Government
Universal health coverage, other reforms could cut spending, study finds
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 28, 2008
Combining universal health insurance coverage with several reforms of federal health care policy could reduce U.S. medical spending by $1.5 trillion in the next 10 years, concluded a December 2007 study commissioned by the Commonwealth Fund. The universal coverage proposal would require individuals to purchase health insurance while providing a structured choice of health plans and a Medicare option to individuals and businesses.
"Bending the Curve: Options for Achieving Savings and Improving Value in U.S. Health Spending" does not make recommendations but presents 15 policy choices as a means to start a political conversation on health care during the presidential election, said Commonwealth Fund Assistant Vice President Anthony Shih, MD, MPH, who co-authored the report. The Commonwealth Fund does not work with specific presidential candidates, he said. The report can be found online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/01/28/gvbf0128.htm.