Stacie Beck

Delaware Health Care Initiative Main points by Dr. Stacie Beck, CRI Board Member John Toedtman, CRI Advisory Council Member January 6, 2019     Delaware is besieged by runaway health care prices.   According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Delaware ranks 3 rd among the states in health care expenditures per capita. Delaware ranks 4 th in hospital adjusted expenses per day and 2 nd in mail order prescription drugs per capita.   The State ranks 3 rd in Medicaid physician fees relative to...

Costs in any market, including health care, are reduced by raising productivity. The best way to achieve this is to release the forces of competition inherent in free markets. Proposed reforms of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) seek to do this on the demand side by incentivizing patients/consumers to shop for the best and lowest-priced care via, i.e., health savings accounts (HSAs) and cross-state-border sales of health insurance. However, less attention has been paid to supply-side...

When we plan a home renovation or car repair, typically we call a few businesses who give us estimates either over the phone or in person. Sometimes these initial consultations are free, other times there is a charge, but at least we know what to expect. We understand that additional problems may be found and we expect to be consulted on any additional charges that may result. Why can’t we do this with a hip replacement? Or an ankle X-ray? Or any other non-emergency medical care?   The US...