Description: Feature article from the January 2010 issue of In The Public Interest newsletter discussing reform of the U.S. health care system.

Description: This article discusses what actuaries see as ideal components of a health care reform package with an emphasis on cost control, efficiency, elimination of fraud and reduction of errors.

Description: At this 1992 panel discussion, the panelists, including Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, discuss health care and comment on some of the health care proposals that are currently on the table, including the Administration's plan for overhauling the health care system. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 18, No. 1A.

Description: This 1991 panel discussion is about delivering adequate universal health coverage. The panelists discuss the Canadian national health care system, Oregon's plan to seek a Medicaid waiver to implement a new format within which health care will be reimbursed, and the American Medical Association's [AMA's] Health Access America reform proposal. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 4A.

Description: This article discusses health care reform in Kentucky. In 1994, Kentucky implemented health care reform measures inspired by the unsuccessful attempt at national health care reform in the Health Security Act of 1993. The measures adopted in Kentucky are described by the author as 'a textbook case of how not to engage in health care reform.' From: The Actuary, April 2000 – volume 34 - Issue 4.

Description: Essay stating Americans need to invent, implement, and evaluate sustainable health care policies, divert cash-flow streams away from projects which feed the beast and focus on projects and policies which enhance value. It will require a combination of thoughtful, coordinated policies and a change in our cultural expectations of infinite resources and unlimited choice.

Description: Rhode Island’s unique “global Medicaid waiver” pursues a potentially dangerous national policy trend: long-term care LTC rebalancing without strong eligibility controls. Resulting cost overruns could seriously damage the state’s social safety net. To maximize the global waiver’s opportunity, minimize its danger, and become a LTC financing model for the country, policy makers need to recognize the issues discussed in this report and pursue the recommended additional research and analysis.

Description: This article provides comments from leading health actuaries on Clinton's health care proposal.

Description: This essay, submitted for the Society of Actuaries' Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section 2010 Papers Competition, proposes an entrepreneurial solution to address the continued, unsustainable increases in health care costs. Under the author’s plan, entrepreneurs will “develop systems providing clear financial motivation for consumers to make decisions that minimize health care spending and maximize positive health outcomes. In so doing, health care providers must necessarily compete to offer the highest quality services at the lowest cost. By relying on the financial self-interest of consumers and free-market competition among health care providers, effective and sustainable systems to bend the health care cost curve can be achieved.”

Description: Feature article discussing actuaries’ view of the perfect health care reform package with an emphasis on funding/financing. Part 4 of a 4-part series.