Sg2 Commentary of Tom Daschle's Book

There was an excellent commentary of Tom Daschle's book posted by Dr. Edward Winslow on the Sg2 Website (free registration required) this week.

Normally, the book of any politician is of minimal interest. However, given that Tom Daschle will be heading HHS and his book's co-author will likely be deputy director, this book may give us a sneak peek of what US healthcare will look like in the coming years.

Here is the first paragraph of Dr. Winslow's commentary:

In February 2008, former US Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) published Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis (Thomas Dunne Books 2008). In November, President-elect Obama selected Daschle to head the Department of Health and Human Services. He also proposed that Jeanne Lambrew (Daschle's co-author) be the deputy director. As HHS Secretary Daschle will be a powerful influence in health care for at least the near future. Because of this, prudent Sg2 members and staff will need to develop some familiarity with the ideas in his book. Any reform plans will of course need to pass both houses of Congress and the desk of President Obama. However, if the proposals in this book are realized, we will see some significant changes. Of particular interest to our members are:

• A larger federal health bureaucracy with a larger role in care decisions
• Limitations on the use of medicines and technologies that will be reimbursed
• Greater uniformity in health insurance coverage

Readers of this blog are strongly encouraged to go to this article at the Sg2 Website where they will also find commentary of how these changes may impact those of us that work in healthcare.

Sg2 markets itself as a healthcare intelligence company. Registered users of their website will find a wealth of other resources covering various service lines. I recommend you register with your work email. If your organization happens to have a relationship with Sg2, you will also gain access to other resources normally restricted to the public.