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GOP hammers "risk corridors" as bailout; Democrats worry about explaining law

Republicans are trying to tie a vote raising the debt ceiling to repealing the health law's "risk corridors," which help mitigate insurer risk. In the meantime, President Obama faces some pushback on the law's rocky rollout from his own party.

6 Feb 2014

New guideline presents recommendations for endoscopy units in prioritizing safety efforts

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued "Guidelines for safety in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit." The purpose of this new guideline is to present recommendations for endoscopy units in implementing and prioritizing safety efforts and to provide an endoscopy-specific guideline by which to evaluate endoscopy units.

6 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 5, 2014

Today's headlines include stories detailing a new Congressional Budget Office report that found 2 million people who relied on a job for health insurance will quit working, reduce their hours or stop looking for a job because of new benefits from the health law.

5 Feb 2014

For people who faced enrollment issues with healthcare.gov, appeals hearings to begin soon

But news outlets report that the computer and phone systems designed to address those appeals have yet to be launched. So far, an estimated 22,000 requests for fixes have been submitted via the mail.

5 Feb 2014

Telemedicine used at nursing homes is a viable way to reduce avoidable hospitalizations

Telemedicine used at nursing homes during hours when doctors are not typically present is a viable way to reduce avoidable hospitalizations, according to research published in February's issue of Health Affairs.

5 Feb 2014

95% of adults die annually from vaccine preventable diseases

While adults make up 95 percent of those who die annually from vaccine preventable diseases, a new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine shows their vaccination rates remain stubbornly low, representing a growing public health concern.

5 Feb 2014

Viewpoints: 'Bailout' isn't the right target for GOP; Republican senators' alternative 'looks inferior;' uninsured are not rushing to health market

Ever since the housing market collapse, nothing stokes the flames of public outrage quite like the phrase "government bailout." It's become the condemnation of choice for both parties when faced with a policy they don't like.

4 Feb 2014

State highlights: Cities, states spending nearly 32% of budgets on health care; Detroit reaches retiree health coverage agreement; NYC, Calif. back caregiver protection bills

A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, New York, California, Wisconsin, Maryland, Georgia, Colorado and Mississippi.

4 Feb 2014

GOP considers tying debt-limit deal to repeal of part of health law

House Republicans are considering linking their support for raising the national debt to a repeal of the health law's risk corridors, which helps mitigate risk for insurers. In other news, lawmakers continue to weigh proposals to change how Medicare pays doctors and the House health appropriations subcommittee gets many new Republican faces.

4 Feb 2014

New prospective payment system contributes to improved patient choice, quality of care and costs

AcademyHealth today awarded its Health Services Research (HSR) Impact Award to work that contributed to the development of a prospective payment system that contributed to improved patient choice and quality of care, and reduced costs in the treatment of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

4 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 3, 2014

Today's headlines include a range of stories about how the health law is working in different locations across the country.

3 Feb 2014

ACOs' efforts to coordinate patient care saved $380 million, Medicare officials report

In their first results of the heralded program -- which was set up in the health law -- federal officials say about half of the accountable care organizations slowed spending but few met the requirements to qualify for bonuses.

31 Jan 2014

Community leaders applaud CMS' efforts to target fraudulent activity within Medicare program

The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare — a coalition of home health providers dedicated to developing innovative reforms to improve the program integrity, quality, and efficiency of home healthcare for our nation's seniors — today commended the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for extending safeguards designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries, prevent fraudulent behavior and save taxpayer dollars.

31 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 31, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the retirement announcement by Rep. Henry Waxman and the health policy legacy he will leave behind.

31 Jan 2014

Viewpoints: Obama drops 'grand bargain' talk; Mitch Mcconnell in tough spot on health law

What didn't make the cut? ... A "grand bargain": For three years, Obama pursued a big fiscal deal that would have traded higher taxes (a Democratic goal) for cuts in long-term spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security (a Republican goal).

31 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 30, 2014

Today's headlines include stories about a new poll examining how uninsured people -- one of the groups the health law was designed to help -- view the overhaul.

30 Jan 2014

MEDNAX reports revenue growth of 20.4% to $567M in Q4 2013

MEDNAX, Inc., the national medical group specializing in neonatal, anesthesia, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology and other pediatric subspecialty physician services, today reported earnings of $0.78 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2013. MEDNAX's earnings per share data reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split that was effective December 19, 2013.

30 Jan 2014

State highlights: Will doc cuts like those in Conn. become more common?; Calif. health plans criticized over chronic condition treatment; Vt. drug addiction

A selection of health policy stories from Connecticut, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Virginia and Georgia.

30 Jan 2014

EBRT provides higher breast preservation rate in women with invasive breast cancer

Standard external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) provided a higher breast preservation rate than brachytherapy in women age 66 and older with invasive breast cancer, according to a study published in the February 1, 2014 print edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology ● Biology ● Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

30 Jan 2014

UC San Diego Health System named recipient of Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence

UC San Diego Health System is a recipient of Healthgrades' "Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence." Top performing hospitals were selected based on clinical excellence across a broad spectrum of care in specialty areas such as cardiac and neuro surgery and gastrointestinal, pulmonary and critical care.

29 Jan 2014

Medicare News and Research

GOP hammers "risk corridors" as bailout; Democrats worry about explaining law

New guideline presents recommendations for endoscopy units in prioritizing safety efforts

First Edition: February 5, 2014

For people who faced enrollment issues with healthcare.gov, appeals hearings to begin soon

Telemedicine used at nursing homes is a viable way to reduce avoidable hospitalizations

95% of adults die annually from vaccine preventable diseases

Viewpoints: 'Bailout' isn't the right target for GOP; Republican senators' alternative 'looks inferior;' uninsured are not rushing to health market

State highlights: Cities, states spending nearly 32% of budgets on health care; Detroit reaches retiree health coverage agreement; NYC, Calif. back caregiver protection bills

GOP considers tying debt-limit deal to repeal of part of health law

New prospective payment system contributes to improved patient choice, quality of care and costs

First Edition: February 3, 2014

ACOs' efforts to coordinate patient care saved $380 million, Medicare officials report

Community leaders applaud CMS' efforts to target fraudulent activity within Medicare program

First Edition: January 31, 2014

Viewpoints: Obama drops 'grand bargain' talk; Mitch Mcconnell in tough spot on health law

First Edition: January 30, 2014

MEDNAX reports revenue growth of 20.4% to $567M in Q4 2013

State highlights: Will doc cuts like those in Conn. become more common?; Calif. health plans criticized over chronic condition treatment; Vt. drug addiction

EBRT provides higher breast preservation rate in women with invasive breast cancer

UC San Diego Health System named recipient of Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence

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