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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.

International Merchant Advisors signs LOI to purchase minority interest in Assured Pharmacy

International Merchant Advisors, Inc. www.imaiinc.com announced today that the company has signed a letter of intent to purchase a minority interest in Assured Pharmacy, Inc. www.assuredpharmacyinc.com, a retail pharmaceutical operation that is focused on selling prescription medications in the chronic pain management medical sector.

16 Feb 2010

FDA’s radiation exposure-reduction initiative: HealthHelp’s model provides quality and safety

The Federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recently announced radiation exposure-reduction initiative acknowledges the vital need for industry-wide quality and safety measures like the ones HealthHelp provides its payer clients.

16 Feb 2010

Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget will hurt hospitals and people in Minnesota

Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal announced today will severely hurt Minnesota's hospitals and the citizens they serve. His proposed budget would reduce payment rates for patients in state health programs, cut spending on medical education and put adults without children now covered by MinnesotaCare into the growing ranks of the uninsured. The current budget proposal would only make things worse in both the short term and the long term. If the governor's budget is adopted, hospitals will more than likely need to layoff more skilled workers and cut much-needed services.

16 Feb 2010

Lack of comprehensive insurance coverage is barrier for smoking cessation: Study

As a new year and decade begin, many Pennsylvanians have made an important resolution to quit smoking. Wanting to quit is a good first step, but it's not nearly enough. Smoking, we now know, is not just a "habit"; it's a true physical addiction, and, on average, most smokers try at least five times to quit.

16 Feb 2010

Chemed announces financial results for fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2009

Chemed Corporation, which operates VITAS Healthcare Corporation, the nation’s largest provider of end-of-life care, and Roto-Rooter, the nation’s largest commercial and residential plumbing and drain cleaning services provider, reported financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, versus the comparable prior-year period

15 Feb 2010

Walgreens Pharmacies postpones withdrawal from Washington Medicaid program

Walgreens will continue filling Medicaid prescriptions at its Washington state pharmacies through March 15. The company, which operates 121 pharmacies in Washington, announced on Jan. 13 it would stop filling Medicaid prescriptions in 64 of its stores because of continued reduction in reimbursement under the State of Washington Medicaid program. The decision to delay the withdrawal from the program comes as constructive talks continue between the state and the company.

15 Feb 2010

IMAI formally offered to purchase equity position in pharmaceutical operation

International Merchant Advisors, Inc. announced today that the company has formally offered to purchase an equity position in a pharmaceutical operation that is focused on selling in the chronic pain management medical sector.

15 Feb 2010

Wyoming lawkmaker pushes for reform, Mississippi Governor bans certain over-the-counter drugs

Associated Press/CNBC: "A veteran Wyoming state senator for the third time is pushing a bill he says would offer health insurance to people who couldn't afford it on the open market and also serve as an example to the rest of the nation of how to tackle rising health care costs. Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, has proposed a pilot program that calls for allowing 500 participants to enroll in Medicaid beginning in July. It would be limited to people whose family income is below 250 percent of the federal poverty level — $55,125 for a family of four.

15 Feb 2010

Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mich., Arizona plan Medicaid cuts; N.C.'s prison health costs

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune: Louisiana "Gov. Bobby Jindal will present his 2010-11 budget request Friday, which is expected to call for cuts to health care, education and other areas of state government as his administration outlines plans for plugging a $1 billion shortfall. ... The general-fund growth is not nearly enough to offset a loss of about $650 million in federal health-care financing, the rising cost of state pensions, automatic pay raises for state workers and inflation in health-care programs."

15 Feb 2010

COBRA extension out of revised Senate jobs bill

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is rewriting a jobs bill after Democrats complained of too many concessions to Republicans," The Hill reports. Unlike the bill unveiled hours earlier by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., Reid's measure "does not extend unemployment and COBRA benefits that many in both parties want." Some Democrats are concerned by the change.

14 Feb 2010

ISMPP announces opening of registration for 6th annual meeting on medical publications

The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) is pleased to announce the opening of registration for its 6th annual meeting, "Delivering Value and Driving Advocacy in Medical Publications." The meeting will run from April 19 to 21, 2010, in Arlington, VA, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.

