Managed competition backed despite questions

Article Abstract:

The National Governors Assn has endorsed a health care reform plan based on managed care. The plan would include managed competition, statewide purchasing, a basic group of benefits and taxation on extra benefits. The group failed to endorse annual price caps on health care and a plan to require businesses to provide insurance to their employees. The Congressional Budget Office researched managed health care competition and concluded that while it might insure 15-20 million uninsured Americans, the best way to control health care costs would be through a single-payer plan operated by the government.

Planning, Reports, Social policy, Health care reform, United States. Congressional Budget Office, National Governors' Association

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Friend or foe? Rural doctors unsure

Article Abstract:

Rural physicians have mixed views over the benefits of medical services provided using electronic telecommunications networks or 'telemedicine'. The experience of telemedicine systems in KS has proved to save money and has cut down on the number of emergency calls required by physicians. Many rural physicians are skeptical about the quality of services provided by telemedicine and some fear it represents an effort by urban medical centers to steal rural patients.

Telecommunications, Telephone Communication, Economic aspects, Services, Internet, Telecommunications industry, Physicians, Medical professions, Technology application

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The bottom line

Article Abstract:

Telemedicine, the electronic transfer of medical information, can make it possible to assess rural patients without moving them to a medical center, but equipment costs are high. Most insurance companies and Medicare appear reluctant to pay for such devices as radiological units that transfer CT scans to a central location for analysis. Nevertheless, about 60 networks are expected to be in operation by the end of 1995.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing, Prepackaged software, Software Publishers, Facsimile Equipment, Communications Software NEC, Usage, Medicine, Telecommunications systems, Telecommunications software, Fax equipment, Rural health services, Facsimile transmission

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