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I am a physician and behavioral scientist. My research and writing explore the quirks in human nature that influence our lives -- the mixture of rational and irrational forces that affect our health, our happiness, and the way our society functions. (more...)- Have a question or just want to get in touch? Email me at peter.ubel@duke.edu
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Tag Archives: Medicare
The Biggest Government Health Care Spender Since LBJ Was…Ronald Reagan?
Many readers will recognize Ronald Reagan’s famous maxim that: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” Some will even recognize his vehement opposition to Lyndon Johnson’s Medicare proposal, before the program was passed into law: … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, Medicare, US history
Why JFK Failed to Pass Medicare
In a late night phone call during a foreign policy crisis, Kennedy expressed disdain for domestic policy, showing the kind of attitude that doomed later efforts to reform the U.S. healthcare system: “It really is true that foreign affairs is … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged favorite quotes, health policy, Medicare, US history
Medicare and the Desegregation of American Hospitals
As anyone who has followed the Obamacare roller coaster over the past 4 years knows, passing legislation is only the first step in reforming a healthcare system. Since Obamacare came into law, we have been consumed by battles over how … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, Medicare, US history
When It Came to Medicare Costs LBJ Concluded “What’s $400 Million Between Friends!”
Lyndon Johnson’s advisers were worried. They were drafting a Medicare proposal, a major component of Johnson’s war on poverty. But the cost of this program was turning out to be much larger than expected. By their estimates, in the first … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged favorite quotes, health policy, healthcare costs, Medicare, US history
A Surprising Early Supporter of Obamacare: Eisenhower?
On October 10, 1952, President Dwight Eisenhower gave a speech in Salt Lake City in which he reiterated his opposition to socialized medicine. In fact, he had long asserted that he would “use every single attribute and influence of the … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, Medicare, Obamacare
How Truman’s Medicare Efforts Were Foiled by Red Baiting
In The Heart of Power, David Blumenthal and James Morone relate the 75 year history of presidential efforts (typically unsuccessful) to reform the U.S. healthcare system. I used to think major reform efforts did not happen for many years after FDR’s … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, Medicare, US history
The Challenge of Predicting Future Medicare Expenses
As I pointed out in a recent post, experts have been debating what has caused the recent slowdown in medical spending in the United States. They are also try to figure out whether that slowdown will continue. And figuring this … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged healthcare costs, Medicare
An Unhealthily Frightening Fiscal Future
A recent article in the New York Times, projects increasing problems with federal budget deficits over the next several decades, problems caused in no small part by the likelihood of increased health expenditures. More evidence of the importance of overcoming … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged healthcare costs, Medicare
Variation in Medicare Costs Is Mainly Due to Post-Acute Care
Health policy wonks have been pointing for a while now to large variations in Medicare spending across different parts of the country. Live in Miami, and the government is probably going to spend a heck of a lot more for you … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, healthcare costs, Medicare
Hospital Payments That Follow Patients Out of the Hospital
For most Medicare patients in United States right now, Medicare pays for hospital stays on the basis of what are called Diagnostic Related Groups or DRGs. You get diagnosed with pneumonia, and your hospital gets payment to treat a typical … Continue reading
Posted in Health Policy
Tagged health policy, Medicare