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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.

House will take up stand-alone 'doc fix' as senate tries once again to advance broader jobs bill

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House may pass a bill as early as Thursday evening that would spare doctors from cuts in Medicare payments." This legislation also is part of a larger piece measure that provides assistance to states and extends some unemployment benefits. "Pelosi said it is "clear" the Senate will be unable to pass the larger bill, so the House is considering passing a much smaller bill that deals only with Medicare payment for doctors."

25 Jun 2010

Despite cuts, GOP continues block of Bill to extend Medicaid assistance, 'fix' Medicare payments

A Republican filibuster may kill a bill that would extend jobless benefits and extra Medicaid assistance to states while also leaving in limbo efforts to delay cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.

25 Jun 2010

Governors, state attorneys general seek to counter lawsuit against health law

"Gov. Chris Gregoire is joining three fellow Democratic governors in asking a federal judge to consider their opposition to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the nation's new health-care law," The Seattle Times reports.

25 Jun 2010

Medicare to use new fraud identification tool

Gov Info Security: "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the first agency to use a new fraud mapping tool that ultimately will be used throughout the federal government.

25 Jun 2010

Conn. AG launches probe of CVS prescription plan termination threat

Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general and a candidate for the U.S. Senate, announced an investigation of CVS Caremark after the corporation threatened to terminate a discount prescription drug program, Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal reports.

25 Jun 2010

BCBST achieves certification for implementation of CAQH CORE Phase II rules

CAQH announced today that BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has achieved certification for its implementation of the CAQH Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange Phase II rules. The certification will benefit more than 3 million insured members of the Tennessee health plan.

24 Jun 2010

Premier healthcare alliance recognizes winners of Pinnacle and Performance Awards

The Premier healthcare alliance has recognized the winners of its fifth annual awards for suppliers exceeding operational and quality expectations.

24 Jun 2010

Medica, HealthInsight partner to deliver value-based benefit program to commercial customers

Today, Medica, a leading health care insurance provider headquartered in Minneapolis, and HealthInsight, provider of the leading value-based healthcare incentive platform, announced that they have partnered to deliver a next generation value-based benefit program to Medica's commercial customers.

24 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 24, 2010

Today's headlines reflect the latest news about action in the Senate regarding the Medicare "doc fix" and Medicaid assistance for states as well as developments across the health care marketkplace.

24 Jun 2010

CMS proposes new rules for hospitals to protect patients' visitation rights

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today proposed new rules for hospitals that would protect patients' rights to choose their own visitors during a hospital stay, including visitors who are same-sex domestic partners.

24 Jun 2010

New poll illustrates difficult situations cancer patients face in affording needed health care

A new poll illustrates the difficulty that cancer patients, survivors and their families face in affording needed health care and paying for other basic necessities such as food and heat, underscoring the need to strongly implement the Affordable Care Act so that it works for people with cancer.

24 Jun 2010

Wellpartner agrees to provide patients access to low-cost medications using 340B Access Solution

Wellpartner, a nationally recognized provider of pharmacy distribution services, today announced an agreement with Community Health Center La Clinica and Custom Prescription Shoppe Pharmacy to provide patients access to low-cost medications using Wellpartner's 340B Access Solution. The agreement will allow patients who qualify to purchase deeply-discounted prescription medications at Community Health Center La Clinica's newly established in-house pharmacy as well as through a network of retail pharmacies in the area.

24 Jun 2010

Minn. Gov. decides to not expand Medicaid early; Ohio wrestles with increased Medicaid costs in overhaul; Kansas officials worry about 25% cut in health policy operating budget

"As expected, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has declined the opportunity for Minnesota to get an early shot at expanding Medicaid eligibility. The federal health plan calls for all states to expand Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults without children in 2014, but Minnesota was among a few states offered a chance to do it earlier." The legislature, however, passed a measure that would allow Pawlenty's successor next year to reverse his ruling (Kimball, 6/22).

