Health overhaul raises regulators' profiles, confuses consumers

Modern Healthcare's 2010 list of the sector's most powerful players is out, and because of the health law, regulators in usually lower-profile federal agencies have carved out places near the top of the roster for the second year in a row. The magazine reports, "Carolyn Clancy, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, stood at No. 31 on the list three years ago. This year, just as in 2009, she holds the No. 7 spot. Clancy's clout has risen with the agency, which was created 20 years ago to support and conduct healthcare outcomes research." Donald Berwick, a regular list-maker because of his work leading the nonprofit Institute for Healthcare Improvement, ranked number 13, though he was formally appointed to lead the federal Medicare agency after the rankings were finalized (Vesely, 8/23).

Speaking of regulators, Kaiser Health News highlights one policy change that will take effect next year, but that many may have overlooked. "Under the new health care overhaul law, doctors who refer Medicare and Medicaid patients to in-house imaging machines must disclose in writing that they own the equipment. They'll also have to tell their patients they can get the services elsewhere, and provide a list of 10 alternative sites within 25 miles." The rule reflects growing criticism over the practice of physicians purchasing their own costly scanning equipment and whether such investments lead to excess diagnostic testing (Galewitz, 8/23).

State regulators and lawmakers will also do some overhaul heavy-lifting. In California, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, " [t]he Legislature has until the end of the month to pass or reject several key health bills, making this week a turning point for some reforms related to the new federal health law. Among the measures heading for a final floor vote are bills that would regulate health insurance rates and set up an 'exchange' through which consumers would buy insurance under the federal law" (Colliver, 8/23).

Meanwhile, citizens - read, 'voters' - remained confused about the legislation, according to a Reuters report. "Julia Wood, a 51-year-old mother of 12 from Chicago's East side, has some health insurance through a state program -- but is so worried she may lose it she asks not to give her real name. Like millions of Americans, she is waiting for healthcare reform legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in March to take effect. But like millions of Americans, she is not sure what it will do for her." Monthly Thomson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index surveys show the public is increasingly pessimistic about their health care future (Steenhuysen, 8/23).