Pressure Rising To Avoid Federal Spending Cuts That Will Impact Health Programs
Although Medicare and Medicaid will be largely unscathed in the March 1 sequestration, other health-related efforts including medical research, mental health treatments and drug approvals face reductions.
Grassley Calls For Senate Consideration Of Tavenner’s Nomination
President Barack Obama Thursday once again nominated Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and a key GOP senator said the chamber should consider the nomination. “The Senate should give Ms. Tavenner every opportunity to show she is a worthy choice to lead the agency responsible for Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, […]
If you could make one change to Medicare, what would it be? Ask three former directors of the program and you’ll get plenty of ideas. Bruce Vladeck, who was head of what was then known as the Health Care Financing Administration, or HCFA, for former President Bill Clinton, wants more market-based competition and less pricing […]
Retiring Medicare Actuary Reflects On The Politics Of Health Care Spending And Why He Almost Quit
Richard Foster talks about the travails of trying to provide objective information to Congress and the White House.
Americans Want Deficit Addressed Without Medicare Cuts, Poll Finds
Most Americans want quick action to reduce the deficit, but almost six in 10 oppose cutting Medicare spending to achieve that goal, according to a new poll released today. Lawmakers should examine other alternatives, including requiring drug makers to give the government “a better deal” on medications for low-income seniors (85 percent) and making higher-income […]
AMA Offers $10 Million To Fund Med School Innovations
Memo to medical schools: If you have new ideas on how to train doctors, the American Medical Association may have some cash for you. The AMA says it will provide $10 million over the next five years to fund eight to 12 “bold, innovative projects.” “Rapid changes in health care require a transformation in the […]
Voice For Medicare, Medicaid Retiring
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who helped create the Children’s Health Insurance Program and fought to protect the social safety net, says he will not seek reelection in 2014.
‘Doc Fix’ In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Plan Cuts Medicare Hospital Payments
Updated at 9:30 a.m. on January 2. Legislation passed by Congress New Year’s Day to avert the dreaded “fiscal cliff” would stop a scheduled payment cut in Medicare physician payments. But hospitals, which have to bear a major part of financing for that “doc fix,” are not happy. The bill would require that, over the […]
HHS Tells States It Will Not Fund Partial Medicaid Expansion
In a letter to governors, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says states that expand Medicaid must cover people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level to get enhanced funding.
Huge Experiment Aims To Save On Care For Poorest, Sickest Patients
An effort in California to move Medicaid patients into managed care has national significance as federal officials roll out a similar but larger program for as many as 2 million people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare.
How The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Affects Health Care: Six Questions
As Congress and the president aim for a deal by year’s end, there may be serious consequences for health programs.
Administration Releases New Health Law Rules For Insurers, Employers
The proposed regulations deal with several key issues, such as how plans structure their health benefits, the variations on premiums based on age and requirements for wellness programs.
Hospitals, Home Health Care Services Lobby Against Cuts In Deficit Deal
As lawmakers and President Barack Obama discuss possible changes to federal entitlement programs as part of a larger deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, expect provider groups to make their case loud and clear: Don’t cut us. The American Hospital Association is circulating a list of alternatives that are well-known and included in other deficit-reduction […]
Avoiding The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Likely Means Changes In Medicare
Congress would probably look for cuts in the health care program for seniors and the disabled as it seeks to find ways to curb federal spending.
Federal Deficit Talks Could Impact Obama’s Moves On Health Law
Mounting pressures to reduce spending could lead the administration to change several key provisions of the health overhaul.
How The Health Law Might Be Changed By The Next President
Obama has pledged to carry out the law, but fiscal concerns and political pressure could drive him to alter some provisions. Meanwhile, Romney’s vow to repeal the law is unlikely to be realized, but he could still have a strong impact on it.
Sen. Schumer Says Increasing Medicare Age Won’t Be In Any Deal
Democrats have said they are willing to overhaul entitlements if Republicans agree to new tax revenues as part of a “grand bargain” to reduce the deficit, but don’t expect the Medicare eligibility age to be increased as part of any deal, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday. “I don’t think raising the age will […]
Study: Health Insurance Costs To Fall For Businesses Under 50 Employees
Once fully implemented, the 2010 health care law will increase employer-sponsored insurance coverage and reduce the cost small businesses pay for employee health coverage, according to an Urban Institute study released today. Those findings come as news to business groups that fear the health law will raise insurance premiums and may cause employers to drop employer-sponsored coverage. […]
Study: States, Feds Recover Billions In Medicaid Drug Fraud Settlements
Eager for revenues, states are settling more cases than ever — and at record amounts — with drug makers accused of defrauding Medicaid programs, according to a new analysis from the consumer group Public Citizen. In just the first half of 2012, the federal government and states have recovered $6.6 billion, according to the report. Overcharging health […]
HHS Touts Growth In Medicare Advantage Plans, Drop In Premiums
Just days away from a House hearing where Republicans are likely to charge that the 2010 health law’s cuts to Medicare Advantage plans will cause insurers to leave the program and seniors to pay more for coverage, the Obama administration said Wednesday that as a result of the law seniors now have more of these […]
