It All Starts with the Kids
“As I look back over my life, I realize a few things about a lifetime of being overweight.”
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.
Business Compliance Episode No. 1: 1….2…..3….How the Healthcare Law Changed the Definition of Counting and Small Business
Since 2009, I’ve given more than 800 presentations in Louisiana alone on healthcare reform and cost trends. Almost all of these were to business audiences, whose benefit offerings have been drastically affected by healthcare reform.
REJECTING INSURANCE’S JUMBLE OF JARGON
Straight Talk denizen Mike Bertaut is taking a break this week and letting his editors speak about a project close to their hearts – clear communication.
WHY YOU NEED US TO KEEP A STRONG SAFETY NET
The trickle started slowly, with just a couple of relatives.
On Aug. 28, 2005, I, my wife and our three kids began to get some company. First, we had the five of us plus a mother-in-law. Then, my brother-in-law, his wife and two more kids came to stay. Then, the brother-in-law’s wife’s sister, her husband and her grandmother showed up. Then, the brother-in-law’s wife’s sister’s husband’s parents, grandparents, sister and family arrived. They just kept coming until there were 23 of them! People I had never met before had filled our house. We didn’t turn anyone away. I’ve lived in Louisiana my entire life, all 54 years, and that’s how we do it here. This is Our Home.
Policy Points No. 2: Medicare for All
Blue Cross is looking at the public healthcare policy statements presidential candidates are making and Straight Talk’s Mike Bertaut will shed some light on the realities of some of these policies from his own perspective.
Quality in Healthcare: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Since Americans are spending vast amounts of their personal income on healthcare nowadays, it seems like a good time to start talking about the steps we are taking here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to improve it.