Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medicare Payment Fix Faces Challenges From Some Deficit Hawks
The Associated Press: Medicare Bill Helps Doctors And Kids, But Deficit Hawks Cool
Republicans say bipartisan legislation that reworks how Medicare pays doctors is a milestone toward curbing a huge, growing benefit program. ... Many deficit hawks are less impressed with the bipartisan measure that Congress is expected to complete soon. [Get] a look at the debate over how significantly the legislation would bolster Medicare's finances. (Fram, 4/6)
The Associated Press: How Bill Awaiting Congressional OK Achieves Medicare Savings
Details of how the bipartisan bill rewriting Medicare reimbursement of doctors, awaiting congressional approval this month, would squeeze savings from the health care program for the elderly. (4/6)
Kaiser Health News: Medicare Is Stingy In First Year Of Doctor Bonuses
Within three years, the Obama administration wants quality of care to be considered in allocating nine of every 10 dollars Medicare pays directly to providers to treat the elderly and disabled. One part of that effort is well underway: revising hospital payments based on excess readmissions, patient satisfaction and other quality measures. Expanding this approach to physicians is touchier, as many are suspicious of the government judging them and reluctant to share performance metrics that Medicare requests. "Without having any indication that this is improving patient care, they just keep piling on additional requirements," said Dr. Mark Donnell, an anesthesiologist in Silver City, N.M. (Rau, 4/6)
And The Associated Press looks at the Florida ophthalmologist who is charged with his friend, Sen. Bob Menendez, in an wide-ranging corruption case involving Medicare --
The Associated Press: Charged Menendez Friend Seen As Miracle Worker, Power Broker
Dr. Salomon Melgen was called a miracle worker for his skill restoring sight and a power broker for the deep pockets that brought politicians to his side. Now he’s fighting another label — criminal — after being charged with corruption for allegedly pumping nearly $1 million in gifts and campaign cash to New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez in exchange for favors. A look at the Florida ophthalmologist who faces federal charges alongside his friend Menendez. (Sedensky, 4/3)
