Medicare Raises Part B Deductibles $19, Sets Premium Increases For Some Beneficiaries
Congressional action last month thwarted a much higher premium increase for new beneficiaries and those with higher incomes.
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Congressional action last month thwarted a much higher premium increase for new beneficiaries and those with higher incomes.
In addition to tackling the ongoing health care access issues, President Barack Obama's proposals also target veteran homelessness as well as educational and disability benefits. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald is also urging Congress to stop using VA issues to score political points. And TriWest Healthcare Alliance's president discusses the difficulties in meeting the need of the military backlog.
Millennium Health, one of the largest drug-testing labs in the U.S., agreed last month to pay the federal government $256 million in a settlement regarding allegations of improper billing and overtesting.
Also, a decades-old drug produced by Mallinckrodt is again under market scrutiny. Meanwhile, as Pfizer and Allergan proceed in takeover talks, a likely CEO for the two drug giants is emerging.
The Wall Street Journal describes this development as the most recent sign of tension within this slice of the marketplace. Meanwhile, Valeant continues to be under the microscope, and Theranos and Safeway dissolve their partnership.
Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate, made clear her opposition to completely privatizing health care for veterans, instead striking a balance between the traditional system of care and and some vets' interest in seeing private health care providers.
However, during the "undercard" debate -- the forum reserved for candidates pulling in lower poll numbers -- La. Gov. Bobby Jindal criticized N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, saying he "caved" on the health law by expanding Medicaid in New Jersey.
The state's program requires participants to pay premiums -- up to 2 percent of their income -- and make small co-payments. Also, a new survey examines the number of uninsured across the country and finds states with the biggest drops in their rates are those that expanded Medicaid.
Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers are discussing changes to Obamacare's so-called "Cadillac tax."
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Colorado, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington state, North Carolina, Missouri, Minnesota, New York and Texas.
A report by Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which is in the midst of a two-year review of the Medicaid program, found the state is providing Medicaid benefits to people who are not eligible.
The panel will review and make recommendations on a range of mental health care issues including substance abuse, care for veterans and ways to improve delivery of mental health care in the state.
About 1.4 million of these immigrants have incomes low enough to qualify for California's low-income health insurance program under this pending proposal, according to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Ohio and New Hampshire.
Though the agency has completed 3.1 million more appointments and hired thousands of doctors and nurses, Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald says, "improved access means more demand," and that additional money is needed. In related news, health care and access to jobs rank as top concerns for veterans surveyed. And KHN reports on a group working to train future doctors on the unique medical challenges vets face.
The New York Times interviews Ackman, who backs Valeant and the company's controversial drug pricing practices. In other marketplace news, U.S. prosecutors seek to extradite pharmacy officials charged with smuggling counterfeit cancer drugs.
The new Ways and Means Committee chairman is pushing legislation forward that covers Medicare beneficiaries who had serious illnesses. Elsewhere, New York lawmakers pressure Speaker Paul Ryan to renew health coverage for Sept. 11 workers.
Kentucky Governor-Elect Matt Bevin, a Republican, pledged during the campaign to dismantle Kynect, the state's health insurance marketplace, and to step back from plans to expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, St. Louis Public Radio examines how some nurses may be stuck in the insurance coverage gap.
Twenty cities have been singled out by the White House for having high rates of uninsured residents. These areas, which the Obama administration views as ripe for improvement in enrollment activities, are key to reaching the federal goal of 10 million people enrolled in marketplace plans.
STAT notes that Democratic candidates have made the push to lower drug prices central to their campaigns but Republicans are just starting to talk about it. Meanwhile, The Associated Press examines how Hillary Clinton is positioning herself as an insider just as most other candidates are embracing outsider status.
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