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First Edition: May 24, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the Senate's upcoming vote on the House-passed GOP budget, the run-up to today's special congressional election in New York and details on the Medicare positions being taken by Republican presidential hopefuls.

24 May 2011

Lawmakers jockey for position in Medicare debate

Political and policy-oriented Medicare skirmishes continue on Capitol Hill as members hear from their constituents on the question of the program's future, and some lawmakers say it's time for "an adult conversation." Also, the Senate is likely to vote this week on the House-passed GOP budget.

24 May 2011

New legislation helps fulfill promise of Medicare for seniors in Alaska: AMA

New legislation introduced today by Senator Lisa Murkowski, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act (S. 1042), will provide Medicare patients with greater choice, allowing them to see the physicians they want and need to see.

24 May 2011

RACGP urges government to engage with profession regarding GP mental health funding cuts

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) continues to receive feedback from amongst its over 20,000 members regarding the implications of the government’s budget cuts for critical mental health support delivered by GPs. The College urges the government to engage with the profession regarding the cuts to GP mental health assessments, planning and referrals.

24 May 2011

Skagit Valley Hospital joins Premier healthcare alliance and saves more than $1M annually

Skagit Valley Hospital of Mount Vernon, Wash., saved more than $1 million by joining the Premier healthcare alliance.

24 May 2011

Is ACO the healthcare Holy Grail?

Providing a seamless, integrated system of care across a range of healthcare settings, accountable care organizations (ACOs) are increasingly being touted as the cure for a failing health system. But challenges remain.

23 May 2011

In N.Y. special election, Medicare politics playing major role

A GOP candidate's once comfortable lead has narrowed amid voter backlash to the Republican Medicare plan.

23 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

Without medical liability reform, health care costs will continue to rise

Nearly half (44 percent) of almost 1,800 emergency physicians responding to a poll report that the biggest challenge to cutting costs in the emergency department is the fear of lawsuits. Even more respondents (53 percent) said the main reason they conduct the number of tests they do is the fear of being sued.

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

Baby boomers becoming the replacement generation

The Associated Press reports that knee and hip replacement surgeries are on the rise for the baby boomer generation, not because of obesity, but because of their efforts to stay fit.

23 May 2011

AP-GfK Poll: Most Americans don't believe Medicare has to be cut

They're not buying it. Most Americans say they don't believe Medicare has to be cut to balance the federal budget, and ditto for Social Security, a new poll shows.

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

First Edition: May 23, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about a new poll that shows Americans don't believe Medicare has to be cut in order to balance the budget.

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

Medicare worries may tip balance to Democrat in NY congressional race

Republicans are growing increasingly pessimistic over their prospects in a race for a western New York congressional seat the party was once thought a lock to hold. With the contest entering its final weekend, party officials acknowledge what a Siena College poll released Saturday confirmed: Republican Jane Corwin narrowly trails Democrat Kathy Hochul. The Republican has so far failed to capture a portion of GOP votes that instead might be cast toward Jack Davis.

23 May 2011

Ryan defends Medicare, Medicaid plan; Gingrich explains attack on GOP budget

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan on Sunday called Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's characterization of his Medicare plan "right-wing social engineering" as "deeply inaccurate, a gross mischaracterization of the House Republican budget plan." Asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" if the former House Speaker undercut Republican efforts to pass the reforms, Ryan said, "Leaders are elected to lead. ... And we are leading in the House".

23 May 2011

Roundup: Kan. exchange blueprint coming soon; 'Most favored nation' ban passes in Conn.; Anti-fraud repeal in Calif.

In a few months, the Kansas Insurance Department is expected to release a blueprint for how a health insurance exchange might work. "We still have a lot of work to do but, so far, the process has been going really, really well," said Linda Sheppard, head of the insurance department's accident and health accident and health division.

21 May 2011

Editorial boards, columnists have lots to say about Gingrich and Medicare

Newt Gingrich was right — the first time. The former House speaker and current presidential candidate has retreated under a barrage of criticism, but he had two things to say on NBC's "Meet The Press" that were correct even if politically ill-advised.

21 May 2011

N.J. seeks waiver to trim Medicaid rolls; Texas trims Medicaid budget

New Jersey is trying to deal with bulging Medicaid costs by trimming new eligibility for the government health-care program to the bare bones. The Christie administration wants to cut the state's relatively generous program way back as part of a "waiver" it is seeking from the Obama administration.

21 May 2011