Individual mandates

"The requirement that everyone buy health insurance moved a step closer to reality last week — and possibly a step closer to being challenged in court. Conservatives and libertarians, mostly, have been advancing the theory lately that the individual mandate, in which the government would compel everyone to buy insurance or pay a penalty, is unconstitutional."

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/the-right-the-duty-to-bear-insurance-cards/

Order with mayo.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113052504

I'd be curious to know how places like Mayo and Kaiser pay physicians and incentive quality care. I'll snoop around for better info, but please post if you have info/thoughts.

online guide!

nuts and bolts!

http://www.slate.com/id/2220222/

Baucus Bill Bad, Baucus Bill Bad... repeat again.

All the waiting and anticipation for what exactly?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/top-five-reasons-the-bauc_b_289380.html

a thorough assessment by slate:


http://www.slate.com/id/2229091/

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Agains Universal Healthcare:

Paid for by the AMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs

Healthcare Reform Opinion Piece: The Misguided Quest for Universal Coverage

This is an interesting opinion piece in the New York Times that I think could start some conversations . . .

The Misguided Quest for Universal Health Care

Important Concepts: QALY

In thinking about health policy it is important that medical students and doctors understand certain important concepts. To that end I would like to introduce our first important concept: the quality-adjusted-life-year or QALY.

* While not currently used in the United States, the QALY is a concept that often comes up when discussing how best to achieve coverage for all. NOTE: QALY's are currently used as an attempt to control cost in some countries with universal health care.

What is a QALY?

"Quality adjusted life year (QALY): A year of life adjusted for its quality or its value. A year in perfect health is considered equal to 1.0 QALY. The value of a year in ill health would be discounted. For example, a year bedridden might have a value equal to 0.5 QALY."
MedicineNet.com

For more information on QALY's see the links below:

What is a QUALY?

This article gives a somewhat in depth definition of what exactly a QALY is and how it can be used in health policy decision making. It also includes examples of how QALY's are implemented in the UK as part of the decision making process for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence(NICE).

Pricing Human Life(-Years)

An interesting look at the challenge(and necessity) of putting a price on human life and health by prominent American health economist Uwe E Reinhardt.