Healthcare, Senior Living, Economics
For readers approximating my age, a commercial slogan ties to the title of this post: “Is it real or is it Memorex”. In this current round of Washington political maneuvering and on display dysfunction lies the question; is the ACA issue real or is it a tool for political posturing? Is this a real “red … Read more
An issue that continues to confound the hospital and SNF industry is the growing use and thus, referral and coverage (Medicare) ramifications of observation stays. Fundamentally, and observation stay by current definition is a non-inpatient stay – an extended residence in an outpatient status. Truly, this a bifurcated problem or issue; hospitals wishing to avoid … Read more
With the Holidays fast approaching and me, heading into a break and a brief vacation, the time is right to recap the current health policy landscape. As the title states, now it seems as if the industry is riding on the Healthcare Polar Express; head first into the dark, cold, snowy north. Fiscal Cliff: Wow, what … Read more
The Fiscal Cliff stories are everywhere and as a result, lots of misinformation, conjecture, and supposition of deals, no deals and what happens next abound within the media. The economist in me can’t help but opine on the economics at stake but for this purpose, I’ll take only a slice of the overall issues; a … Read more
One week from today is the national election for president, every seat in the House of Representatives, and one-third of the Senate. Additionally, there are numerous gubernatorial elections and local or state-wide races at issue. No other nation on the face of the earth affords, nay protects, the rights of all of its citizens to … Read more
Heading into round 2 of a three round debate format (tonight), I think its time to put a few core concepts on paper (or e-media in this case) for folks to remember about this political season. My role or task here is not to be partisan (your decision suffices on this front) but to be … Read more
Off the golf course (reluctantly) and back to work. Last week was full of catching up and revisiting issues and reports. As promised before I went temporarily AWOL, here’s Part I of at least two parts (maybe three) of issues that I am following. Politics and the First Tuesday in November: The conventions are done and … Read more
Finally, my plans and I collide again on a Friday afternoon and I’m somewhat back on schedule … for now. With forecasted travel next week plus a touch of R&R time, it looks like I’ll be back off-track before long. We’ll see. Not a lot different on my dashboard as this week concludes. I’m pretty much awash … Read more
Probably the biggest trend as of late is my tardiness in getting these posts out on-time…sorry. My end of the week (last week) got distorted as I needed to attend a meeting with regard to a Medicaid shift in Kansas from fee-for-service to “managed”. As I have been through these conversions or switches before, it’s … Read more
Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office released their updated score of the ACA post the Supreme Court ruling. Substantively, the only reason or need for an update is the Court’s tweak concerning Medicaid expansion; allowing states to opt-out of expansion. See my post from earlier this week for a bit more information on the Court’s ruling and … Read more