The idea that moving fee-for-service payments closer to commercial rates would save taxpayers money or lead to “fiscal sustainability” is absurd on its face. It would actually sharply increase Medicare payouts.

What’s driving healthcare prices higher? It’s not a greedy cabal of hospital execs. The industry has multiple cartels that are supposed to keep each other in check, but in fact engage in pseudo-negotiations that lead to higher prices on everything.

Too many people here are suffering from deteriorating social conditions that the healthcare system is ill-equipped to address.

Healthcare is dragging its feet on moving from fee-for-service to value-based medicine. Private equity firms buying up high-cost physician specialty practices will further hinder this much-needed evolution.

Lobbyists for providers have launched a lobbying blitz and “dark money” advertising campaign to weaken or scuttle bipartisan bills on balance billing in both chambers of Congress.

It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the Trump administration’s daily assaults on truth and science, not to mention the president’s compulsive divisiveness that threatens the safety of tens of millions of Americans.

To begin reversing the gun violence epidemic, we need to ban civilian ownership of assault weapons since their only use is mass murder; expand background checks; and screen gun purchasers for suicidal tendencies and the propensity to inflict harm on others.

During two nights of heated debate, Williamson was the only candidate on stage to address what is arguably the most important question facing America when it comes to health. Why are we so sick?

Here’s hoping the shocking revelation of a suburban Cincinnati hospital’s cover-up of the circumstances surrounding Neil Armstrong’s death will add new momentum to the movement for full transparency of medical errors.

If the tussle over the drug industry’s uncontrolled pricing power were a football game, you’d have to say we’re into the fourth quarter and neither Congress nor the administration has scored a point.

Societies looking to avoid future healthcare costs strive to give every child early exposure to parental and social stimulation. It’s why every country in the OECD offers paid family leave for new parents: except one.

The Trump administration’s project to undermine the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges is now complete, with its latest rule that will allow employers to funnel tax-exempt cash to employees to buy health coverage.

The road to a healthier life begins by ending the slow death caused by chronic economic insecurity.

Downsizing in healthcare will only intensify from what appear to be unstoppable technological, demographic and economic trends. Policymakers need a clear-eyed view of the underlying dynamics in order to develop an appropriate response.

Something unexpected has happened at the VA in recent years. The number of vets turning to the government-run healthcare system has risen steadily due to more demand for its specialized care. Giving them access to private-sector care hasn’t reversed the trend.