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.

States trying to wrangle Medicaid costs, with some unintended consequences

Wisconsin is not alone in dealing with the thorny task of trying to lower the cost of its health care programs for low-income residents. Massachusetts no longer pays for restorative dental care and dentures. Washington no longer covers eyeglasses and hearing aids. Minnesota no long covers chiropractic care. … Every state plans to implement at least one policy to control Medicaid spending this fiscal year.

7 Nov 2011

Groups sound off on exchanges as governors wrestle with HHS over control

The issue of shaping health insurance exchanges is raising controversy even as states worry they'll bear the brunt of the public's anger over the law.

7 Nov 2011

Patients with lupus nephritis ESRD choose hemodialysis as initial therapy

Newly published research shows that more patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by lupus nephritis choose hemodialysis as their initial kidney replacement therapy over peritoneal dialysis and preemptive kidney transplantation.

7 Nov 2011

ALFA hosts meeting for executives interested in advancing excellence in senior living

The Assisted Living Federation of America, today hosted a meeting of 140 executives interested in advancing excellence in senior living. The day-long event at National Harbor, Maryland offered executives briefings on topics shaping their businesses today and peer discussions groups to help find answers to some of the big shared questions on their minds.

5 Nov 2011

Human Genome Sciences to present abstracts regarding BENLYSTA, SLE at ACR/ARHP meeting

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. announced today that several abstracts related to BENLYSTA (belimumab) and systemic lupus erythematosus will be presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/ Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, being held in Chicago, IL from November 4 to November 9, 2011.

5 Nov 2011

Over 10 million beneficiaries use DRX's PlanCompare suite of tools to enroll in Medicare plans

DRX, a leading provider of healthcare comparison tools, technology and data, today announced that over 10 million beneficiaries have been enrolled in a Medicare plan using the DRX's licensed online suite of PlanCompare tools for drug and health plan comparison and enrollment.

5 Nov 2011

Boehner sends signals on deficit deal

The speaker of the house said Thursday that there is room for revenue increases in a deficit-reduction deal as long as such proposals are accompanied by major changes in government benefit programs.

5 Nov 2011

AHRQ awarded $34M in fiscal year 2011 to expand fight against HAIs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announced that it has awarded $34 million in fiscal year 2011 for grants and contracts to hospitals, academic medical institutions, and health care research organizations to expand the fight against healthcare-associated infections.

5 Nov 2011

Health Net selected as double-winner in 18th annual National Health Information Awards

Health Net, Inc. was selected as a double-winner in the 18th annual National Health Information Awards. The program is coordinated by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearinghouse that recognizes the nation's best consumer health information programs and materials.

5 Nov 2011

Super committee progress appears to be at 'impasse'

As the clock ticks toward the panel's Thanksgiving deadline, the question of raising taxes continues to be a sticking point. Republicans and Democrats appear to be trying to "horsetrade" revenue increases for entitlement program cuts. In the background, 33 Republican senators sent a letter to the committee insisting on "no net tax increase."

5 Nov 2011

Hawaii Pacific Health joins Premier's Partnership for Care Transformation collaborative

Hawaii Pacific Health has joined the Premier healthcare alliance's PACT (Partnership for Care Transformation) collaborative to build the necessary capabilities that are required under the final Medicare shared savings rule.

5 Nov 2011

Romney calls for increase in Medicare eligibility age

Mitt Romney unveiled a sweeping budget-cutting plan today that would increase the eligibility age for Social Security and cap Medicaid payments to states. Romney's plan would also increase the eligibility age for Medicare and allow seniors to choose between the government-sponsored plan and private insurance.

5 Nov 2011

NCQA recognizes three additional MetCare centers as PPC-PCMH

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., a leading provider of health care services in Florida, today announced that an additional three of its centers have been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Physician Practice Connections - Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

5 Nov 2011

Romney details his deficit-reduction plans

Media outlets also report on how the abortion issue might impact GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, fact checks and news from Iowa about Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum also are in the headlines.

5 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Romney's plan to cut the debt; congressional squabbles on spending; spurning insurers' concerns about new labels

First, eliminate every government program that is not absolutely essential. There are many things government does that we may like but that we do not need. … For example: Repeal ObamaCare, which would save $95 billion in 2016. …Eliminate Title X family planning programs benefiting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. … Second, return federal programs to the states where innovation, cost management and reduction of fraud and abuse can far exceed what Washington achieves. I will block grant Medicaid and workforce training, saving well over $100 billion in 2016.

5 Nov 2011

AMAG reports third quarter total revenues of $17.6 million

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

4 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 4, 2011

In today's headlines, reports about the super committee's apparent impasse, and details on Mitt Romney's plan to cut the deficit.

4 Nov 2011

UofL intervention program for caregivers of people with IDD

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in family or group homes are less likely to receive routine dental care than those living in institutions, according to University of Louisville School of Dentistry associate professor Catherine Binkley, D.D.S., Ph.D.

4 Nov 2011

Roundup: Mental health hospital woes; N.Y. Medicare scam bust

A Miami Herald series "Neglected to Death," focused this spring on critical breakdowns in Florida's enforcement system, including failures by the state's Agency on Health Care Administration to fully investigate deaths or to shut down some of the worst offenders among Florida's 2,850 assisted-living facilities. Although more states are using Medicaid money to pay for some portion of assisted living care for the poor, the federal government has a limited role in the facilities their oversight has been and will likely continue to be a state duty.

4 Nov 2011

Calif. Hospital Association sues over Medi-Cal provider cuts

The trade group for California's hospitals has sued state and federal officials to block a 10 percent cut in government reimbursements for health care providers who treat low-income patients. The California Hospital Association said in its suit, filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, that cuts to the Medi-Cal insurance program will threaten the ability of many hospitals to continue operating skilled nursing facilities.

4 Nov 2011