Category: The Commonwealth Fund

Fraud Fears Rise as Feds Expand Access to Association Health Plans

Regulators and insurance experts worry the Trump administration’s new rule expanding association health plans for small businesses and self-employed people will lead to a spike in insurance fraud and insolvencies that plagued consumers and health care …

NY, Mass. to Sue Over Trump Health Plans Skirting Obamacare Requirements

New York and Massachusetts will sue the Trump administration over its expansion of health insurance plans that don’t meet all of Obamacare’s requirements.  New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood (D) and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey …

Trump Administration Rule Could Stop Public Reporting of Hospital Infections Despite Death Toll

Federal health regulators will have to stop releasing data on hospital infections — which affect one in 25 hospital patients every day — under a proposal set to take effect in November, according to an analysis by patient safety advocates. The Centers …

Government Reorganization Plan Embraces Conservative Goals for the Safety Net

The White House’s goal of consolidating federal safety-net programs in a revamped and renamed health department would fulfill a long-held conservative goal that has the potential to reduce federal help for the neediest Americans. The Trump administrati…

Trump’s Plan to Lower Drug Prices Tests Limits of the Law

In his effort to bring down prescription drug prices, President Trump is testing the limits of a law that prohibits the government from interfering in negotiations between drug manufacturers and insurance companies that provide drug coverage to more th…

Trump Administration Expands Use of Health Plans That Skirt ACA Consumer Protections

The Trump administration issued new rules on Tuesday that may lead to small businesses and self-employed people being offered health insurance that costs less because it includes fewer benefits and consumer protections, bypassing significant requiremen…

Amazon, Buffett, JPMorgan Pick Gawande to Lead Health Firm

Three corporate giants seeking to attack rising health care costs have turned to a Harvard professor who has written books about the system’s many flaws. Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Berkshire Hathaway have named Dr. Atul Gawande CEO of a venture the co…

Status of Medicaid Expansion and Work Requirement Waivers

       

Switzerland’s Organ Donations Are Increasing

       

Germany’s Federal Court Rules on Neutrality for Physician Ratings Websites