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.

Speculation abounds about what is on the deficit panel's list

Some Democrats have concerns that defense budget cuts are no longer being considered by the super committee. If this is true, it would force deep cuts to health programs and other discretionary spending.

27 Oct 2011

State roundup: Ohio voters will determine public employee benefits

On Nov. 8, Ohio voters will decide the fate of the law, which allows public employees to bargain for wages and working conditions but prohibits strikes. Workers will also have to pay for healthcare insurance and pensions. The law is on hold pending the referendum.

27 Oct 2011

Elan's third quarter total revenue increases 17% to $328.5 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its third quarter and first nine months 2011 financial results.

27 Oct 2011

Survey investigates provider-beneficiary ratio in Medicaid managed care plans

Medicaid managed-care plans reported an average ratio of one primary-care provider for every 584 beneficiaries, according to a recent survey. The newly released results of a February survey from the member plans of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans reported that among the 25 responding health plans the ratio ranged from one primary-care provider for every 53 plan enrollees to 1 provider for each 2,000 patients.

27 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: The health law and Wal-Mart; congressional probe into Planned Parenthood; trimming Medicare

When Wal-Mart endorsed President Obama's health care plan in 2009, CEO Mike Duke said it did so "to remove the burden that is crushing America's businesses and hampering our competitiveness in the global economy." That doesn't seem to be working out too well - for all Americans, and especially for Wal-Mart's employees.

27 Oct 2011

Some states limit Medicaid hospital coverage; Food stamp, benefit systems revamped

States, facing budget shortfalls, look for ways to save money on their Medicaid programs, including limiting hospital stays for enrollees. Wisconsin is holding hearings on plans to alter the programs there, and California is looking at restructuring the way health care is delivered to people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, Stateline reports that a number of states are using new technology to run their benefits programs.

24 Oct 2011

With much at stake, lobbyists stay close to super committee

Politico reports that the high stakes that involve everything from the health industry to Native American tribes in the deficit panel's deliberations have created a veritable "swarm" of lobbyists.

24 Oct 2011

House to consider bill to scale back health law's Medicaid expansion

In other Medicaid news, AIDS experts worry that the current model of HIV/AIDS care could be put at risk by fiscal pressures and the changes that will occur as a result of the health law.

24 Oct 2011

Premier awards Lantheus three-year supplier agreement for nuclear imaging products

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a global leader in developing, manufacturing and distributing innovative diagnostic imaging agents, today announced it has been awarded a three-year supplier contract with Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P., the group purchasing unit of the Premier healthcare alliance, for its radiopharmaceutical imaging agents.

24 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 24, 2011

Today's headlines include a variety of health policy news developments, including speculation about how the Supreme Court might review the health law and what's happening with the super committee.

24 Oct 2011

Aetna and Carilion Clinic launch Whole Health plans for Roanoke-area businesses

Aetna and Carilion Clinic have launched a suite of new health benefit plans - called Aetna Whole Health - now available to Virginia employers with two to 100 eligible employees.

24 Oct 2011

FDA's ODAC to review Affymax peginesatide NDA for treatment of CKD-associated anemia

Affymax, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) will review the New Drug Application (NDA) for peginesatide proposed for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult patients on dialysis on December 7, 2011 during the afternoon session.

24 Oct 2011

ACOs: Docs, hospitals A-OK on revisions to final rule

The regulations, which were released Thursday, relaxed requirements for doctors and hospitals to participate in the program. Some insurers and employers, however, complained that the changes will increase the chances that providers will consolidate, which could reduce competition and drive up costs.

22 Oct 2011

States react, act on health law waivers and other implementation issues

Sen. Ron Wyden draws line in the sand about how health law waivers should be used. Meanwhile, Kansas' planning board continues its efforts toward the creation of a state-based health exchange while acknowledging that the federal government may end up in charge. Also, in Oregon, a consumer-run health plan is positioning itself to be included in the state's exchange.

22 Oct 2011

Indiana, Planned Parenthood in court on Medicaid funding; Wis. bill to prohibit abortion in private insurance

Lawyers for the state tried for a second time Thursday to convince a federal court that Indiana's law defunding Planned Parenthood should go into effect immediately and not be delayed until after a judge rules on a lawsuit challenging the law. ... Planned Parenthood is arguing that the legislature's April vote to cut off Medicaid funding to providers that offer abortions runs afoul of federal Medicaid law, which forbids the state from picking and choosing where Medicaid patients can receive services.

22 Oct 2011

ACP applauds CMS' improved Medicare ACO Final rule

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today applauded CMS for making substantial improvements in its long- awaited Final Rule on Accountable Care Organizations.

22 Oct 2011

Watson receives FDA approval for Androderm lower-dose formulations

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its Androderm (testosterone transdermal system) 2 mg and 4 mg formulation.

21 Oct 2011

AHRQ: Only 8.7M of 12.1M women suffering from chronic pain received treatment in 2008

An estimated 12.1 million women age 18 and older reported suffering from chronic pain in 2008 as a result of underlying medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia and vulvodynia. Of these women, only 8.7 million reported receiving treatment that year at a total cost of $12.9 billion, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

21 Oct 2011

CMS provides new guidance on EHR payment program

Modern Healthcare reports on this development, which will set up a "double check" to ensure that hospitals have what is necessary to become "meaningful users" of electronic health records.

21 Oct 2011

Final ACO rule relaxes requirements for doctors, hospitals

The Obama administration today released much-awaited final rules on Medicare accountable care organizations that make it easier for doctors and hospitals to participate.

21 Oct 2011