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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.

Americans visiting the ER for dental problems ignoring preventive services: Report

Latest figures show that more Americans are turning to the emergency room for routine dental problems. This choice often costs 10 times more than preventive care and offers far fewer treatment options than a dentist's office. This comes from an analysis of government data and dental research.

29 Feb 2012

Positive reaction from hospitals, consumer groups on 'stage 2' health IT rules

Both hospital and consumer groups are reacting positively to new federal rules meant to improve the effective use of the technology, and new electronic health records certification rules are released.

29 Feb 2012

First Edition: February 29, 2012

Today's headlines include reports on yesterday's GOP presidential primary elections and how health policy played a role in some of the rhetoric.

29 Feb 2012

On health exchange, Neb. makes progress, Wis. and Texas mull next steps

A roundup of reports on what's happening on the ground in several states, where Republican governors have been opposed to implementing the health law's insurance exchanges.

29 Feb 2012

As votes are cast in Ariz. and Mich., health law, entitlement programs part of GOP campaign talk

News outlets report on the positions taken and jabs traded by the GOP presidential candidates as they position themselves for these two primary elections.

29 Feb 2012

State budgets improve but not enough to spare Medicaid; Calif. Gov. Brown pressing for co-pays

State budget shortfalls for the coming year total about $47 billion, the smallest aggregate deficit since the Great Recession, a report says. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found deficits in 29 states for the fiscal year ahead and another 10 states reported revenue for the current year fell $3.2 billion short of budget. ... A marked improvement from the $106 billion this year (so far) and $430 million the prior three years.

29 Feb 2012

Lack of insurance coverage driving up number of patients who seek dental care in the emergency room

More Americans are turning to the emergency room for routine dental problems - a choice that often costs 10 times more than preventive care and offers far fewer treatment options than a dentist's office, according to an analysis of government data and dental research.

29 Feb 2012

Feds tighten Medicare plans oversight to curb improper payments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an initiative Friday designed to reduce the number of Medicare advantage payments made in error.

28 Feb 2012

Romney's Medicare plan would gradually raise eligibility age

The plan was released just days before just days before the next round of primary elections. Also in the news, more on GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's tea party appeal and position on abortion, while rival Rick Santorum offers more charges that the former Massachusetts governor is not conservative enough.

27 Feb 2012

Sebelius casts doubt on Calif. Medi-Cal changes; Other Medicaid changes around America scrutinized

Medicaid cuts in California, Washington and Texas prove controversial, while changes or proposed changes in Florida, Georgia and Minnesota get closer looks.

27 Feb 2012

New poll finds public opinion sharply divided on health law repeal

Politico reports on a new poll that shows the nation is almost evenly split on whether, if elected, a Republican president should repeal the health law. Meanwhile, in related news, The Hill reports that House GOP lawmakers will renew their attacks on the overhaul to correspond with the Supreme Court review of the measure.

27 Feb 2012

Dendreon 2011 product revenue increases to $213.5M

Dendreon Corporation today reported results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2011. Product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $213.5 million compared to $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $77 million compared to $25 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

27 Feb 2012

FDA issues complete response letter for Watson's progesterone vaginal gel 8% NDA

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Columbia Laboratories, Inc. today confirmed that, as expected, Watson has received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its New Drug Application (NDA 22-139) for progesterone vaginal gel 8% for use in the reduction of risk of preterm birth in women with a singleton gestation and a short uterine cervical length in the mid-trimester of pregnancy.

27 Feb 2012

Savient fourth quarter net loss increases to $30.9 million

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2011, which reflect the Company's continuing investment in the U.S. launch of KRYSTEXXA(pegloticase). Savient ended the quarter with approximately $170 million in cash and short-term investments, a decrease of $33 million for the quarter.

27 Feb 2012

NCQA certifies Health Data Essentials for HEDIS Quality Measures

Health Data Essentials' (HDE) flagship product, EssentialStars, has received certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for the seventeen HEDIS Quality Measures in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Quality Program.

27 Feb 2012

First Edition: February 27, 2012

Among today's health policy headlines, a new Politico poll highlights the deep divide in public opinion that exists regarding the repeal of the health law.

27 Feb 2012

Researchers trace states with disparities in life expectancy

A UCLA-led group of researchers tracing disparities in life expectancy between blacks and whites in the U.S. has found that white males live about seven years longer on average than African American men and that white women live more than five years longer than their black counterparts.

27 Feb 2012

Viewpoints: Elizabeth Warren on contraception mandate, comparison shopping for drugs, 'dismantling' Illinois

In this Kaiser Health News Different Takes feature, The University Of Maryland's Dr. E. Albert Reece and The Heritage Foundation's Stuart Butler discuss how health enterprise zones, a new take on an old economic development idea, might be used to improve the health of the state's minority populations (2/23). Read the commentaries by Reece and Butler.

24 Feb 2012

State roundup: Calif. prison medical facilities; New Ore. Rx dispensing rules

David Martin, who helped write Governor Deval Patrick's health care payment reform bill, is leaving. Martin, the Director of Health Care Policy and Strategy in the office of Health and Human Services, is taking a job at Covidien as Senior Director of Health Care Economics and Policy.

24 Feb 2012

Research roundup: Hospital medication errors; Key Medicaid issues in 2014

Use Of Preventive Services Could Be Better Aligned With Clinical Recommendations -- This report looks at Medicare patients' use of eight specific preventive services, which have "the potential to improve health outcomes and lower health care expenditures," according to the authors. Use of cardiovascular and cervical cancer screenings "generally aligned with clinical recommendations, ... but use of other cancer screenings" did not.

24 Feb 2012

Medicaid News and Research

Americans visiting the ER for dental problems ignoring preventive services: Report

Positive reaction from hospitals, consumer groups on 'stage 2' health IT rules

First Edition: February 29, 2012

On health exchange, Neb. makes progress, Wis. and Texas mull next steps

As votes are cast in Ariz. and Mich., health law, entitlement programs part of GOP campaign talk

State budgets improve but not enough to spare Medicaid; Calif. Gov. Brown pressing for co-pays

Lack of insurance coverage driving up number of patients who seek dental care in the emergency room

Feds tighten Medicare plans oversight to curb improper payments

Romney's Medicare plan would gradually raise eligibility age

Sebelius casts doubt on Calif. Medi-Cal changes; Other Medicaid changes around America scrutinized

New poll finds public opinion sharply divided on health law repeal

Dendreon 2011 product revenue increases to $213.5M

FDA issues complete response letter for Watson's progesterone vaginal gel 8% NDA

Savient fourth quarter net loss increases to $30.9 million

NCQA certifies Health Data Essentials for HEDIS Quality Measures

First Edition: February 27, 2012

Researchers trace states with disparities in life expectancy

Viewpoints: Elizabeth Warren on contraception mandate, comparison shopping for drugs, 'dismantling' Illinois

State roundup: Calif. prison medical facilities; New Ore. Rx dispensing rules

Research roundup: Hospital medication errors; Key Medicaid issues in 2014

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