Medicare News and Research

RSS

First Edition: April 7, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that the House Budget Committee yesterday approved the Ryan plan, which includes provisions to reshape Medicare and Medicaid, by a party-line vote. Meanwhile, congressional leaders and the White House seem to be making some progress is talks to reach agreement on current-year spending and avert a government shutdown.

7 Apr 2011

California Congressman receives CHI's first-ever Leadership Award

Congressman and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, was honored by CHI-California Healthcare Institute with the organization's first-ever Leadership Award.

7 Apr 2011

Reaction to GOP budget proposal swift, includes concern, support and political intrigue

After the budget proposal's release, reaction came from across the political and health industry spectrum. For instance, providers expressed concerns about reshaping Medicare and Medicaid. Possible GOP presidential hopefuls offered support, yet were viewed by some as "walking a tight rope."

7 Apr 2011

Study highlights transitional care importance in health reform

A new study, conducted by Ellen Kurtzman, R.N., M.P.H., FAAN, assistant research professor in the GW School of Nursing, and colleagues, published in the April 2011 issue of Health Affairs, highlights the importance of transitional care in reaching the goals of health reform, and provides evidence-based strategies to guide its implementation.

7 Apr 2011

OncoGenex, Teva's custirsen preclinical data in CRPC presented at AACR meeting

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that new preclinical data of their investigational compound custirsen in castrate resistant prostate cancer were presented this week at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the AACR.

7 Apr 2011

With 2012 budget plan, Republicans hope to transform government's role

The budget blueprint would begin to shift the federal government into a dramatically smaller entity, diminishing its role in health care and other areas.

7 Apr 2011

GOP budget blueprint would increase future Medicare costs for seniors

The budget document unveiled yesterday by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R- Wis., includes sweeping changes to the Medicare program. For instance, the plan would mean that, for people younger than 55, Medicare would be transformed into a "premium-support" program. It would also raise Medicare's eligibility age and leave the program's "doughnut hole" intact.

7 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Major news organizations on Ryan plan: Solution or 'hypocrisy'?

Give House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan credit for finally putting Republicans' money where their mouths have been for years: His 2012 budget proposal, released Tuesday, would actually begin to produce the smaller government Republicans have always said they wanted, even as they were ramping up federal spending, creating a prescription drug benefit without paying for it, campaigning against efforts to curb Medicare, and turning budget surpluses into titanic deficits.

7 Apr 2011

First Editon: April 6, 2011

Today's headlines include stories and analysis of how the Ryan budget plan would change Medicare, Medicaid and the shape of the federal government.

6 Apr 2011

American Heart Association's Walking Paths app helps motivate people for healthy life

Finding a safe, free and centrally located walking path is now as easy as picking up the phone, thanks to a new smartphone application from the American Heart Association.

6 Apr 2011

Skeptics of Ryan's blueprint take positions against specific proposals

A group of Democratic governors was expected to send a letter Monday opposing key proposals to overhaul Medicaid. Meanwhile, some advocates for seniors and children are taking exception to Ryan's ideas about revamping Medicare into a voucher program and other steps they say will will put vulnerable populations at risk.

6 Apr 2011

CMS: Medicare advantage rate increases will be lower-than-expected

The payments will be lower than initially projected because of lower-than-expected spending on doctor visits.

6 Apr 2011

Ryan budget plan would reshape Medicare, Medicaid

The blueprint advanced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would attempt to rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid while squeezing $6.2 trillion dollars from the nation's deficit over the next 10 years. The plan, which will be released today, comes as congressional leaders continue to face an impasse on short-term budget negotiations to avert a government shutdown.

6 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Ryan on his budget plan; Maryland, Wash. state making tough budget choices

The open-ended, blank-check nature of the Medicare subsidy threatens the solvency of this critical program and creates inexcusable levels of waste. This budget takes action where others have ducked. But because government should not force people to reorganize their lives, its reforms will not affect those in or near retirement in any way.

6 Apr 2011

Insurance payers extend coverage for PTNS using Uroplasty's Urgent PC Neuromodulation System for OAB

Uroplasty, Inc., a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products to treat voiding dysfunctions, today announced that two private insurance payers have elected to cover posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) using its Urgent PC Neuromodulation System for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and associated symptoms.

5 Apr 2011

Romney defends Mass. health law but says it doesn't diminish his opposition to federal law

Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney this weekend fired back at Democrats who have often pointed to the state health plan he implemented as a model for the national law. Also, House Republicans take a close look at AARP and one GOP lawmaker is suggesting health care changes he would like to see.

5 Apr 2011

GOP's Ryan prepares Medicare 'premium assistance,' Medicaid block grants in budget proposal

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., gave a preview Sunday of the budget proposal he is expected to unveil on Tuesday. In an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Ryan outlined what to expect from the House GOP proposal and how the plan would affect Medicaid and Medicare.

5 Apr 2011

Children with ASDs benefit from certain medical and behavioral treatments

Some medical and behavioral treatments show promise for reducing certain behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, but more research is needed to assess the potential benefits and harms, according to a new report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The research results were published online in the journal Pediatrics.

5 Apr 2011

Gilead's increase of HIV drugs price unreasonable, says AHF

Today AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, blasted the news that Gilead Sciences Inc. increased the prices of several of its top selling products at the beginning of the month. The California-based drug maker increased the price of its biggest seller, HIV treatment Atripla, by 5.1%. Gilead also raised the price of HIV drugs Truvada and Emtriva by 7.9%.

5 Apr 2011

Health plans cut out expensive doctors and hospitals

The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses includes some major US corporations.

5 Apr 2011