May 15, 2015
5 things Atul Gawande learned on his return to McAllen, TX
Posted: May 8, 2015
By Kavita Patel and Frank McStay, Brookings
Surgeon and author Atul Gawande fills us in on his findings after his residency in McAllen, Texas; a community experiencing the problem of double the average Medicare spending ($14,000 versus $7,000). He found a system ignoring unnecessary and ineffective treatment options, high rates of hospital admissions, evasive-expensive surgeries, and outpatient home health care.
Expanded health insurance may cost too much
Posted: May 14, 2015
By Caleb Pritchard, Austin Monitor
An estimate of the cost of expanding health coverage to all city employees not currently eligible for city-sponsored insurance shows that it may cost upwards of $13 million, as there are nearly 2,000 temporary and contract workers not currently covered. This figure is proving problematic as City Council is considering significant budget cuts.
Critics Question Whether Insurance Card Measure is a Remedy
Posted: May 8, 2015
By Edgar Walters, Texas Tribune
Against the efforts of Democrats, Texans with government-subsidized health coverage could see a new label on their health insurance cards as House Bill 1514 tentatively passed the Texas House last Friday and now heads to the Senate. Critics of the designation are likening it to the “scarlet letter” for low-income individuals.