Health reform update: Transparency hot, state mandates not
March 3rd, 2008 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Washington — Many states enacted modest health coverage expansions in 2007, but gloomy budget forecasts will continue to make it tough for them to adopt more expensive, comprehensive health reforms.
Three major state reform trends continued or developed in 2007, said Susan Laudicina, one of the authors of a recent BlueCross BlueShield Assn. report on health legislation. States continue to adopt bills expanding access to public health programs and legislation making private insurance more affordable or flexible. Ten states also adopted transparency bills, most of which required hospitals to disclose medical errors and infection rates.