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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 insurers predict they will pass on health law's new tax to consumers

A report financed by insurance trade group America's Health Insurance Plans predicts that premiums will increase by about 2 percent in 2014, and 3 to 4 percent by 2023.

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

100 House lawmakers urge super committee to consider 'all options'

A letter from this bipartisan group of House members to the deficit panel asked that the super committee strive for a larger, $4 trillion deal. Meanwhile, Politico offers four possible scenarios that could play out.

4 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

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

Commercial disease management models do not reduce Medicare costs in America

At a time when everyone is looking for ways to reduce health care costs in America, using commercial disease management programs to reduce the fee-for-service Medicare costs associated with chronic conditions among senior citizens seems like a practical approach.

4 Nov 2011

Cain offers up his views on health policy

In a short policy speech delivered on Capitol Hill, GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain expressed his support for repealing the 2010 health law and replacing it with market-based reforms.

4 Nov 2011

The skinny on 'narrow networks'

Health Net of Arizona is joining with Banner Health to offer a new type of HMO plan. In other news, Health News Florida reports on WellCare and Humana's profits.

4 Nov 2011

ACP tells 112th Congress to 'go big' by reforming Medicare payments

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today told the 112th Congress to "go big" by reforming Medicare payments, including enacting a permanent end to scheduled Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) physician payment cuts.

4 Nov 2011

CMS issues J-code for Savient's KRYSTEXXA

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has assigned a product-specific billing code, or J-code, for KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase), which is used for the treatment of chronic gout in adult patients refractory to conventional therapy.

3 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 3, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are urging the super committee to consider "all options."

3 Nov 2011

Budget experts focus on health costs

Four well-known budget gurus testified Tuesday in a public super committee hearing, telling the panel they should raise revenues and overhaul expensive federal health programs in order to develop a budget compromise that will meet the $1.2 trillion, 10-year mandate.

3 Nov 2011