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First Edition: August 16, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how the influence industry is jockeying for position with the 'super committee' as well as details of how Medicaid payments for prescription drugs stack up against those made by Medicare.

16 Aug 2011

Medigap policies could come under 'super committee's' budget knife

On July 1, a Washington health advocacy group issued a dire warning about a small but significant Medicare provision on the table in the debt talks.

16 Aug 2011

ACS, 20 other organizations publish sixth edition of Physicians as Assistants at Surgery

In light of continuing Medicare and other third party-payer physician reimbursement issues and changes, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and 20 other specialty surgical organizations have jointly published the sixth edition of Physicians as Assistants at Surgery, a guide that indicates whether an operation may call for the use of a physician as an assistant.

16 Aug 2011

IPAB draws sustained opposition from GOP, health industry lobbyists

The Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is one of the health law's central tools for cutting Medicare costs, continues to be a topic that draws significant opposition.

16 Aug 2011

Analysis: Medicare, liberals and the lesser of two evils

Writing for Kaiser Health News, Jonathan Cohn asks and answer the following question: Why does the debt ceiling deal give liberals so much heartburn? Many reasons, obviously. But a big one is the possibility that it will trigger automatic cuts to Medicare, the jewel of the Great Society and the program on which virtually every senior citizen depends for health insurance.

16 Aug 2011

Research roundup: Too many colonoscopies; N.C. health centers save money; Ankle injuries not necessarily emergencies

Overuse Of Screening Colonoscopy In The Medicare Population -- Medical experts traditionally recommend 10 years between normal colonoscopy screenings.

12 Aug 2011

GOP presidential candidates spar over health overhaul plans, individual mandate and more

Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney defended parts of the state's health overhaul he signed into law as the chief executive, while Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and former Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty also exchanged health policy barbs.

12 Aug 2011

Viewpoints: Brownback's 'snub'; The 'risks' of Medicaid cuts; Congressional alums on debt talks

The governor's inability to stand up to pressure from his own party will slow progress. The rejected grant was also helping to fund information technology intended to make the state's Medicaid eligibility process more efficient and cost effective. Now that project also may be jeopardized (8/11).

12 Aug 2011

Sebelius talks health insurance exchanges

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius took questions from PBS Newshour viewers about these new health insurance marketplaces that were envisioned in the health law. Also in the news, analysis of the recess appointment of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Donald Berwick and more about what implementation activities are happening at the state level.

12 Aug 2011

With panelists now in place, possible dynamics of a deal emerge

The special committee that will have to find $1.5 trillion in budget savings has a few members who will understand exactly what's at stake for Medicare and Medicaid. But others will only have a general idea — and it may be completely shaped by their political interests. Some of them won't have much of a health care background at all, but will have to get up to speed quickly.

12 Aug 2011

Boston health organizations plan merger

Partners HealthCare and Neighborhood Health Plan sign letter of intent for merger. In other hospital issues, Parkland Hospital In Dallas is in danger of losing Medicare accreditation and Conn. regulators are criticized.

12 Aug 2011

Pelosi adds her picks to deficit reduction committee

With House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's selections now made for the 'super committee,' the panel is complete. The next step: analyzing what positions they will bring to the negotiations and what the likelihood is that the group will strike a deal.

12 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 12, 2011

Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey and Politico Pro's David Nather talk to Jackie Judd about the now complete "super committee" and what it may mean for Medicare and Medicaid.

12 Aug 2011

What will the panelists bring to the 'super committee' negotiations?

News outlets report on the personalities and records of the people who have been named to the deficit panel, and attempt to handicap how their politics could play into the deficit-reduction dynamics.

12 Aug 2011

GOP deficit panel Roster set: What are the chances for a deal?

Top Republicans have named their choices from the House and Senate to serve on the 'super committee.' These six lawmakers now join three Senate Democrats on the list — leaving only House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's picks unknown. As the panel takes shape, questions are emerging about whether the group will be able to find the necessary spending cuts.

12 Aug 2011

Longer looks: A break for sleep-deprived docs; Gruber profile

Last month something extraordinary happened at teaching hospitals around the country: Young interns worked for 16 hours straight — and then they went home to sleep. After decades of debate and over the opposition of nearly every major medical organization and 79 percent of residency-program directors, new rules went into effect that abolished 30-hour overnight shifts for first-year residents.

12 Aug 2011

FDA assigns PDUFA action date for review of Affymax peginesatide NDA

Affymax, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of March 27, 2012 for the review of the investigational agent peginesatide New Drug Application.

12 Aug 2011

Viewpoints: WSJ on 'super committee'; NEJM perspectives on medical devices

At bottom, the recent deal was meant to defer the bedrock choices that need another election or two to resolve while making incremental progress. So the current exercise is about rooting out $1.5 trillion in "savings," which will mean a hodgepodge of changes at the margin, not a rewrite of either entitlements or taxes. If bigger change were possible, Speaker John Boehner and President Obama would have agreed to it.

12 Aug 2011

Kindred subsidiary to acquire Professional HealthCare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the equity of Professional HealthCare, LLC, a portfolio company of Mainsail Partners, for a purchase price of $51 million in cash.

11 Aug 2011

Study examines private insurance data

Quick: Where do insured Americans spend the most on health care? Miami? Los Angeles? Nope. It's Anderson, Ind., where people with employer-provided insurance spent an average of $7,231 on medical treatments.

11 Aug 2011