Medicaid News and Research

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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.

New hospital clinic in Michigan seeks to reduce traffic to ER; Minneapolis doctors and hospital merge operations

The Grand Rapids clinic is reaching out to people who have been to the hospital's emergency department at least 10 times in the past year.

1 Dec 2011

Fewer uninsured kids even as adult numbers rise

A new study by Georgetown University credits the health law as having a 'key role' in the increase in children's health insurance coverage.

1 Dec 2011

Watson commences shipping of generic LIPITOR

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has launched an authorized generic version of LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium tablets) as part of an exclusive agreement with Pfizer Inc.

30 Nov 2011

Medicare to pay for obesity counseling sessions

The United States Medicare program for the elderly will cover counseling for obesity. Obesity rates have hit the highest in the past few years and this measure is an attempt to curb the epidemic.

30 Nov 2011

Physician practices, pharmacies face barriers to e-prescribing despite benefits

Physician practices and pharmacies generally view electronic prescribing as an important tool to improve patient safety and save time, but both groups face barriers to realizing the technology's full benefit, according to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

30 Nov 2011

Panel calls for giving N.Y. more authority over troubled hospitals

The New York State health commissioner should be given sweeping new powers to replace the executives and board members of private hospitals, a group appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recommended Monday in a report on how to restructure Brooklyn's failing hospitals and health system.

30 Nov 2011

Tavenner nomination finds support from health care stakeholders

Also in the news, Politico examines Marilyn Tavenner's political giving habits and CNN Money reports on the tenure of Donald Berwick, the exiting Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator.

30 Nov 2011

Study: Medicaid costs still growing faster than state revenues

A new study from the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers paints a mixed picture -- at best -- of state budgets.

30 Nov 2011

Study: Abstinence-only education does not reduce teen pregnancy rates

States that prescribe abstinence-only sex education programs in public schools have significantly higher teenage pregnancy and birth rates than states with more comprehensive sex education programs, researchers from the University of Georgia have determined.

30 Nov 2011

Texas pharmacists assail Medicaid cuts; Ariz. could restore kids' coverage

Texas pharmacists say a plan to have health maintenance organizations manage the drug needs of Medicaid enrollees will drive them out of business. Meanwhile, Arizona officials announce a plan that will leverage federal Medicaid funds and allow them to restore insurance to some children who lost it in recent budget cuts.

30 Nov 2011

Mandatory cuts: Winners and losers in the post-super committee landscape

Many domestic programs will feel pain, but Medicaid appears to be part of the "protected" class. Meanwhile, news outlets continue to report on the pending Medicare physician pay cut and how fixing this scheduled reduction could trigger cuts in other parts of the health care sector.

30 Nov 2011

Groups push for legislation to encourage Medicaid programs to use generic drugs

A group of pharmacists, generic drug makers and consumer interest organizations are trying to build support for a bill that offers states financial incentives to use generic drugs under Medicaid instead of brand-name drugs, which supporters say will save both states and the federal government money.

30 Nov 2011

FDA approves Watson's ANDA for generic Yaz oral contraceptive

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Vestura (3 mg drospirenone and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol), a generic version of Bayer's Yaz oral contraceptive product.

29 Nov 2011

HHS approves Ariz. Medicaid cut; La. officials find common ground on Medicaid needs

Federal officials approve an additional 5 percent cut in payments to Arizona hospitals and other providers. Meanwhile, in Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has rare kind words for Sen. Mary Landrieu and New York struggles with its Medicaid payment computer system.

29 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 29, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, and working in collaboration with The Washington Post, Sandra G. Boodman writes: "Propelled by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which took effect in 2009, 2 million veterans, many of whom served in Iraq and Afghanistan, are eligible for generous benefits that can amount to a full scholarship.

29 Nov 2011

Most heart attack patients not transported quickly enough for angioplasty

Most heart attack patients transferred between hospitals for the emergency artery-opening procedure called angioplasty are not transported as quickly as they should be, Yale School of medicine researchers report in the first national study of "door-in door-out" time for transfer patients.

29 Nov 2011