24 Jun 2010

States face less federal Medicaid money, more demand

The Wall Street Journal reports that state legislatures are grappling "with deficits totalling $127 billion over the next two fiscal years, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers. ... Of immediate concern to states is the hit they will take if Congress doesn't approve an additional $24 billion to help defray the cost of Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for the poor. Cost concerns prompted the House to jettison the Medicaid funding this month, and the Senate also is considering stripping out the provision."

24 Jun 2010

Watson's ANDA for Fentanyl Citrate Buccal tablets receives tentative FDA approval

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc. has received tentative approval today from the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Fentanyl Citrate Buccal tablets, 100 mcg, 200 mcg, 300 mcg, 400 mcg, 600 mcg and 800 mcg.

24 Jun 2010

Several hospitals seek buyers or mergers to strengthen their bottom lines

The Boston Globe: Massachusetts officials are holding public comment sessions on a proposed sale of chain of hospitals in the state, and "scores of local officials, state representatives, community leaders, and employees and retirees of Caritas hospitals in Eastern Massachusetts have paraded to the podium to praise Caritas management and the private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, that has pledged to preserve the chain of six hospitals, at least for three years."

23 Jun 2010

Democrats stymied on Medicare physician pay 'fix'

CongressDaily: "Medicare physician payments, unemployment benefits, aid to states and long-stalled tax breaks were all still in limbo Tuesday with no clear path forward." House Democrats are waiting for the Senate to act on the larger bill before considering a separate "doc fix" bill the Senate passed last week.

23 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 23, 2010

Today's health policy headlines focus on President Obama's Tuesday meeting with health insurance executives and the administration's new version of the "Patient's Bill of Rights."

23 Jun 2010

UnitedHealthcare, Centura Health announce official launch of Connected Care in Colorado

UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, and Centura Health, Colorado's largest health care provider, announced the official launch of Connected Care, giving patients in four rural Colorado communities expanded access to physicians and specialists using advanced telehealth technology.

23 Jun 2010

Mass. weighs overhaul's effects; Conn. first state to add adults to Medicaid under new health law

"In most states, the passage of the sprawling federal health care overhaul legislation means the poorest will have a better shot at affording health insurance. But in Massachusetts, the law might have the opposite effect. Senator John. F. Kerry, state leaders, and health care advocates met yesterday to discuss a new report that highlights the major differences between the federal and state health care models. The focus of the event quickly turned to the hurdles of implementation and the need to protect the gains Massachusetts has made since 2006. ... The report reveals that ... some Massachusetts residents might end up facing higher premiums" (Lee, 6/22).

23 Jun 2010

Medicaid News and Research

House will take up stand-alone 'doc fix' as senate tries once again to advance broader jobs bill

Despite cuts, GOP continues block of Bill to extend Medicaid assistance, 'fix' Medicare payments

Governors, state attorneys general seek to counter lawsuit against health law

Medicare to use new fraud identification tool

Conn. AG launches probe of CVS prescription plan termination threat

BCBST achieves certification for implementation of CAQH CORE Phase II rules

Premier healthcare alliance recognizes winners of Pinnacle and Performance Awards

Medica, HealthInsight partner to deliver value-based benefit program to commercial customers

First Edition: June 24, 2010

CMS proposes new rules for hospitals to protect patients' visitation rights

New poll illustrates difficult situations cancer patients face in affording needed health care

Wellpartner agrees to provide patients access to low-cost medications using 340B Access Solution

Minn. Gov. decides to not expand Medicaid early; Ohio wrestles with increased Medicaid costs in overhaul; Kansas officials worry about 25% cut in health policy operating budget

States face less federal Medicaid money, more demand

Watson's ANDA for Fentanyl Citrate Buccal tablets receives tentative FDA approval

Several hospitals seek buyers or mergers to strengthen their bottom lines

Democrats stymied on Medicare physician pay 'fix'

First Edition: June 23, 2010

UnitedHealthcare, Centura Health announce official launch of Connected Care in Colorado

Mass. weighs overhaul's effects; Conn. first state to add adults to Medicaid under new health law

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