In addition to AHCJ Health Policy topic leader Joanne Kenen’s predictions for Health Policy after the election, we’re reading other stories and timelines that show where implementation (you’re going to hear that word A LOT) is going.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP offers its perspective on what effect the election will have on American health care. Its timeline focuses on “stakeholders,” such as insurers, health care providers, employers, the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries and, yes, consumers. It concludes that the health sector must fundamentally transform the way it operates and offer real value.
Kaiser Health News’ Jay Hancock talked to health policy analysts about what to expect for Health Policy, with responses that range from expecting the Republican-controlled House to delay implementation by withholding funding to “It’s full-steam ahead with implementation.” Hancock’s story points out the looming deadline to launch health insurance exchanges, the subject of a recent AHCJ webcast that is worth re-visiting now.
Matthew Herper, of Forbes, takes a different tack with his “Note to The Pharmaceutical Industry Upon The Re-Election Of Barack Obama,”in which he tells the industry that it has no friends in politics now and the future lies in innovation. He lays out some visions for the future.
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has an interactive timeline to show key dates and provisions in the implementation of the ACA.
On a somewhat lighter – but still useful – note, Kenen pointed out that as Health Policy moves forward, those of us who write about it need an arsenal of synonyms for “implementation.” See what she and some other top health journalists came up with.
Thursday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. ET.
On Thursday, an AHCJ webcast will look at “What does the election mean for senior health?” with an eye to explaining the outcome for seniors on Medicare, older adults who receive long-term care services from Medicaid and other programs that serve our elderly population. The blue-ribbon panel includes moderator Judith Graham, health care journalist and AHCJ topic leader on aging, Joseph Antos of the American Enterprise Institute, Karen Davis of The Commonwealth Fund, and John Rother of the National Coalition on Health Care.
Finally, remember that Kenen and other journalists have been compiling key resources to help cover all aspects of Health Policy for more than a year in AHCJ’s Core Topic pages on Health Policy.
We’ll continue to pick out good stories that should help move the story forward and give reporters more story ideas – so check back with Covering Health often. And, if you’ve seen stories you think are helpful, please include links in the comments below.
