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State roundup: Budget battles continue in statehouses

Massachusetts labor leaders have given up their full-throated battle to protect certain collective bargaining rights amid an increasing likelihood that the Legislature will empower local governments to raise the health insurance costs of teachers, firefighters, and other municipal employees.

27 May 2011

Americans happy with Medicaid as it is

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey released on Wednesday, more than half of Americans do not want Medicaid funding cut and are skeptical of changing how the federal government funds the healthcare program for the poor.

26 May 2011

First Edition: May 26, 2011

"If 60 Plus' goal was to inoculate Corwin from attacks on the Medicare issue, the effort failed badly. Corwin was beaten soundly by Democratic opponent Kathy Hochul, partly because of voter fears about House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's proposal to sharply transform Medicare".

26 May 2011

Disputes over ACO rule, IPAB, MLR, health law continue

Some hot topics -- the IPAB, the medical-loss ratio rule and the health law's impact on employer-sponsored health care -- also claim headlines today. Meanwhile, MinnPost analyzes executive orders - including a controversial one on health care - by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, now a GOP presidential candidate.

26 May 2011

Many young adults couldn't afford needed health care: New Commonwealth Fund report

Young adults ages 19-29 are struggling to get the health care they need more than almost any other age group, demonstrating the need for Affordable Care Act provisions, some already in place, that will expand health insurance and make it more affordable, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report.

26 May 2011

PBS' NewHour examines health insurance for 'urban poor' in Pakistan

PBS' NewsHour special correspondent Saima Mohsin on Monday reported from Pakistan on "an innovative health insurance plan for the urban poor." In Pakistan, 99 percent of the country's low-income population does not have health insurance, and this plan, called Naya Jeevan, "hopes to change that.

26 May 2011

HP, Healthways sign 10-year applications and technology services outsourcing agreement

HP Enterprise Services and Healthways, Inc. today announced the signing of a 10-year, $380 million applications and technology services outsourcing agreement to support growth and expand value to Healthways' customers.

26 May 2011

Poll finds popularity for Medicaid program

A new Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that most Americans oppose the GOP plan to cut Medicaid, throwing into question the conventional wisdom that this health insurance program for the poor lacks the widespread public support generally attached to Medicare.

26 May 2011

Apollo completes 100 liver transplantations in less than 4 years with over 90% success rate

Apollo centre for liver disease and transplantation has completed 100 liver transplantations in less than 4 years with over 90% success rate, creating a milestone in the history of medicine.

25 May 2011

As implementation continues, poll finds public view of law improving

Since its passage in March 2010, President Obama's health care reform package has been controversial. The latest Associated Press poll, however, finds that the percent of Americans who approve of the way Mr. Obama is handling health care has hit a new high.

25 May 2011

Homeless people more likely to have family doctor if they possess health card

For every year a person is homeless, the odds of them having a family doctor drop by 9 per cent, according to a report by St. Michael's Hospital and Street Health.

25 May 2011

Viewpoints: Pawlenty weighs in; entitlement reform dominating GOP politics

"ObamaCare" is unconstitutional, and it is already driving up health costs — not reducing them. ... Government money isn't "free." ... And the cuts we must make cannot just be in other people's favorite programs. ... This week I'm going to Florida to tell both young people and seniors that our entitlement programs are on an unsustainable path and have to be changed.

25 May 2011

State Roundup: Texas overhauls hospital payments

Advocates today asked a single justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to declare the state's exclusion of thousands of legal immigrants from subsidized health coverage unconstitutional.

25 May 2011

Majority of opinion leaders strongly support creation of federal health insurance exchange

More than eight of 10 leaders in health and health care policy believe states should be allowed to implement key provisions of the Affordable Care Act early with full federal support, ahead of the timeline outlined in the law.

24 May 2011

Viewpoints: IPAB debate; Medicare flap continues; WSJ on VT single payer

While I applaud Ryan for getting the conversation started, I cannot support his specific plan — and therefore will vote "no" on his budget. Why can't I go along with the Ryan Medicare plan?

23 May 2011

Kansas, Iowa pursue health law waivers

Meanwhile, The Hill reports that most of the denials resuting from early waiver requests went to unions. And, in other health reform implementation news, Politico Pro reports on what it describes as an "ACO dilemma."

23 May 2011

State Roundup: States' economic success often beyond their control

State leaders love to make promises about healing a sick economy. Often, though, economic success depends on factors far beyond their influence. ... When It comes to Medicaid, the restrictions largely emanate from the federal budget.

23 May 2011

Healthways, BCBSNC to offer SilverSneakers to Blue Medicare HMO and PPO members

In a continuing effort to promote well-being and prevention to its older-adult members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Healthways, the leading well-being improvement company, have agreed to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to BCBSNC's eligible Blue Medicare Supplement members beginning June 1, 2011.

23 May 2011

Protesters favoring health reform disrupt Aetna meeting

Protesters briefly interrupted Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini Friday morning during his remarks at the health insurer's annual meeting. The Hartford, Conn., company was holding the meeting at Le Meridien, a Philadelphia hotel, when several people entered the room and started chanting about the health care overhaul, spokesman Fred Laberge said. The meeting resumed a few minutes later. Aetna Inc. said in an email that the disruption was "inappropriate, uncivil and unsafe," but that people are entitled to their opinions.

23 May 2011

Huntsman's stance on Utah health mandate questioned

During a campaign stop Friday, former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. presented Utah's health reform as a model for what other states could do. And, Huntsman pointed out, Utah did not mandate that people buy health insurance, unlike the Massachusetts model now a thorn for Mitt Romney. His assertion, however, was called into question by a story in the Huffington Post, under the headline "Huntsman vs. Huntsman," which quoted Utah health policy players who said Huntsman had wanted a mandate but didn't get it.

23 May 2011