Author Archives: Larry

About Larry

In 1986, Lawrence “Larry” R. Coutts recognized the need for physicians to learn the principles of running a successful practice and with his wife and business partner, Linda L. Coutts, co-founded Nephrology News & Issues, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, to publish a monthly news journal, Nephrology News & Issues, for the “business of nephrology.” This company later became NN&I, Inc., an Arizona corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medical News & Issues, Inc., another Arizona corporation which the Coutts’ established. Their stated mission was “to provide the best professional resources for the exchange of news and ideas in health care.” In November 2001, that mission was expanded into hematology and oncology with the establishment of HON&I, Inc., to publish the business news journal, Hematology & Oncology News & Issues. IN 2002, with the support of corporate sponsors and partners, the Initiative for HOPE (Hematology and Oncology Practice Excellence) was launched to help recognize community-based cancer clinics that exhibited standards of practice excellence. In 2008, the two publications were sold as Coutts decided to devote his energies and the resources of Medical News & Issues, Inc. to addressing the problems facing his generation of health care consumers. He has a BS from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has served on the Patients Advocacy Task Force of the American Kidney Fund, and served on the Publisher’s Advisory Council of BPA International, Inc., an independent circulation audit bureau for publishers. He has been invited frequently to speak at regional and national conferences on his favorite healthcare topics.

Catholic bishops call HHS new rule “literally unconscionable”

In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim final rule  that would require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. … Continue reading

Posted in Health reform, Patients, Quality of Care | 1 Comment

Affordable Health Care for Baby-Boomers: At What Price?

On May 13, 2011, the Medicare Trustees Report was released showing that while Medicare remains solvent longer than expected prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, challenges remain for securing the long term financial health of the Medicare program. … Continue reading

Posted in End-of-life, Health reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is Rationing of Health Care Ethical?

A recent New York Times article entitled “New Kidney Transplant Policy Would Favor Younger Patients” references a proposal being considered by the nation’s organ transplant network to allocate organs in an alternative manner than the present first-come-first-served system. The article … Continue reading

Posted in End-of-life, Health reform, Patients, Quality of Care | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Health Care Repeal Vote Followed the Money

The [Senate] collectively voted in alignment with their monied interests as much as along party lines. Continue reading

Posted in Health reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If the opposite of “pro” is “con” what is the opposite of progress?

Healthcare continues to be in a state of flux. While it is unlikely that the recent vote in the House will lead to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, it is a signal to all those who rely on … Continue reading

Posted in Health reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life is a terminal condition!

It has been said that each of us will spend 80% of our total life’s health costs during the last 22 months of life. Reversing that thought would imply that unless we are less than two years from death’s door, we have yet to consume 20% of our total life health costs. Continue reading

Posted in End-of-life, Health reform, Patients, Private Payers, Quality of Care | Leave a comment

Saving lives or dollars?

The Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA stirred up a firestorm of controversy when it voted to recommend withdrawing government approval of Avastin as a treatment for advanced breast cancer. The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece entitled … Continue reading

Posted in End-of-life, Health reform, Quality of Care | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Doing the right things, right

I was always taught to do the right things. Then someone advised me that it is not enough to do the right things; but rather you must do the right things right! In my opinion, this notion needs to be … Continue reading

Posted in Health reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Healthcare: Right or Responsibility?

In my opinion, the solution to the problem of the rising cost of health care, coupled with the lack of health insurance protection, requires a new perspective on accountability. Continue reading

Posted in Health reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment