Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Accountable Care Organizations Mull Walking Away From Medicare Shared Savings Program
Modern Healthcare: ACOs Say Medicare Rule Doesn't Bend Far Enough
Despite the Obama administration's efforts to retain and attract participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program for accountable care organizations, some may walk away because the agency failed to budge on some of their concerns. The ACO initiative creates financial incentives for providers to reduce costs while meeting quality benchmarks. (Dickson, 6/5)
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Health Beat: Newly Released Medicare Data Revealing About Medical Trends
The cost of medical care for the nation’s elderly has become much clearer over the past year, thanks to the public release of payments to doctors and hospitals from the federal Medicare program. In Minnesota, Medicare’s traditional program paid more than $811 million just for outpatient services in 2013, according to federal data released this week. (Olson, 6/6)
The Wall Street Journal: Bernie Sanders Draws Crowds With Matter-Of-Fact Message
[Sen.] Sanders’s path to the White House is as tough as they come. He has taken positions that are on the far left of the spectrum. In his speech, he called for a “Medicare-for-all” health-care system, free tuition at public colleges and universities, and a breakup of the big financial institutions. (Nicholas, 6/6)
