Medicaid News and Research

RSS

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.

US Court of Appeals confirms District Court decision in Watson's Sanctura XR patent suit

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed the United States District Court for the District of Delaware's March 31, 2012 decision that the asserted claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,410,978; 7,759,359; 7,781,448; 7,781,449 and 7,763,635 relating to Sanctura XR (trospium chloride extended-release capsules) are invalid.

19 Jun 2012

State roundup: Calif. budget cuts; Texas hospitals cry foul over funding plan

Spending on welfare, child care and home care for the elderly and disabled would be reduced but not by as much as Brown wanted. CalWORKs, the state welfare program, is facing the biggest hit at $428 million. … In-Home Supportive Services, which allow some elderly residents to avoid being moved into nursing homes, would be reduced by about $90 million. The cut means 3.6 percent fewer hours of care for beneficiaries.

19 Jun 2012

movin' mania, a community wide effort to address childhood obesity

Bon Secours Virginia Health System has launched movin' mania, a community wide effort to address childhood obesity, the leading health concern for children today. The health system gathered community partners and hundreds of area school children for a kickoff rally Thursday at the Science Museum of Virginia.

18 Jun 2012

Key health law official leaving post for UnitedHealth VP job

Steve Larsen, director of the federal Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, is leaving his post to join UnitedHealth as an executive vice president, sparking speculation on the move.

18 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 18, 2012

Today's headlines include reports on the upcoming Supreme Court health law decision and the politics of health policy.

18 Jun 2012

High court ruling's possible effect on state Medicaid programs

The expansion of Medicaid - if it is upheld by the Supreme Court - is among the most significant parts of the law, as it will provide coverage to people with the greatest financial needs. Many health care advocates support the expansion, saying it will allow poor people to receive needed care, while many state officials, especially Republicans, worry that it will bring budget-breaking new costs.

18 Jun 2012

Methodist receives $26.2M H&HS grant to reduce blood infections and delirium

Grants from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services totaling $26.2 million will support work by The Methodist Hospital in Houston to reduce blood infections and delirium-caused injuries in Texas hospitals.

16 Jun 2012

The economy and the health law: A key theme on GOP campaign trail

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and other GOP leaders are linking pledges to repeal the health care law to a small-government, economic recovery theme.

16 Jun 2012

Larsen leaving CCIIO, agency responsible for implementing major parts of health reform law

Steve Larsen, the government administrator directing enactment of U.S. insurance regulations created by the 2010 health-care overhaul, is leaving to return to the private sector, according to e-mails to staff.

16 Jun 2012

GAO: Medicaid anti-fraud audit program falls short on cost-benefit analysis

Private contractors received $102 million to review Medicaid fraud data, yet had only found about $20 million in overpayments since 2008, according to a new report by the federal government.

16 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Best health care for homeless, new business model for pharma

The cost and coordination of health care for homeless individuals can be a challenge for states. But as this brief describes, establishing supportive housing - which provides social services, usually on site - "can help improve health, increase survival rates, foster mental health recovery, and reduce alcohol and drug use."

16 Jun 2012

CMS awards nearly $18 million to spread collaborative care model for managing depression

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded almost $18 million to a local and national collaboration of partner organizations with the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) as lead organization.

16 Jun 2012

Illinois to cut $1.6B in health costs; Medicaid advocates protest

The cuts include eliminating some popular programs, raising some co-pays and creates a system for hospital exemptions from taxes.

16 Jun 2012

Not many EHR systems meet new federal standards

Electronic health records (EHRs) are used widely by California physicians, but many of their systems are not designed to meet new federal standards aimed at improving the quality of health care, according to a report from UCSF researchers.

16 Jun 2012

What's at stake in health law ruling?

News outlets offer perspectives regarding how the much-anticipated Supreme Court decision could impact people without insurance, small businesses and nearly every corner of the health care industry.

16 Jun 2012

Georgia's estimate Medicaid shortfall is $300 million; Texas' independent pharmacists upset by Medicaid transition

The state's Medicaid agency has a projected $300 million hole to fill in next year's budget. If the shortfall remains at that level, the financial request to the General Assembly in January will be "very high" from a historical perspective, said Vince Harris, chief financial officer of the Department of Community Health, after the agency's board meeting Thursday. The projected $308 million shortfall for fiscal 2013 stems mostly from growth in the program's spending.

16 Jun 2012

Better care for dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid patients could reduce hospitalization rates

Providing better care for dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid patients could significantly reduce hospitalization rates for this population, saving taxpayers between $625 million and $1.9 billion per year, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International and Florida Atlantic University.

15 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 15, 2012

Today's headlines include the latest on how the White House and congressional lawmakers are bracing for the Supreme Court's health law decision.

15 Jun 2012

Medicaid fraud audits show little return on program costs

A program to fight fraud in the Medicaid health system for the poor has cost the U.S. at least $102 million in auditing fees since 2008 while identifying less than $20 million in overpayments, investigators found. The majority of the audits conducted by 10 companies were discontinued, produced "low or no findings" or were "put on hold," the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, said today in a report.

15 Jun 2012

Dems, GOP jockey for position on health law, budget legislation

In advance of the upcoming general election, Democrats and Republicans are trading barbs on the reasons -- each accusing each other of playing politics -- for delaying economic legislation and how the health care law has affected jobs in America.

15 Jun 2012