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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.

HHS unveils proposed waiver regs for states

The guidance is designed to help implement the health law's waiver provision for state innovation, which would allow some states flexibility as long as they meet key conditions related to coverage, benefits and cost.

11 Mar 2011

ACO regs out soon, says Berwick

ACOs are the subject of great debate, and many in the health policy world are eagerly following Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Don Berwick's every move, waiting for the moment he'll announce the rules defining what an ACO actually is.

11 Mar 2011

BioSpecifics 2010 net loss decreases to $1.5 million

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

11 Mar 2011

Doctors now wise to ruse of false representation by medical associations

"Internal medical politics is considered 'inside baseball' to most observers, but America's patients should know the real score of how this game is playing out in their towns," says Doctor Adam Dorin. In the aftermath of Obamacare, doctors across the United States have become wise to the ruse of representation falsely promised by their medical associations.

11 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 11, 2011

In today's headlines, news about short- and long-term budget challenges and what could become of funding for health programs.

11 Mar 2011

Party differences emerge as Senate nixes current year budget plans

The development signals that some lawmakers — including Democrats and Republicans, think more changes to Medicare, Medicaid and a range of other programs should be considered. Meanwhile, abortion funding continues to be a divisive issue. And, in an examination of longer-term budget interests, The Wall Street Journal reports that deficit reduction efforts may be gaining more allies.

11 Mar 2011

Researchers find four in five office-based physicians can qualify for new EHR Incentive Programs

Researchers at The George Washington University Department of Health Policy have found through analysis of federal survey data that more than four in five office-based physicians could qualify for new, federal Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

11 Mar 2011

State roundup: Concerns about pay for Mass. health executives, board members

Health insurers Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan said yesterday that their board members will meet later this month to discuss whether to bow to state Attorney General Martha Coakley's wishes and stop taking five-figure annual payments.

11 Mar 2011

CSC implements phase one of NC-MIPS program for healthcare professionals, hospitals

CSC announced today that the company, in conjunction with the State of North Carolina, successfully implemented phase one of the North Carolina Medicaid Incentive Payment System.

11 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Vinson's backdown, Ariz. Death Panels and The Pentagon's Achilles' heel

A federal district judge in Florida backed down, as he should have, from his effort to bully the Obama administration into halting implementation of the new health care reforms even before the issue of the law's constitutionality is resolved by higher courts.

11 Mar 2011

Dem leaders acknowledge Senate support for Berwick falls short

But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief says he remains entirely focused on the job at hand.

10 Mar 2011

State budget cuts take toll on mental health services

An analysis by the National Alliance on Mental Illness concluded that 32 states and Washington, D.C., have reduced funding for mental health programs.

10 Mar 2011

Medicaid and the health overhaul's goals

Media outlets report on how the health overhaul interacts with Medicaid and whether it will ultimately have a positive or negative impact on states.

9 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Are waivers weakening health law?; Ill. 'Dangerous Docs'; Arizona transplants

It is irresponsible for the feds to dole out hundreds of millions without the assurance of insurance, payment and system reform, as well as universal coverage. That's the problem with Republican proposals to use a "block grant" approach in giving Medicaid dollars to the states to do with as they will. The president should use his precious time to encourage the law's implementation as soon as possible in areas of the country that are already on this road -- like our own Upper Midwest -- not to coddle his political enemies.

9 Mar 2011

Roundup: Legislatures pressured on health cuts, malpractice laws; Mass. Blue Cross board salaries; pension costs

This week, the Assembly and Senate will debate the final package of budget reductions. Among the $6 billion in health-related cuts is the elimination of the Maddy Fund, a $55 million attempt to reimburse emergency departments for indigent care.

9 Mar 2011

Atherotech announces Sponsorship Agreement with NLA

Aiming to boost advanced lipoprotein testing in lipid education and management, Atherotech Diagnostics Lab announces its Sponsorship Agreement with the National Lipid Association.

9 Mar 2011

Grace CHC secures $150,000 in state Medicaid EHR incentives

NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems, Inc. and a leading provider of healthcare information systems and connectivity solutions, today announced that Gray, Ky.-based Grace Community Health Center, has secured in excess of $150,000 in state Medicaid incentives by demonstrating its recent selection of the company's certified electronic health records solution.

9 Mar 2011

Optimism stems from Humana's focus on Medicare plans - but don't expect a dividend soon

With its focus on Medicare plans for the elderly, Humana Inc believes it can grow with the wave of aging baby boomers without moving far afield from its main customer base of seniors.

9 Mar 2011

Health care reform changes make colonoscopy more affordable

To encourage adults age 50 and older to get a colonoscopy, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center highlight resources and health care reform changes that now make this lifesaving exam more affordable.

9 Mar 2011

GRACE model improves health and reduces Medicare costs in high risk seniors

The March 2011 issue of the journal Heath Affairs highlights an evidence-based model of geriatric care management developed, implemented and tested by researchers and clinicians from Indiana University, the Regenstrief Institute and Wishard Health Services.

9 Mar 2011