We have been studying Washington politics and Congress for more than 40 years, and never have we seen them this dysfunctional. In our past writings, we have criticized both parties when we believed it was warranted. Today, however, we have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies with the Republican Party.

By next year, about two-thirds of American physicians will be working as salaried employees of large groups and hospitals. This movement has been underway for years. Over the last decade, the number of independent physicians was falling by about 2% a year. But these trends are now accelerating. 

Do consumers use less health care and buy less health insurance when prices increase? If so, market-based reforms can be used to slow the growth of health costs and expand access by making health insurance less costly. If not, we cannot rely on the price system to accomplish these objectives....

According to information in the Medicare Trustees' latest annual report, Medicare's long-term fiscal gap now exceeds $60 trillion, or nearly six times the amount that the entire U.S....

In late March, the trustees of Medicare and Social Security will issue their annual reports on the two programs. As in previous years, the reports will warn that both programs face long-term fiscal crises. The president is poised to overhaul Social Security. Would the current proposals ensure its solvency? Should...

At this health policy discussion, Dr. Lee N. Newcomer, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Vivius, will present data on the current operating status of a new form of health plan. Vivius is pioneering a personalized health plan that allows consumers to choose their own...

Panelists at this event will discuss the annual 2003 Medicare Trustees’ Report, scheduled to be released on March 17. Topics include the financial condition of Medicare over the long term, and whether the program will be able to meet the demands of future generations and the promises of better...

Medicare spending is on autopilot, and it is coming in for a crash landing. Costs are projected to double to $900 billion over the next decade, and there is increasing evidence that Medicare does not provide good value for the money spent--paying too much or too little for necessary services,...