Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - (Page 9) DRUG TOPICS 9 account. As a financing tool for his plan, the Arizona Republican proposes to eliminate $200 billion in tax deductions on health insurance premiums paid by employers and employees coverage. The number of people receiving health coverage through their job decreased to 59.8 percent in 2004 from 63.6 percent in 2000, according to a recent report from the Commonwealth Fund. To close this gap, Obama would expand the federal role in regulating insurers and paying for health care, particularly for the costliest patient cases. However, it would stop short of creating a Canadian-style system in which the government pays all the bills. His proposal also would require most employers to contribute toward workers’ coverage and require parents to obtain insurance for their children through an employer, a government program, or on their own. On the other side, McCain would establish a “guaranteed access plan” by working with governors to develop a model that states could follow to ensure high-risk patients have access to health coverage. Obama projects that his plan will save a typical family up to $2,500 a year in health-care spending by wringing out much of the inefficiency and waste. HIT support Looking at the numbers in another way, the senator from Illinois estimates his plan will save $200 billion in healthcare spending every year through investing in electronic medical records, more centralized coordination of individual care, and government mandated reduction of unnecessary medical procedures. McCain also predicts that major cost savings can be realized through an efficient, modern medical system spurred by competition — a natural byproduct of an open market model. Sheera Rosenfeld, who directs the health information technology practice at Avalere Health LLC, a Washington, D.C. consulting firm, said both candidates have voiced general support for health informatics to be able to achieve return on investment, reduce medical errors, and improve efficiencies and service quality. “There is bipartisan recognition of the value and potential impact of HIT as a core component to improving healthcare quality, outcomes, addressing costs, etcetera,” Rosenfeld said. However, “neither is aware of the innate challenges of HIT adoption and implementation.” Observers say widespread adoption of e-prescribing $$ $$ $$$ Healthcare Refrom Of Interest to Pharmacists $ http://www.watson.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 Survey: Most California Pharmacists Satisfied with Work Conditions Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 (Page 1) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 (Page 2) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Survey: Most California Pharmacists Satisfied with Work Conditions (Page 3) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Survey: Most California Pharmacists Satisfied with Work Conditions (Page 4) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Survey: Most California Pharmacists Satisfied with Work Conditions (Page 5) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform (Page 6) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform (Page 7) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform (Page 8) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform (Page 9) Drug Topics - October 20, 2008 - Slumping Economy may Delay Healthcare Reform (Page 10)
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