Straight Talk to Video
Blue Cross Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut is on the road, on the job and around Louisiana. Now is your chance to follow along, as he brings the Straight Talk to you and your fellow Louisianians in our new series of videos.
Author: Michael Bertaut Healthcare Economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) is a Certified Health Consultant and Professional of the Academy of Healthcare Management. He has more than 30 years of analytical experience in the healthcare, telecom and retail industry sectors. On the ground in D.C. when the healthcare reform law (PPACA) was written, Michael has taken part in more than 1,100 public discussions on healthcare costs and the impact of reform since 2009. Mike is a fellow of the Academy of Applied Politics at Louisiana State University, and author of this Hermes Award winning healthcare blog. Michael earned his MBA and BA from Louisiana State University and just celebrated his 35th year as a cancer survivor.
Michael is recognized as a national commentator on healthcare reform, quoted in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and state and local publications. He is a regular guest on the Talk Louisiana radio show.
Single Payer? Medicare For All? Exchange Failures?
I once heard a radio host say “Dreaming is important. But to do my job, I HAVE to be the mayor of Real Ville!”
Straight Talk Podcast, Episode 2
You Get What You Pay For
Listen to Mike tell it Straight! Our Straight Talk podcast series brings you the latest information and updates on healthcare reform, costs & quality. Today, we are focusing on costs.
When a ‘Bailout’ Isn’t a ‘Bailout’
When a “Bailout” Isn’t a “Bailout”:
I really enjoy Twitter. Just a few days ago, after I tweeted about a particular federal program that helps poor people pay for their health insurance, I got this response above.
Healthcare Reform 2.0: What Do the New Proposals Mean?
A few months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Healthcare Act (AHCA). The bill next went to the Senate, which created several of its own bills, including the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). While these bills are not actively being debated as I write this, they are far from dead, as is the “repeal and replace” debate, which still rages.
Musings on the “NEW” Healthcare Bills Part 2: ACA Winners and Losers
Last week, we began trying to explain why these new “Repeal and/or Replace” healthcare bills are so prominent in the political universe and so important right now. We began that discussion with a short history lesson on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA), and now we know that a massive re-regulation and federalization of the individual health insurance market was the root of the opposition who are now trying to pass the current healthcare bills.