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First Edition: August 5, 2011

In the news today... The cost of premiums for Medicare's prescription drug program won't rise in 2012. Meanwhile, Medicare data reveal a gap in hospital performance and perception.

5 Aug 2011

Rates for Calif. pre-existing condition plans drop by an average of 18%

Californians who rely on safety-net health insurance are getting an unexpected break on their rates. The lucky recipients get their coverage through a little-known public program, started last fall, for people with preexisting medical conditions.

5 Aug 2011

Appeals court tosses out health challenge brought by New Jersey docs

A U.S. appeals court rejected a bid by group of New Jersey doctors to reinstate their lawsuit challenging the federal health-insurance overhaul. New Jersey Physicians Inc., a nonprofit group, and an uninsured patient identified only as "Patient Roe" failed to adequately plead a concrete or actual injury, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled today.

5 Aug 2011

States seek Medicaid waivers, wrestle with funding cuts

Oregon and Utah have waiver requests pending. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, steep Medicaid cuts are leading to the sale of some hospitals. And, in Arizona, a judge will soon decide whether health coverage should be restored for some low-income state residents whose health insurance ceased as a result of budget cuts.

5 Aug 2011

Longer looks: Treating Down syndrome?; mentally ill, meds & trials

Politicians want to lower spending, or at least they say they do. But in all the to-and-fro over raising the debt ceiling, little sensible has been said about lowering spending in the long term. Nothing illuminates this more clearly than health care.

5 Aug 2011

State roundup: Windfall for Mass. hospitals

Hospitals in Massachusetts will reap an annual windfall of $275 million due to a loophole enshrined in the new health care law. Hospitals in most other states will get less money as a result.

5 Aug 2011

Canadian physicians spend less on health insurance administrative costs than U.S. doctors

U.S. physicians spend nearly $61,000 more than their Canadian counterparts each year on administrative expenses related to health insurance, according to a new study by researchers at Cornell University and the University of Toronto.

4 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 4, 2011

In today's news, reports about how lawmakers, lobbyists are lining up for the next phase of the deficit deal.

4 Aug 2011

Survey finds employers expanding coverage under reform

A new survey finds that employers are providing benefits to a growing number of people, particularly as employee benefits are extended to cover workers' adult children — a provision of the health law.

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

N.H. says group that administers insurance for cities owes $100 million

State investigators say the Local Government Center is required by law to return the surplus to the cities.

4 Aug 2011

New leadership at HHS insurance exchange office

Steve Larson, who oversees the office at the Department of Health and Human Services that includes planning for the exchanges, will join forces with another HHS official to take on this effort. Meanwhile, KHN's Julie Appleby provides an exchanges primer and from Minnesota, an update on the state's progress.

4 Aug 2011

Conn. and Calif. lower premiums in high-risk pools

The state has received federal approval to set a flat premium for its Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, allowing anyone who qualifies to get coverage for $381 a month, the governor's office announced Tuesday.

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

TeleTracking announces new hospital contracts for TransferCenter referral automation software

TeleTracking Technologies continued to expand its lead in the hospital capacity management market during the second quarter of 2011, spurred by 14 new hospital contracts for its category-leading TransferCenter™ referral automation software, which has become the fastest selling application in its product portfolio.

3 Aug 2011

Health insurance exchange administrator announces HHS exit

Joel Ario, the Health and Human Services official who has been responsible for the development of the health law's insurance exchanges, is leaving his job.

3 Aug 2011

New HHS rule requires insurance coverage for contraception, other preventive services for women

The regulations, which were issued Monday by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, implement what is likely to be one of the most wide-reaching and popular provisions of the health law.

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

Roundup: Atlanta hospital facing questions about extending dialysis care to immigrants; Fla. to limit HMO choices for state workers

The agreement providing dialysis for immigrants who were former Grady patients expires at the end of August, and it's unclear what will happen next. ... Grady's financial situation has deteriorated recently, and its losses this year could reach $20 million or more. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to shoulder an enormous financial burden in caring for uninsured patients, including immigrants, providing more than $200 million in indigent care annually.

3 Aug 2011