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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.

COBRA, jobs bill in further jeopardy after death of Sen. Byrd

Roll Call: The death of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., has jeopardized further the passage of some bills in Congress, including a bill that would extend unemployment benefits. "Democratic leaders have been thwarted numerous times in recent weeks on jobs legislation, despite scaling down the measure dramatically after Republicans and some moderate Democrats balked at adding to the deficit.

30 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 29, 2010

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "Sarah Rose Nordgren works 25 to 30 hours a week as a waitress at an upscale restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C. She also tutors high- schoolers on their college entrance essays and has an editorial internship at a book publisher. But if something were to go seriously wrong with her health, she'd be in trouble because none of her three jobs offers health insurance" (Kaiser Health News).

29 Jun 2010

FDA approves Teva's generic Effexor XR antidepressant

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Venlafaxine HCl ER Capsules, the Company's generic version of Wyeth's antidepressant Effexor XR®. Shipment is expected to commence on July 1, 2010, as per the terms of the 2006 agreement with Wyeth.

29 Jun 2010

Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act signed into law

The President signed into law on Friday, June 25, 2010, The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act. The bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 417 to 1. The Senate had earlier approved the measure.

29 Jun 2010

Rosiglitazone associated with increased risk of serious cardiovascular events compared with pioglitazone

A new study published online today by JAMA shows that among patients age 65 years and older, rosiglitazone (a medication for treating Type 2 diabetes) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality (death) when compared with pioglitazone (another medication for diabetes). The study was published online today in advance of an upcoming Food and Drug Administration meeting that will review the safety of rosiglitazone. The paper will appear in the July 28 print issue of JAMA.

29 Jun 2010

N.J. Gov. still undecided on whether to join lawsuit against overhaul while health care costs roil Mass. Governor's race

The Philadelphia Inquirer: N.J. "Gov. Christie says he has not decided whether to sign on to a 20-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health-care law signed in March by President Obama. That makes New Jersey one of seven Republican-led states that have not joined the largely partisan fight. Interest groups on both sides of the debate are lobbying the governor, but some of his advisers say he should not join the suit.

29 Jun 2010

Senate Dems continue Medicaid money, jobless benefits push

The Hill reports that Senate Democrats are pushing to keep a package of jobless benefits and aid to states for their Medicaid programs moving. "More than 1.2 million Americans will exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of June if Congress fails to work out a deal on an extension of unemployment benefits, according to the National Employment Law Project, a group studying the issue."

28 Jun 2010

Republicans start new effort to advance greater federal abortion funding restrictions

The Hill: House Minority Leader John Boehner will introduce legislation that would stop Congress from using taxpayer money to support abortions or abortion coverage.

28 Jun 2010

Medicare turns to more comprehensive tools to find fraud

Federal Times: The Recovery Board, which oversees the $275 billion economic stimulus package that was approved by the federal government in 2009, is using a software platform from Palantir Technologies, based in Palo Alto, Calif. "The software tool analyzes information contained on various government-maintained databases — GSA's list of suspended or debarred contractors, the Treasury Department's financial crimes network and other law enforcement records — along with open-source data such as newspaper articles, lawsuits and other public documents.

28 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 28, 2010

Today's health policy headlines continue to track the tax package difficulties faced by Senate Democrats in their efforts to extend the COBRA benefit subsidy and enhanced Medicaid funding for states.

28 Jun 2010

OPQC Scheduled Birth Initiative reduces unnecessary planned late pre-term, near-term deliveries in Ohio

A statewide Ohio program significantly reduced the monthly rate of inappropriately scheduled births before 39 weeks gestation, helping to avoid expensive neonatal intensive care unit admissions and decrease the risk of infant deaths, according to two studies by the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

28 Jun 2010

Senate fails to pass 'extenders' bill, state Medicaid funding

After a bill to extend jobs and economic relief programs failed for the third time in the Senate Thursday, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would withdraw the bill, Politico reports. The legislation included financial relief for states, including billions to support Medicaid programs.

