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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.

Pfizer pleads guilty of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and other government-funded health care programs

Pfizer, Inc. announced today it has agreed to plead guilty to criminal conduct and to pay more than $2 billion in criminal and civil fines, penalties and damages to settle allegations made in multiple whistleblower lawsuits that the pharmaceutical giant defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and other government-funded health care programs in connection with its market practices for four of its drugs. The settlement is the largest qui tam settlement in U.S. history.

3 Sep 2009

Connecticut increases tax on cigarettes to prevent kids from becoming addicted adult smokers

Connecticut's leaders have taken decisive action to protect the state's kids and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco use by increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 to $3.00 per pack, making it the second highest state cigarette tax in the nation (Rhode Island's tax is $3.46 per pack).

3 Sep 2009

Rural states with much to gain under reform also feature most vocal opponents

The Los Angeles Times reports: "Some of the most vociferous opposition to the proposals before the House and Senate comes from residents of rural states that could benefit most if the present system is revamped.

3 Sep 2009

Gentiva Health Services acquires Rush Home Care

Gentiva Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTIV), a leading provider of comprehensive home health services, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Rush Home Care, Inc. (d/b/a Magna Home Health), a part of the Rush Health System, located in central Mississippi and west central Alabama. The purchase was funded from Gentiva's existing cash reserves.

3 Sep 2009

Pfizer to pay $2.3 billion for health care fraud settlement

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.

3 Sep 2009

Ohio state to expand Medicaid program to more counties

Unison Health Plan of Ohio announced the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will extend a contract that will enable Unison to offer its programs for aged, blind and disabled (ABD) Medicaid recipients in 18 additional Northwest Ohio counties.

3 Sep 2009

Bextra qui tam lawsuit leads to Pfizer's whopping $2.3 billion settlement

The decision by a Pfizer sales representative in Florida to file a whistleblower ("qui tam") lawsuit in 2003 kicked off the federal and state investigations that led to Pfizer's record-breaking $2.3 billion settlement today.

3 Sep 2009

Adult smoking rate drops to 15.3 percent in Washington

Washington's adult smoking rate has hit a new low for the sixth consecutive year. Results from the state's most recent survey show the smoking rate has dropped to 15.3 percent -- down from 16.5 percent the previous year. Washington has the sixth lowest smoking rate in the nation and remains well below the national rate of 18.4 percent.

2 Sep 2009

Despite health reform efforts, Milwaukee clinic for low-income patients may close

A clinic in a low-income Milwaukee neighborhood has filled a need for 23 years, but people running it worry that it may not be helped by any changes to the health care system. The New York Times reports on the Milwaukee Immediate Care Center, a small nonprofit clinic, "which keeps hours at night and on weekends, [and] is the only full-time operation in the neighborhood that provides urgent care, luring patients with a sign that reads, 'When You Need a Doctor Today.'"

2 Sep 2009

NCPA urges Congress to prevent Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement cuts

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is urging Congressional action in the next 30 days to preserve the access Medicaid patients have to approximately 23,000 community pharmacies.

2 Sep 2009

CIGNA partners with MCNT to launch a medical home type program in Texas

CIGNA (NYSE:CI) and Medical Clinic of North Texas (MCNT) are preparing to launch a pilot program that incorporates components of the medical home model based on a comprehensive, accountable and collaborative approach they believe will lead to improved patient access, better continuity and coordination of care, improved quality of care for patients, and lower medical costs.

2 Sep 2009

SynerMed's announces a 35 percent growth in membership since the beginning of the first quarter of 2009

SynerMed, Inc. today announced a 35 percent growth in membership since the beginning of the first quarter of 2009. Representing 550,000 beneficiaries through its clients, SynerMed is the largest Medicaid managed service organization (MSO) in the country.

2 Sep 2009

Expanding health centers to reach more patients will result in huge health care savings

Expanding health centers to reach an additional 20 million patients as part of national health reform would result in overall health care savings of $212 billion over the ten-year period 2010 to 2019, including federal Medicaid savings of $59 billion.

2 Sep 2009

Policymakers need to be educated on the radical difference between radiation therapy and diagnostic testing

Concerned members of the cancer community, including physicians, patient organizations and other care advocates, spoke out today in opposition to a proposed federal policy under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would lump life-saving radiation therapy in with diagnostic testing services in receiving major Medicare funding cuts.

2 Sep 2009

VisionShare joins select group of EHNAC HNAP-accredited organizations

Health IT connectivity leader VisionShare® Inc. announces it has achieved full accreditation with the Healthcare Network Accreditation Program (HNAP) from the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). EHNAC’s HNAP accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions and indicates compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations.

2 Sep 2009

Las Vegas man's experience with health system shows best and worst of care

The New York Times reports on one man's struggle with the health care system: "In the debate about health care overhaul, there are countless stories of families saddled with hospital bills and unemployed workers who have lost their insurance.

2 Sep 2009

One Medicaid program struggles with 'financial tsunami', California confronts medical wait times, and more

State Medicaid programs are facing trouble and looking for solutions. Meanwhile, California regulators face down medical wait times and local political candidates face the health care issue during their short campaign season.

2 Sep 2009

Legal immigrants to receive scaled back health care benefits in Massachusetts

Thousands of legal immigrants in Massachusetts will face scaled-back health care benefits, the governor announced Monday.

2 Sep 2009

AICC formed to provide access to the highest quality, integrated care to patients with cancer

A nationwide collection of multi-specialty physician group practices and industry partners have formed an informal coalition aimed at promoting and protecting the fundamental right of patients with cancer to access an integrated and comprehensive program of diagnosis, treatment, comfort and support of the highest quality.

2 Sep 2009

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, have teamed up to launch a new, national public service advertising campaign designed to encourage American children and families to practice healthy habits and to take steps to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The PSAs featured in this campaign can be viewed on www.flu.gov.

1 Sep 2009

Medicaid News and Research

Pfizer pleads guilty of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and other government-funded health care programs

Connecticut increases tax on cigarettes to prevent kids from becoming addicted adult smokers

Rural states with much to gain under reform also feature most vocal opponents

Gentiva Health Services acquires Rush Home Care

Pfizer to pay $2.3 billion for health care fraud settlement

Ohio state to expand Medicaid program to more counties

Bextra qui tam lawsuit leads to Pfizer's whopping $2.3 billion settlement

Adult smoking rate drops to 15.3 percent in Washington

Despite health reform efforts, Milwaukee clinic for low-income patients may close

NCPA urges Congress to prevent Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement cuts

CIGNA partners with MCNT to launch a medical home type program in Texas

SynerMed's announces a 35 percent growth in membership since the beginning of the first quarter of 2009

Expanding health centers to reach more patients will result in huge health care savings

Policymakers need to be educated on the radical difference between radiation therapy and diagnostic testing

VisionShare joins select group of EHNAC HNAP-accredited organizations

Las Vegas man's experience with health system shows best and worst of care

One Medicaid program struggles with 'financial tsunami', California confronts medical wait times, and more

Legal immigrants to receive scaled back health care benefits in Massachusetts

AICC formed to provide access to the highest quality, integrated care to patients with cancer

Advertising campaign launched to encourage Americans practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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