“Creating more and better playspaces is something that is very important to us. Research shows that recreation improves a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Quality playspaces make recreation more fun. The more fun recreation is, the more likely it is that our citizens will engage it, leading up to a healthier, happier community. The Playful City USA program is the most distinguished program recognizing quality environments for recreation in the country.
It is now time to focus on its robust and effective implementation so that we can all benefit from a care delivery system that puts people, families, and their care needs first.
If states turn their backs on Medicaid expansion they leave a lot of federal money on the table. They also leave behind many vulnerable, low income constituents—our friends, families and neighbors—who could receive coverage through Medicaid without purchasing private health insurance (to which they may not have affordable, available options).
Warm summer days and evenings draw many people outside to enjoy the weather and the extended daylight. As families take advantage of the pleasant conditions to take walks on local trails, ride bicycles on pathways and streets, and play in parks, it’s important to remember that these leisurely activities are facilitated by the presence of active transportation supports in our communities: safe and attractive sidewalks, bicycle paths, multi-use paths, parks and other recreational areas.
The long process of health care reform will begin the day after the U.S. Supreme Court rules in the case of NFIB v Sebelius. No matter how the Court rules, we will still face the big problems that predated The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) – high and rising costs, gaps in coverage, uneven quality and heavy red-tape burdens for individuals, providers and businesses.
This is my fourth blog on the topic of sustainable health spending (others are here: 1, 2, 3). I have argued that under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), long-run sustainability in health spending is largely determined by the federal government’s ability to meet its Medi
By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News
Nine prominent physician groups today released lists of 45 common tests and treatments they say are often unnecessary and may even harm patients.
For small business, the 2010 health reform law means higher costs, more red-tape and fewer choices. Some provisions are already in effect (e.g., coverage expansions, drug tax, FSA limits). Others start in 2013 (e.g., medical device tax, increased “Medicare” taxes on business owners’ wages, a new “Medicare” tax on owners’ investments).
By Stuart Taylor, Jr. for Kaiser Health News
How big is the constitutional challenge to the Obama health care law, which the Supreme Court will hear on March 26-28?
For starters, it's big enough for the justices to schedule six hours of arguments—more time than given to any case since 1966. After all, the Affordable Care Act is arguably the most consequential domestic legislation since the creation of Medicare in 1965.
