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National Council on Aging favors Senate health reform bill

The National Council on Aging supports the Senate for its Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), which, when passed, will bring America one giant step closer to the long-awaited goal of health care that is both accessible and affordable for Americans of all ages.

24 Dec 2009

Fitch Ratings affirms OMHS' Kentucky $502M revenue bonds 'BBB+'

Fitch Ratings assigns a 'BBB+' rating to the following City of Owensboro, Kentucky health system revenue bonds: -- $502.3 million series 2010 City of Owensboro, Kentucky health system revenue bonds (Owensboro Medical Health System).

24 Dec 2009

False Claims Act allegations: Visiting Physicians Association to pay $9.5M

Visiting Physicians Association, which is based in Farmington Hills, Mich., will pay the United States and the state of Michigan $9.5 million to settle allegations that the association violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare, TRICARE and the Michigan Medicaid program, the Justice Department announced today. Visiting Physicians Association is a Michigan professional corporation which has provided home health services at various times in Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Wisconsin.

24 Dec 2009

Fitch Ratings affirms Siskin's TN variable-rate demand bonds at 'A-'

Fitch Ratings takes the following rating action on Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, Inc. (Siskin) as part of its continuous surveillance effort: -- approximately $5.8 million Chattanooga Health, Educational, and Housing Facility Board, TN variable-rate demand bonds, series 1990A, affirmed at 'A-'.

24 Dec 2009

AARP calls on Senators to vote in favor of health care reform bill

While Washington, D.C. couldn't seem further away to most Idaho families this holiday season, rising health care costs are an issue that's hitting much closer to home. As Idaho's health care woes grow increasingly worse, AARP is calling on Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch to vote in favor of the Senate health care reform bill expected to come up for a vote Christmas Eve, and is sending the Senators a "Christmas List" of Idaho's health care crisis.

24 Dec 2009

Lawmakers brace for conference as House Liberals vow not to give in on key issues

The Los Angeles Times reports that Democrats are looking ahead — and at each other — before beginning the "potentially difficult" process of reconciling the Senate and House versions of health care reform.

23 Dec 2009

Industries brace for health overhaul as Senate nears deal

Many companies and their lobbyists now believe the overhaul is inevitable and are hoping to ease changes that will affect their businesses.

23 Dec 2009

Costs of health overhaul may be felt before benefits accrue

The Associated Press reports: "The costs of health care reform being pushed through Congress by Democrats will be felt long before the benefits. Proposed taxes and fees on upper-income earners, insurers, even tanning parlors, take effect quickly.

23 Dec 2009

CBO questions democratic claims on Medicare savings

Roll Call: "Senate Republicans refused Wednesday to throw in the towel in their rhetorical war with Democrats over health care reform, accusing the majority of using accounting gimmicks to hide their use of Medicare Trust Fund money to pay for new programs in the overhaul,"

23 Dec 2009

AAAP celebrates 10-year anniversary of its California Eldercare Initiative

The Association of African American Professionals, Inc. (AAAP) hosted a holiday party with area senior citizens to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its California Eldercare Initiative. This Initiative helps seniors learn how to be their own eldercare advocates and understand public policy.

23 Dec 2009

SNM urges Congress to implement long-term solution for medical reimbursement rates

SNM is pleased that the U.S. Congress has passed a fix to freeze the conversion factor at the 2009 rate for physicians, which will ensure that millions of patients continue to receive medical coverage for critical diagnostic imaging tests and therapeutics.

23 Dec 2009

Bishops urge Congress and the Administration to fashion health care reform legislation

The current health care reform bill is "deficient" and should not move forward without "essential changes," the chairmen of three committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said December 22.

23 Dec 2009

St. John Health System to pay over $13M for settling False Claims Act allegations

St. John Health System, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., has agreed to pay the United States $13,229,348.88 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today.

23 Dec 2009

Cardiac rehabilitation improves survival rate in heart attack patients

Medicare beneficiaries with heart disease who attended more cardiac rehabilitation sessions had fewer heart attacks and were less likely to die within four years than those who went to rehab less, researchers report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

23 Dec 2009

InstaMed Platform and Network product achieves CORE Phase II rules certification

InstaMed, the industry leading healthcare payments network and platform, announced today that it has achieved CAQH® Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE®) Phase II rules certification for its InstaMed Platform and Network product.

23 Dec 2009

CompCare to provide managed behavioral health services for Universal Health Care Group members

Comprehensive Care Corporation (CompCare) today announced it will provide managed behavioral health services for Universal Health Care Group’s 100,000 Medicaid, Medicare, and Private Fee-for-Service plan members in eleven states.

22 Dec 2009

Warrants issued in connection with AdCare Health Systems' initial public offering amended

AdCare Health Systems, Inc., an Ohio based long term care, home care and management company today reported that the warrants issued in connection with AdCare's initial public offering were amended to conform to the terms of the new warrants that were included in the Company's recent private placement that raised $2.5 million in cash to fund its current growth initiatives.

22 Dec 2009

Disability-related problems continue to rise among older adults

Disability rates among non-institutionalized older Americans increased between 2000 and 2005, a trend that could seriously impact the quality of life of seniors in the coming decades if it continues, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley.

22 Dec 2009

Senators keep health bill's Christmas Eve timeline on track

Senators cast the second of three procedural votes Tuesday morning to end debate on the Senate's health care reform bill, keeping alive their timeline of passing the reform on Christmas Eve Thursday. Senators voted 60-39 to accept the manager's amendment around 8 a.m. Tuesday, clearing the way for one remaining procedural vote Wednesday and a final vote on the legislation Thursday.

22 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

'Twill be the night before Christmas when the Senate delivers the top item on White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's wish list: a health-care bill (William McGurn, 12/21).

22 Dec 2009

Medicare News and Research

National Council on Aging favors Senate health reform bill

Fitch Ratings affirms OMHS' Kentucky $502M revenue bonds 'BBB+'

False Claims Act allegations: Visiting Physicians Association to pay $9.5M

Fitch Ratings affirms Siskin's TN variable-rate demand bonds at 'A-'

AARP calls on Senators to vote in favor of health care reform bill

Lawmakers brace for conference as House Liberals vow not to give in on key issues

Industries brace for health overhaul as Senate nears deal

Costs of health overhaul may be felt before benefits accrue

CBO questions democratic claims on Medicare savings

AAAP celebrates 10-year anniversary of its California Eldercare Initiative

SNM urges Congress to implement long-term solution for medical reimbursement rates

Bishops urge Congress and the Administration to fashion health care reform legislation

St. John Health System to pay over $13M for settling False Claims Act allegations

Cardiac rehabilitation improves survival rate in heart attack patients

InstaMed Platform and Network product achieves CORE Phase II rules certification

CompCare to provide managed behavioral health services for Universal Health Care Group members

Warrants issued in connection with AdCare Health Systems' initial public offering amended

Disability-related problems continue to rise among older adults

Senators keep health bill's Christmas Eve timeline on track

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