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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.

Improving care for Medicaid's sickest 5% could help reduce funding gap

Politico reports that the Obama administration is targeting this very needy population, many of whom are known as dual eligibles, for better care because — although their numbers are actually quite small — the amount of program money they use is quite large.

16 Mar 2011

State roundup: Fla. seeks MLR waiver; hospitals struggle

Alabama's Robert Bentley is one of two current governors to have "doctor" on his résumé. In an interview with Stateline last week, Bentley elaborated on his health care agenda. His plan emphasizes individual health savings accounts, which he says will lower costs by letting patients decide how they want to spend their health care dollars. He wants to give state tax breaks to businesses that purchase insurance for their employees and state-based incentives to attract more insurance carriers.

16 Mar 2011

Mile Square earns excellence in heart care

Mile Square Health Center at 2045 W. Washington Blvd. was named an Illinois "Your Healthcare Plus" top performer for excellence in caring for patients with heart failure.

16 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Texas' painful budget cuts; Congress 'should' attack deficit, Medicare costs

The real problem is that liberals and conservatives alike have over the years gauged an elected official's support for the goals of a program by the money he or she has been willing to spend on it. Thus, liberals measure one's support for education, welfare and health programs by how much more one votes to fund them each year.

16 Mar 2011

New research: Aging population triggers a boom in Chinese nursing home industry

A nursing home industry is booming in China as a rapid increase in the proportion of its elderly population forces a nationwide shift from traditional family care to institutional care, according to new research by Brown University gerontologists.

15 Mar 2011

Despite partisan clashes, political climate open to 'adult' budget debate

Media outlets report that no such serious discussion can be held without including entitlement programs such as Medicare, but public opinion continues to be a wildcard that could undermine momentum.

15 Mar 2011

New report finds nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the U.S.

According to 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, released today by the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the United States.

15 Mar 2011

Medica Foundation awards $1 million in grants to five Minnesota organizations

The Medica Foundation today announced $1 million in grants to five Minnesota organizations. The grant amounts range from $100,000 to $300,000 each and are designed to provide funding to the recipients over a three-year period.

14 Mar 2011

Maricom opens third office in Lutherville

Maricom Systems, Inc. continues its expansion and growth as it announced today the opening of the company's third office in Lutherville, Maryland. The new location will support the company's Business Development and Healthcare IT sectors. Maricom's other locations are in Woodlawn, the corporate headquarters, and Annapolis Junction, the Office of Classified Programs.

14 Mar 2011

Hospice care often provides benefits for survivors, too

A pair of Chicago Sun-Times stories outline new research findings regarding hospice care. Meanwhile, an Arizona lawmaker pushes to restore hospice care to the category of Medicaid-covered services, arguing that the care is not only better, but more cost-effective.

14 Mar 2011

Main Line Health implements eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

eClinicalWorks®, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Main Line Health, a non-profit health system serving the greater Philadelphia region, is implementing eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health records (EHR) solution, and also making assistance available to its affiliated physicians who desire to use the eClinicalWorks EHR.

14 Mar 2011

State roundup: Medicaid cuts cause unusual bedfellows

Representatives from Arizona hospitals, nursing homes and health plans are set to meet with Gov. Jan Brewer today. They hope to win her support for a plan to impose a tax on their institutions and avoid deep cuts to Arizona's Medicaid program. The plan reportedly includes a cap on funding for childless adults, a group now covered under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System that could lose coverage Oct. 1. (Reinhart, 3/11).

14 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 14, 2011

In today's headlines, news about the major issues that continue to rise to the surface in the health overhaul debate.

14 Mar 2011

Pawlenty assails government-run health care in N.H. trip

Likely presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty urged a roomful of skeptical doctors Friday to be leaders rather than be dragged into what he sees as the future of health care -- giving consumers more information and choices and rewarding providers for quality over volume.

14 Mar 2011

Premier endorses GHX Procurement Suite

The Premier healthcare alliance and GHX are partnering to help Premier alliance members gain better control over the purchase of medical-surgical supplies that are not in their item master or on contract, and to automate their accounts payable processes.

11 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

Research Roundup: Mass. medical bankruptcies; Palliative care teams work; Innovative health IT

The theme for the current issue of Health Affairs Is "Profiles of Innovation in Health Care Delivery."

11 Mar 2011

Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

Every Thursday, KHN's Jessica Marcy compiles this selection of interesting perspectives, from a variety of publications, on health care in America.

11 Mar 2011

GOP budget choices: Offer politically risky cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or 'play it safe'?

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan signals that he is "ready to take on health programs" as Capitol Hill continues to struggle with long-term spending concerns. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue talks regarding the current year spending measure still under consideration. A new continuing resolution that would fund government operations until April 8 has emerged.

11 Mar 2011

CBO deficit-reduction options include billions in Medicare, Medicaid cuts

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released a list of deficit-cutting options Thursday that includes hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. The two programs account for 38 percent of mandatory spending — more than Social Security — and face a visit to the chopping block as Americans across the political spectrum clamor for the government to keep its spending under control.

11 Mar 2011