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Public option again gains steam; Cadillac tax would fall equally on non-union plans

The public option is gaining steam again, while a new study on the "Cadillac tax" suggests it would fall equally on union and non-union health plans.

23 Feb 2010

Eon Labs to pay $3.5M for resolving False Claims Act allegations concerning Nitroglycerin SR capsules

Eon Labs Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations relating to the company's drug Nitroglycerin Sustained Release (SR) capsules, the Justice Department announced today. Eon Labs is a subsidiary of Sando Inc., which is in turn a subsidiary of Novartis AG.

23 Feb 2010

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

NPR: "In California, it's been seven months since some 3 million poor and disabled adults lost their dental coverage to budget cuts. ... While the recession may be easing, California and other states across the country continue to face eye-popping budget deficits. As a result, states are cutting deep into public health programs, and dental benefits for Medicaid recipients top the list. ... Before the state budget cuts, Medicaid patients here could get annual exams, cleanings and, if needed, root canals to save their teeth.

23 Feb 2010

Obama's health plan to target insurers' rates

President Obama will propose a regulatory crack down on insurers' rate hikes this morning, as the administration seeks to set the stage for a week-long push to reinvigorate the health care debate, The New York Times reports.

22 Feb 2010

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

Thank you, Tom. I also want to thank NACCHO for hosting this important conference and for inviting me to speak here today. Public health is a top priority for this administration. So is strengthening our partnerships across government. So I’m glad I could come talk with you about how we can work together to keep Americans healthy and safe.

22 Feb 2010

Four key elements essential for transforming health care delivery to be discussed at stakeholder's meeting

As the patient centered medical home moves onto the front burner as a model for transforming health care delivery, thought leaders are focusing on four key elements essential to making the model successful. These elements—care coordination, expanded access, meaningful health IT and new financial models—will be the foundation for the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative's March 30 Stakeholder's Meeting in Washington, DC at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.

22 Feb 2010

During open enrollment Medicare recipients may make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage

Medicare recipients may still make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage during open enrollment period, which runs Jan. 1 to March 31.

22 Feb 2010

As health insurance premiums rise sharply, lawmakers and consumers face tough choices

Steep increases in individual health insurance premiums are sparking reactions across the country.

21 Feb 2010

Pelosi releases statement on HHS Secretary's decision to increase aid to states for Medicare Part D payment

I applaud the Administration's decision, which will mean much-needed relief to states facing severe budget constraints in light of the tough economic climate. The California Congressional delegation's diligence in raising this issue with HHS has paid dividends for California, which will be rewarded with an additional $680 million, all due to the FMAP increase included in the Recovery Act that we passed a year ago.

20 Feb 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

The Infectious Diseases Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog examines U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric Goosby's recent address to the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) where he reemphasized the Obama administration's commitment to "'maintaining, extending and increasing' the U.S. response to global AIDS." Goosby reflected on the lessons drawn from PEPFAR to date and presented components of the 5-year PEPFAR strategy, the blog notes.

20 Feb 2010

Health care fraud: Massachusetts hospital to pay $2.79M for settling False Claims Act allegations

Mercy Hospital Inc. (d/b/a Mercy Medical Center) of Springfield, Mass., has agreed to pay the United States $2,799,462 to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act between 2005 and 2006 by failing to provide, or failing to document that it provided, the minimum number of hours of rehabilitation therapy required under Medicare guidelines, the Justice Department announced today.

20 Feb 2010

Obama plans to offer own health bill before summit as parties stake claims

President Obama will offer "comprehensive" health reform legislation in advance of next week's planned summit with Republicans, The New York Times reports. "Democratic officials said the president's proposal was being written so that it could be attached to a budget bill as a way of averting a Republican filibuster in the Senate. The procedure, known as budget reconciliation, would let Democrats advance the bill with a simple majority rather than a 60-vote supermajority."

20 Feb 2010

Obama Administration releases details of over $400M Healthy Food Financing Initiative

The Obama Administration today released details of an over $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which will bring grocery stores and other healthy food retailers to underserved urban and rural communities across America. The initiative was announced today in Philadelphia by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

20 Feb 2010

ALEC congratulates Idaho State Representatives for sponsoring Idaho Health Freedom Act

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)—the nation's largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators—congratulates Idaho State Representatives Jim Clark, Lynn Luker, and Raul Labrador for their successful sponsorship of HB 391, the Idaho Health Freedom Act, which was passed by the Idaho House of Representatives by a vote of 52 to 18 last week.

19 Feb 2010

HMS reports financial results for fourth-quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2009

HMS today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

19 Feb 2010

First Edition: February 19, 2010

Today's headlines highlight a White House plan to "get specific" on health reform, an analysis showing a nationwide jump in Medicaid enrollment and more on the firestorm surrounding health insurance premium increases.

19 Feb 2010

Landmark collaboration to launch largest study of breast cancer in Latin American women

The largest study ever of breast cancer in Latin American women is being launched this year in a unique multi-country, public/private partnership with $1 million in additional funding from the world’s largest breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

19 Feb 2010

HHS releases report highlighting health insurance premium increases

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled a new report, Insurance Companies Prosper, Families Suffer: Our Broken Health Insurance System. The report highlights health insurance premium increases in states across the country and comes shortly after Anthem Blue Cross announced plans to raise rates on its California customers by as much as 39 percent, even after its parent company took in a profit of $2.7 billion in the previous quarter. The complete report is available at www.HealthReform.gov.

19 Feb 2010

Six states to study sickle cell disease and thalassemias in national pilot project

Medical researchers are developing a new surveillance system to determine the number of patients diagnosed with a family of inherited blood disorders known as hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease, thalassemias, and hemoglobin E disease.

19 Feb 2010

HHS report scolds insurers for rate hikes, points to increases as reason for reform

According to an Obama Administration report released Thursday, double-digit insurance premium increases such as the proposed 39 percent one by Anthem Blue Cross in California are a "worrisome sign of the times," The Associated Press reports.

19 Feb 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

Public option again gains steam; Cadillac tax would fall equally on non-union plans

Eon Labs to pay $3.5M for resolving False Claims Act allegations concerning Nitroglycerin SR capsules

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

Obama's health plan to target insurers' rates

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

Four key elements essential for transforming health care delivery to be discussed at stakeholder's meeting

During open enrollment Medicare recipients may make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage

As health insurance premiums rise sharply, lawmakers and consumers face tough choices

Pelosi releases statement on HHS Secretary's decision to increase aid to states for Medicare Part D payment

Recent releases in Global Health

Health care fraud: Massachusetts hospital to pay $2.79M for settling False Claims Act allegations

Obama plans to offer own health bill before summit as parties stake claims

Obama Administration releases details of over $400M Healthy Food Financing Initiative

ALEC congratulates Idaho State Representatives for sponsoring Idaho Health Freedom Act

HMS reports financial results for fourth-quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2009

First Edition: February 19, 2010

Landmark collaboration to launch largest study of breast cancer in Latin American women

HHS releases report highlighting health insurance premium increases

Six states to study sickle cell disease and thalassemias in national pilot project

HHS report scolds insurers for rate hikes, points to increases as reason for reform

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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