One of the most contentious components of the fiscal cliff discussions is the debate about the Medicare eligibility age. Prominent conservatives argue that raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 would adjust the most expensive government health program to modern times, while liberals believe it would take away benefits from hardworking seniors, and hurt the … Continue reading
Since conservatives were unsuccessful in repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through a new president, they have continually turned to lawyers to prove the law’s unfeasability. Although the Supreme Court upheld the invidual mandate, many dissidents still find fault in the law. In addition to implementation hardships, conservatives believe there are many legal roadblacks still in place. Challenges such as ones … Continue reading
According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans have started to remember what our country was founded on. The United States of America was created to be a place of freedom and liberty, separate from tyranny and oppressive monarchs. It was built on the expectation of limited government, and the opportunity for individuals to build the … Continue reading
Experts agree that healthcare entitlement reform is key to curbing costs and boosting quality, yet we seem to ignore one of our biggest, less obvious, entitlements in the discussion. After Medicare and Medicaid, the employer sponsored health insurance tax exemption is the government’s biggest expenditure on healthcare, costing us around $260 billion a year. It … Continue reading
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to hear a speech by W. Craig Vanderwagen, a retired Admiral from the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Although vaguely familiar with the USPHS, I discovered that they are one of the seven uniformed services of our country, and more than 6,500 health professionals currently serve. As a … Continue reading
A proposed settlement to a nationwide class action suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Vermont could become yet another headache for the world of healthcare. The lawsuit was filed by patient advocacy groups asserting that Medicare eligibility was flawed regarding skilled nursing and home health care. Under current law, Medicare is only required to … Continue reading
As I have learned more about electronic health records (EHR), I have quickly become familiar with the term “meaningful use.” It sounds like a state of utopia, that everyone should strive for, yet like most governmental programs, it is much more complicated than it seems. Meaningful use of EHR technology is when providers properly “improve … Continue reading
In response to the deadly meningitis outbreak, attention has been cast on compounding pharmacies, as their product of steroid injections has produced 119 illnesses and 12 deaths. Compounding pharmacies are in business to provide specific prescriptions of drugs that are not available commercially. According to the FDA, these entities should only be mixing drugs on … Continue reading
As a college student living in Washington D.C., Groupon and Living Social deals have become my lifeline to food and entertainment. I live for the moment where my emails come through and offer vouchers that allow me to have amazing deals on the best things around town. Yes, vouchers do that! I love any kind … Continue reading
October 1st is quickly approaching, as it signifies another deadline in the long list of regulatory requirements for the Affordable Care Act. As mandated by HHS, all states must submit a list of “essential health benefits” that will be required to be included in all individual and small group market plans within and separate of … Continue reading
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