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Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.

Feinstein Institute to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia

The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has been approved for a $9.3+ million federal grant to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia.

26 Jun 2012

Awaiting a court decision: Would consumers love the law if they suddenly lose it?; The market can fix health care

I still harbor the perhaps naïve hope that some conservative justices -- Anthony Kennedy? John Roberts? - will pull back from judicial activism and allow the voters to decide the fate of the health-care law in this fall's elections. And here is where the court's reintroduction of the health-care issue into the political debate could be turned into a blessing by allies of reform, provided they take advantage of the opportunity to do what they have never done adequately up to now. They need, finally, to describe and defend the law and what it does.

26 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 25, 2012

Today's headlines are focused on analysis and speculation surrounding the Supreme Court's health law ruling, which could come as early as today.

25 Jun 2012

New analysis finds increase in per-patient operating costs in PCMHs

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a concept at the heart of many health care reform models that aim to both improve the quality of care and reduce wasteful spending. But a new analysis of federally qualified health centers finds that clinics with higher scores as medical homes also had higher per-patient operating costs.

25 Jun 2012

U.S. District Court rules in favor of Teva in COPAXONE patent infringement case

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has found in favor of Teva in the Company's patent infringement lawsuit against Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc./Sandoz Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Inc./Natco Pharmaceuticals regarding Teva's relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) product, COPAXONE.

23 Jun 2012

Inova, Aetna partner to establish Innovation Health Plans in Northern Virginia

Inova Health System and Aetna today announced an exclusive partnership to establish Innovation Health Plans, a jointly owned health plan serving Northern Virginia, including more than 1.1 million residents currently served by Inova.

23 Jun 2012

Planned spending cuts would hit some discretionary health programs

While programs like Medicare and Medicaid are virtually untouched by the cuts designed to reduce the deficit, other scheduled trims to the budget will have significant reach. Meanwhile, Democrats find an unlikely ally in their opposition to the GOP Medicare plan.

23 Jun 2012

Medicaid highlights: Calif. readies expansion to foster youths

State Medicaid news includes discussions around the expansion of Medicaid in California both for the general public who need assistance and for youth in foster care. Additionally, Oregon is close to finalizing its waiver request with the federal government to move forward with its own reforms in the program.

23 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Helping the homeless transition out of the hospital

Transitioning from a hospital visit can be challenge for many patients, but the homeless face particular difficulties as they move to a shelter, or even back to the streets. Researchers in this study surveyed 98 homeless individuals in New Haven, Conn., as well as interviewed them about their experiences leaving the hospital. More than half said that their providers did not address housing or transportation, and 11 percent reported living on the streets on the night of their discharge. The authors recommend "improved assessment of housing status, communication between hospital and shelter providers, and arrangement of safe transportation" for homeless individuals.

23 Jun 2012

CMMI to honor MultiCultural IPA with healthcare innovation award

MultiCultural IPA announced today that it is one of four project sites selected to receive a healthcare innovation award by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and will partner with Rutgers State University of New Jersey to create a "sustainable high-utilization team model" for the nation's "super users" of hospital care in an effort to decrease hospital inpatient and emergency department use.

23 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Berwick says health law puts system 'on the right track;' Mandate's effect overstated; Questions about Axelrod's ties

Obamacare is helping our nation achieve health care that is excellent, accessible to all and affordable. In the 17 months that I led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), I saw how this law is helping tens of millions of families and is finally putting our health-care system on the right track.

23 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Looking beyond the court's eventual decision

Speculation about the likely death of "Obamacare" has raged ever since the Supreme Court heard three intense days of legal arguments in March. The pundits have crowed about how the individual mandate is the Achilles' heel of President Obama's healthcare law (Theda Skocpol and Lawrence R. Jacobs, 6/20).

22 Jun 2012

States wonder: What happens to us after health law ruling?

States are anxiously considering the effect of the pending court decision. In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott says his state will comply with the health law if it is upheld. And in California, officials and lawmakers worry over what a ruling could mean for plans to institute consumer protections.

22 Jun 2012

Supreme Court spotlight: What Medicaid changes might result from the ruling?

There is a lot at stake for Medicaid's future, as the court weighs a challenge to the program's expansion. Some states, though, pledge to move forward regardless of the decision.

22 Jun 2012

N.C. budget includes additional funds for Medicaid; KanCare plan triggers nerves

Medicaid spending and revamp plans being advanced in various states are drawing headlines and public scrutiny.

22 Jun 2012

Using Medicare data to curb Medicaid fraud

Projects are underway to make Medicare data more useful to states in an effort to keep fraudulent providers out of their respective Medicaid programs.

22 Jun 2012

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN receives UnitedHealthcare donation to help eradicate hunger

UnitedHealthcare has donated $100,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to aid in the fight against hunger. The donation is expected to help feed more than 10,000 hungry children, families and seniors by funding 40 Mobile Pantry deliveries throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Each Mobile Pantry will be coordinated with a local community organization, such as a church, senior center or help center.

22 Jun 2012

Teva launches Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Capsules for treatment of depression

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today the launch of Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Capsules USP 6 mg/25 mg, 12 mg/25 mg, 6 mg/50 mg, and 12 mg/50 mg, the Company's generic equivalent of Symbyax.

22 Jun 2012

IU receives CMS grant to expand Aging Brain Care model

A $7.8 million Health Care Innovation Award to Indiana University from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will expand the Aging Brain Care model developed by researcher-clinicians from the IU Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute.

22 Jun 2012

State roundup: Exchange details; N.Y. same-sex lawsuit

States starting to turn the corner on their Great Recession budget woes are taking the cautious approach, socking away millions of dollars in rainy day funds rather than restoring spending for education, health care and social services. At least 21 states, including Arizona, Michigan and Ohio, are putting parts of their surpluses into reserves.

21 Jun 2012