May 2008 Health Care News

The May 2008 issue of Health Care News reports on efforts in San Francisco and by the Democratic presidential candidates to require individuals to carry health insurance. On page 1 of this issue:

• To get a health insurance reform passed by his state legislature, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richard was forced to compromise on his desire for an individual insurance mandate.

• A coalition of Massachusetts community organizations, nonprofits, insurers, and health care providers is asking the state government to regulate the marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies.

• Legislation that would radically alter Washington's health care system is currently being debated in the state Senate.

• Customers have been asking financial institutions for Health Savings Accounts, and banks and credit unions are beginning to respond.

Also in this issue: online physician evaluation, health savings accounts, the failure of government health care reform, a new excerpt from the Handbook on State Health Care Reform, and more.