Medicare News and Research

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Federal officials look to mass marketing to sell health law

The administration faces a tough challenge to get the public to understand and accept the health law -- and, then, to sign up the millions without coverage.

2 Apr 2013

Concerns raised about effect of Medicare's readmission penalty on hospitals

The New York Times explores the new policy that penalizes hospitals if they have too many patients return within 30 days.

2 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: 'Big risks' of buying private insurance with Medicaid dollars; One month of sequestration

The Obama administration and Republican officials in several states are exploring ways to redirect federal money intended to expand Medicaid, the main public insurance program for the poor, and use it instead to buy private health insurance for Medicaid recipients.

2 Apr 2013

New study finds for-profit hospitals outscore other hospitals on performance measures

For-profit hospitals are out-performing other hospitals when treating stroke, heart attack and pneumonia patients in emergency departments and, thus, will be more likely to receive bonuses under Medicare's new payment rules, according to a new Northwestern Medicine- study.

2 Apr 2013

Potential pact on medicare changes could lead to budget deal

The New York Times reports that a possible agreement between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans on "broad systemic changes to Medicare" could help spur a budget deal. And The Wall Street Journal reports the White House is weighing inclusion of some entitlement changes in its 2014 budget proposal as a way to prod further talks.

30 Mar 2013

Viewpoints: Time to focus on health care prices; Entitlement programs and generational warfare; Cigarette tax hikes and smoking cessation

Traditionally, the theory driving discussions on the high cost of health care in the United States has been that there is enormous waste in the system, taking the form of excess utilization of care. From that theory it follows that methods of controlling the growth of health spending should focus on ways to reduce the use of unnecessary or only marginally beneficial health care.

30 Mar 2013

Weekend reading: Seniors smoking marijuana; Same-sex marriage and public health

For Cher Neufer, a 65-year-old retired teacher, socializing with friends (all in their 60s) means using marijuana. Once a week they get together to play Texas Hold 'Em poker "and pass around a doobie," Ms. Neufer said. … Statistics suggest that more members of the older generations, like Ms. Neufer, are using marijuana.

30 Mar 2013

Study highlights cost savings of generic drugs

Consumer Reports offers new analysis that finds not all patients realize they can save big by shopping around for drugs. Meanwhile, two outlets look at insurance coverage issues for couples.

30 Mar 2013

Senators urge HHS to step up efforts to curb Medicare overpayments

The lawmakers pointed to a report showing a $70 million loss caused by overpayments on medical equipment, The Hill reports.

30 Mar 2013

State roundup: NYC firms will be required to offer sick leave; Fla. government part-timers to get health coverage

New York is poised to mandate that companies with 15 or more employees provide paid time off for them when they are sick. A compromise agreement reached Thursday night resulted from a raw display of political muscle by a coalition of labor unions and liberal activists who overcame fierce objections from New York's business-minded mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, and his allies in the corporate world (Barbaro and Grynbaum, 3/28).

30 Mar 2013

Research roundup: Despite some cuts, hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion; Medicare's rising costs propel efforts to revamp the program

The authors write that, because of the health law's expansion of Medicaid coverage to adults making below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, "hospitals' public insurance revenue [will create] a larger Medicaid coverage pool.

30 Mar 2013

FDA approves Teva's Quartette tablets for prevention of pregnancy

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Quartette (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) tablets for the prevention of pregnancy.

30 Mar 2013

Health industry faces shortage of IT professionals

In addition, a regulation permitting hospitals to donate medical records software to doctors is scheduled to expire.

30 Mar 2013

Doctors renew lobbying to change Medicare payment formula

The American Medical Association is pushing hard to get Congress to make a permanent "doc fix," The Hill reports.

29 Mar 2013

First Edition: March 29, 2013

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of renewed interest between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to find ways to cut Medicare costs:

29 Mar 2013

Viewpoints: Budget woes leave Democrats with painful choices; David Kessler on health hazards of antibiotics in meat; the pros and cons of not hiring smokers

USA Today: Entitlements Or Investment? Democrats Must Pick Democrats therefore face a fundamental and inescapable choice: they can support funding current consumption, especially by older Americans who are not working, or future investment, particularly in scientific research and innovation.

29 Mar 2013

Medicare reimbursement cuts threaten access to care

Physicians and patients alike are feeling the impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts that went into effect on January 1, 2013. With an additional 2% sequestration cut to roll out on April 1, it's likely that physicians who treat Medicare patients will be faced with difficult decisions as operating margins continue to shrink.

29 Mar 2013

New evidence shows older adults with dementia can be taken off antipsychotic medications

Most older adults with dementia can successfully be taken off antipsychotic medications, which have negative side effects and increase the risk of death, finds a new evidence review from The Cochrane Library.

29 Mar 2013

State roundup: Calif. report card shows improved care for kids

The latest developments in health policy from California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Texas.

29 Mar 2013

How much will the health law cost? Depends on whom you ask

Some restaurant chains now say the health law may not cost them so much after all -- mostly because many employees either won't qualify for coverage or may decline it. Meanwhile, analysis continues of a Society of Actuaries projection of big increases in medical claims costs for insurers in the individual market. And the Associated Press examines President Barack Obama's promises regarding health care.

29 Mar 2013

Medicare News and Research

Federal officials look to mass marketing to sell health law

Concerns raised about effect of Medicare's readmission penalty on hospitals

Viewpoints: 'Big risks' of buying private insurance with Medicaid dollars; One month of sequestration

New study finds for-profit hospitals outscore other hospitals on performance measures

Potential pact on medicare changes could lead to budget deal

Viewpoints: Time to focus on health care prices; Entitlement programs and generational warfare; Cigarette tax hikes and smoking cessation

Weekend reading: Seniors smoking marijuana; Same-sex marriage and public health

Study highlights cost savings of generic drugs

Senators urge HHS to step up efforts to curb Medicare overpayments

State roundup: NYC firms will be required to offer sick leave; Fla. government part-timers to get health coverage

Research roundup: Despite some cuts, hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion; Medicare's rising costs propel efforts to revamp the program

FDA approves Teva's Quartette tablets for prevention of pregnancy

Health industry faces shortage of IT professionals

Doctors renew lobbying to change Medicare payment formula

First Edition: March 29, 2013

Viewpoints: Budget woes leave Democrats with painful choices; David Kessler on health hazards of antibiotics in meat; the pros and cons of not hiring smokers

Medicare reimbursement cuts threaten access to care

New evidence shows older adults with dementia can be taken off antipsychotic medications

State roundup: Calif. report card shows improved care for kids

How much will the health law cost? Depends on whom you ask

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