Category: CMS

USA Today reports on how, in states that opted not to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion, many of the poorest residents may fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, the San Jose Mercury News looks at some of the states that have been the most resistant to implementing the health law. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130907/In-states-resistant-to-the-health-law-poorest-residents-unlikely-to-get-aid.aspx

A new analysis by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services examines the relationship between health information laws and health system improvements for children and adolescents under Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment benefit. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130906/New-report-analyzes-full-range-of-care-coordinated-services-for-children-and-teens-under-EPSDT.aspx

The GOP’s once rock-solid stance on Obamacare has softened as some Republicans look to move on from waging all-out war on the three-year-old law. Tea Party activists, however, are urging conservative lawmakers to try to stop it. In the meantime, lawmakers from both sides look more united than ever in trying to reform how Medicare…

Many seniors think Medicare made a mistake when they find out they were never officially admitted to the hospital despite a several-day stay. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130905/Putting-seniors-in-the-hospital-under-observation-may-cost-them-thousands.aspx

The Republican-led Michigan House gave final approval on Tuesday to a bill that would expand the Medicaid health program for the poor under Democratic President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law. Representatives voted 75-32 to concur with modifications of a bill that they had approved in June and agreed to send it to Michigan Governor Rick…

News outlets examine what options nursing home patients have when their Medicare benefits run out and the latest challenge to reforming how doctors are paid by the program — the price tag. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130904/Medicare-news-When-nursing-home-benefits-run-out3b-reforming-doc-pay-fix-more-costly-than-repeal.aspx

As was the case during the last debt-ceiling debacle, in 2011, playing politics with the nation’s creditworthiness is irresponsible and unnecessary. Leave aside the ObamaCare obsession, because Republicans have zero chance of persuading the president to kill one of his defining achievements. Source: Viewpoints: Shortages of drugs persist; number of Medicare doctors is growing; Obamacare…

Economist says half of the rural poor who would be aided by expansion live in states that have opted not to take that step. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130904/Rural-poor-likely-to-feel-the-pinch-of-state-decisions-not-to-expand-Medicaid.aspx

Medicaid paid for nearly half of the 3.8 million births in the United States in 2010—an amount that has been rising over time, according to a report out today. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130904/Medicaid-pays-for-nearly-5025-of-38-million-births-in-US.aspx

Soon, Texas will join a number of states that bar minors from tanning indoors, which experts say greatly increases the risk of melanoma in those under 18. Senate Bill 329, written by State Senators Joan Huffman, Republican of Southside Place, and Sylvia R. Garcia, Democrat of Houston, automatically became law in June without the governor’s…