Bill that forces prompt payments from Medicaid advances in House; Grassley challenges CMS on hedge funds

Modern Healthcare reports that Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif., and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., have introduced legislation to require Medicaid to pay its bills promptly. Also in the news, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Monday that he believes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may have given special treatment to information requests from hedge funds and political intelligence brokers.

Modern Healthcare: Bill Would Require Medicaid To Pay Promptly
Reps. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) have introduced legislation that would require the Medicaid program to reimburse all providers -; including nursing facilities, hospitals and community health centers -; in a more timely manner. The bill, known as the Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act, would extend to these health care providers a provision that requires Medicaid to reimburse 90 percent of claims to physicians in 30 days and the remainder within 90 days, according to Eshoo's office (Zigmond, 12/12).

The Wall Street Journal's Deal Journal Blog: Sen. Grassley: Hedge Funds May Have Gotten 'Special Treatment' From Medicare Administrator
Sen. Chuck Grassley sent a letter on Monday to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, saying he believes the organization may have given special treatment to information requests from hedge funds and political intelligence brokers "who seek to profit from government information." A representative for CMS didn't immediately comment Monday (Eder and Burton, 12/12).