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Report: Impact of Ryan's 'Roadmap' on health law unclear

A report by the Congressional Research Service found that neither the House-passed budget resolution nor the "Roadmap to Prosperity" document provide enough detail to make a determination.

20 Apr 2011

State roundup: Michigan tries new strategy on high risk pools

Michigan today announced a new effort to sign up the chronically uninsured onto health plans after the state's first attempt did not attract enough customers.

20 Apr 2011

Poll: Fight deficit by raising taxes for rich, steer clear of Medicare, Medicaid

A new McClatchy-Marist poll found that Americans overwhelming oppose Medicare and Medicaid cuts as a means to address the nation's deficit. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is pushing seniors to oppose the GOP's proposed Medicare changes.

20 Apr 2011

TCI forecasts cancer vaccine market to approach $3 billion in 2015

Technology Catalysts International (TCI), leading global consultants to the pharmaceutical industry, announced that research on cancer trends and development has identified cancer vaccines as a viable treatment option for a variety of cancers that currently have ineffective treatments. The potential of the cancer vaccine market is forecast to approach $3 billion in 2015.

20 Apr 2011

New guidelines allow definition of pre-Alzheimer's

The emphasis on the need to diagnose Alzeheimer's during its earliest stages is also evident in Congress, where legislation introduced this month would create new, specific Medicare cost codes for early-disease diagnosis to address these steps, including the discussions between the physician and caregivers.

19 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 19, 2011

Today's headlines include a report about new guidelines that will allow an earlier definition of Alzeheimer's and associated legislation that would make key, related changes in Medicare cost codes.

19 Apr 2011

SXC receives Health Alliance's three-year HCIT service contract

SXC Health Solutions Corp., a leading provider of technology and pharmacy benefit management services, announces that it has been awarded a three-year Health Care Information Technology service contract from Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, a health plan with an annual health spend of approximately $250 million. Health Alliance Plan markets health plan products in the commercial and Medicare Part D market segments.

19 Apr 2011

Ryan, Obama deficit plans continue to generate OpEd heat on Medicare, Medicaid provisions

Mr. Ryan called the vote "our generation's defining moment," and indeed, nothing could more clearly define the choice that will face voters next year. His bill would end the guarantee provided by Medicare and Medicaid to the elderly and the poor, which has been provided by the federal government with society's clear assent since 1965.

19 Apr 2011

Axolotl, HealthInsight partner to create Nevada HIE suite

HealthInsight, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving Nevada's health care system, announced today that it has selected Axolotl Corp. to build the community-based Health Information Exchange infrastructure to help Nevada providers improve the timeliness, quality, and coordination of care for their patients.

19 Apr 2011

Molina Healthcare reports net income of $17.4 million for first quarter 2011

Molina Healthcare, Inc. today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

19 Apr 2011

Obama to rally support for his deficit-reduction plan

President Barack Obama will take his message on the road with a "series of campaign-style stops" in an effort to block a Republican deficit-reduction blueprint that would dramatically change Medicare and other social programs.

18 Apr 2011

Pharma Tech expands agreement for Shasta Genstrip

InstaCare Corp. a leading provider of prescription diagnostics, home testing products for the chronically ill, a leading fulfillment provider of direct to patient diabetes programs, and a leading developer of revolutionary cell phone centric e-health products and technologies, today announced that its operating subsidiary, Pharma Tech Solutions, Inc., has significantly expanded its agreement to control, manage and distribute the novel at-home diagnostic product, the Shasta Genstrip.

18 Apr 2011

Hospital consolidation trend continues in Atlanta

The Henry Medical Center announced last week that it would enter partnership talks with Piedmont Healthcare.

18 Apr 2011

Amedisys enters agreement to acquire Beacon Hospice

Amedisys, Inc., one of America's leading home health and hospice companies, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Beacon Hospice, Inc.

18 Apr 2011

State Roundup: Mass. considers new health payment system

The California Public Employees' Retirement System is negotiating a lucrative pharmacy benefits management contract with Caremark Rx Inc., a company being sued for defrauding the pension fund of tens of millions of dollars (Lifsher, 4/16).

18 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 18, 2011

Today's headlines include a report about President Barack Obama's plan to rally support for his deficit reduction plan and to block GOP changes to Medicare and other social programs.

18 Apr 2011

Flagship introduces end-to-end solutions for Medicare's reporting, recovery requirements

Flagship Services Group, Inc., a company providing expertise in Medicare compliance for insurance carriers, self-insured entities, attorneys, and state and local government agencies, today announced its unique end-to-end solutions for the compliance challenges the industry faces relating to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' reporting and Medicare Secondary Payer recovery requirements.

18 Apr 2011

House passes GOP 2012 budget, calls for big changes to Medicare, Medicaid

News outlets covered today's presidential and Republican weekly addresses, which reflected a week of tough deficit talk and a vote in the House on the 2012 budget.

18 Apr 2011

Lawmakers tussle on Sunday news shows over budget options

Sen. Tom Coburn, a member of the Senate Gang of Six negotiations, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, newly named to the Biden budget talks by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, disagreed starkly on whether the debt ceiling increase needs to be tied to a budget deal. Coburn said he supports the budget proposed by House Budget Commiteee Chairman Paul Ryan which turns Medicare into a type of voucher system, saying that consumer choice is needed to drive prices down.

18 Apr 2011

CMS offers cash to aid states in care coordination for 'dual eligibles'

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services announced four initiatives Thursday that are designed to assist cash-strapped states with funding and flexibility issues.

16 Apr 2011