Healthcare Policy in an Obama Administration: Delivering on the Promise of Universal Coverage
November 8, 2008 - PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute presents a comprehensive look at how President-elect Obama's health plan compares to reform in Massachusetts. Key findings:
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Based on the results in Massachusetts, PwC estimates Obama's plan would provide coverage for two-thirds of the nation's uninsured at a cost to the government of $75 billion a year.
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Of the 30 million Americans who would be newly insured under Obama's proposals, nearly 40 percent would obtain coverage through their employers, which would mean a reversal in the current decline of employer-based coverage.
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Not all of those who will receive subsidized coverage under the new plan would have been previously uninsured. PwC estimates that about 4.5 million people would trade their current private coverage for insurance with higher government subsidies.
Over one-third of the cost of Obama's plan could come from existing funding for the uninsured; much of that funding now goes to the hospitals. The rest will have to be raised through repealing tax cuts, raising taxes, or limitations on other spending.
How's Your Employee Morale?
November 1, 2008 - NEAS
Employees who work in upbeat environments tend to be happier, better motivated more productive and more satisfied with their jobs. A work culture that nurtures positive attitudes among its employees also provides an appealing climate for clients and customers, which may result in increased business, better employee retention, and easier recruitment. The winter NEAS (http://www.neas.com) newsletter discusses how to create a positive working environment for your employees.
Keeping Pace with the Times - The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
The New England Journal of Medicine
This bill unlocks the great promise of the Human Genome Project by alleviating the most common fear about genetic testing, said Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL), who cosponsored GINA in the House with its leading proponent, Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY). "It will accelerate research... and allow Americans to finally realize the benefits and health care savings offered by gene-based medicine," noted Biggert.
