 Health Reform Nationally and in New Hampshire
--by James W. Squires, M.D.
Until 2008, health care reform was haunted by the specter of Harry and Louise. Almost single handedly, a TV ad sank the Clinton Health Plan. Paid for by insurance companies, Harry and Louise warned viewers that, "Sometime in the future the government may force us to pick a few plans designed by government bureaucrats." The power and influence of this campaign muffled Congressional debate and all decision makers steered clear of this minefield. The result? An increasingly disjointed, dysfunctional and expensive system with 45 million Americans without health coverage.
|
 Step by Step: NH Well Positioned for National Health Reforms--by Jeanne Ryer, Program Director
New Hampshire is in an excellent position to leverage national health reforms to create an even higher quality, cost-effective health system in the state. We have made solid progress to increase the financial transparency of the health system, promote payment reforms and quality efforts, extend the use of health information technology and expand coverage.
|
 Len Nichols Speaks at EH Annual Meeting
Dr. Len Nichols, a Washington DC-based health reform expert, spoke at the Endowment's March 16th Annual Meeting on the direction of national health care reform. A highly respected health care economist and director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation, Dr. Nichols discussed the various proposals being debated nationally to expand health insurance coverage to all Americans. He also discussed the cost reduction and quality improvements necessary to affect real and lasting change in the health care system.
Dr. Nichols emphasized the differences in the political climate between the early '90s when health care was last being seriously debated to the current political landscape and public outcry about health care system failings. Additionally, he emphasized that health care represents a growing percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that, if left unchecked, could skyrocket to as much as a third of the average American's income. Expanding coverage, he said, would amount to about one percent of the GDP, a figure that is "lunch money" in comparison to current overall health care spending now at 16 percent of GDP. Dr. Nichols further emphasized that the economic crisis has created a "tabula rasa" opportunity to focus on true priorities.
Dr. Nichols was the Senior Advisor for Health Policy at the Office of Management and Budget during the Clinton reform efforts of 1993-94. He has testified frequently before Congress and state legislators and is published widely in a variety of health-related journals.
View Presentation |
 
EH Names Sue Fulton to Grants and Financial Management Position; Cheryl Dempsey Joins Team as Administrative Manager
Long-time EH staffer Sue Fulton has been named to the post of Grants and Financial Manager. We also have a new member of the EH team, Cheryl Dempsey, Administrative Manager. Please join us in congratulating Sue and Cheryl and click the link below for a full write-up on their roles and professional experience.
|
