, lifestyle issues, I sort of left the weight issues behind. After all, my weight is stagnant no matter what I do, so maybe focusing on lifestyle and work will lead to some epiphany.
Wouldn't you know that the lifestyle and work issues led me right back to my weight.
I've had a very rough couple of weeks. I found out that the fundraiser that was supposed to generate enough money to hire another full-time lawyer and move us out of my house got canceled, and there went my best laid plans. When I told my Board about what happened this past Saturday, I said that I had failed to find a way to finance the growth -- and all I felt was failure. I sort of forgot about my efforts to get them to take some ownership; I was stuck in that feeling of failure.
Today, when I went to tell Ellen what was up, I felt like a failure at a lot of things -- fundraising, motivating my Board, and being a good patient who remembers all the things she's supposed to say and doesn't get distracted. But every time Ellen tried to direct me to talk about how I feel about all this disappointment, I went back to: What am I going to do about Advocacy for Patients?
Finally, Ellen said "why don't you want to talk about your disappointment?"
I didn't know.
And then she said "is this also disappointment about your weight?"
You mean failure? Hmmm. Yeah, I guess so.
And there's the connection; we're back to my weight.
And yes, I feel like a failure. I changed my diet. I've been cooking, for goodness sake -- not something I would do if I wasn't trying really hard. I've been swimming every morning. I know I've greatly reduced the quantity of food I'm eating, and I'm sticking with cooked veggies and fruit even when my gut says it's not a good idea. Why can't I lose any weight?
Ellen had told me a few weeks ago that it was time to talk to the doctor about it. I mentioned it to him, but I've had him focused on some more pressing things -- getting my insurance company to approve my meds. And I knew he wouldn't get involved until he saw the results of my sleep study, which he is hoping will be the answer to all of my problems. That's tonight (ugh. They don't let you bring cats. What's Emily going to do all alone?). So I've sort of been in a holding pattern. At least, I thought I had successfully set it aside. But the truth is that I do feel like a pretty big failure, and there's no question that this is part of the reason why.
And then the session was over, which really stinks when you don't feel like you've resolved anything or come to a stopping point.
But it's clear; my failures begin and end with my weight. When do I stop beating myself up over things that appear to be out of my control? When do I give myself a break?
I know people think I'm tough on those around me. I think I'm tougher on myself than on anybody. Jennifer
I didn't mean that in the context of my weight. Over the last few weeks, we've been talking about wanting to work less, letting the Advocacy for Patients board take some ownership and responsibility for fundraising, and while I consciously believed that the weight issues had taken me to larger, lifestyle issues, I sort of left the weight issues behind. After all, my weight is stagnant no matter what I do, so maybe focusing on lifestyle and work will lead to some epiphany.
Wouldn't you know that the lifestyle and work issues led me right back to my weight.
I've had a very rough couple of weeks. I found out that the fundraiser that was supposed to generate enough money to hire another full-time lawyer and move us out of my house got canceled, and there went my best laid plans. When I told my Board about what happened this past Saturday, I said that I had failed to find a way to finance the growth -- and all I felt was failure. I sort of forgot about my efforts to get them to take some ownership; I was stuck in that feeling of failure.
Today, when I went to tell Ellen what was up, I felt like a failure at a lot of things -- fundraising, motivating my Board, and being a good patient who remembers all the things she's supposed to say and doesn't get distracted. But every time Ellen tried to direct me to talk about how I feel about all this disappointment, I went back to: What am I going to do about Advocacy for Patients?
Finally, Ellen said "why don't you want to talk about your disappointment?"
I didn't know.
And then she said "is this also disappointment about your weight?"
You mean failure? Hmmm. Yeah, I guess so.
And there's the connection; we're back to my weight.
And yes, I feel like a failure. I changed my diet. I've been cooking, for goodness sake -- not something I would do if I wasn't trying really hard. I've been swimming every morning. I know I've greatly reduced the quantity of food I'm eating, and I'm sticking with cooked veggies and fruit even when my gut says it's not a good idea. Why can't I lose any weight?
Ellen had told me a few weeks ago that it was time to talk to the doctor about it. I mentioned it to him, but I've had him focused on some more pressing things -- getting my insurance company to approve my meds. And I knew he wouldn't get involved until he saw the results of my sleep study, which he is hoping will be the answer to all of my problems. That's tonight (ugh. They don't let you bring cats. What's Emily going to do all alone?). So I've sort of been in a holding pattern. At least, I thought I had successfully set it aside. But the truth is that I do feel like a pretty big failure, and there's no question that this is part of the reason why.
And then the session was over, which really stinks when you don't feel like you've resolved anything or come to a stopping point.
But it's clear; my failures begin and end with my weight. When do I stop beating myself up over things that appear to be out of my control? When do I give myself a break?
I know people think I'm tough on those around me. I think I'm tougher on myself than on anybody. Jennifer
Sebelius on Insurance Premiums
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today writes about the need to regulate insurance companies' premium increases. Secretary Sebelius explains that if insurers hadn't allowed premiums to skyrocket, we wouldn't be faced with this problem now. Read her piece; it makes an awful lot of sense. Jennifer
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