Category: CMS

During a Monday planning meeting, a Virginia Medicaid policymaking panel examined what other states are doing in terms of expanding the program. Hundreds of conservative activists who oppose this health law provision rallied at the state capitol. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130821/Virginias-Medicaid-panel-meets-but-covers-little-new-ground.aspx

The proposal to opt out of the federal health plan would save billions of dollars but could bring uncertainties for employees. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130821/GAO-Postal-health-plan-could-add-to-retired-workers-costs-impact-Medicare.aspx

Eligible professionals participating in the Medicaid EHR incentive program need to prepare for upcoming changes in 2014. read more From: http://www.fierceemr.com/story/cms-2014-holds-change-medicaid-meaningful-use-program/2013-08-20?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Maryland, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois and Oklahoma. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130820/State-highlights-Fort-Worth-to-move-retirees-into-Medicare-advantage-plans3b-Calif-preps-Medi-Cal-cuts3b-Calif-bill-would-help-provide-medical-interpreters.aspx

Recent political reporting suggests that Republican leaders are in a state of high anxiety, trapped between an angry base that still views Obamacare as the moral equivalent of slavery and the reality that health reform is the law of the land and is going to happen (Paul Krugman, 8/18). From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130820/Viewpoints-GOP-trapped-between-angry-base-and-reality-of-health-law3b-small-businesses-scrambling3b-competing-views-of-Medicaid-expansion-in-Va.aspx

News outlets examine how the Medicaid expansion and other health law changes might reshape the program in various locations across the country. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130820/With-Medicaid-expansion-some-people-will-be-newly-eligible-while-others-will-move-to-health-exchanges.aspx

New research out of Michigan State University shows participation in a program aimed at Medicaid-eligible pregnant women improves maternal and infant care. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130816/Participation-in-program-aimed-at-Medicaid-eligible-pregnant-women-improves-maternal-infant-care.aspx

The Washington Post reports on a new study, which finds Food and Drug Administration warnings did not cause a sharp drop in the use of these drugs. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130816/Medicare-changes-appear-to-be-driving-reduced-used-of-dialysis-drugs.aspx

Even as an Arkansas effort by a private group to block the health law appears to be falling short, states like Missouri continue to contemplate expanding Medicaid, and, in California, the health exchange experiences growing pains. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130816/States-continue-to-wrestle-with-health-law-implementation-issues.aspx

I wouldn’t blame you if you were taken aback by the statistics seen earlier this month regarding hospital readmissions. Medical systems are supposed to be lowering readmissions in an effort to improve clinician accountability and patient safety all while cutting costs, and the statistics have told us that most have failed to do that. But…