Only political junkies really care about the difference between taxes and penalties in the recently validated Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also known as ObamaCare. All the average American cares about is, “What is it going to cost me?” Read More»

There are major problems brewing with the long-term care program created under the Patient Protect and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Effective since Jan. 1, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS program, is a controversial new national entitlement program with significant financial concerns. Read More»

One of the most controversial parts of the new federal healthcare law is the redistribution of funding from Medicare to other programs. If Obamacare is left unchanged, it will take $500 billion from Medicare over the next 10 years.

Medicare beneficiaries will see higher premiums; doctors, nurses, hospitals and medical suppliers will get lower payments. The Medicare reductions will be used to subsidize expanded Medicaid to low-income recipients and to fund insurance for the uninsured. Read More»

In most families, moms are the caregivers, and most moms have a medicine “box” or tray with all kinds of cures for middle-of-the-night pains and fevers. If it’s not in the “box,” a quick trip to a local 24-hour pharmacy usually secures the needed treatment. When that doesn’t work, a doctor’s visit secures a prescription to be filled at the local pharmacy.

But for most situations a caring mom, Mother Nature and over-the-counter medications get children well and avoid unnecessary physician visits and expenses.

Under ObamaCare, much of that is about to change. Read More»

At the invitation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a dozen American policy wonks from differing perspectives traveled to Germany in December 2009. The Foundation was interested in our observations of the German social health system. My interest was how consumerism and individual choice worked in Germany.

We listened to federal and state officials, doctors, hospital executives, members of the Bundestag (German parliament), a health journalist and German policy experts. Read More»

In polls and elections, a majority of Americans said “No!” to federal healthcare legislation, but it passed anyway. Most still want it repealed, but the time has come to plan ahead and prepare for a very different future.

Even as lawyers and politicians consider “repeal and replace” reform initiatives, individuals and business must consider the impact of the new law and employers and benefit managers must move to implement. Read More»