12 Feb 2010

Cuts to Texas Medicaid payment rates will hurt nursing home care providers

In testimony at a Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) hearing on possible budget reduction options, the President of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) warned that any cuts now to Texas Medicaid payment rates for nursing home care will confront the nursing home profession with dire financial consequences.

12 Feb 2010

MSMS and MOA call $300M tax on Michigan's health care system 'bad policy'

With reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm will include a $300 million tax on Michigan's health care system as part of her fiscal year 2010-11 state budget proposal, the 15,000-member Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) and 5,500-member Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) urged lawmakers to reject the new taxing scheme, just as they did less than six months ago.

12 Feb 2010

Sun Knowledge to attend Annual Drug Benefit Conference in Phoenix

Sun Knowledge, Ltd., a leading Healthcare Insurance provider of Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) services, will attend the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute’s Annual Drug Benefit Conference in Phoenix, Az., from February 17-19.

12 Feb 2010

Parents often recognize signs of asthma in their children but delay home treatment: Report

Parents of young children with asthma often recognize signs that their child is about to have an asthma attack but delay home treatment until the attack occurs, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.

12 Feb 2010

FKF receives funds to launch Fragile Kids Partner Program

The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare announced today that it has awarded a $35,000 grant to Fragile Kids Foundation, Inc. (FKF), a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Ga.

12 Feb 2010

Medicaid and other state programs face questions about fraud, other difficulties

The state's Medicaid Fraud Division said two state agencies, the Health Department and Human Services Department that administer the Medicaid program, "'filtered' and 'sanitized' information and documents requested by investigators, hindering numerous investigations." The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wil investigate the allegations (Furlow, 2/10).

12 Feb 2010

IASIS Healthcare reports solid revenue and EBITDA growth for fiscal first-quarter

IASIS Healthcare® LLC today announced financial and operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2009.

11 Feb 2010

Calif. budget cuts will hit adult day care centers, prison health care; Texas and Kansas weigh Medicaid cuts

Under the most recent cost-saving budget proposals, 327 adult day healthcare centers throughout California would be eliminated. Cuts could save the state $135 million in fiscal 2011, state projections show.

11 Feb 2010

Theragenics announces record $18.7M consolidated revenue for fourth-quarter 2009

Theragenics Corporation, a medical device company serving the surgical products and prostate cancer treatment markets, today announced consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Consolidated results include the results of NeedleTech Products, Inc. (“NeedleTech”) subsequent to its acquisition by Theragenics on July 28, 2008.

11 Feb 2010

Medicaid News and Research

International Merchant Advisors signs LOI to purchase minority interest in Assured Pharmacy

FDA’s radiation exposure-reduction initiative: HealthHelp’s model provides quality and safety

Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget will hurt hospitals and people in Minnesota

Lack of comprehensive insurance coverage is barrier for smoking cessation: Study

Chemed announces financial results for fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2009

Walgreens Pharmacies postpones withdrawal from Washington Medicaid program

IMAI formally offered to purchase equity position in pharmaceutical operation

Wyoming lawkmaker pushes for reform, Mississippi Governor bans certain over-the-counter drugs

Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mich., Arizona plan Medicaid cuts; N.C.'s prison health costs

COBRA extension out of revised Senate jobs bill

ISMPP announces opening of registration for 6th annual meeting on medical publications

Cuts to Texas Medicaid payment rates will hurt nursing home care providers

MSMS and MOA call $300M tax on Michigan's health care system 'bad policy'

Sun Knowledge to attend Annual Drug Benefit Conference in Phoenix

Parents often recognize signs of asthma in their children but delay home treatment: Report

FKF receives funds to launch Fragile Kids Partner Program

Medicaid and other state programs face questions about fraud, other difficulties

IASIS Healthcare reports solid revenue and EBITDA growth for fiscal first-quarter

Calif. budget cuts will hit adult day care centers, prison health care; Texas and Kansas weigh Medicaid cuts

Theragenics announces record $18.7M consolidated revenue for fourth-quarter 2009

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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