Category Archives: Health Care Economics
Will the latest hospital merger help consumers?

Will patients/consumers of Froedtert Health and ThedaCare be better off after the just announced merger of the two Wisconsin health systems? Will Wisconsin Attorney General Joshua Kaul exercise any of his authorized oversight of the merger for the benefit of … Read the rest
Why are we ducking ugly health costs?

How about a little quiz on one of the nation’s biggest issues that got almost no attention in the state and national midterm elections? Quiz Question 1: What’s the second largest economic challenge facing the country? Roaring inflation is on … Read the rest
Where’s Kaul on Health Cost Battle?

If ever an industry needed fundamental disruption, it’s the health care industry in America. I’m not talking about the pure medical side of the Medical Industrial Complex (MIC), which can be wonderful to the point of miraculous. I’m talking about … Read the rest
Wisconsin 4th highest for health costs; Rand, Indiana lead reforms

For decades, self-ensured employers have been fighting -- mainly by themselves -- to put the brakes on out-of-control health costs. But finally, believe it or not, help is on the way from the federal government. A new federal law requires … Read the rest
Rebel Companies go “BUCA-free” for health care

STEVENS POINT -- After some relief from health cost hyper-inflation during the COVID fall-off in treatments, costs are again rising, self-insured companies in central Wisconsin are revving up a rebellion against the Medical Industrial Complex. Among their tactics they are … Read the rest
Whither health care after election? Who knows?

Pre-campaign, the biggest issue facing the 2020 candidates was the cost and coverage of health care in America. In normal times, the political campaigns of President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden would have clarified their game plans for … Read the rest
Bernie’s numbers look low for Medicare for All

Introduction: Since health costs are looming as the biggest issue in the 2020 presidential election and are by far the biggest economic issue facing the country, I will be writing a series of pieces on the management of health costs, … Read the rest
Pols need to check out real reforms by employers

Just as the national debate ramps up on a government take-over of the nation’s health care, it looks like employers and market forces have already worked out a business model that is taming previously out-of-control health costs. A lead article … Read the rest
Warren, Jami, Jeff, We Need Your Help on Health Costs

Memo to: Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Jami Diamond Memo from: John Torinus, health care payer Subject: New Business Model for Health Care Fellow Victims of the Medical Industrial Complex (MIC): As three major payers for health care for your more … Read the rest
Health care insurers seek better business model

Ostensibly, health insurers have long been on the side of the insureds, namely employers and their employees who pay the nation’s health care bills. But tectonic plates are moving in the delivery of health care, and it’s not so clear … Read the rest