Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

A Sweet-smelling Chemical Upended Life in Salinas, Puerto Rico

There are dangers involved in the manufacture of some medical supplies. Most companies will take adequate protection of the process to manufacture. At times the safety measures do become outdated as the manufacturing process changes due to new product. Then it becomes a matter of cost to improve safety measures. The article states ethylene oxide […]

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage Plans are funded by Traditional Medicare which is slowly being depleted. Much of what MA does which proves to be so costly is due to MA up coding of its patients. It is estimated this will cost an ~$88 billion in 2024. This is up from $80 billion in 2023. Studies have found evidence […]

J&J Changing 340B Rules to Prevent Fraud

What is the issue(s) here is larger hospitals such as “Bon Secours (48 hospitals) has been slashing services” at its facility in a poorer, predominantly Black part of Richmond. At the same time, it is ‘investing in the city’s wealthier, white neighborhoods.’” By maintaining the Richmond hospital, it keeps access to the 340B program, provides […]

Arizona will decide on Abortion This November

The Arizona secretary of state’s office recently certified 577,971 signatures which is far above the number required to put the question of Abortion before voters. PHOENIX (AP) — Voters in Arizona will be able to decide in November whether they want to protect the right to an abortion in their state constitution. The Arizona Supreme […]

Vaccination protects from long COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on the US economy that was mitigated by the rapid development and deployment of COVID vaccines. I was a subject in the Moderna Phase III clinical trial of their RNA vaccine, and eventually have had six injections. The well-established benefit of COVID vaccination is that it will keep […]

New Medicaid Rule Gives Hospitals Greater Market Power

Increasing profits far above actual costs. Think Medicare Advantage as compared to Medicare. Over the past 20 years, the prices of hospital services have grown faster than any other sector of the US economy. Unfortunately, the federal government recently issued a regulation intending to address underpayment of hospitals by Medicaid. However, the new rule could push hospital prices […]

Explaining the difference in Hospitals by Location

I have posted about rural hospitals here, here, and here. Resources found at various hospitals can be defined by location. Rural hospitals may have less resource and capability than urban hospitals plus greater costs. Resources may be less due to cost which does not change but has a larger impact on a rural hospital due […]

Two ACA Private Sector Enrollment Sites Blocked from the ACA Marketplace

A problem is reining in the rogue ACA Agents without slowing enrollment as also reported by KFF. Regulators are contending with a problem affecting people’s coverage. Some brokers are signing people up for Affordable Care Act plans and are switching them into new ones without their permission. The problem is how to thwart the bad […]

CMS ramps up suspensions of health insurance agents registered with HealthCare.gov

CMS finally clamping down on agents plan switching, assigning existing enrollees to themselves. CMS requires agents seeking to act on an existing account with a different Agent of Record or with no AOR to: – either conduct a three-way call with the client and the marketplace center. The client authorizes the new agent to act […]

Healthcare Costs Expected to Surge at Highest Rate in 15 Years

Forecast of commercial healthcare costs to come in 2025 (MedCity report), what has occurred in the past, and what is expected beyond 2025. Meanwhile Congress is twiddling their thumbs arguing amongst themselves over what is more important to their existence . . . constituents or big business. Interesting too, how the Sadlers are getting themselves […]