BU Now » healthcare

Healthcare? What about education?

Lauren Davalla — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:40 +0000

Hear School of Education Dean Hardin Coleman’s thoughts on the Healthcare Bill:

He can be reached at 617-353-3213 or Hardin@bu.edu.

Health premiums rising

Dick Taffe — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:05:12 +0000

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a report warning of double-digit increases coming in health insurance premiums. School of Management Professor Stephen Davidson, author of “Still Broken: Understanding the U.S. Healthcare System,” says if the report was released to highlight the need for reform, then the administration is right on.

“The real question is whether they can make the case compellingly enough that wavering Congressmen will pass the Senate bill — and then members of both houses will also pass a reconciliation bill that will satisfy House members who don’t like some of the Senate bill’s provisions.”

Contact Stephen Davidson, 617-353-7422, sdavidso@bu.edu

Healthcare reform endangered

Dick Taffe — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:08:05 +0000

With passage of healthcare reform endangered with Democrats losing their 60th vote in the Senate, even the insurance industry is worried about where they’ll get future customers. School of Management Professor Stephen Davidson, author of “Still Broken: Understanding the U.S. Health Care System,” says in a New York Times letter-to-the-editor that citizen anger over the healthcare bills reflects special interest lobbying.

“Only activated public opinion — based on reality, not fantasy and prejudice — can overcome the money and influence of special interests.”

Contact Stephen Davidson, 617-353-7422, sdavidso@bu.edu

Healthcare bill advances in Senate

Dick Taffe — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:31:50 +0000

In a dramatic middle-of-the-night vote, Democrats won a 60-40 procedural vote on the Senate healthcare-reform bill which they hope to pass on Christmas Eve. School of Management Professor Stephen Davidson, whose book “Still Broken: Understanding the U.S. Healthcare System” will be published soon, says in a Huffington Post commentary that progressive should take the best they can get, pass it, and improve it later.

“We should see this episode as part of a continuing saga, rather than as a process that ends with the President’s signature on a new law enacted by this Congress. This is a bill worth supporting. Then, on the day after it passes, begin to organize to make it better.”

Contact Stephen Davidson, 617-353-7422, sdavidso@bu.edu

Senate compromise on “public option”

Dick Taffe — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:25:16 +0000

Senate Democratic leaders have a tentative compromise on the “public option” part of the healthcare-reform bill which might be able to garner enough votes to get the whole package passed. Professor Alan Cohen, who heads BU’s Health Policy Institute, thinks it’s smart to offer private plans under the auspices of the federal-employee health program and to let middle-aged people buy into Medicare.

“These are reasonable, commonsensical concessions by the liberals to gain the support of the moderates in Congress, and a separate national public option would not be necessary unless these options failed in the short-term.”

Contact Alan Cohen, 617-353-9222, abcohen@bu.edu