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Johns Hopkins USFHP recognized as the best private health insurer in Maryland

The Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan (USFHP), a Department of Defense-sponsored managed care plan, was ranked by Consumer Reports as the best private health insurer in Maryland, while Priority Partners, a joint venture between Johns Hopkins HealthCare LLC and the Maryland Community Health System, placed as the state's top Medicaid health plan.

11 Oct 2011

Brown signs Calif. measures to aid children with autism, ban kids younger than 18 from using tanning beds

In other state news, Wisconsin last month began scrutinizing health insurance rate increases, Los Angeles County steps in ahead of health law's mandated coverage expansions and a Georgia report notes the state's progress in providing services for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

11 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Obama fighting back; putting a price on compassion; questions for GOP candidates

As part of his newfound assertiveness, President Obama is using the term "Obamacare," the Republicans' sneering dismissal of the Democratic health care reforms. We are skeptical that he will be able to turn it into a term of approbation. But it is heartening to see him finally out there defending his pioneering policy with no apologies and an uncharacteristic feistiness.

11 Oct 2011

Takeda, Affymax announce data from multiple studies of peginesatide on anemia

Affymax, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Global Research & Development Center, Inc., U.S., today announced data from multiple studies of peginesatide have been accepted for presentation at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2011 taking place November 8-13, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pa.

11 Oct 2011

The health law's future: Prose on politics and policies

Politico reports on how the elections of 2012 will dictate the future of the health law. Also, other news outlets report on states' efforts to figure out what to do if the individual mandate is struck down, the essential benefits package, the development of health exchanges and where things stand with accountable care organizations.

10 Oct 2011

For issues that can drive physicians to quit

One news article details the reasons that drove a primary care physician to quit practicing medicine. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association is launching a media campaign to permanently fix the formula that is used to calculate Medicare payments to doctors.

10 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 10, 2011

In today's headlines, reports about the 'super committee's' moving parts and how the fate of the health law may be determined by what happens in 2012.

10 Oct 2011

MetCare wins South Florida Business Journal Excellence in Health Care Award

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., a leading provider of health care services in Florida, today announced that the company was the recipient of the South Florida Business Journal Excellence in Health Care Award presented on October 6th.

10 Oct 2011

Endocrine Society strongly opposes MedPAC's recommendation on SGR

The Endocrine Society, representing more than 14,000 physicians and scientists in the field of endocrinology, strongly opposes the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) recommendation to reduce payments for specialists by 17.7 percent to partially fund the elimination of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.

10 Oct 2011

CMS, FDA launch 'parallel review' pilot program for medical devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today launched a "parallel review" pilot program for concurrent review of medical devices for FDA approval and Medicare coverage.

10 Oct 2011

MedPAC approves draft proposal to junk Medicare's physician pay formula

The MedPAC plan, which relies on cuts to provider reimbursements to offset its proposal, has drawn opposition from physician groups and other provider organizations, which argue the approach would impact patients' access to care.

7 Oct 2011

Many cancer screenings may be unnecessary

Forty Percent Of Medicare Spending On Common Cancer Screenings Unnecessary, Probe Suggest Cancer screening tests are vastly overused in the United States, with about 40 percent of Medicare spending on common preventive screenings regarded as medically unnecessary, an iWatch News investigation reveals.

7 Oct 2011

Public perceives health law parts better than whole; Obama increasingly critical to measure's future

Some of the law's specific provisions draw stronger support than the entire package, but the real key to the measure's future is increasingly linked to President Barack Obama's polling numbers.

7 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Defining 'essential benefits;' 'Super committee' special pleadings; Limiting consumer choice in prescriptions

The IOM report acknowledges that "the determination of the (essential health benefits) is a politically and socially charged endeavor."

7 Oct 2011

Research roundup: Health disparities; Prescription drug abuse in Medicare Part D; Medicaid's role for HIV patients

Achieving Equity In Health -- This policy brief examines the outlining factors that cause disparities in the health care system and focuses on the October issue of the journal, which is devoted to research on the subject.

7 Oct 2011

Health interests make cases to super committee

For instance, hospital groups are urging the panel not to reduce bad-debt payments, saying such a step would take a toll on the hospital safety net. Others are asking that entitlements in general and Medicare specifically be protected.

7 Oct 2011

MedPAC plan to revamp Medicare physician pay draws intense opposition

A proposal by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to revamp the Medicare physician reimbursement system is drawing intense opposition from providers who say commissioners are demanding too much in health industry cuts to pay for the overhaul. Sternly worded letters from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), along with physician specialty groups, will be in MedPAC's mailbox when the commission meets Thursday.

7 Oct 2011

HHS inspector to step up anti-fraud and abuse efforts in 2012

One new item on the to-do list will be to review hospitals deemed to be at high risk of submitting improper bills to Medicare. Also, The Fiscal Times details how lab test costs could be squeezing Medicare and Medicaid.

7 Oct 2011

CLASS implementation oversight listed in HHS work plan

But GOP lawmakers are seeking an actuarial report from the Department of Health and Human Services that may offer insights into this controversial long-term care insurance program's fiscal viability.

7 Oct 2011

House lawmaker looks into drug shortages, price markups

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has begun an investigation into 'gray market' drug distributors and how they may be driving up costs and adding to the nation's current shortage of cancer and critical-care products.

7 Oct 2011