Obama’s mid-April comments signaling a willingness to compromise on the idea of a government-sponsored health plan that would compete with private options—reiterated by health reform czar Nancy-Ann DeParle, who said there was flexibility in how a public plan could be defined—has raised the hackles of some of the key forces responsible for catapulting the junior senator from Illinois into the White House. As the battle over the future of our nation’s healthcare system slips into high gear, the Health Economics Research Institute (HERI) is actively pursuing research proposals to support its mission of improving the U.S. health care delivery system through market-based solutions. A noble effort, but does it stand a chance? Read »

Google’s much ballyhooed entry into personal medical data management became a reality this month with the unveiling of Google Health. Not unlike services from other companies—including Microsoft—Google Health promises a place to safely store personal medical information and to access forums, disease and condition information, and wellness programs. Read »

Growing up, I remember someone telling me that if you want to know what people think, ignore what they say and focus on the things they do. Words, after all, can be dressed-up, massaged, twisted, manipulated, etc., to suit all manners of convenience, whereas actions, once committed, are undeniable. Read »