Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Former HHS Official Calls For ‘Smarter’ Networks That Deliver Cost-Effective Care
Gary Cohen, a former deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the challenge for regulators and insurers is to create networks that not only save money but also deliver better patient outcomes.
Most Illinois Medicaid Patients Denied New Hepatitis C Drugs
Spending for the medications dropped from $1 million per week to about $200,000 per week after the state imposed restrictions.
California’s Managed Care Project For Poor Seniors Faces Backlash
Nearly half of those eligible for a combined Medi-Cal and Medicare program are opting out.
As California Expands Medicaid To New Beneficiaries, Many Others Are Dropped
Previous enrollees in the program for low-income residents must reapply and many are finding the new applications too onerous to complete, advocates say.
Perry-Appointed Board Backs Health Coverage Expansion
Panel recommends that the state negotiate a Texas-specific agreement with the federal government to expand health coverage to the poor.
Florida Hospitals Could Lose Billions Without Medicaid Expansion, Group Warns
Federal funding cuts made by the ACA and other programs will hit safety net hospitals hard.
Millions Of Medicaid Kids Missing Regular Checkups
Administration improves screening rates, but needs to do more to ensure that poor children get recommended health care, says HHS inspector general.
More States Expected To Expand Medicaid In 2015
Texas and Florida, with their large uninsured populations, are not expected to offer coverage to many low-income patients.
Missouri Primary Care Doctors Face Substantial Medicaid Cut
The health care law boosted payments for two years to primary care doctors who treat Medicaid patients. But that boost is set to expire, leaving some providers and their patients in a tough spot.
Rate Of Premature Births Fall As Health Law Provisions Begin To Take Effect
March of Dimes official says one key factor was early implementation of the Medicaid expansion in some states.
Republican Gubernatorial Victories Make Medicaid Expansion Unlikely In 5 States
Advocates hope Republican governors in other states will move to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
Medicaid Expansion Could Be In Play In Georgia After Election Day
Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, opposes the program’s expansion and signed a law giving final say to the Republican-controlled Legislature. But Democratic challenger Jason Carter, a state senator, says that if he were elected governor, he would seek a “creative solution” with state lawmakers.
Reno Finds Medicaid Expansion Tough Hand To Play
The community saw its Medicaid enrollment nearly double under the health law, and many new enrollees are experiencing long waits for care.
Spike in ER, Hospitalization Use Short-Lived After Medicaid Expansion
Rates of hospitalization for the “highest pent-up demand” group also started high and dropped by almost 80 percent over the two-year period.
Ohio Medicaid Expansion Faces 2015 Political Hurdle
Gov. Kasich’s workaround means more than 350,000 gained Medicaid coverage in the Buckeye State in 2014. But the legislature needs to approve the program next year for it to continue, hospital chief warns.
Many On Medicaid See Boost In Benefits As Economy Improves
With an improving fiscal climate, many states are increasing benefits for Medicaid recipients and paying their providers more.
Texas and Florida Expand Medicaid
They were among 21 states required by Obamacare to broaden eligibility for school-age children.
Personal Attention Seen As Antidote To Rising Health Costs
Some of a hospital’s income now depends on keeping patients healthy. Kevin Wiehrs seeks to save hospitals money by keeping former patients out of the hospital.
Administration Says Hospitals Will Save $5.7B From Unpaid Bills Due To Health Law
About three-quarters of the savings will go to hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid.
FAQ: Children’s Health Insurance Program’s Future Is Unclear Under The Health Law
The federal-state program, called CHIP, is funded only for another year under the law, and advocates worry that without it, some kids may suffer.