28 Jun 2010

Mass. Legislature denies requests to trim municipal health benefits; N.Y. ordered to transfer people with mental Illness out of institutional group homes

"The state's public employee unions won a major victory this week when the Legislature abandoned efforts to allow cities and towns to trim generous health care benefits enjoyed by thousands of municipal employees, retirees, and elected officials. The decision by lawmakers not to address the issue in next year's budget means the Legislature will almost certainly not act on it this year, setting the stage for mayors and other municipal officials to take their case directly to voters in a ballot initiative for 2012" (Murphy, 6/25).

28 Jun 2010

Kansas doctor and wife found guilty of prescribing painkillers, causing deaths

"A federal jury Thursday found a Kansas doctor and his wife guilty of conspiring to profit from illegally prescribing painkillers to dozens of patients who later died, in a case highlighting medical treatment of chronic pain sufferers and prescription drug abuse."

28 Jun 2010

Bayer signs agreement to supply Adalat XL product to Teva Canada

Bayer Inc. and Teva Canada Limited today announced they have entered an agreement regarding Bayer's Adalat XL (nifedipine) 20, 30 and 60 mg product. Effective immediately, Bayer Inc. will supply Adalat XL exclusively to Teva Canada Limited and Teva Canada Limited will become the sole distributor in Canada of brand name Adalat XL product.

28 Jun 2010

Friday opinions: Mandate to buy insurance; Medicare and 'political game'

If Americans want a private health insurance system that does not base the price of individually sold policies on that individual's health status and that does not allow an insurer to refuse to sell a policy because of an individual's health issues, then they should accept a mandate that all Americans purchase at least a minimum package of health insurance (Uwe Reinhardt, 6/25).

25 Jun 2010

Research roundup: Docs' views of industry gifts; Chemotherapy payments; Health law and states

How Medicare's Payment Cuts For Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs Changed Patterns Of Treatment -- This study examines the impact that Medicare payment cuts for chemotherapy drugs had on treatment for Medicare beneficiaries with newly diagnosed lung cancer, before and after implementation of the June 2005 new payment system, focusing on five chemotherapy drugs "in common use singly or jointly for lung cancer..."

25 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 25, 2010

Today's headlines reflect the latest news about the House passing a temporary ban on cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors, while Senate Democrats failed to gain approval for their jobs bill, which included enhanced Medicaid aid to states.

25 Jun 2010

HHS Secretary to speak about benefits of Affordable Care Act for women

Today, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will speak to the National Partnership for Women and Families about how the Affordable Care Act will benefit women.

25 Jun 2010

Thomson Reuters names Mayo Clinic as one of top 10 hospital systems in the country

Mayo Clinic, for the second year in a row, has been a named a top U.S. health system, according to a Thomson Reuters survey that analyzed the quality and efficiency of 255 health systems across the country. Mayo Clinic, as an enterprise organization operating in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, was ranked among the 10 top performers.

25 Jun 2010

Medicaid News and Research

COBRA, jobs bill in further jeopardy after death of Sen. Byrd

First Edition: June 29, 2010

FDA approves Teva's generic Effexor XR antidepressant

Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act signed into law

Rosiglitazone associated with increased risk of serious cardiovascular events compared with pioglitazone

N.J. Gov. still undecided on whether to join lawsuit against overhaul while health care costs roil Mass. Governor's race

Senate Dems continue Medicaid money, jobless benefits push

Republicans start new effort to advance greater federal abortion funding restrictions

Medicare turns to more comprehensive tools to find fraud

First Edition: June 28, 2010

OPQC Scheduled Birth Initiative reduces unnecessary planned late pre-term, near-term deliveries in Ohio

Senate fails to pass 'extenders' bill, state Medicaid funding

Mass. Legislature denies requests to trim municipal health benefits; N.Y. ordered to transfer people with mental Illness out of institutional group homes

Kansas doctor and wife found guilty of prescribing painkillers, causing deaths

Bayer signs agreement to supply Adalat XL product to Teva Canada

Friday opinions: Mandate to buy insurance; Medicare and 'political game'

Research roundup: Docs' views of industry gifts; Chemotherapy payments; Health law and states

First Edition: June 25, 2010

HHS Secretary to speak about benefits of Affordable Care Act for women

Thomson Reuters names Mayo Clinic as one of top 10 hospital systems in the country

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

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