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The 2012 election results and healthcare

The Forum at Harvard School of Public Health hosts policy experts to explore the implications of the 2012 election for the healthcare system.

Thanks for tuning in to our panel discussion on U.S. healthcare after the elections. A replay will be available at www.ForumHSPH.org

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 4:30:24 PM

Speakers include Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis; John McDonough, director of the Center for Public Health Leadership; Katherine Baicker, professor of health economics; Arnold Epstein, chair, department of health policy and management

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 2:50:04 PM
Fellow livebloggers include my colleague at Reuters Health @andrewmseaman and @ForumHSPH #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 2:52:07 PM
Here' @DMorganReuters and @AnnYukha on the challenges still facing Obama's health reform reut.rs

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 2:55:35 PM
Our liveblog link: s.scrbliv.me

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 2:57:42 PM
Another good Reuters story to take a look at is one from yesterday on the market's reaction to Obama's reelection. reut.rs

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:12:12 PM
Regarding the last link: With the Affordable Care Act mostly secured, hospital shares jumped while health insurers saw their shares fall.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:21:05 PM
The reason for that? Hospitals may pay less out of pocket as more people become insured thanks to the law. For insurers, however, the law puts limits on their profits.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:24:05 PM
Join us for a live discussion at 10.30 am ET on the future of U.S. healthcare during President Barack Obama's second term. Reuters health policy correspondent David Morgan moderates a panel of experts from Harvard School of Public Health

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:31:23 PM
From our panel with Harvard School of Public Health - Bob Blendon: this is no status quo election for healthcare reform law, but vote was a clear rejection of changing Medicare

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:34:41 PM
Blendon: Republicans still don't need to expand or fund the Affordable Care Act, a major implication for uninsured in 30 states with Republican governors

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:36:15 PM
John McDonough says the important issue is that the law moves forward and survives. In the administration, he says we'll see a number of rules and regulations come down. He adds that in Congress we'll see some of the law's funding on the table.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:38:10 PM
McDonough: Elections represented third survival challenge for Obama's healthcare law, looming U.S. fiscal cliff and other challenges may still reshape it considerably

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:39:17 PM
McDonough says there is a possibility that we'll see a larger national exchange, even if that was not the intent of the people who designed the law.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:40:01 PM
McDonough: Medicaid could become hyper-politicized as never before, as states weigh whether to expand the program or not

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:40:24 PM
Baicker points out that the U.S. knows how to expand healthcare coverage, but the question on how to influence spending is "thornier."

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:42:14 PM
Baicker: We need to address deficit issues like those posed by Medicare, before we "end up like Greece" #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:43:11 PM
First question from a cardiologist on why the U.S. healthcare system is taxing innovation. In this case, medical devices.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:49:23 PM
McDonough says the medical device tax is one of the ways the law raises revenue within the healthcare industry. #electionhealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:53:31 PM
The medical device tax has been one of the hallmarks of GOP opposition to the ACA. This summer, the Republican-led House repealed the tax. That effort, however, stalled. Here's Reuters's story: reut.rs

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:55:24 PM
Question from online audience: How much do Americans understand their benefits, has that improved with this election? Blendon says, very little #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:56:07 PM
Morgan asks Blendon about Ryan's Medicare proposal, and whether it could succeed in the future. #electionhealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 3:57:39 PM
Blendon: You will see a Ryan-type Medicare proposal re-emerge after this presidential term after Republicans saw it didn't cost them votes #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 3:58:54 PM
Baicker says she hopes the underlying idea of Ryan's plan doesn't die and reemerges at some point. #ElectionHealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:01:15 PM
@DMorganReuters asks, do we now need laws to control healthcare costs? #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 4:04:47 PM
The Medicare/voucher idea has been around for a two decades, but it still faces hurdles. Here's @DMorganReuters story: reut.rs

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:06:22 PM
Baicker: U.S. healthcare costs so much more, and outcomes not necessarily better than other countries. Not clear to me how effective ACA efforts to cut costs will be #electionhealth

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 4:06:53 PM
Epstein: Cutting costs will take experimentation and alternatives to fee for service. We will also likely leverage off state based health exchanges to bring down costs, as we have seen in Massachusetts

by michele.gershberg 11/8/2012 4:08:35 PM
Online question: What about VA benefits? Will they be changed? McDonough says, "Not at all." #ElectionHealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:14:48 PM
In banter, Blendon suggests that there may be some deal sacrificing IPAB for money to set up a federal insurance exchange. #electionhealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:19:53 PM
That money, according to McDonough, will have to come through the Republican-controlled House. #ElectionHealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:20:44 PM
A cardiac surgeon asks why Obama never sat down with the "purveyors of very high-cost healthcare." McDonough says it did happen, and continues to.

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:24:16 PM
Baicker said it's also hard to ask people: How much do you do that is worthwhile?

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:24:59 PM
New online question from Romania: Do you think the Obama administration should intensify efforts to lower medical bills? #ElectionHealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:25:54 PM
Baicker says US can't undermine future health gains (reducing profit), but still get people the care they need. #ElectionHealth

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:27:49 PM
Remember that you can follow all of Reuters's healthcare coverage online at reut.rs and on Twitter at @Reuters_Health!

by Andrew.seaman 11/8/2012 4:30:11 PM

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The 2012 election results and healthcare

The Forum at Harvard School of Public Health hosts policy experts to explore the implications of the 2012 election for the healthcare system.

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