Managed Care - October 2008 - (Page 14) ‘CHANGE IS IN THE WIND’ REFORM — DOES IT JUST No matter who wins the White House, clinical executives and other managers will need to deal with a shift in policy By John Carroll Contributing Editor arry and Louise are older and grayer now, but health care is still the number one topic at the family breakfast table. A friend has cancer but no insurance, says a concerned Louise in their new commercial. Insurance costs are up, and small companies are shedding coverage. “Too many people are falling through the cracks,” intones Harry. Whoever gets elected president must make change a top concern. “Bring everyone to the table. Make it happen.” H PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB CRANDALL Change, change, change Fifteen years ago, a younger Harry and Louise were working for the Health Insurance Association of America, long before it was absorbed by America’s Health Insurance Plans. They were very effective in rousing public opinion against the kind of change spelled out in the Clinton health plan. Even in 2000, when the HIAA brought them back for another run, they were for insurance subsidies and opposed to “government-run health care.” There will be change but not major, comprehensive change, says William Hoagland, vice president for public policy at Cigna. States may try to step in as the federal government steps aside, but what they do will be challenged. 14 MANAGED CARE / OCTOBER 2008
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