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.

Watson confirms patent challenge of generic Daytrana

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Methylphenidate Transdermal System, 10 mg/9 hrs, 15 mg/9 hrs, 20 mg/9 hrs, and 30 mg/9 hrs.

15 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: 'Killing' Medicaid; medicine for mentally ill; 'outrageous' veto of mammogram bill in Calif.

Even as it vigorously defends the constitutionality of the individual mandate, the Obama administration may be complicit in eviscerating Medicaid - and setting back the broader goal of ensuring that all Americans have access to quality health care.

15 Oct 2011

Teva acquires Cephalon

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Cephalon, Inc. The combined company will have a significant presence in over 60 countries and generated approximately $20 billion in revenues on a pro-forma basis for the twelve months ended June 2011.

15 Oct 2011

Research roundup: Racial disparities in colon cancer survival; Options to cut health spending; Covering teenagers

Survival Disparities In African American And White Colo-Rectal Cancer Patients -- Researchers analyzed results from 12 controlled clinical trials to understand disparities between black and white survivors of colorectal cancer.

14 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 14, 2011

In today's headlines, more status report on the super committee's deficit-reduction deliberations.

14 Oct 2011

'Doc fix' dilemma makes debt panel's job more difficult

According to Reuters, sources indicate panel members are interested in taking on this Medicare issue, but doing so would cost hundreds of billions of dollars and complicate their efforts to find federal budget savings. Meanwhile, in related news, AHIP - America's Health Insurance Plans - is lobbying the committee regarding an approach to debt reduction that involves coordinating care for dual eligibles.

14 Oct 2011

Legislation news: Obama promises to veto anti-abortion bill

The House is expected to pass an abortion-related bill today, but like other similar legislation, it is not likely to make progress in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Meanwhile, a number of other health-related measures and subjects are moving on both sides of the Capitol, including a rural health proposal and another related to a health tax credit aimed at easing the contractor tax compliance burden. Lastly, two Senate Democrats expressed concerns about the Prevention Trust Fund's advisory panel.

14 Oct 2011

Conrad: Efforts to repeal health law via budget procedures would be 'misusing' the rules

Also in the news, media outlets report on a range of issues related to the health law's implementation, including accountable care organizations, essential benefits and an HHS warning about a fake website related to the measure's pre-existing condition insurance plan.

14 Oct 2011

Medicaid waivers, enrollment problems plaguing states

More than a dozen House Democrats from California met recently with Medicaid boss Donald Berwick to warn him that Gov. Jerry Brown's request for deep cuts to the state/federal program would devastate healthcare providers and their patients, The Hill has learned. Brown, a Democrat, has put the Obama administration in a tough spot with his request to cut the state's Medicaid program by $1.4 billion to help plug a $26.6 billion budget gap.

14 Oct 2011

State roundup: Anti-abortion legislation campaign; services for disabled under scrutiny; what is a 'medical home'

A nationwide coalition of anti-abortion groups said Wednesday it is preparing to push legislation in all 50 states requiring that pregnant women see and hear the fetal heartbeat before having an abortion. The effort follows the introduction of similar legislation at the federal level by Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota.

14 Oct 2011

Study finds high prevalence of psychiatric visits among pediatric patients

Pediatric patients, primarily those who are underinsured (either without insurance or receiving Medicaid), are increasingly receiving psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments (EDs), according to an abstract presented Friday, Oct. 14, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Boston.

14 Oct 2011

Bonuses tied to Medicare Advantage's star system reward insurers on quality marks

For the first time, a government-backed quality rating will have a financial meaning to health insurance companies looking to attract millions of older Americans to privately run Medicare coverage next year.

14 Oct 2011

Longer looks: Miss. ballot-initiative on abortion; personal fortune may have helped Herman Cain battle cancer; for doctors, breaking up is hard to do

One evening in late September John Perkins, a veteran of the civil-rights movement, attended a rally at a Baptist church in Jackson in support of what he called "a total justice issue," … It was concerned with Amendment 26, a measure on Mississippi's ballot this November that defines a person as being "every human being from the moment of fertilisation, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof". The reason for the measure is straightforward; its consequences less so. The Supreme Court, in its landmark Roe v Wade ruling in 1973, held that the right of a woman to terminate her pregnancy in the first trimester was guaranteed by her constitutional right to privacy.

14 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: 'Moneyball' and health care; Daschle on diabetes treatment; Elton John and Sen. Nelson on paying for AIDS drugs

Billy Beane's data-driven strategies made him the talk of baseball, the king of the current box office and a highly visible advocate for evidence-based medicine. But Beane's teams have faded since their "Moneyball" heyday - and evidence-based medicine might not be the home run that some reformers hope it will be.

14 Oct 2011

Univita earns Health Utilization Management Accreditation from URAC

Univita announced today that it has been awarded Health Utilization Management Accreditation from URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

13 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 13, 2011

In today's headlines, a report about how Mitt Romney's health law waiver plan would work -- states could skirt some of the measure's biggest requirements, but it's still not a complete repeal.

13 Oct 2011

AARP members take to the Hill to protect entitlements

In effort to reinforce national television advertising, more than 400 AARP volunteers and staffers will be on Capitol Hill today to remind lawmakers not to cut Medicare. Meanwhile, both Democratic and Republican leaders are sending clear messages to the "super committee" and their fellow lawmakers regarding what they think should be on the table and how to frame expectations.

13 Oct 2011

Roundup: N.Y. health insurers seek to keep premium memos secret

Major health insurance companies seeking steep premium increases in New York have submitted memos to state officials to justify the higher rates. Now they are fighting to keep the memos from the public, saying they include trade secrets that competitors could use against them.

13 Oct 2011

Mass. Medicaid waiver hits roadblock; N.Y. enrollment reaches 5 million

Politico reports that despite its health reform efforts, Massachusetts is having trouble getting the federal government to issue a waiver for Medicaid programs. The Wall Street Journal reports on the growing needs in New York.

13 Oct 2011

37 states, D.C. advance plans to improve health outcomes for dual eligibles

The states and D.C. are proposing demonstration projects to better coordinate and therefore improve care for an estimated 9 million people who fall into this category. States would receive a share of any resulting savings.

13 Oct 2011