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Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.

Watson confirms patent challenge by Alcon for generic Vigamox

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.5%. Watson's Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.5% is a generic version of Alcon, Inc.'s Vigamox®, an antibiotic solution that is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

8 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 8, 2011

Today's headlines include stories tracking the partisan negotiations surrounding a current-year spending bill. Currently at an impasse, the differences between the GOP and Democrats as well as the White House surrounds more than just the total dollar figure attached to spending cuts. It also involves controversial "policy riders." Meanwhile, without resolution, a government shutdown is just hours away.

8 Apr 2011

MedAZ' EHR Plus achieves ONC-ATCB certification

EHR Plus, the electronic medical record component of MedAZ Complete, has received ONC-ATCB certification for its ambulatory and inpatient versions. Certification means that the product qualifies for Meaningful Use implementation, enabling the eligible hospital or medical professional to receive incentives provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

8 Apr 2011

NEJM: Perspectives from Aaron, Reinhardt, Iglehart, Annas, Chambers and others

This week's New England Journal of Medicine features perspectives from prominent authors on Medicare and Medicaid. NEJM granted KHN permission to excerpt substantial portions of these columns.

8 Apr 2011

NCAJ launches new Web site to inform North Carolinians about workers comp bill

The North Carolina Advocates for Justice has launched a new Web site to inform North Carolinians about potential legislation that will restrict their rights if injured on the job.

8 Apr 2011

House Panel approves Ryan 2012 budget blueprint on party-line vote

The GOP budget proposal's Medicare provisions continue to draw scrutiny and debate about what the program's future should look like, how the plan would change senior citizens' health care costs and what its political implications might be.

8 Apr 2011

Though Congressional leaders cite progress, current-year spending deal still in play

If lawmakers fail to reach agreement on the 2011 budget, the government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Federal agencies have contingency plans in place in the event this happens. Media outlets report that Medicare and Medicaid would operate normally in the short run. Meanwhile, considerable discussion continues regarding what the political fallout will be and whether the public will hold Democrats or Republicans accountable.

8 Apr 2011

House subcommittee plans hearings on ACOs

In related news, Politico Pro reports that five leading health systems announced a plan to partner in sharing electronic health records. These systems note that the ability to share patient data with EHRs is key to success in creating ACOs.

8 Apr 2011

Longer looks: Could Ryan's plan be a pitfall for Democrats?; the cost of military health care; revealing more about doctors' billing practices

Every week, reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reading from around the Web.

8 Apr 2011

Roundup: Minn. approves deep health spending cuts; Mass. voters say state health law not working

In a pioneering bid to streamline the state's big health insurance programs, the Legislature's new Republican majority is poised to give thousands of low-income Minnesotans vouchers to buy coverage in the private marketplace.

8 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 7, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that the House Budget Committee yesterday approved the Ryan plan, which includes provisions to reshape Medicare and Medicaid, by a party-line vote. Meanwhile, congressional leaders and the White House seem to be making some progress is talks to reach agreement on current-year spending and avert a government shutdown.

7 Apr 2011

Reaction to GOP budget proposal swift, includes concern, support and political intrigue

After the budget proposal's release, reaction came from across the political and health industry spectrum. For instance, providers expressed concerns about reshaping Medicare and Medicaid. Possible GOP presidential hopefuls offered support, yet were viewed by some as "walking a tight rope."

7 Apr 2011

OncoGenex, Teva's custirsen preclinical data in CRPC presented at AACR meeting

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that new preclinical data of their investigational compound custirsen in castrate resistant prostate cancer were presented this week at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the AACR.

7 Apr 2011

With 2012 budget plan, Republicans hope to transform government's role

The budget blueprint would begin to shift the federal government into a dramatically smaller entity, diminishing its role in health care and other areas.

7 Apr 2011

Roundup: Minn. insurers to return profits above 1% from state plans; Fla. Medicaid managed care costs questioned

In part of the continuing change to Minnesota's business with health insurance plans, the state announced Tuesday that four major health plans agreed to a 1 percent cap on their profits on state business. The one-cap means that the plans -- BlueCross BlueShield, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare -- will return any profit above 1 percent to the state next April.

7 Apr 2011

GOP budget blueprint would increase future Medicare costs for seniors

The budget document unveiled yesterday by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R- Wis., includes sweeping changes to the Medicare program. For instance, the plan would mean that, for people younger than 55, Medicare would be transformed into a "premium-support" program. It would also raise Medicare's eligibility age and leave the program's "doughnut hole" intact.

7 Apr 2011

Positive data from PROCHIEVE vaginal progesterone Phase III study published in peer-reviewed journal

Columbia Laboratories, Inc., and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced the publication of Phase III PROCHIEVE® (progesterone gel) data in today's online version of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the leading peer-reviewed journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

7 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Major news organizations on Ryan plan: Solution or 'hypocrisy'?

Give House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan credit for finally putting Republicans' money where their mouths have been for years: His 2012 budget proposal, released Tuesday, would actually begin to produce the smaller government Republicans have always said they wanted, even as they were ramping up federal spending, creating a prescription drug benefit without paying for it, campaigning against efforts to curb Medicare, and turning budget surpluses into titanic deficits.

7 Apr 2011

First Editon: April 6, 2011

Today's headlines include stories and analysis of how the Ryan budget plan would change Medicare, Medicaid and the shape of the federal government.

6 Apr 2011

American Heart Association's Walking Paths app helps motivate people for healthy life

Finding a safe, free and centrally located walking path is now as easy as picking up the phone, thanks to a new smartphone application from the American Heart Association.

6 Apr 2011