Medicaid News and Research

RSS

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.

State and federal efforts to monitor drug prescriptions and payments face challenges

The Center For Public Integrity reports on the challenges Medicare faces in trying to ensure that prescription drugs paid for by its contracting health plans are actually prescribed by doctors. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald chronicles the latest chapter in the ongoing story about the state's pill mills.

10 Feb 2011

US District Court rules in favor of Watson in generic Mucinex patent infringement suit

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida has ruled that Watson's generic versions of Mucinex®, Mucinex® D and Mucinex® DM (Guaifenesin, Dextromethorphan HBr/ Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephedrine/Guaifenesin) Extended-Release products, do not infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,372,252.

10 Feb 2011

State progress on health law implementation follows varying paths; Meanwhile, ACOs, waiver processes grab headlines

Media outlets report on a variety of implementation issues, including anti-trust concerns related to accountable care organizations as well as questions about the reform waiver process and a House committee chairman's efforts to reverse Medicare advantage cuts.

10 Feb 2011

BD and UCLB enter agreement for development of new diagnostics for ovarian, breast cancer

UCL Business (UCLB), a wholly owned subsidiary of University College London (UCL), and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, announced today an agreement aimed at improving the early detection of ovarian and breast cancers to ultimately enable earlier and more effective treatment.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 10 Feb 2011

Teva reports positive results from QNAZE Phase III perennial allergic rhinitis trial

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced results from a Phase III study of QNAZE™ (beclomethasone dipropionate [BDP]) HFA, its nasal aerosol corticosteroid in development for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).

10 Feb 2011

NCCN praises Aetna for evidence-based approach to treat cancer

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) has praised Aetna for its evidence-based approach to drugs used to treat cancer. The NCCN also acknowledged Aetna's commitment to providing health benefits to members enrolled in clinical trials. Aetna is the first national health plan to be recognized by the group.

9 Feb 2011

ONC announces additional funds to help CAHs for health IT adoption

Dr. David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, national coordinator for health information technology in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology today announced an additional $12 million in new technical support assistance to help critical access hospitals and rural hospitals adopt and become meaningful users of certified health information technology.

9 Feb 2011

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should continue encouraging state Medicaid programs to explore more affordable pharmacy solutions despite opposition from the independent drugstore lobby, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

9 Feb 2011

Updating approach to pharmacy benefits will help Florida Medicaid save $462 million

"Governor Scott is taking important steps to reduce wasteful spending in Medicaid, which is a big problem when it comes to pharmacy benefits. Because of its old-school 'fee-for-service' approach, Florida Medicaid pays drugstores much more than either Medicare or the commercial market pays them. Over the next decade, Florida could save $462 million - without cutting benefits, eligibility or payments to doctor and hospitals - simply by updating its approach to pharmacy benefits."

9 Feb 2011

Sebelius signals readiness to tweak long-term care insurance program

The goal will be to ensure the program's fiscal sustainability into the future — a frequent criticism from GOP critics who hope to repeal the program.

9 Feb 2011

Governors face painful budget choices

Health care programs are among those being slashed with many news organizations focusing on Florida Gov. Rick Scott's plans for Medicaid.

8 Feb 2011

Roundup: Fraying safety nets; Calif. mental health clinics; Texas obesity costs rising

Medicaid is one of the fastest growing parts of the state budget. To tackle rising health care costs, Gov. Deval Patrick's administration plans to stop paying hospitals with high rates of re-admissions when low-income patients return within 30 days.

8 Feb 2011

Health care reform study offers comprehensive review of new federal law impact on Florida

A new report released today by the Collins Center for Public Policy looks beyond the pitched battles over health care reform and instead offers a comprehensive review of the new federal law and its potential impact on Florida.

8 Feb 2011

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial results and provided financial guidance for 2011.

8 Feb 2011

Teva fourth quarter net sales increase 16% to record $4.4 billion

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

8 Feb 2011

U.S. News Media Group releases 2011 Best Nursing Homes online rankings

U.S. News Media Group has released the 2011 Best Nursing Homes rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/nursinghomes. The list highlights facilities across the nation providing high-quality care and is a worthwhile tool for millions of elderly Americans and their families in search of a nursing home.

8 Feb 2011

Kaiser examines latest data and trends in Medicaid long-term services and supports

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) has released a package of resources that examine the latest data findings regarding Medicaid’s long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities.

7 Feb 2011

Health care fraud: No longer a faceless crime, now it has a mug shot

Health care fraud once was a faceless crime. Now it has a mug shot, even a smile.

7 Feb 2011

Viewpoints: (Still) Debating health law's constitutionality; Food labels; Lawmakers' abortion divide

For state governments, the bill presents huge new costs, as we are required to enroll 15 million to 20 million more people in our Medicaid systems. ... Perhaps worse, the law expects to conscript the states as its agents in its takeover of health care. It assumes that we will set up and operate its new insurance "exchanges" for it (Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, 2/7).

7 Feb 2011

Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania announces name change to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania, based in Monroeville, has joined its Philadelphia-based sister company, AmeriChoice of Pennsylvania, under the name UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. The combined plans serve more than 280,000 health plan members in Pennsylvania.

7 Feb 2011

Medicaid News and Research

State and federal efforts to monitor drug prescriptions and payments face challenges

US District Court rules in favor of Watson in generic Mucinex patent infringement suit

State progress on health law implementation follows varying paths; Meanwhile, ACOs, waiver processes grab headlines

BD and UCLB enter agreement for development of new diagnostics for ovarian, breast cancer

Teva reports positive results from QNAZE Phase III perennial allergic rhinitis trial

NCCN praises Aetna for evidence-based approach to treat cancer

ONC announces additional funds to help CAHs for health IT adoption

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Updating approach to pharmacy benefits will help Florida Medicaid save $462 million

Sebelius signals readiness to tweak long-term care insurance program

Governors face painful budget choices

Roundup: Fraying safety nets; Calif. mental health clinics; Texas obesity costs rising

Health care reform study offers comprehensive review of new federal law impact on Florida

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Teva fourth quarter net sales increase 16% to record $4.4 billion

U.S. News Media Group releases 2011 Best Nursing Homes online rankings

Kaiser examines latest data and trends in Medicaid long-term services and supports

Health care fraud: No longer a faceless crime, now it has a mug shot

Viewpoints: (Still) Debating health law's constitutionality; Food labels; Lawmakers' abortion divide

Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania announces name change to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

Latest News