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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.

Nursing homes to face Medicare pay cut

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized an 11 percent drop in nursing home payments, which will kick in next year.

2 Aug 2011

Texas HHSC awards new contracts to Centene's Superior HealthPlan

Centene Corporation today announced its Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and its Superior HealthPlan Network have been tentatively awarded new contracts by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

2 Aug 2011

BD third quarter revenues increase to $2.014 billion

BD, a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $2.014 billion for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011, representing an increase of 10.0 percent from the prior-year period.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 2 Aug 2011

What will the health law look like in the future?

News outlets report on a range of issues related to the health law, from efforts to repeal the measure's tax on insurance policies to competing claims about its costs.

2 Aug 2011

Teva's ZOELY oral contraceptive receives EU Marketing Authorization

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced today that its new oral contraceptive, ZOELY, has received a Marketing Authorization in the European Union (EU) for the prevention of pregnancy.

2 Aug 2011

PCMA President releases statement on new GAO report

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) President and CEO Mark Merritt released the following statement today on a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, "Medicare Part D Formularies: CMS Conducts Oversight of Mid-Year Changes; Most Mid-Year Changes Were Enhancements":

2 Aug 2011

Obama, Congressional leaders strike debt-limit deal

The agreement, which has the support of House and Senate Democratic and Republican leaders, must now win the approval of rank-and-file members. Within the agreed-upon framework, the second wave of cuts could touch payments to Medicare providers, but beneficiaries would not be hit. Also, programs for the poor, such as Medicaid, would be exempted.

2 Aug 2011

HHS reviewing Florida's plans for Medicaid; Iowa hospital system taking the brunt of Medicaid growth

Officials from Florida and the federal government are working on the state's plans to move all Medicaid enrollees to managed care plans. Meanwhile, Iowa is planning changes to its Medicaid program that could impact the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. And a Medicaid provider in Georgia finds anomalies in payments.

2 Aug 2011

Roundup: Calif.'s health-budget cuts; new med school for rural docs; community health centers packed

Faced with years of recession-driven budget shortfalls, state lawmakers have made deep cuts to health and social services. The reductions, including a round that took effect this month, translate into sizable state savings but are sharply scaling back the safety net for California's most vulnerable residents: the elderly, the disabled and the poor.

2 Aug 2011

More opinions: Berwick, Deparle, Rep. Pitts and others on health costs; public health transparency guidelines

Unfortunately, there are too many examples that show how our system can fail to meet patients' needs. These problems are not a reflection on the many doctors, nurses and other professionals who work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality care they can.

2 Aug 2011

Viewpoints on debt-ceiling debate center on Medicare

For weeks, ever since House Republicans said they would not raise the nation's debt ceiling without huge spending cuts, Democrats have held out for a few basic principles.

1 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 1, 2011

In today's headlines, the early details regarding how the politics and policies involved of the debt-ceiling deal are taking shape.

1 Aug 2011

SXC to launch enhanced Coordination of Benefits service in the state Medicaid market

SXC Health Solutions Corp., a leading provider of technology and pharmacy benefit management services, is launching the industry's first automated, enhanced Coordination of Benefits service in the State Fee-For-Service Medicaid market.

1 Aug 2011

Nursing homes attack Medicare's payment cuts

"Medicare says it will cut payments to nursing homes to correct for an unintended windfall this year, and the industry is warning that quality will be compromised. Officials announced the 11 percent cut Friday, along with other changes meant to tamp down on physical therapy costs".

1 Aug 2011

Debt deal on table includes possible Medicare cuts

"Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on CNN's State of the Union said lawmakers were looking at $3 trillion in spending cuts. 'We're very close,' McConnell said".

1 Aug 2011

Default scenarios include questions about fate of Medicare, Medicaid, government workers

With the debt-ceiling fight unlikely to be resolved this weekend, news outlets are covering the possible fallout for the health care system.

1 Aug 2011

Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care expresses alarm about CMS' newly-published Final Rule

Saying the nation's Skilled Nursing Facility sector has contributed significantly to advancing health care reform and deficit reduction in the face of severe state Medicaid funding pressures and other major budgetary challenges, the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care today expressed alarm about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' newly-published Final Rule ["Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities for FY 2012"], and said it will dangerously destabilize the nation's second largest health facility employer, place patients and their care at deep risk, and put tens of thousands of health jobs in immediate jeopardy.

30 Jul 2011

Boehner's debt-ceiling plan faces delay in the House

As Republican leaders struggle to gather enough votes to push the measure through, news outlets are analyzing a number of related issues -- including how both the House GOP and Senate Democrats' plans avoid tough decisions on entitlement program spending, and how future discussions surrounding Medicare may be significantly altered.

30 Jul 2011

HHS makes funds available for health insurance co-ops

The Department of Health and Human Services will make available $600 million in loans to help start these co-ops, which were authorized by the health law. Meanwhile, various regulations regarding the health law's coverage expansions are pending at the Office of Management and Budget.

30 Jul 2011