Originating from Saint Paul, MN, Doctor Pundit is all about the intersection between healthcare policy, science, politics, and all surrounding points and issues. Although the entire scope of healthcare delivery and policy is much too encompassing for just one blogger to cover, I'll try my best. Enjoy! From time to time, you'll also see other items of interest that probably have nothing to do with health policy in the least. Try and keep an open mind. :) Proprietor & Editor -- Michael Douglas, MD, MBATag Archives for Healthcare Delivery
Recruiting Firm Notes “Seismic Shift” with Respect to Hospital Revenues from Primary Care
A report from one of the largest physician recruiting firms in the country could give some heft to the specialty of primary care (whose disciplines include general internal medicine, family medicine, general pediatrics, and primary OB/GYN). Merritt-Hawkins calls a survey … Continue reading
Vermont Poised to Pass End of Life Legislation
Vermont becomes the fourth state to legalize a physician’s ability to prescribe lethal medication to the terminally ill patient. The act is significant in this state because it is the result of legislative action. Three other states have had similar … Continue reading
Report: Greater Than 80M Under- or Uninsured in 2012
The Commonwealth Fund has released statistics that paint a rather hopeless picture regarding the un/underinsured in this country ahead of full implementation of refrom, come January. Eighty-four million people―nearly half of all working-age U.S. adults―went without health insurance for a … Continue reading
HHS Secretary to Create Transparency Mechanisms to Address Medical Billing Costs
Back when TIME published its now classic mainstream longform piece “Bitter Pill”, the buzz in the healthcare blogosphere centered around the waste involved in the final point of delivery of care to the patient. Stories of patient woes as they faced … Continue reading
MN House to Schedule Vote on Same-Sex Marriage on Thursday
The vote on marriage equality here in Minnesota is just two days away. The Democratic-controlled Senate for certain has the votes to pass muster. The House, also Dem-controlled, a little less so (or, maybe not as uncertain). However, the Speaker has … Continue reading
Florida Governor Scott Slammed on Own Support of Obamacare Provision
No doubt about it, Florida Governor Rick Scott is a wounded warrior — his leadership becoming completely emasculated on the issue of Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. Recall that the SCOTUS made it optional for states to expand funding for Medicaid … Continue reading
MN Governor Names Exchange Board
And we’re off! Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has placed the finishing touches on the preparations for the launch of the state’s online exchange later this year. He’s named his seven-member governance to MNSure, and the next step? Awareness of its … Continue reading
Delay of Care of Adults Closely Tied to Tighter Medicaid Eligibility Rules
We all know the potential effects of the option of states which choose to forgo Medicaid expansion, given the choice to do so via last year’s SCOTUS ruling. On the brink of a flood of tens of millions of suddenly-insured Americans … Continue reading
South Dakota-Based Sanford in Talks to Acquire Fairview
Another day. Another health care organization takeover in Minnesota? [MN Atty. Gen. Lori] Swanson said she has confirmed that talks have reached an advanced stage and that Fairview’s board of directors is scheduled to hold a retreat on April 8, … Continue reading
Exchanges Offer More Than Just a Product under ACA
The healthcare provision of online exchanges as part of the ACA is the next big step (hurdle, for some) in the gradual roll-out of legislation that has and will continue to transform the way healthcare is delivered in this country. … Continue reading
MN Legislature Passes Major Healthcare Exchange Bill by Close Vote
By a very narrow vote of 37-28, actually closer than I would have anticipated, the Dem-controlled Minnesota Senate gave the state the go-ahead to create its own online exchange in advance of the required implementation under the ACA. Apparently, debate was … Continue reading
A Tale of Two Healthcare Systems and Market Share
It’s hard not to believe that on some level, profits share a certain parity with patient care in this scenario. A few years ago, a group of cancer doctors wanted to open a radiation treatment center in Woodbury. And a rival … Continue reading
