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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.

First Edition: November 9, 2011

In today's headlines, reports on the latest developments related to the 'super committee's' deliberations, an appeals court issues a health law decision and results from yesterday's elections.

9 Nov 2011

Two U-M physicians caution about implications of cardiac imaging study

Two University of Michigan Health System physicians are raising notes of caution about the implications of a new study that found cardiologists were more likely to refer patients for stress imaging when their practice owned imaging machines - resulting in potential overuse because of financial incentives.

9 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Today's 'personhood' vote in Miss.; reactions to Romney's health care plan

What about in vitro fertilization, a process that both creates and discards embryos? What new rights would be afforded to a fetus, and how would those rights affect or compete with the rights of the woman who carries it? Would a woman who has an abortion be guilty of murder and subject to capital punishment? ... In their quest to ban abortion in Mississippi, the amendment's drafters appear to have rushed past such concerns.

9 Nov 2011

SunLink first quarter consolidated net revenues increase 5.4% to $43,053,000

SunLink Health Systems, Inc. today announced a loss from continuing operations for its first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 of $305,000, or a loss of $0.04 per fully diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $2,263,000, or a loss of $0.28 per fully diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

9 Nov 2011

New poverty calculations show how health costs hurt seniors

The Census Bureau's analysis finds childhood poverty declining because of the CHIP health care program and supplemental nutrition efforts. But older Americans fare worse because of out-of-pocket health costs.

9 Nov 2011

Romney takes health care message to Iowa

Romney promised to "slay the deficit beast." The first step, he said, would be to reverse Obama's health reform law. ... Other themes: Romney continued his call to turn many federal responsibilities over to the states. He said states would be better positioned to run Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor.

9 Nov 2011

RWJF announces recipients of 2011 Community Health Leaders Award

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is proud to announce today the recipients of its 2011 Community Health Leaders Award, honoring 10 individuals who have overcome daunting odds to improve the health and quality of life for disadvantaged or underserved communities across the country.

9 Nov 2011

Parents of children on Medicaid, CHIP give programs good grades

Parents whose children get their health services through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program say they have good access to doctors and that their children are getting good care, according to a federal survey that the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services will release Tuesday morning.

9 Nov 2011

BioSpecifics reports $0.3M net income for third quarter 2011 vs. $0.5M net loss for third quarter 2010

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products marketed as XIAFLEX in the U.S. and XIAPEX in Europe today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011 and provided a corporate update. For the quarter, the Company reported net income of $0.3 million or $0.04 per share on a basic and on a fully diluted basis.

9 Nov 2011

State roundup: Kansas Medicaid announcement; pilot projects for nursing homes, C-sections; Calif. marijuana clinics

Gov. Sam Brownback, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and three Cabinet officials have scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday to describe details of their plan for making over the Kansas Medicaid program. ... The plan is expected to include a significant expansion of managed care.

9 Nov 2011

Electromed first quarter net revenues increase 29.1% to $5.38 million

Electromed, Inc. today announced financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011. Net Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were approximately $5,379,000, a 29.1% increase compared to Net Revenues of approximately $4,165,000 for the same period last year.

8 Nov 2011

Premier, RF Surgical sign three year agreement for detection technology

RF Surgical, Inc., the leader in prevention and detection of retained surgical items (RSI), today announced a three year agreement with the Premier healthcare alliance, a leader in healthcare performance improvement.

8 Nov 2011

Health Net expands Improving the Patient Experience toolkit

Health Net, Inc. has expanded its Improving the Patient Experience toolkit for its contracted providers in three new markets. Piloted first in California in 2010, the insurer now offers the toolkit in Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

8 Nov 2011

BioScrip third quarter revenue increases 2.9% to $454.0 million

BioScrip, Inc. today announced 2011 third quarter financial results. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $454.0 million and net income was $0.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, including $5.0 million in restructuring charges, severance and other employee costs.

8 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 8, 2011

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories on malpractice reforms and previews of voting in Ohio on two ballot questions affecting health care issues and a Mississippi abortion issue.

8 Nov 2011

Federal officials say new program can improve health services

The Innovation Advisors Program, intended to help leaders bring change to Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, could help spark changes throughout the industry, Modern Healthcare reports.

8 Nov 2011

Perry's health benefits noted; Romney and Perry spar on immigrants and health care

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is entitled to a lucrative pension from his government job that includes lifetime health care paid for by the state, The Texas Tribune reports. Meanwhile, Perry and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney exchanged barbs about their records.

8 Nov 2011

States trying to wrangle Medicaid costs; rural hospitals struggling; health hiring steady

In Michigan, the plan to replace state nursing assistants at the veterans home resulted in a lawsuit contending that some temporary workers employed by the contract company had already jeopardized patient care. ... A judge has granted a preliminary injunction that keeps the state employees at work while the lawsuit moves forward.

8 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Weighing the ballot measures in Miss. and Ohio; the super committee's task

For all their sincerity and fervor, proponents of the personhood movement represent a small minority nationwide. In Gallup polls, support for a total abortion ban is almost exactly where it was in 1973 - at just over 20%, despite a rise in backing for limitations. Most people certainly don't want homicide charges brought against women who choose to have abortions or doctors who perform them.

8 Nov 2011

Medicare touts progress on closing doughnut hole

Meanwhile, MedPAC makes recommendations for controlling costs for "dual eligibles," and Medicare sees new rules bring costs down for weight loss surgery.

7 Nov 2011