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First Edition: April 8, 2011

Today's headlines include stories tracking the partisan negotiations surrounding a current-year spending bill. Currently at an impasse, the differences between the GOP and Democrats as well as the White House surrounds more than just the total dollar figure attached to spending cuts. It also involves controversial "policy riders." Meanwhile, without resolution, a government shutdown is just hours away.

8 Apr 2011

House Panel approves Ryan 2012 budget blueprint on party-line vote

The GOP budget proposal's Medicare provisions continue to draw scrutiny and debate about what the program's future should look like, how the plan would change senior citizens' health care costs and what its political implications might be.

8 Apr 2011

Though Congressional leaders cite progress, current-year spending deal still in play

If lawmakers fail to reach agreement on the 2011 budget, the government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Federal agencies have contingency plans in place in the event this happens. Media outlets report that Medicare and Medicaid would operate normally in the short run. Meanwhile, considerable discussion continues regarding what the political fallout will be and whether the public will hold Democrats or Republicans accountable.

8 Apr 2011

Study highlights transitional care importance in health reform

A new study, conducted by Ellen Kurtzman, R.N., M.P.H., FAAN, assistant research professor in the GW School of Nursing, and colleagues, published in the April 2011 issue of Health Affairs, highlights the importance of transitional care in reaching the goals of health reform, and provides evidence-based strategies to guide its implementation.

7 Apr 2011

Senate approves measure to repeal health law's 1099 reporting provision

The Senate on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to repeal the health care law's 1099 tax-reporting provision, ending nearly a year's worth of efforts to do away with one of its most unpopular requirements. The repeal measure, which passed the House last month, now goes to President Obama for his signature.

7 Apr 2011

State roundup: Report urges Mass. city employees to pay more health costs

Officially, Minnesota doesn't pay for an intensive type of autism therapy. Yet it has -- but only for some families. Two years ago, a single mother in the Twin Cities asked the state Medicaid program to pay for an intensive type of autism therapy for her 2-year-old son. She was turned down. State officials said the treatment -- known as Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA -- is "not now, and never has been,'' a covered service.

6 Apr 2011

CAPP introduces new initiative on accountable care for public

The Council of Accountable Physician Practices, an affiliate of the American Medical Group Association, today announced a new initiative to provide the public, media, and policymakers with resources and information about the value of care coordination and accountable care to national health care reform.

5 Apr 2011

Mont., Conn. Govs want public option; Texas Gov. Perry opposes health insurance exchange

Three states have very different views on what they should do about the health reform law.

5 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: 'Saving' Medicare; Dole on innovative vets' care; Texas 'death panel' on HIV?

(Rep. Paul) Ryan's plan reportedly will include steep Medicaid cuts, disguised as a proposal to turn the program into a "block grant" to the states. The net effect would be to leave even more Americans to the mercies of the private insurance market.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

Lack of doctors accepting Medicaid could complicate health overhaul

As pressure mounts on state Medicaid budgets, the New York Times examines whether the programs can handle the influx expected under the new health law. And The Hill looks at the latest waivers awarded by the administration for insurance plans that don't meet the requirements of the law.

4 Apr 2011

GOP budget would aim to cut up to $4 trillion

As Republicans gear up to present their 2012 budget proposal, it has been revealed that the new budget would cut more than $4 trillion from federal spending projected over the next decade and transform the Medicare health program for the elderly.

3 Apr 2011

Courtroom action: June 8 will mark important date for health law

That's the day when oral arguments will be held regarding the Obama administration's 11th Circuit appeal of the ruling in the multi-state challenge to the health overhaul.

2 Apr 2011

House panel approves bills to limit health law funding

The House Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee has approved five bills that aim to limit the HHS secretary's spending authority under the health reform law and also subject some of the statute's mandatory spending to the annual appropriations process.

2 Apr 2011

Some local thoughts on ACOs

A Minneapolis hospital and California physician group association react to the ACO regulations.

1 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

In hearings Friday, some of my former congressional colleagues are due to explore the operations of the AARP, the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Americans age 50 and older. Specifically, the hearing is to examine the group's tax status, evaluating it in view of its management structure and funding.

1 Apr 2011

Roundup: Fla. moves closer to Medicaid overhaul; Abortion provisions advance in Va., Kan. and Iowa

The Florida House on Thursday approved a statewide proposal to shift Medicaid beneficiaries into managed-care plans. ... Supporters said the plan would improve care for Medicaid beneficiaries, reduce widespread fraud and control costs in the $20 billion program.

1 Apr 2011

Research roundup: Patient's income and electronic health records; high deductible plans; raising Medicare age

Healthcare Spending And Preventive Care In High-Deductible And Consumer-Directed Health Plans - Authors analyzed data from more than 800,000 families insured during 2004 and 2005 through one of 53 large employers in U.S., about half offering the high-deductible or consumer-directed plans.

1 Apr 2011

Good and bad news about retiree health care

While the AP reports that the outlook is improving for retirees who wonder if they will be able to pay their medical bills, Politico notes that the health law's early retiree health program is about to run out of money.

1 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 1, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage helps fill in the details of the much-anticipated rule for accountable care organizations, which was released yesterday by the Obama administration.

1 Apr 2011