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Bruce Japsen

bjapsen

Bruce Japsen is a veteran health care journalist. In addition to his columns for Motley Fool, he is a regular contributor to Forbes and is the author of the new book, "Inside Obamacare: The Fix for the Nation's Ailing Health Care System," which is part of Forbes' signature series of ebooks this year. He is also a regular contributor to the New York Times, Chicago Medicine magazine, and Life Matters Media. He contributes analysis on the Affordable Care Act and other health care topics for CBS’ WBBM in Chicago, PBS affiliate WTTW's Chicago Tonight and Fox News' Forbes on Fox, among other radio and TV outlets. He teaches at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Iowa Journalism School's Masters in Strategic Communication program.

Recent Articles by Bruce Japsen

Mar 16, 2015 by Bruce Japsen

The $136 Billion Cost of Hepatitis C Treatment

Expensive hepatitis C pills will account for 1 in every 10 dollars spend on prescription drugs in the U.S. by 2019 or $136 billion over five years, according to a new study by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Mar 4, 2015 by Bruce Japsen

Health Insurers Poised to Profit on Value-Based Care

Insurance companies are pushing more aggressively than ever away from paying doctors and hospitals with fees for service, and that means more revenue left on the table.

Feb 7, 2015 by Bruce Japsen

Hospitals Warn Of "Death Spiral" if SCOTUS Strips Obamacare Subsidies

The hospital industry is closely watching the U.S. Supreme Court case King v. Burwell, which could strip subsidies from millions of Americans to buy health insurance and trigger a spike in uncompensated hospital care costs.

Jan 21, 2015 by Bruce Japsen

Medicare Chief Says Insurer Advantage Plans Improving in 2015

A star rating system for health plans that provide Medicare benefits to the elderly has gradually improved the quality of insurers providing coverage for seniors as well as the bottom lines and stocks of companies that score well.

Jan 12, 2015 by Bruce Japsen

SCOTUS Ruling Against Obamacare Subsidies Could Cost Insurers 10 Million Customers

The U.S. Supreme Court, which is slated to hear a case as early as next month on the legality of subsidies awarded to Americans who purchased health coverage on the federally run marketplace, could take millions of customers away from the biggest names in health insurance.

Dec 29, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

5 Prescriptions for $1 Billion in Cost Cuts at Walgreen

Walgreen this week completes its acquisition of European drugstore chain Alliance Boots, in a deal that involves a commitment to slash expenses as part of a global expansion plan.

Dec 21, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Drug Giants Face $65 Billion in Lost Sales as Insurers Attack Patents

Expiring patents on major brand name drugs, particularly bipolar treatments and other prescriptions for central nervous system disorders, may cost $65 billion in lost sales by 2019, a new study shows.

Dec 4, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Consumer Health Spending a Welcome Wrinkle for Allergan-Actavis Deal

With consumer spending on "descrtionary items" like elective healthcare procedures, treatments and products on the rise, the combined Actavis and Allergan with its portfolio of cosmetic drugs like Botox will benefit.

Dec 2, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Health Insurers Need Doctors To Hold Onto Medicaid Pay Raise

A pay raise of more than 70 percent for doctors who treat Medicaid patients is in jeopardy come Jan. 1, 2015, which could have a negative impact on provider networks for health plans contracting with the federal-state health insurance program for poor Americans.

Oct 28, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

As It Turns Out, Employers Contained Obamacare Costs So Far

A new report shows privately insured spending grew just 3.9% in 2013, in a sign that health plans are better controlling costs with usage of medical care services offsetting higher prices.

Oct 17, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Doctors Fear Market Clout of Insurers as ACA Pads Enrollment

A new report from the American Medical Association shows certain health plans expanding their market share, but insurance companies say this has allowed them to increase patient choice.

Oct 6, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

5.7 Billion Reasons Hospital Third-Quarter Profits Look Good

Hospital companies and their investors could benefit as expenses fall from fewer unpaid medical bills from formerly uninsured Americans now covered by Medicaid or private insurance under the Affordable Care Act

Sep 22, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

5 Reasons Why Walgreen Company Won't Kick the Habit

As Walgreen Co. consolidates its operations with European pharmacy chain Alliance Boots, it's under pressure to cut costs, so investors shouldn't expect it to stop selling tobacco products anytime soon.

Sep 7, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Medicare Spending Is Slowing: $9 Billion Windfall for Taxpayers

Some supririsng news about how spending is slowing in the Medicare program, which is a sign reforms woven into the Affordable Care Act and accountable care strategies from insurers with Medicare Advantage plans is working

Aug 17, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

The $168 Billion Obamacare Windfall Many Hospitals Are Missing

For-profit hospital operators are doing well thanks to the Affordable Care Act; but they could be doing even better if half the states in the U.S. would take the federal boon of Medicaid dollars, and expand this health insurance for poor Americans.

Aug 5, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Insurers Are Managing Obamacare Costs So Far

With the first six months of manaing health benefits for newly insured customers under the Affordable Care Act under their belts, health insurance company CEOs are effectively managing the costs but are proceeding with caution

Jul 19, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Why Hospital CEOs Are Impatiently Waiting for the Obamacare Bump

Though for-profit hospital chains have been dogged by deteriorating patient admissions in recent quarters due to the stagnant economy, a boost in newly insured patients is on the way. Growth will be slow and gradual.

Jul 4, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

Who Benefits in This Crucial Obamacare Market?

Dip In Uninsured, Fluid Signups Boost Health Plans With Medicaid Business

Jun 27, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

How Accountable Care Is Transforming U.S. Healthcare

Health insurance companies are disclosing more information about just how big their bets are when it comes to converting payments to doctors and hospitals away from fee-for-service medicine to the new order of value-based medical care, which emphasizes transparency and quality

Jun 15, 2014 by Bruce Japsen

The End Of Doctor Medicaid Pay Raise Could Hurt Health Plans

If Congress doesn't continue Medicaid Pay Raise to Medicaid Level, Doctors may stop treating patients and leave health plan networks.

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