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Analyzing the politics and policies of the Wyden-Ryan Medicare plan

Politico reports on how the Medicare revamp proposal announced last week by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., may add to Ryan's conservative street cred. Meanwhile, Medscape reports on one of the cost controls included in the approach.

22 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: HHS punts on essential benefits; A doctor's view of Medicare

The health care reform law passed last year requires insurers to offer, at a minimum, a set of "essential" benefits to individuals and small groups. ... On Friday, however, the Department of Health and Human Services put out a bulletin proposing to let each state come up with its own definition.

22 Dec 2011

What's to become of the 'doc fix?'

News outlets report about what the future could hold for Medicare physician reimbursements now that Congress has, so far, failed to take steps to avert a scheduled payment cut. Also, without congressional intervention, Medicare's rehab therapy caps will hit in 2012.

22 Dec 2011

ASGE honors 27 endoscopy units with 'Certificate of Recognition'

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 27 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States.

22 Dec 2011

ACTF, Merck announce new HIV initiatives

Today, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) announced a number of new initiatives to help struggling state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) continue to provide access to medicines to people living with HIV.

22 Dec 2011

First Edition: December 21, 2011

In the past year, Medicare politics and policies have grabbed headlines, with politicians from both sides of the aisle talking about "saving Medicare," "protecting beneficiaries," "improving quality of care," and "curbing fraud and abuse."

21 Dec 2011

Impasse on payroll tax cut extension leaves 'doc fix' in flux

A group of House Republicans is taking a hard line against the short-term measure passed by the Senate - creating anxiety across Capitol Hill and causing uncertainty about the future of the "doc fix."

21 Dec 2011

State roundup: Ariz. high court to hear Medicaid funding challenge

The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider a challenge to state Medicaid cuts. The court put the matter on its Feb. 15 agenda and will decide then whether to take the case and hear oral arguments. Three public-interest law groups challenged an enrollment freeze for childless adults in the state's Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. A lower-court judge and an Arizona appeals-court panel upheld the cuts.

21 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: If not the health law, then what?; Shifting Medicare costs isn't enough

When President Barack Obama's health care reform was making its way through Congress, Republicans and other opponents registered plenty of criticisms: It was too generous, too inflexible and too centralized. But such concerns were brushed aside in the push to get a bill passed. Today, it's harder to ignore those flaws. Implementation of the program has brought tougher challenges than the administration led Americans to expect. So it has been obliged to make some major concessions to reality.

21 Dec 2011

Despite improvements, disparities in diagnosis and treatment of depression remain

Despite improvements to diagnostic tools and therapies in the two last decades, significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of depression remain, according to Rutgers research published online by the American Journal of Public Health; print, February 2012.

21 Dec 2011

BAHN to participate as Pioneer Accountable Care Organization

Montefiore Medical Center announced today that its Bronx Accountable Healthcare Network (BAHN), has been selected to participate as a Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO), a transformative new initiative sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center.

20 Dec 2011

Romney's Medicaid comments draw criticism that he is 'out of touch'

During a campaign appearance, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said that until he became involved in government services he didn't completely understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, the aggressive ads being run in Iowa by another candidate, Ron Paul, may be making an impact.

20 Dec 2011

Analysis: Many not-for-profit hospitals spend less than 2% on charity care

Media outlets ponder the financial status of not-for-profit hospitals, as well as the challenges facing those in rural communities. Also in the news, the hospice industry continues to fare well.

20 Dec 2011

Even as it faces attack, health law implementation — and challenges — continue

The Hill and Reuters report on the health law's numerous 2012 battle fronts - starting with the Supreme Court's review of the law and moving toward the November elections. Meanwhile, however, other news outlets report on continuing implementation of the measure, including the creation of a federal health exchange and defense of its prevention fund.

20 Dec 2011

Payroll tax cut extension bill — which includes temporary 'doc fix' — stalls in House as GOP objects

The once-seemingly sure deal, which allowed the Senate to recess for the year, was for a $33 billion package of bills to keep the Social Security tax paid by most workers at 4.2 percent rather than 6.2 percent, extend unemployment benefits for those already receiving them, and avoid reductions in Medicare payments to doctors. The measure would be effective through February.

20 Dec 2011

State roundup: Financial issues threaten N.Y.'s Brookdale Hospital

On two separate occasions this year, Brookdale Hospital Medical Center - a once-venerable institution that serves some of the city's most impoverished patients - has been threatened with expulsion from public-health insurance programs after flunking multiple government safety inspections. The hospital relies heavily on Medicaid and Medicare for financial support.

20 Dec 2011

Ariz. eyeing first budget surplus in four years; Wis. study finds low Medicare, Medicaid rates shift costs

Here's something Arizona hasn't seen in a while: a state budget surplus. Estimates range from $416 million to as much as $650 million when the new budget year starts in July. ... "We'll fund population increases in K-12, AHCCCS (the state's Medicaid program) and prisons," said House Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh, who's starting his fourth year as budget chairman.

20 Dec 2011

IHA, U-M to participate in Pioneer ACO model

The University of Michigan Health System will participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model, in partnership with IHA Health Services Corporation, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based multi-specialty group practice.

20 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: Is Wyden-Ryan Medicare plan a game changer?; The GOP and the individual mandate

In the maelstrom of dysfunction and partisanship better known as the 112th Congress, it is always surprising and gratifying when lawmakers from opposing parties manage to work together. That is particularly true when their collaboration involves an issue as politically charged and substantively complex as Medicare. So we begin by congratulating Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for having the tenacity to try again, with a revamped version of Medicare reform unveiled last week.

20 Dec 2011

Rotech Healthcare acquires three home medical entities

Rotech Healthcare Inc., one of the largest providers of home medical equipment and related products and services, announced today its acquisition of three home medical entities.

19 Dec 2011