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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.

Skeptics of Ryan's blueprint take positions against specific proposals

A group of Democratic governors was expected to send a letter Monday opposing key proposals to overhaul Medicaid. Meanwhile, some advocates for seniors and children are taking exception to Ryan's ideas about revamping Medicare into a voucher program and other steps they say will will put vulnerable populations at risk.

6 Apr 2011

CMS: Medicare advantage rate increases will be lower-than-expected

The payments will be lower than initially projected because of lower-than-expected spending on doctor visits.

6 Apr 2011

State roundup: Report urges Mass. city employees to pay more health costs

Officially, Minnesota doesn't pay for an intensive type of autism therapy. Yet it has -- but only for some families. Two years ago, a single mother in the Twin Cities asked the state Medicaid program to pay for an intensive type of autism therapy for her 2-year-old son. She was turned down. State officials said the treatment -- known as Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA -- is "not now, and never has been,'' a covered service.

6 Apr 2011

Ryan budget plan would reshape Medicare, Medicaid

The blueprint advanced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would attempt to rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid while squeezing $6.2 trillion dollars from the nation's deficit over the next 10 years. The plan, which will be released today, comes as congressional leaders continue to face an impasse on short-term budget negotiations to avert a government shutdown.

6 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Ryan on his budget plan; Maryland, Wash. state making tough budget choices

The open-ended, blank-check nature of the Medicare subsidy threatens the solvency of this critical program and creates inexcusable levels of waste. This budget takes action where others have ducked. But because government should not force people to reorganize their lives, its reforms will not affect those in or near retirement in any way.

6 Apr 2011

Teenage birth rate in the U.S. falls

Encouraging new data shows the teenage birth rate in the U.S. fell to the lowest level on record in 2009 - but is still one of the highest in developed countries. Numbers dropped to 39.1 births per 1,000 females from 61.8 births in 1991, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest figures record that 410,000 teenage girls aged 15 to 19 years old gave birth in the United States in 2009. The rate is especially high among black and Hispanic teens. Geography plays a key role too with young mothers more common in some states than others.

5 Apr 2011

Census Bureau data: 57% of immigrant households with children receive welfare

Census Bureau data show that the share of immigrant-headed households with children using at least one welfare program continues to be very high.

5 Apr 2011

GOP's Ryan prepares Medicare 'premium assistance,' Medicaid block grants in budget proposal

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., gave a preview Sunday of the budget proposal he is expected to unveil on Tuesday. In an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Ryan outlined what to expect from the House GOP proposal and how the plan would affect Medicaid and Medicare.

5 Apr 2011

Health Care REIT acquires $2.4 billion Genesis real estate assets

Health Care REIT, Inc. announced today that it has completed the $2.4 billion acquisition of substantially all of the real estate assets of privately-owned Genesis HealthCare, which was previously announced on February 28, 2011.

5 Apr 2011

All Children's Hospital joins Johns Hopkins Medicine

All Children's Hospital, in St. Petersburg, Fla., is now a part of the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) and a fully integrated member of Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM). All Children's is the first U.S. hospital outside of the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region to become integrated with JHM, which includes the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System.

4 Apr 2011

Lack of specialists accepting Medicaid hampers care

Eight-year-old Draven Smith was expelled from school last year for disruptive behavior, and he is being expelled again this year. But his mother and his pediatrician cannot find a mental health specialist to treat him because he is on Medicaid, and the program, which provides health coverage for the poor, pays doctors so little that many refuse to take its patients.

4 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: 'Saving' Medicare; Dole on innovative vets' care; Texas 'death panel' on HIV?

(Rep. Paul) Ryan's plan reportedly will include steep Medicaid cuts, disguised as a proposal to turn the program into a "block grant" to the states. The net effect would be to leave even more Americans to the mercies of the private insurance market.

4 Apr 2011

NCI acquires AdvanceMed

NCI, Inc., a leading provider of information technology (IT), engineering, logistics, and professional services and solutions to U.S. Federal Government agencies, announced today that it has acquired the outstanding capital stock of AdvanceMed Corporation, an affiliate of CSC.

4 Apr 2011

State Roundup: Budget cuts in Texas, Wash. State; Ariz. smoking, weight fees; Coping with Rx drug abuse

The Texas House voted 98-49 Sunday night to slash funding for public schools, nursing homes and college financial aid in a dramatic show by Republicans elected on a limited-government message in the face of a massive budget shortfall.

4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

Optimer study highlights economic burden of acute and recurrent CDI in hospital patients

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of information from insurance claims and survey databases highlighting the unmet need for targeted therapies to treat subpopulations at high risk of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection.

4 Apr 2011

Catheter Connections presents DualCap device clinical data against CRBSI at SHEA meeting

In the ongoing fight against costly and potentially fatal catheter related bloodstream infections, landmark clinical data presented at the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America demonstrates that both the exposed end of IV administration sets and catheter luer access valves are colonized by the microbes that cause CRBSI.

4 Apr 2011

Lack of doctors accepting Medicaid could complicate health overhaul

As pressure mounts on state Medicaid budgets, the New York Times examines whether the programs can handle the influx expected under the new health law. And The Hill looks at the latest waivers awarded by the administration for insurance plans that don't meet the requirements of the law.

4 Apr 2011

Ryan: Major changes for Medicare, Medicaid in GOP's 2012 budget

Even as Congress faces a showdown this week on 2011 federal spending, both parties are gearing for the 2012 budget battle.

4 Apr 2011

GOP budget would aim to cut up to $4 trillion

As Republicans gear up to present their 2012 budget proposal, it has been revealed that the new budget would cut more than $4 trillion from federal spending projected over the next decade and transform the Medicare health program for the elderly.

3 Apr 2011