Drew Altman

The cost of health care is going up much faster than people's wages. Families are paying about (on average) $1,000 read more

The cost of health care is going up much faster than people's wages. Families are paying about (on average) $1,000 more now just for health care premiums than they were five years ago.

The positive drum beat has caught up with the negative one. But on an individual basis, most seniors still can't read more

The positive drum beat has caught up with the negative one. But on an individual basis, most seniors still can't answer the big question: 'What does it mean for me?

The point is that when they talk about quality of health care, patients mean something entirely different than experts do. read more

The point is that when they talk about quality of health care, patients mean something entirely different than experts do. They're not talking about numbers or outcomes but about their own human experience, which is a combination of cost, paperwork and what I'll call the hassle factor, the impersonal nature of the care.

A substantial number of beneficiaries are already enrolled, but a lot turns on what those who are on the fence read more

A substantial number of beneficiaries are already enrolled, but a lot turns on what those who are on the fence decide to do between now and May 15. If they stay out for now, some could face financial penalties down the road if they later change their mind.

There are lots of things on the table, but there's nothing that will have a significant impact on the rate read more

There are lots of things on the table, but there's nothing that will have a significant impact on the rate of increase of health care costs.