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Health Net second quarter total revenues decrease 19.2% to $2.8 billion

Health Net, Inc. today announced 2011 second quarter GAAP net income of $58.3 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared with $45.1 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2010.

4 Aug 2011

CIGNA consolidated revenues increase 7% for second quarter 2011

CIGNA Corporation today reported second quarter 2011 results, that included strong revenue growth and earnings from each of our ongoing businesses, reflecting continued effective execution of the fundamentals supporting our long-term growth strategy.

4 Aug 2011

Capsules: Blogwatch: Challenges for the debt deal’s 'super committee'

Now on Capsules, KHN's news blog, the latest installment of Blogwatch - Andrew Villegas rounds up what bloggers are saying about what might be at stake for Medicare, Medicaid and the health law.

4 Aug 2011

With debt deal in place, focus shifts to role of 'super committee'

This panel will be tasked with searching out more than $1 trillion in spending reductions from the mandatory-spending side of the budget, which includes Medicare and Medicaid. If they fail, automatic across-the-board cuts will be triggered.

4 Aug 2011

Government's tab for 'big' health care programs keeps growing

The costs of the government's big health care programs are soaring again, expenses not tackled in the agreement President Obama signed into law Tuesday to raise the nation's debt limit and cut federal spending.

4 Aug 2011

Hospitals that readmit 'too soon' will face Medicare penalty

Medicare soon will start docking payments to hospitals if they have a higher-than-expected level of patient readmissions within 30 days of being discharged.

4 Aug 2011

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

Nursing homes struggle to bounce back from Medicare cuts

Nursing-home companies Sun Healthcare Group Inc. and Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. said Tuesday they are aiming to cut expenses to help offset the impact of a severe Medicare reimbursement cut coming in two months.

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

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

RACGP urging the government to restore mental health rebates

In its submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs regarding the Commonwealth funding and administration of mental health services, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) strongly argued for the restoration of GP mental health services. The College is gravely concerned regarding the proposed cuts to the Better Access program and the subsequent impact on mental health delivery for every patient age group, demographic and geography throughout Australia.

3 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

Hospitalist care does not reduce overall costs: Study

Inpatients cared for by hospitalists have higher Medicare costs in the 30 days after discharge than those whose personal physicians oversee their care. This is partly because hospitalists' patients are more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing facility than to their homes and more likely to have subsequent emergency room visits and readmissions.

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

Different health care delivery systems offer differing visions of efficiency

One California partnership that involved a large insurance company, a major hospital chain and a group of doctors has reduced health care costs. But a new report shows that the growing number of hospital-based physicians may ultimately be taxing Medicare resources.

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

Super committee's muscle draws interest, questions

Some lawmakers are questioning the powerful panel's ability to recommend changes to entitlement programs and the tax code. This group must present a deficit-reduction package to Congress by Nov. 23. Failure to do so would lead to across-the-board cuts to high-priority programs such as defense spending and Medicare.

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