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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.

Use of technology that expands access to qualified radiologist leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Use of technology that expands access to the most qualified radiologist will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, said MedSolutions, a leading provider of medical cost management services.

8 Jan 2010

King Center to host second annual 'Health and Wellness Forum'

The King Center announced that it will officially launch the 2010 MLK Birthday Observance on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 by hosting and co-sponsoring its second annual “Health and Wellness Forum.” It is being co-sponsored by a $50,000 grant from Aetna, which also funded last year’s inaugural program.

8 Jan 2010

Study reveals members who had mental health diagnosis show improved outcomes

A recent study by Aetna Disability and Absence management of disability members who also had a mental health diagnosis showed that members spent an average of seven fewer days on disability when compared to an industry benchmark.

8 Jan 2010

Nelson wants to open Nebraska's Medicaid deal to all states

Sen. Ben Nelson said today that he's fighting hard to extend to all states the same Medicaid deal that Nebraska gets under the Senate health care bill. ... While other states have to start footing the bill for expanding of Medicaid in 2017, the bill would have the federal government covering Nebraska's share forever.

8 Jan 2010

Final health care reform legislation requires comprehensive coverage of smoking cessation treatment

As Congress negotiates a final health care reform bill, lawmakers should seize this unprecedented opportunity to invest in proven measures that prevent costly diseases from occurring in the first place, which will improve health and reduce health care costs. These include measures to prevent and reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing the nation $96 billion in health care expenditures annually.

8 Jan 2010

Health care reform bill could penalize married couples

Various news organizations are detailing how specific provisions of the pending health overhaul bills could impact the budgets of states as well as some married individuals while also may be tweaked to make health coverage more affordable for the lowest earners.

8 Jan 2010

Iowa eyes improving program for uninsured adults; Minn. and Okla. confront health spending cuts

Poor, uninsured adults from throughout Iowa could receive health care at nearby hospitals and clinics, instead of having to travel to Iowa City, under proposed changes to a state health-care program. For most Iowa residents, the IowaCare program pays for medical care only at University of Iowa Hospitals.

8 Jan 2010

Nelson's Medicaid deal comes under attack

A special deal reached by Senate Democratic leaders and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., regarding funding for his state in the context of health reform's proposed Medicaid expansion, is drawing increasing criticism.

8 Jan 2010

Uninsured patients struggle to access health care as hospitals end programs

Several news outlets report on uninsured patients and access to health care.

7 Jan 2010

Board of Directors for Legacy continue efforts to preserve tobacco funds in Ohio

Today, the Board of Directors for Legacy(SM) - a national public health foundation devoted to tobacco cessation and prevention - announced it will continue efforts to preserve tobacco funds in Ohio, by taking the battle to the Supreme Court of Ohio.

7 Jan 2010

MedLink qualifies for 2010 PQRI programs

MedLink announced today that the MedLink EHR has been "qualified" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for eligible providers to submit quality data to CMS for 2010 PQRI reporting.

7 Jan 2010

CMS launches annual provider satisfaction survey

Modern HealthCare reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid "has launched its fifth annual healthcare provider-satisfaction survey regarding Medicare fee-for-service contractors that process and pay more than $370 billion in Medicare claims each year."

7 Jan 2010

NCPA offers lawmakers updated health care reform recommendations

With Senate and House leaders trying to craft a health care reform bill to send to the White House, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) today offered lawmakers updated recommendations for the would-be final legislation.

7 Jan 2010

Heartland Regional Medical Center saves more than $3.3 million by utilizing PCS

Heartland Regional Medical Center of St. Joseph, Mo. has saved more than $3.3 million by utilizing Premier Consulting SolutionsTM (PCS) and Premier healthcare alliance technologies to improve quality and safety in cardiovascular services while delivering cost-effective care.

7 Jan 2010

Public option, affordability issues central to health bill negotiations

Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal reports that House Democrats who favor a government-run public insurance plan on Tuesday signaled "they are willing to agree to a final health overhaul bill without a government-run health insurance option if other parts of the bill would fulfill the same goals."

7 Jan 2010

Dialysis extension at Atlanta hospital eases crisis for illegal immigrants

The New York Times: "In early October, when Grady, Atlanta's public hospital, closed its outpatient dialysis unit for budgetary reasons, it agreed to pay for three months of dialysis at private clinics for about 50 dislocated patients.

6 Jan 2010

House Democrats develop wish list for final reform package, return to the White House

Heading into a key White House meeting this afternoon, House leaders are eyeing several items that they would like in a final health care reform deal with the Senate, but it's not clear whether their wish list will have much of an impact in the face of threats from conservative Senators to withdraw their support for the bill.

6 Jan 2010