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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.

Technology-enabled pharmacists to make house calls

The University of Rhode Island's College of Pharmacy is pairing home visits from pharmacists with the latest technology, providing instant access to a patient's medical history and medications, all in an effort to reduce hospital readmissions.

4 Aug 2011

Debt deal's potential Medicare cuts echo through health care industry

Medicare and Medicaid advocates prepare for their luck to run out as the debt deal will likely lead to pressure on providers and could lead to family physicians, hospitals and even elderly patients feeling the pinch.

4 Aug 2011

ASCO's statement identifies specific measures to help eliminate cancer care disparities

To help address serious racial and economic disparities in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the United States, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today released a policy statement that outlines specific provisions of 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that have the potential to reduce these disparities.

4 Aug 2011

Insurance rate reviews pick up momentum

Regulators in 38 states last year reviewed all health insurance companies' planned increases in premiums before the rates took effect, according to a Government Accountability Office survey that also found the reviews ranged from detailed examinations to a cursory glance at rate justifications.

4 Aug 2011

State roundup: Moving vets off Medicaid; San Fran. grapples with loophole

About 9,500 veterans were removed from the Medicaid rolls under the Washington state initiative since the program began in 2003, saving the state $27 million, according to the National Coalition on Health Care. And now Oregon is taking baby steps toward imitating the success

4 Aug 2011

ICORE Healthcare receives URAC Accreditation for Specialty Pharmacy

Magellan Health Services Inc. has announced that ICORE Healthcare, its Specialty Pharmaceutical division, has been awarded the Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation from URAC, a Washington, D.C. based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

4 Aug 2011

Viewpoints: Geithner, Bowles, Simpson, Ryan, Vladeck, Wilensky on health spending and the deficit

The agreement sets up a powerful mechanism for agreement on tax reforms to strengthen growth, and entitlement reforms to strengthen programs such as Medicare. A congressional committee with fast-track authority will have a Nov. 23 deadline to recommend a balanced package of long-term reforms to produce $1.5 trillion in additional deficit reduction.

4 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 3, 2011

Today's headlines showcase continuing reports about the impact the debt deal might have on health care providers, as well as how the agreement's "super committee" will be charged with finding spending reductions in Medicare, Medicaid and a range of other government programs.

3 Aug 2011

Debt deal triggers nerves in health industry; Medicare providers brace for cuts

Physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and home health care providers are all bracing for pain as the debt-ceiling agreement kicks in.

3 Aug 2011

Editorials dissect debt deal, contraception, HSAs, long-term care

The long-term challenge for the federal budget is in benefit programs. Rising healthcare costs and the aging population are driving the budgets for Medicaid and Medicare through the roof, causing those programs to consume an ever-larger percentage of the budget.

3 Aug 2011

With clock ticking, debt-deal moves toward finish

A Senate vote on the package is set for today. The deal itself has left both liberals and conservatives unhappy but clarified both parties' priorities. For Democrats, it was protecting Medicaid and Social Security. For Republicans, preventing tax increases.

3 Aug 2011

Debt deal raises concerns for states

State officials worry that federal funding for health and other programs could be squeezed by the special congressional committee that will hammer out further spending cuts.

3 Aug 2011

Federal judge temporarily bars Kansas from cutting funds to Planned Parenthood

For the second time in a month, a federal judge has temporarily halted a law aimed at abortion clinics. U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten issued a preliminary injunction Monday that blocks Kansas from stripping federal family-planning funds from Planned Parenthood. He ordered the state to start distributing the money to the agency.

3 Aug 2011

N.Y. brothers make good money running nonprofit group to help disabled; Fla. sends Medicaid plan to feds

The New York Times details a the expensive lifestyle of two men from Brooklyn who earned nearly $1 million a year when running a Medicaid-financed nonprofit organization serving the developmentally disabled. Meanwhile, in Florida, state officials submitted their plans for converting Medicaid to a managed care program.

3 Aug 2011

Pfizer second-quarter revenues decrease 1% to $17.0 billion

Pfizer Inc. today reported financial results for second-quarter 2011. As a result of Pfizer's decision to sell the Capsugel business, all revenues and expenses related to Capsugel in all periods presented are reflected in a single line, Discontinued operations - net of tax.

3 Aug 2011

Words+ introduces EyePro GS system

Words+, Inc., a leading provider of augmentative communication and assistive technology hardware and software for people with disabilities, announced today that it has launched EyePro GS™, a new product designed and manufactured in-house that allows a person to operate an augmentative communication system or computer by simply looking at the screen. Words+ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simulations Plus, Inc..

2 Aug 2011

IASIS Healthcare third quarter net revenue increases 12.6% to $718.6 million

IASIS Healthcare LLC today announced financial and operating results for the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2011.

2 Aug 2011

Amedisys second quarter net service revenue decreases 11.5% to $373.7 million

Amedisys, Inc., a leading home health and hospice company, today reported its financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and lowered 2011 guidance.

2 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 2, 2011

Today's headlines reveal how some specific elements of the debt-ceiling deal might impact Medicare providers.

2 Aug 2011

Tenet second quarter net operating revenues increase 3.1% to $2.374 billion

Tenet Healthcare Corporation today reported adjusted EBITDA of $277 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $9 million, or 3.4 percent, compared to $268 million for the second quarter of 2010. Income from continuing operations, before income taxes, was $66 million in the second quarter of 2011, an increase of $1 million, or 1.5 percent, as compared to $65 million in the second quarter of 2010.

2 Aug 2011