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Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

Last week, in the largest nationwide bust of its kind ever, more than 700 federal agents fanned out from Miami to Los Angeles and rounded up 111 doctors, nurses, physical therapists and health company executives in nine cities.

25 Feb 2011

HHS issues home health grants to states

In other Medicaid news, the Obama administration has dispatched experts to go into the field to help budget-strapped states find ways to save money on the health insurance program for the poor.

24 Feb 2011

Opponents of med-mal reform settle on new argument

Trial lawyers and consumer advocates are trotting out a novel argument as they fight off tort reform proposals: they say medical malpractice suits, rather than driving over-use of costly tests by risk-averse doctors, instead prevent rationing.

24 Feb 2011

Viewpoints: GOP's 'war' on family planning; state workers' health costs; health law already hurting U.S.

A bill passed by the Republican-controlled House last week would cut $75 million in funding to Planned Parenthood that is spent for family planning assistance.

24 Feb 2011

ISCTM 7th annual meeting to discuss drug development based on amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease

Continuing in their mission to promote advances in the development and use of CNS therapeutic agents, the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM) met February 21, 2011 in Washington, D.C. to discuss one of the most important issues facing the field today.

23 Feb 2011

Government showdown looms as budget battles continue

And as lawmakers attempt to find a middle path, issues continue to bubble up surrounding health reform implementation, as well as how and if these efforts will be funded.

23 Feb 2011

House votes to defund Planned Parenthood

On the same day as the House vote, the White House narrowed a Bush administration rule that allows medical providers to refuse to perform abortions.

22 Feb 2011

New report identifies risks linked with privacy and security breaches in health care

A new report, "Privacy and Security in Health Care: A Fresh Look," released today by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, identifies the risks associated with privacy and security breaches in health care.

22 Feb 2011

Wisconsin workers say they agree to pay more for health benefits

In Wisconsin, public workers are continuing their protests about Gov. Scott Walker's proposal, supported by Republican legislators, to strip collective bargaining rights from the union, news outlets are reporting.

22 Feb 2011

Opeds: Leavitt on HHS secretary's power; entitlements and fed budget; health threat of Wisc. 'showdown'

If I may, as a former HHS secretary, offer a suggestion to the current secretary, it would be this: Use these expanded discretionary powers to grant states and the private sector more flexibility and more autonomy.

19 Feb 2011

House Republicans begin work to defund health law

On Capitol Hill, government spending is the hot topic. House Republicans look to save money by defunding the new health law, and some members of the Senate are examining ways to cut entitlements.

19 Feb 2011

Research roundup: Racial disparities in hospital readmissions; evaluating home oxygen costs; Medicare funding hurdles

Thirty-Day Readmission Rates For Medicare Beneficiaries By Race And Site of Care - Using national Medicare data on 30-day readmissions after hospitalizations for heart attack, congestive heart failure and pneumonia, the authors report that "black patients had 13% higher odds of all-cause 30-day readmission than white patients.

19 Feb 2011

HHS approves Medicaid expansion for Minnesota

Gov. Mark Dayton's plan to expand the state's Medicaid rolls by 95,000 people has been approved by federal authorities, his office said Thursday. The move, which begins March 1, will provide health insurance to 12,000 low-income adults who previously were uninsured, and broader coverage at lower cost to another 83,000 who received care under two state-funded programs, MinnesotaCare and General Assistance Medical Care (2/17).

19 Feb 2011

Ashford University introduces Bachelor of Arts in Health Education degree

Ashford University, an academic institution owned by Bridgepoint Education, has just introduced its Bachelor of Arts in Health Education degree. This program is positioned to support students seeking employment in the ever-expanding health care industry.

18 Feb 2011

In battle against health law, hard-liners advise GOP lawmakers not to 'fix it'

A Republican strategy firm urged GOP lawmakers to stand firm against the measure, and to only take action if affected industries "endorse full repeal."

18 Feb 2011

Viewpoints: Arizona's waiver; next gen's 'different' Medicare?; individual mandate's constitutionality

There may be no federal obstacles to cutting 250,000 people out of AHCCCS, part of Gov. Jan Brewer's budget proposal. But there are compelling reasons to avoid such a drastic step if at all possible. And it's possible.

17 Feb 2011

Health law, budget plans examined, defended during Capitol Hill hearings

Across the Hill, oversight hearings were held to review specific provisions of the new health law and related waivers. In addition, administration officials took questions about some specifics within the president's budget blueprint. And the House Judiciary Committee approved a medical malpractice reform bill.

17 Feb 2011