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JU launches new curriculum for online RN to BSN degree program

Registered nurses choosing to complete a bachelor's degree need a program that prepares them to take leadership roles within their organizations. To address this need, U.S.News & World Report-ranked Jacksonville University (JU) is launching a new curriculum for its online RN to BSN degree program.

1 Oct 2011

Research roundup: What older patients really prize; DOD and the ACA

DOD Health Care: Cost Impact Of Health Care Reform And The Extension Of Dependent Coverage -- This study, mandated by Congress, assesses the financial impact of the federal health law on the Defense Department's budget.

1 Oct 2011

Gingrich unveils new 'Contract With America'

The updated "Contract" makes priorities out of repealing the federal health care law and replacing it with a market-based program that includes tax breaks for those who purchase insurance. Meanwhile, the health care records of GOP presidential hopefuls Rick Perry and Mitt Romney draw a new round of barbs - from each other and the White House.

1 Oct 2011

General Dynamics acquires Vangent

General Dynamics today completed its acquisition of Vangent Holding Corp., the parent company of Vangent, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare information technology and business systems to federal agencies.

1 Oct 2011

First Edition: September 30, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how new and old health policy positions are playing on the campaign trail.

30 Sep 2011

Sandata releases new version of Santrax Agency Management

Sandata Technologies, LLC, a leading national provider of information technology solutions to the home care industry, announces the release of our newest version of our Santrax Agency Management operational Home Care technology solution.

30 Sep 2011

Hospital readmission rates reflect problem in addressing hospital failures

If you're a Medicare patient admitted to the hospital, the odds are about one in six that you'll end up back in the hospital within a month. And there was very little progress made in reducing that rate between 2004-09.

30 Sep 2011

Members of MAPRx coalition urge supercommittee to protect Part D program

Writing on behalf of millions of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions who rely on Part D for their essential medications, 26 members of the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) coalition sent a joint letter urging members of the joint deficit panel ("supercommittee") to reject proposals to increase Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing, raise coinsurance, and freeze income thresholds as they seek ways to reduce federal spending.

30 Sep 2011

Techniques on how to value, sell, and buy skilled nursing facilities

The SeniorCare Investor will be teaching seniors housing professionals techniques on how to value, sell, and buy skilled nursing facilities by hosting an online conference on Thursday, October 13th. The skilled nursing facility market can be tricky for investors. Some often wonder why certain SNFs sell for more than $100,000 per bed when others struggle to get $30,000 per bed.

30 Sep 2011

Initiative pays primary-care docs for coordinating Medicare patients' care

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday a new initiative created by the health law that will ask physicians to focus on patients with chronic conditions. The program will be tested in five to seven markets across the country.

30 Sep 2011

Military benefits face same cost challenges as Social Security, Medicare

The federal government last year spent a record $275.2 billion on benefits for retired federal workers, two-thirds of it for military retirees. What's driving up costs: Congress has expanded benefits frequently and Baby Boomers are living longer, collecting pension checks longer and consuming more health care - the same issues challenging Social Security and Medicare.

30 Sep 2011

GSA, NAM select 16 reporters for MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and New America Media (NAM) have selected 16 reporters for the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program, now in its second year.

30 Sep 2011

IOM offers additional ideas to revamp system of geographic adjustments to Medicare payments

The Institute of Medicine supplemented its earlier list of ideas for overhauling the system of geographic adjustments to Medicare payments with four more suggestions today.

30 Sep 2011

CVS Caremark, Dovetail Health partner to prevent avoidable hospital readmissions

Industry research finds that one in five seniors are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, representing a prevalent and costly issue for health plan sponsors. Moreover, it is estimated that nearly 70 percent of adverse health events that take place after hospital discharge are related to medication management issues.

29 Sep 2011

First Edition: September 29, 2011

In today's headlines, reports that a Supreme Court ruling on the 2010 health law is now likely before the 2012 presidential election.

29 Sep 2011

Costs of premiums for employer-provided health insurance jump

A study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average annual premium for family coverage was 9 percent higher in 2011 than in the previous year. Although many benefit analysts say the federal health law's requirements played only a small part in the rise, the results could provide political fodder for the law's supporters and opponents.

29 Sep 2011

ACOs: Will feds be ready for the start date?

Health care stakeholders and lobbyists are increasingly convinced that CMS will not make the Jan. 1 deadline for launching the flagship accountable care organization program mandated by the Affordable Care Act as release of the final rule slips later into the fall.

29 Sep 2011

National Partnership for Women & Families, ACP commend Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the National Partnership for Women & Families joined today to commend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the announcement of the new Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative.

29 Sep 2011

Hospitals fall short in efforts to curb readmissions

A Dartmouth Atlas report that studied Medicare beneficiaries concluded that hospital readmission rates are largely static. Facilities will face financial penalities next year if they do not improve their statistics.

29 Sep 2011

Debt panel operates in secret, eyes 'dual eligibles' as possible source of savings

The 'super committee' is taking a look at proposals to reduce spending on this population, which qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid and is made up of the sickest and poorest American citizens. In the background, the New York Times examines what congressional "short-term fixes" say about the legislative body.

29 Sep 2011