by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: This is a little strange California’s health care exchange is often cited as being as the forefront of complying with the letter and spirit of Obamacare. So it seems a little strange that California has exempted most exchange information from the public records laws, including information about […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Obamacare Fail When I mention problems with Obamacare implementation in the blogosphere, I am pummeled. Liberals think I am overly cynical, too focused on the practical, and I fail to understand the power of good intentions. Ok. The S.H.O.P. program for small businesses has been delayed until […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Obamacare Updates The slow march toward full implementation continues. Exchanges – As of today 17 states will create their own exchange, seven states will partner with the government, and 26 states have defaulted to the federal program (if anyone asked me I would suggest defaulting in order […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Law of Unintended Consequences Unions have been enthusiastic supporters of Obamacare. But not all unions and not all unions benefits are the same. Unions with lower income members are suddenly discovering the PPACA deal is not so great for everyone. Lower income workers with union plans will not […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: While We Were Busy with the Election As we were busy watching the election the Obama administration agreed in late October to settle a class-action lawsuit with disability advocates on Medicare services for the disabled and those with chronic conditions. Medicare has historically required for certain coverage […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: EMR Cluster Mess The 2009 stimulus bill kicked off the process to install electronic medical records (EMR) tied into electronic health records (EHR) networks. The stimulus bill included financial rewards for installing systems and meeting “meaningful use”standards. Couple of problems, with unfair heat aimed at the Centers […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Health Exchange Delay The Obama administration has delayed the decision point on state health exchanges until December 14th. Much of the discussion on this issue has centered on politics. My focus is on more practical issues. The Obama administration has a track record of being unable to […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Reform Status According to Really Smart People So after two days in rooms full of top notch front line experts, and two nights sleeping on a couch in a hospital waiting room, I offer a list of key take-aways.. This is reporting only, not advocacy. Some of my […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Business Model Angst For the past two months I have been absorbed more so than usual in health care strategic and regulatory compliance issues. One of the top trends is the scramble for a workable business model for providers. The announcement this week of the Beaumont system […]
by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Health Care Thoughts: Hospital Job Cuts and Job Gains I have been spending a great deal of time lately communicating with health care experts far above my modest standing, mostly on publishing projects and seminar scheduling for next year. One hot topic among the wired in folks is hospital layoffs, […]