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Viewpoints: Contraceptive controversy; Revising mental health definitions

It was good news that the Obama administration withstood pressure from Roman Catholic bishops and social conservatives to deny contraceptive coverage for millions of American women who work for religiously affiliated employers. Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services secretary, rejected broad exemptions from a new rule requiring all health plans to cover birth control, without a deductible or co-payment.

31 Jan 2012

OMB examining final rule on coordination of Medicaid, CHIP and exchanges

Also in the news, Roll Call takes a look at what action to expect, and who on Capitol Hill will be in the hot seat, as the Supreme Court works its way through the health law's constitutionality.

31 Jan 2012

GOP leaders predict quick action on payroll tax break extension, Medicare 'doc fix'

Top GOP lawmakers took to the airwaves Sunday and said they expect to reach a deal with Democrats before the current payroll tax break and temporary Medicare physician payment fix expire at the end of February.

31 Jan 2012

Aetna to begin national PCMH program in New Jersey and Connecticut

Aetna announced today a national Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program that will begin in Connecticut and New Jersey. The program recognizes primary care physicians (PCPs) who more actively coordinate and manage their patients' care across the health care system.

31 Jan 2012

States roundup: 'Cost-conscious' coverage in Mass.; Health exchange planning to Gov. in Minn.; Kansas judges gave to anti-abortion PAC

In just three years, a new way of paying for medical care has spread rapidly across Massachusetts, and now more than 1.2 million people are covered by plans that put providers on a budget in an effort to restrain health spending.

30 Jan 2012

In Florida, GOP presidential hopefuls wrestle with health policy issues

The candidates appear to be proceeding with caution regarding politically risky plans to overhaul Medicare while painting opponents in a harsh light.

30 Jan 2012

Medicaid drug payment rule change could lead to savings

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that the federal government could save as much as $17.7 billion over the course of five years as a result of a rule change that shifts more costs to drug makers and pharmacies.

30 Jan 2012

OIG: Data inconclusive about why docs leave Medicare

A report released last week by the Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General found that limited data made it difficult to gauge if issues surrounding the uncertainty of physician pay is driving doctors to opt out of Medicare.

30 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 30, 2012

Today's health policy headlines include a report that GOP leaders are pledging quick action on legislation to extend the payroll tax break and to prevent a scheduled cut in Medicare physician payment.

30 Jan 2012

Gingrich: Romney couldn't 'defend himself' on health care in debate against Obama

News organizations are covering the increasingly bitter Florida presidential primary race, which includes attacks on Mitt Romney's health care record by Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

30 Jan 2012

FTC terms Omnicare's proposed acquisition of PharMerica illegal

The Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint to block Omnicare, Inc.'s hostile acquisition of rival long-term care pharmacy provider PharMerica Corporation, alleging that the combination of the two largest U.S. long-term care pharmacies would harm competition and enable Omnicare to raise the price of drugs for Medicare Part D consumers and others.

30 Jan 2012

Single-payer bill fails in California Senate

A single-payer health plan failed by two votes in the California State Senate Thursday.

30 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Health law's consumer safeguards; Shredding Medicare's safety net; Georgia's trauma crisis

Requiring the makers of drugs and medical devices to disclose most payments and gifts to physicians will protect patients and reduce medical costs. ... [the federal health law] requires the makers of drugs and medical devices to disclose most payments and gifts to physicians (1/27).

30 Jan 2012

The political implications of the Wyden-Ryan plan

Republicans believe they have a 6-and-a-half-foot shield to fend off attacks that they want to end Medicare.

30 Jan 2012

State roundup: Uninsured not the usual suspects in Texas, Calif.; Hopkins swanky new hospital; Georgia Medicaid

Nearly a quarter of the Texas population lacked health insurance in 2010, according to the most recent data released by the American Community Survey, which the U.S. Census Bureau conducted.

30 Jan 2012

Health policies in the fray of GOP presidential primary debate

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was challenged on the 2006 Massachusetts health law as his rivals pressed its similarities to the 2010 federal law.

30 Jan 2012

Study: Electronic health records can improve care, outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

Use of electronic health records shows promise for improving care and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, but still has considerable room for improvement, according to a new study in the journal Health Services Research.

30 Jan 2012

Democrats 'practically drooling' to use Medicare policies against GOP in campaigns

News outlets covered the congressional Democrats' retreat in Cambridge, Md. and a controversial ad in Florida, launched by a pro-Newt Gingrich PAC, accusing Mitt Romney of Medicare fraud earlier in his career.

30 Jan 2012

GAO: CMS should change how it calculates Medicare private plan payments

Insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by as much as $3.1 billion in 2010 because the government miscalculated how sick beneficiaries were, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office that was made public by congressional Democrats.

27 Jan 2012

Doctors press Boehner to stop mandated insurance code switch

The American Medical Association opposes implementation of the coding system known as ICD-10, saying it would require physician offices to deal with an estimated 68,000 insurance codes -- five times more than the current 13,000.

27 Jan 2012

Medicare News and Research

Viewpoints: Contraceptive controversy; Revising mental health definitions

OMB examining final rule on coordination of Medicaid, CHIP and exchanges

GOP leaders predict quick action on payroll tax break extension, Medicare 'doc fix'

Aetna to begin national PCMH program in New Jersey and Connecticut

States roundup: 'Cost-conscious' coverage in Mass.; Health exchange planning to Gov. in Minn.; Kansas judges gave to anti-abortion PAC

In Florida, GOP presidential hopefuls wrestle with health policy issues

Medicaid drug payment rule change could lead to savings

OIG: Data inconclusive about why docs leave Medicare

First Edition: January 30, 2012

Gingrich: Romney couldn't 'defend himself' on health care in debate against Obama

FTC terms Omnicare's proposed acquisition of PharMerica illegal

Single-payer bill fails in California Senate

Viewpoints: Health law's consumer safeguards; Shredding Medicare's safety net; Georgia's trauma crisis

The political implications of the Wyden-Ryan plan

State roundup: Uninsured not the usual suspects in Texas, Calif.; Hopkins swanky new hospital; Georgia Medicaid

Health policies in the fray of GOP presidential primary debate

Study: Electronic health records can improve care, outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

Democrats 'practically drooling' to use Medicare policies against GOP in campaigns

GAO: CMS should change how it calculates Medicare private plan payments

Doctors press Boehner to stop mandated insurance code switch

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