Health Care Costs

I was flabbergasted by Stanley Glinka's recent letter criticizing President Obama's performance in office ("Obama made U.S. weaker, more vulnerable," Oct. 31). He obviously lives in a different country than the rest of us. Let me point out that over the last 32 years the White House has been occupied for 20 years by Republicans and 12 years by Democrats, counting President Obama's first term. So I marvel during this campaign season at how, according to the Republicans, all the nation's problems supposedly begin and end with President Obama.

You might not have received your open enrollment package yet, but you probably know what to expect: Higher premiums. More out-of-pocket costs. Enticements to participate in wellness programs. This may be the last predictable open-enrollment season. Next fall, open enrollment will incorporate the changes from the Affordable Care Act, which takes full effect in 2014. "We will see a lot of change for 2014," said Melissa Jimeno, a principal in the Baltimore office of benefits consultant Mercer.

Tuesday, Sept. 18 Author appearance Bob Duggan, Tai Sophia Institute co-founder and author, will discuss and sign his book, "Breaking the Iron Triangle: Reducing Health-Care Costs in Corporate America," at 6:30 p.m. at 7750 Montpelier Road in Laurel. Information: 410-888-9048 or tai.edu . Wednesday, Sept. 19 Meeting Chapter 1734 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meets at Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, at 10 a.m. Light refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. Guest speaker is John Sarbanes.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Departing from an economic message that has dominated the Republican National Convention, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris used an address to state party leaders here today to focus instead on how to deal with federal budget deficits and government spending. That theme will play heavily in Tampa as Republicans work to fire up delegates for tonight's speech by vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee. As part of that effort, Ryan's brother, Tobin, is also meeting with state delegations and spoke briefly to Maryland's.

Are government employee pension funds across the country facing a painful reckoning, asks The New York Times? Absolutely. But guess what? Realistic funding of employee pension systems is only one of the fiscal time bombs that governments must address in a serious manner. The cost of employee health care is also placing governments in a fiscally untenable position. The one-two punch of pension and health care costs are threatening a knockout against government's already weakened ability to maintain services without raising taxes.

At $2 per pack, Maryland has one of the highest cigarette taxes in the nation - and has reaped considerable benefits from it. With every tobacco tax increase over the last 13 years, smoking rates in the state have declined, not only among children but with adults, too. That's not only been good for the budget - the cigarette tax accounts for nearly $400 million in revenue annually for the state or 90 percent of all the tobacco- and alcohol-related taxes...

About 60 percent of the doctor practices that are participating in a special patient-oriented program from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield have save on health care costs and improved care, the insurer said Thursday. Those were the goals of the patient-centered medical hom e iniitative, according to CareFirst, which launched the program in January 2011 as the state was forming its own similar program. The practices earned increased reimbursements from CareFirst based on the savings they achieved against the projected care costs for 2011 for the insurer's members.

In response to Ritu Agarwal's commentary ("The high cost of waiting," June 1): While it can be frustrating to wait in a doctor's office, Ms. Argarwal fails to consider several important factors affecting the promptness of being seen at an appointed time. Doctors don't "run behind" just because they feel like it; falling behind schedule is stressful to the doctor and staff as well as the patient. There are legitimate reasons for falling behind schedule, including, but not limited to: true emergencies (a tooth knocked out on the playground)

It's Healthy Maryland Week, according to Gov. Martin O'Malley. The week, which runs from Mary 29-June 3, encourages residents to become more healthy through exercise, better food choices and preventive care. The O'Malley administration is holding various events to highlight health and wellness along with the Coalition for a Healthy Maryland, a group of businesses and nonprofits that support health initatives. “Today, we're here to kick off a week's worth of events to get the word out about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, and the resources and opportunities available in every community to live a healthy lifestyle,” said O'Malley on Tuesday at Truxtun Park's Roger W. “Pip” Moyer Recreations Center to proclaim the week.

MedStar Health , among the largest health systems in the state, is entering the increasingly crowded urgent care market with its first facility on York Road. A ribbon cutting is planned for May 30. The MedStar system currently operates nine hospitals, including Union Memorial Hospital, Franklin Square Medical Center, Harbor Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in the Baltimore area. It also operate nursing homes and doctors' offices in the Maryland and Washington region. The new facility at 6317 York Road is called PromptCare, and aims to treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries such as minor burns, back strains, ear and eye infections, flu symptoms and allergic reactions.