Berwick upbeat as ACO reg moves through review

CQ HealthBeat reports on the progress of the much-anticipated final rule for accountable care organizations. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Mirror reports on state progress regarding its state-based health exchange.

CQ HealthBeat: Berwick Not Blue About ACOs Despite Beat Down of Proposed Reg
The accountable care organization proposal issued earlier this year by Medicare officials was slammed hard from all sides and even labeled "unworkable" by one top hospital industry official. But that hasn't left Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Donald M. Berwick feeling downhearted about the potential of ACOs to streamline care. The final version of the regulation begins is now being cleared by the White House Office of Management and Budget (Reichard, 10/11).

The Connecticut Mirror: Health Insurance Exchange Board Searching For CEO, Quickly
Wanted: Educated, experienced senior-level manager to develop and run a key piece of health care reform. Must pass muster with the governor and, preferably, be willing to start work early next year. Those are the basic qualifications to become the first chief executive officer of the state's health insurance exchange, a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to buy health insurance that will launch by 2014. Legislation this year established the exchange as a quasi-public agency (Levin Becker, 10/11).