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The Blog at MSPC
Reality check: Medical outcomes in the United States
The most important aspect of a country’s health care delivery system is its responsiveness and success in treating specific diseases. When a person becomes ill, the critical issue is the medical system’s ability to reduce the morbidity and mortality of that patient.
2 days ago3 min read
The right prescription to bring down pharmaceutical costs
You don’t need to tell Americans that health care costs are out of control. This includes the prices for prescription drugs. Thankfully, there is a bipartisan proposal in Congress to address these costs led by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.
Dec 30, 20252 min read
Congress had a viable health care reform plan once – It should be considered again
Congress is now at odds with itself on how to offer the country a new or revised plan for our health care system. Interestingly enough, a promising and comprehensive plan was presented a few years ago in 2019.
Dec 22, 20253 min read
A prescription for fraud? GAO finds serious abuses in Obamacare exchanges
Remember when Americans were told that the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) would lower health care costs and that if you liked
Dec 12, 20252 min read
This bipartisan proposal is a logical step to improve Medicare solvency
Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the program would seem to be a noncontroversial first step to decrease the financial burden on taxpayers and guarantee that future generations of seniors have access to Medicare.
Nov 4, 20252 min read
Montana is on the correct track for Medicaid reform
The Treasure State is taking important steps to help control the exploding costs of Medicaid while providing critical care to the neediest. Montana is submitting a 1115 Medicaid Demonstration waiver application to allow experimentation with reform. Other states should follow this good example.
Sep 15, 20252 min read
Medicaid reforms for state lawmakers to consider
Medicaid is a joint federal and state-controlled health care insurance entitlement. It is not financially sustainable in its current form unless the federal debt or taxes are significantly increased.
Aug 6, 20253 min read
Direct primary care provides medical treatment the old-fashioned way
Yet, health care is simply an economic activity, albeit where the activity between a provider and a patient is the most personal interchange an individual will ever have. However, because of the complexity, the vast majority of patients in the U.S. don’t completely control their medical finances and, in many cases, their medical decisions.
Aug 4, 20252 min read
Let’s get real about the Medicaid reform in the “Big Beautiful Bill”
Despite claims that “the sky is falling,” the Medicaid reforms are actually a start at guaranteeing that the program will survive into the future and be available for the country’s most vulnerable people.
Jul 7, 20253 min read
Refocusing taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits on healthy food options
For years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ignored the pleas of states wanting to study the implications of removing Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in small pilot programs. Though many studies incentivizing improved nutritional choices have been approved by the USDA.
Jul 1, 20253 min read
Americans still have the freedom to choose healthy lifestyles
Is the liberty of American health under threat? Are Americans still free to make their health choices? The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement would have you believe the threat is dire, with Big Food and Big Pharma’s crony capitalism pervasively controlling all aspects of American health. But a quick trip around the grocery store combats this myth – apples or Cheetos anyone? The food and medicine options in developed countries are more in line with choice overload ve
Jun 17, 20253 min read
Now is the opportunity for Congress to reform Medicaid
The stated Republican goal is a continuation of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of this year and need offsetting savings somewhere else in the budget.
May 23, 20253 min read
Price controls threatened medical advancements
The EO allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to obtain the same or better prices on drugs that other nations have.
May 19, 20253 min read
Wyoming lawmakers should add hospital price transparency to 2026 agenda
One glaring omission from the state legislature’s recently released final list of topics it will consider before the next session is hospital price transparency.
May 13, 20253 min read
Yet another Executive Order For health care price transparency
The fundamental problem with the ever-rising cost of health care in the United States is the fact that a third party, either employers or...
Apr 8, 20252 min read
Idaho adopts Medicaid budget that increases spending by $539 million
The long debate in Idaho surrounding Medicaid this year has concluded with lawmakers sending Governor Little an updated Medicaid budget (...
Apr 3, 20252 min read
Idaho legislature adopts MSPC recommendation for Medicaid work requirements
With overwhelming support, the Idaho legislature has adopted House Bill 345 - a measure that includes work requirements for able-bodied adul
Mar 12, 20253 min read
Adding a work requirement for receiving Medicaid in Montana
Enrollees in the Medicaid health insurance program have never had a work requirement to receive the entitlement. Montana Senate Bill 334 ...
Feb 28, 20253 min read
Adding a work requirement for physically able adults receiving Medicaid in Idaho
Enrollees in the Medicaid health insurance program have never had a work requirement to receive the entitlement. Idaho House Bill 138...
Feb 11, 20253 min read
Certificate of Need laws should be repealed
Medical Certificate of Need (CON) laws have existed since the mid-1960s. They are a classic example of government intervention and...
Feb 4, 20253 min read
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