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Doctors issue warnings about reduced access as Congressional inaction cuts Medicare pay

A political deadlock in the Senate has triggered a 21 percent Medicare pay reduction to doctors who say they may have to limit care for older Americans unless the reduction is reversed.

2 Mar 2010

Critical follow-up evaluations provide opportunity to help physicians best evaluate their HF patients

Heart failure is by far the most prevalent chronic cardiac condition. Around 30 million people in Europe have heart failure and its incidence is still increasing: more cases are being identified, more people are living to an old age, and more are surviving a heart attack but with damage to the heart muscle.

2 Mar 2010

Metropolitan Health Networks reports increased revenue for 2009 fourth quarter

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare services in Florida, today announced the financial results for their fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

2 Mar 2010

Obama-Pelosi government healthcare takeover: LAV launches TV-ad urging Mollohan to vote "No"

U.S. Congressman Allan Mollohan is urged to vote "No" on the Obama-Pelosi government takeover of healthcare, in a major TV-ad campaign launched today by the League of American Voters (USALeague.com).

2 Mar 2010

AADA: U.S. Congress fails to approve legislation preventing 21% cut in payments for physicians

The American Academy of Dermatology Association is disappointed that the United States Congress has failed to approve legislation preventing the implementation of a 21 percent cut in payments for physicians who treat Medicare patients.

2 Mar 2010

California's dirty air costs more than $193M in hospital-based medical care, finds RAND study

California's dirty air caused more than $193 million in hospital-based medical care from 2005 to 2007 as people sought help for problems such as asthma and pneumonia that are triggered by elevated pollution levels, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

2 Mar 2010

APTA: CMS announces dates for holding claims

(U.S. Physical Therapy) The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) reported on its website (APTA.org) on Friday, February 26, 2010 that “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will hold claims for the first 10 business days of March. The hold will apply to claims with dates of service of March 1, 2010 through March 12, 2010. Claims with dates of service of January 1, 2010-February 28, 2010 will continue to be paid based on the 0% update approved by Congress.

2 Mar 2010

Physicians Foundation responds to new Medicare physician payment cuts of 21%

The Physicians Foundation, a national healthcare organization that represents the interests of physicians, responded today to new Medicare physician payment cuts of 21 percent, which became effective today after Congress failed to take action on a month long stay.

2 Mar 2010

Prevention of 21% cuts in Medicare payments to physicians: Congress fails to approve, AADA disappointed

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) is disappointed that the United States Congress has failed to approve legislation preventing the implementation of a 21 percent cut in payments for physicians who treat Medicare patients.

2 Mar 2010

U.S. Physical Therapy acquires 70% interest in five clinic outpatient physical therapy group

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc., a leading national operator of outpatient physical and occupational therapy clinics, has acquired a 70% interest in a five clinic outpatient physical therapy group. The practice presently has more than 58,000 patient visits per year and produces approximately $6.9 million in annual revenue.

2 Mar 2010

Michigan hospitals face rising costs; Doctor urges culture changes to increase safety

Hospitals in Michigan are losing money, according to a report expected to be released today by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. The Detroit Free Press reports that the losses are leading to "layoffs, hiring freezes and elimination of some services."

2 Mar 2010

Pelosi 'confident' on health overhaul vote through reconciliation process

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is "confident" she will be able to get the votes needed to pass health care reform, "even if it threatens the political careers of some members of her party," The New York Times reports.

2 Mar 2010

HCA announces intention to offer $1.0 billion senior secured first lien notes due 2020

HCA today announced that it intends to offer $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured first lien notes due 2020 (the "Notes"). In accordance with the terms of its senior secured credit facilities, HCA will use the net proceeds from the offering to repay term loans under its cash flow credit facility.

2 Mar 2010

Reid planning to start debate on COBRA, Medicaid help extensions

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is planning to start debate Monday on a bill that would extend COBRA health coverage benefit subsidies for people who have been laid-off. The measure, part of a larger package of expired government programs, also would help states with Medicaid reimbursements.

2 Mar 2010

Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights opposes Medicare payment cuts

Due to Congressional inaction, Medicare’s reimbursement rates to doctors for their care of our nation’s elderly population will be cut a staggering 21 percent today.

2 Mar 2010

MedPac urges Feds to cut payments to private insurers

Reuters: The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) on Monday issued nonbinding recommendations that Medicare "cut U.S. government payments to private insurers and home healthcare providers." The panel, which is an independent body set up to advise Congress on Medicare, "repeated its earlier call for the federal government to pay private insurers that offer coverage known as Medicare Advantage the same as it pays when Medicare reimburses providers directly."

2 Mar 2010

Acorda Therapeutics' AMPYRA now available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg is now available by prescription in the United States and Puerto Rico. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is indicated for use in all types of MS, and can be used either alone or with existing therapies, including disease-modifying agents.

1 Mar 2010

Palliative care helps improve quality, cut end of life care costs

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on palliative care and focuses on a fairly typical American hospital in Abington.

1 Mar 2010

Thirty-six organizations urge Congress to pass health reform legislation

State, regional and national public health associations today called on Congress to send comprehensive health reform legislation to the president in the coming weeks. Thirty-six organizations representing tens of thousands of public health professionals from Alaska to Maine, Iowa to Kentucky and states in between signed on to a letter to members of Congress urging action.

1 Mar 2010

Physicians urge Senators to repeal Medicare cuts

The U.S. Senate's failure to act before today's 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut has put seniors at grave risk of reduced access to health care and choice of physician.

1 Mar 2010

Medicare News and Research

Doctors issue warnings about reduced access as Congressional inaction cuts Medicare pay

Critical follow-up evaluations provide opportunity to help physicians best evaluate their HF patients

Metropolitan Health Networks reports increased revenue for 2009 fourth quarter

Obama-Pelosi government healthcare takeover: LAV launches TV-ad urging Mollohan to vote "No"

AADA: U.S. Congress fails to approve legislation preventing 21% cut in payments for physicians

California's dirty air costs more than $193M in hospital-based medical care, finds RAND study

APTA: CMS announces dates for holding claims

Physicians Foundation responds to new Medicare physician payment cuts of 21%

Prevention of 21% cuts in Medicare payments to physicians: Congress fails to approve, AADA disappointed

U.S. Physical Therapy acquires 70% interest in five clinic outpatient physical therapy group

Michigan hospitals face rising costs; Doctor urges culture changes to increase safety

Pelosi 'confident' on health overhaul vote through reconciliation process

HCA announces intention to offer $1.0 billion senior secured first lien notes due 2020

Reid planning to start debate on COBRA, Medicaid help extensions

Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights opposes Medicare payment cuts

MedPac urges Feds to cut payments to private insurers

Acorda Therapeutics' AMPYRA now available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

Palliative care helps improve quality, cut end of life care costs

Thirty-six organizations urge Congress to pass health reform legislation

Physicians urge Senators to repeal Medicare cuts

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