Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Transcript: Health On The Hill – July 6, 2010
Congress left town for the July 4th recess without taking action on legislation that would give states additional Medicaid funding through June of next year. A bipartisan group of governors who came to Washington last week said that without the extra funds they would have to make budget cuts beginning July 1.
Health On The Hill – July 6, 2010
Congress left town for the July 4th recess without taking action on legislation that would give states additional Medicaid funding through June of next year. A bipartisan group of governors who came to Washington last week said that without the extra funds they would have to make budget cuts beginning July 1.
COBRA, Medicaid Subsidies Still Loom Over Congressional Agenda
Democrats had hoped to extend health insurance subsidies for newly laid off workers, extend extra Medicaid payments to the states, and pass a long term Medicare ‘doc fix’ before the July 4 recess. But all they could accomplish was a short-term Medicare fix.
What You Need To Know About The Government’s New Health Insurance Website
The new health law mandated that the government set up a website to help consumers understand all of their insurance options. The site, http://www.healthcare.gov, launched July 1.
Governors To Congress: Extend Extra Medicaid Funds
Kansas’ Mark Parkinson is one of a number of governors who are urging Congress to extend the additional Medicaid funds that are now scheduled to expire in December. The governors say without the extra help, state budgets could be devastated.
As Congress temporarily delayed the 21 percent Medicare pay cut to doctors, it failed to resolve the issue of COBRA benefits and Medicaid funding for hard-pressed states.
Health Overhaul Train Leaves Doctors On The Platform
Good news and bad news for doctors who treat Medicare patients.
Medicaid’s Ticking Bomb – Long Term Care – Could Wipe Out State Budgets
A new study claims the costs of Medicaid’s long-term care services could cripple states’ already-fragile budgets.
Transcript: Health On The Hill
The Senate has passed a six-month payment increase for Medicare physicians but it is unclear if the House will pass that measure.
Health On The Hill – June 21, 2010
The Senate has passed a six-month payment increase for Medicare physicians but it is unclear if the House will pass that measure.
Experts Outline Ways To Enroll Children, Adults In Medicaid
Experts say states can employ a variety of strategies to identify and enroll eligible children in the Medicaid and CHIP programs this year
States, Community Groups Press Efforts To Sign Up Uninsured Children For Coverage
Federally funded initiatives to enroll kids in Medicaid and CHIP hold lessons for enrolling adults once health overhaul goes into effect in 2014.
‘Door Knockers’ Help Uninsured Kids Get Coverage
The “Walkers/Talkers” program in New Orleans sends workers into the poorest neighborhoods to find uninsured children and then helps sign them up for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
States, Community Groups Efforts to Sign Up Uninsured Children
The Walkers/Talkers program in New Orleans sends workers into the poorest neighborhoods to help sign uninsured children up for government health insurance programs.
Transcript: Health On The Hill
The Senate is debating ways to reverse a 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments that began on June 1.
Health On The Hill – June 15, 2010
The Senate is debating ways to reverse a 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments that began on June 1. The legislation would also include additional Medicaid money for states.
Federal Medicaid Aid Boost Becomes Issue In Kansas Governor’s Race
A bill before Congress that would extend richer federal Medicaid assistance to states has now become an issue in the Kansas governor’s race.
Administration officials tout the Medicare drug rebate as an early and tangible benefit of health reform while Senate Democrats continue trying to advance a legislative package that includes the Medicare physician payment fix and, potentially, an extension of enhanced Medicaid funding for states.
Much of this week’s major health policy news stems directly from Congress’ unfinished business related to the Medicare ‘doc fix’ as well as the House Democrats’ decision not to include enhanced Medicaid funding and COBRA benefit subsidies in their sweeping jobs bill.
Week In Review: Doctor Payment Fight; State Budgets And Medicaid; Medicare Brochure Protests
Challenges from conservative Democrats forced party leaders this week to cut some major spending programs, such as extending COBRA benefits for workers being laid off and providing extra money to state Medicaid programs.
