Author Archives
Mark Smith has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the California HealthCare Foundation, an independent philanthropy, since its formation in 1996.
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JAMA Forum: States and Health Care Reform—Laboratory, Stepping Stone, or Stumbling Block?
“All politics is local” is a maxim coined by Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and most people probably think that’s a good thing and a key feature of our democracy. And, of course, most… Read More ›
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JAMA Forum: To Serve Patients Better and Lower Costs of Care, Respect End-of-Life Wishes
The election debate has focused on warring narratives about whose approach to reforming Medicare is more harmful, as Democrats and Republicans promote competing solutions to lower Medicare spending. But outside of Washington, there is general agreement on one way to… Read More ›
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JAMA Forum: How Can Medicaid Succeed After Absorbing Millions of New Enrollees?
The term “Obamacare,” once derisive, has now been embraced by the President, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is likely to be an important issue in the upcoming election. Since the Supreme Court ruling surprised nearly everyone and struck down… Read More ›
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JAMA Forum: The Supreme Court’s Medicaid Surprise
Most of the considerable speculation about how the US Supreme Court would rule on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) focused on the fate of the individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Few predicted… Read More ›
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JAMA Forum — Tea Leaves Are for Drinking: Health Reform After the Supreme Court Ruling
At dinner parties, on a plane, and at the ball park, I get the same question: “Will the Supreme Court strike down health care reform?” I give the same response. In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s tough to make… Read More ›
