Medicare News and Research

RSS

First Edition: July 27, 2011

Today's headlines include the latest developments related to efforts to raise the debt ceiling, as well as reports about health policy news from the states.

27 Jul 2011

Aetna second-quarter operating earnings increase to $522.8 million

Aetna today announced second-quarter 2011 operating earnings of $522.8 million, or $1.35 per share, a per share increase of 29 percent over 2010.

27 Jul 2011

Safeguard Scientifics reports consolidated net income of $121.8M for second quarter 2011

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a holding company that builds value in growth-stage life sciences and technology companies, today announced results of operations for the second quarter of 2011.

27 Jul 2011

Medicare and deal-making on the debt — voters fear result

According to a National Journal poll, voters worry that an agreement will result in cuts to Medicare and Social Security that are too deep. Meanwhile, McClatchy reports on how Medicare and the federal deficit are playing a role in this year's PAC donations. Also, iWatch News fact checks a left-leaning ad on House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal.

27 Jul 2011

As partisan debt-ceiling disputes continue, entitlement reform haunts discussion

President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner each delivered prime time addresses Monday night, capping an extraordinary day of partisan debt-ceiling dueling. As the clock continues to tick toward the Aug. 2 deadline, specifics from the two very different plans emerged — one offered by House Republicans and the other by Senate Democrats.

27 Jul 2011

Report: Seniors still struggle with drug costs

Five years after the launch of Medicare prescription drug coverage, many beneficiaries are still struggling to sign up, according to a new report from the Medicare Rights Center.

27 Jul 2011

Teva second quarter net sales increase 11% to $4.2 billion

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

27 Jul 2011

Whistle-blower lawsuit alleges dialysis provider wasted drugs to boost profits

One of the nation's largest providers of kidney dialysis deliberately wasted medicine in order to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in extra payments from Medicare, a former clinic nurse and a doctor are charging in a whistle-blower lawsuit.

27 Jul 2011

N.H. hospitals sue over Medicaid payments; Louisiana announces firms that will handle Medicaid managed care

As states seek to keep spending down for the health care program for low-income and disabled residents, they look to trim reimbursement rates and move more enrollees to private plans that control costs.

27 Jul 2011

Roundup: Md. to release cancer control plan; funding cut at Texas mental health centers

Maryland health officials plan to release today their newest plan to control cancer, a set of diseases responsible for one in four deaths in the state. The officials say the plan to be used by health care providers, policy makers, communities and individuals is ambitious, aiming to save some 1,200 more people a year. Now, about 10,000 Marylander die a year from all kinds of cancer.

27 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: The effects of the debt debate; Medicare's birthday; N.Y. drug plan

In the scramble to cut the nation's debt burden, President Obama, congressional Democrats and even some Republicans have proposed squeezing money out of Medicare by changing the way it pays for prescription drugs.

27 Jul 2011

Watson second quarter net revenue increases 24% to $1.1 billion

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported net revenue of $1.1 billion for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 24 percent when compared to $875.3 million in the second quarter 2010.

26 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 26, 2011

In her latest Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "In the controlled chaos of an hospital emergency department, ensuring that patients are pain-free and can make informed choices about their care often takes a back seat to assessing and stabilizing them and moving them through the system as fast as possible.

26 Jul 2011

Centene reports diluted earnings per share of $0.54 for second quarter 2011

Centene Corporation today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The discussions below, with the exception of cash flow information, are in the context of continuing operations and all financial ratios exclude premium taxes.

26 Jul 2011

Gridlock continues despite push to reach debt-ceiling deal

Democratic and Republican leaders are preparing their own backup plans as possibilities for a bipartisan approach appear increasingly dim. Both political and policy-oriented differences are making the process difficult. Medicare, Medicaid, other entitlement programs and even Tricare are in play. All the while, the deadline continues its approach.

26 Jul 2011

House GOP, Senate Dems unveil rival debt-ceiling plans

With the clock ticking toward the Aug. 2 deadline, details of the two very different plans emerged. Significant savings in the House GOP plan would be squeezed for government entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, while the Senate Dems' approach would leave Medicare unchanged.

26 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Van Hollen on Medicaid cuts; debate on rising Medicare age; women's health issues

Walking away from the federal commitment to Medicaid doesn't solve the problem; it just passes health care costs down to states. Because almost every state, including Maryland, is required by law to balance its budget every year, it means cuts in services and more financial strains for already suffering families, cuts in provider payments, lost jobs in the health care sector, and dampened business activity as the consequences of lost jobs and unmet health care needs ripple through the economy.

26 Jul 2011

Health providers embrace the potential of ACOs

News outlets report on some health care providers' views of the potential of accountable care organizations to improve quality and reduce costs.

25 Jul 2011

HCA second quarter revenues increase 4% to $8.063 billion

HCA Holdings, Inc. today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

25 Jul 2011

Some hospitals face hard times

Walter Reed Army Medical Center will close its doors after nearly a century. By month's end, the Shriners Hospitals will stop its tradition of providing free care to children. And, lastly, hospital bonds maybe vulnerable to downgrades because of potential reduction in Medicare reimbursements and Medicaid cuts.

25 Jul 2011