What New Data Tell Us About Doctor Choice February 4, 2016 Perspective Drew Altman explores the rhetoric versus reality on whether choice of doctors is eroding and why the issue resonates with Americans, in this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank.
JAMA Forum: Surprise, Surprise February 3, 2016 Perspective Larry Levitt’s February 2016 post explains how “surprise medical bills” — unanticipated charges for out-of-network care – can happen. It describes some government approaches to the issue and outlines the challenges to protecting consumers. The post is now available at The JAMA Forum.
Candidate Policy Plans Resonate More With Democrats. Here’s Why. January 26, 2016 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman examines whether there is a difference between Democratic and Republican voters when it comes to how much they care about candidates’ policy plans.
In N.Y. Policy on Out-of-Network Medical Bills, a Model for Other States? January 11, 2016 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman discusses surprise bills for out-of-network care, and New York state’s solution to the problem.
How Health-Care Bills Hinder Millions of Americans January 5, 2016 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman examines the problems many Americans with health insurance are having paying medical bills based on a new Kaiser-New York Times Survey, and discusses why the issue of the adequacy of insurance coverage is gaining traction.
How High Drug Prices Weigh on the Sickest Americans December 28, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman explores the data behind public concern about prescription drug costs and highlights that the people most in need are the most burdened by the problem.
Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Medicare for All December 20, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman explores the differing positions of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on a single payer or Medicare-for-all health care system and whether Democratic voters consider it an important factor in the 2016 primaries.
Prescription Drugs’ Sizable Share of Health Spending December 13, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman explains why prescription drug spending may be a larger share of health spending than most people think, depending on how you look at it.
What’s the Political Power of Those Newly Insured Under Obamacare? December 3, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman takes a look at whether the 17 million people newly-insured since 2014 will make an impact in the first presidential election since Affordable Care Act enrollment began.
Why Painkiller Addiction and Abuse Are Rising Health-Care Priorities November 24, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman uses new polling to explore why painkiller abuse and addiction is rising as a health issue among state and federal policymakers.