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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.

Critics question Berwick's ties to think-tank donors

Donald Berwick, who was recently appointed as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services without a Senate hearing, did not list donors who contributed up to $5 million to the think tank he ran before his appointment on ethics disclosure forms, the Washington Times reports.

12 Aug 2010

Health on the Hill - August 11, 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with KFF's Jackie Judd about the latest health-related news, including the congressional approval of a state aid package that includes $16 billion in federal Medicaid assistance (8/11).

12 Aug 2010

Emergency departments not crowded with non-urgent patients: Report

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention once again debunks the myth that emergency departments are crowded with non-urgent patients, a finding noted by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

11 Aug 2010

Third round of tax-free $250 rebate checks mailed to eligible Medicare beneficiaries

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the third round of one-time, tax-free $250 rebate checks have been mailed to eligible Medicare beneficiaries whose drug costs are so high they have reached the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap known as the "donut hole."

11 Aug 2010

Rates of ED visits increase among adults with Medicaid: Study

From 1997 to 2007, the rates of visits to emergency departments in the U.S. increased significantly, particularly among adults with Medicaid, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.

11 Aug 2010

OHCA applauds Congress for taking action to pass vital Medicaid relief

Reacting to the approval of the U.S. House and Senate to measures extending emergency Medicaid relief until June 30, 2011, the Ohio Health Care Association praised the vote and urged Governor Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly to take advantage of the opportunity. OHCA's chief executive officer said that the $500 million in additional funding for Ohio's Medicaid program can be used to retain access to quality care for the state's most vulnerable seniors, and protect key frontline healthcare jobs.

11 Aug 2010

MAXIMUS Long-term Care Solutions to help states address growing numbers of people with disabilities

MAXIMUS, Inc., a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that it has launched its Long-term Care Solutions to help states address the growing numbers of elderly individuals and people with disabilities, while benefiting from the increased flexibility and funding offered under the Affordable Care Act.

11 Aug 2010

Molina Healthcare prices common stock public offering at $27.00 per share

Molina Healthcare, Inc. announced today the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 4,000,000 shares of common stock by the Company at a public offering price of $27.00 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to reduce its borrowings under its $200 million senior secured credit facility, which credit facility had an outstanding balance of $105.0 million as of July 30, 2010.

11 Aug 2010

AssureRx Health achieves CAP accreditation for laboratory pharmacogenetic testing services

AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced that it has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists for the delivery of high-quality, reliable laboratory pharmacogenetic testing services that meet or exceed regulatory laboratory standards and ensure commitment to patient care.

11 Aug 2010

House returns from recess to vote on extra Medicaid help for states

The House will vote today on a package that includes $16.1 billion in extra federal Medicaid money for states who say they need to close budget gaps.

11 Aug 2010

Dems continue push to sell health reform's benefits, GOP pushes back

The administration has struggled to sell senior citizens on the new health law, Politico reports. Here's why: "They know little about the early benefits the law has offered but remember last year's heated town halls, replete with death panels and rationing. And anti-health-reform rhetoric is generally proving to have considerable staying power."

11 Aug 2010

One in five Americans visited ER in 2007

The New York Times: One in five Americans visited the emergency room in 2007 whether they were insured or not, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. "Among the uninsured, 7.4 percent made two or more visits to an E.R., but so did 5.1 percent of people with private insurance. Medicaid recipients were the heaviest users of E.R.'s, with 15.3 percent of them making two or more visits during the year.

11 Aug 2010

Atrium awarded 3-year national contract from Premier for surgical mesh products

Atrium Medical Corporation, pioneering advancements in biological, mechanical and therapeutic solutions for soft tissue reinforcement, is proud to announce that the company was awarded a three-year national contract from Premier Purchasing Partners L.P., the group purchasing organization of Premier, Inc. (Charlotte, NC).

10 Aug 2010

Theragenics reports consolidated revenue of $20.8M for second-quarter 2010

Theragenics Corporation, a medical device company serving the surgical products and prostate cancer treatment markets, today announced consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

10 Aug 2010

DynaVox releases software Version 2.0 for Xpress communication device

DynaVox, the leading provider of speech generating devices and symbol-adapted special education software used to assist individuals in overcoming speech, language and learning challenges, announces the release of software Version 2.0 for the DynaVox Xpress device. A compact, stylish handheld communication device with a new more intuitive user interface combines powerful InterAACt™ communication tools and resources with popular control and navigation features generally found only on mainstream technologies

10 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 10, 2010

In today's news, the House is back in town... though just for a day. Lawmakers will consider a state aid package that includes $16 billion in federal Medicaid assistance.

10 Aug 2010

Teva completes ratiopharm acquisition

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of ratiopharm, Germany's second largest generics producer. Following the acquisition, Teva will be the number one generic company in Europe, holding the leading market position in ten countries, as well as ranking in the top three in seven additional countries. In addition, the transaction will significantly increase Teva's sales in Canada.

10 Aug 2010

Beryl Institute publishes White paper on patient experience from different healthcare organizations

The Beryl Institute has published a new White Paper, Zeroing in on the Patient Experience: Views and Voices from the Frontlines, which takes a close look into the efforts of three patient experience leaders from different healthcare organizations. The White Paper covers what it takes to launch and sustain patient experience efforts and includes practical advice and tips for hospitals that want to begin to focus on improving the patient experience.

10 Aug 2010

CareView files patent for innovative technology to prevent decubitus ulcers

CareView Communications, Inc. ("CareView" or the "Company"), an information technology provider to the healthcare industry, announced that it has filed a new patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to cover an innovative technology that will assist hospitals and other medical facilities in their efforts to prevent decubitus ulcers or "bed sores" experienced by patients. CareView's new product covered by the pending patent uses the CareView System monitoring system to ensure timely patient movement which assists caregivers in the prevention and treatment of bed sores.

10 Aug 2010

Hemodialysis with AVF depends on patient’s health insurance: Study

Kidney disease patients insured by some federally sponsored national health care organizations are more likely to undergo an important predialysis procedure than patients with other types of insurance, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results may provide insights into ways to improve kidney-related care for patients before they go on dialysis.

10 Aug 2010