Here’s the link to the full text of the reconciliation bill, hot off the presses. Basically, the House will vote on these bundled fixes to the Senate bill, deeming that the Senate bill itself has already passed. Too bad employment raises don’t work the same way, eh?

Want more information? Head to the House site for a section-by-section look, Committee reports etc. See The Wonk Room’s comparison of this bill with the previous Senate and House bills. Check Kaiser Health News’ report on the 9 major changes in the reconciliation bill versus prior bills.

In yet more evidence that insurers are not the only cause of skyrocketing US healthcare costs, the Wall Street Journal today reveals the astonishing financial gain providers reap from our pay-per-procedure reimbursement structure. Citing a survey by physician recruitment firm Merritt Hawkins, WSJ itemizes the average revenue hospitals derive per physician, breaks it down by common specialty, and lists the average physician salary by specialty. Warning: if you’re still in shock from paying your last healthcare insurance premium, sit down before reading this.

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What do you get when you combine today’s limited comparative effectiveness research with aggressive value-based insurance design? A risky and expensive proposition for patients, that’s what. I’m a fan of the value-based insurance design concept, which rewards patients and healthcare providers for using the most effective care, even if it’s more expensive. But when private insurers use it to fleece patients in a bait-and-switch scheme, it’s another matter entirely.

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If Michigan is any indication, a dirty little secret about US healthcare coverage is starting to raise its ugly head. The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) found some telling signs that healthcare insurance coverage doesn’t necessarily mean access to care for many people. The reason? Money.

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Last weekend I ran the Old Pueblo 50 Mile race, a trail ultrarunning event. As you might imagine, 50 miles gives you a big window of opportunity for reflection. As you also might imagine, 50 miles on technical trails gives you a big window of opportunity for injury and illness. I witnessed, experienced, discussed and heard about all of these things through the weekend.  You know what? Ultras can teach us a lot about how to be empowered patients.

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