Dems May Add Health Provisions - Including COBRA Subsidies and Medicare Fixes - To Jobs Bill
Fixes could include restoring Medicare provisions that expired on Jan. 1, such as prohibiting caps on physical, speech and occupational therapy. Doctors are also looking for Congress to stop a 21 percent cut in reimbursements.
Study: Medicare Bladder Cancer Treatment Policy Raises Health Costs
\"Medicare\'s move in 2005 to pay doctors to do bladder cancer surgery in their offices rather than in hospitals dramatically raised the number of procedures and overall health costs, U.S. researchers said on Monday,\" according to Reuters.
First Edition: February 8, 2010
Today\'s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the White House\'s upcoming health summit.
In Jobs Bill, Democrats Push To Include Extension Of COBRA Benefits, Medicare \'Doc Fix\'
Democrats are including some health considerations into a jobs bill and regrouping on their legislative agenda.
Research Roundup: Medicare Spending, Community Health Centers, Children\'s Dental Services
Our health policy research roundup today includes studies on regional variations in Medicare spending, the growth of Community Health Centers, interviews with hospital executives on reducing racial and ethnic disparities and the predicting the likelihood of children going to the dentist.
Health Spending Consumes More Of U.S. Economy, Will Tip Toward Government
A new report by federal actuaries shows government programs will pay for more than half of all U.S. health care spending by 2012, and that total spending on health grew as a share of the economy.
Virginia AG Works To Increase Outpatient Treatment For Mentally Ill; Iowa Hospitals Oppose Medicare Fraud Bill
News outlets report on health care developments in Virginia, Washington DC, California, Iowa, Maryland, Maine and Michigan.
With Health Reform Stalled, Medicare Coverage For Some Therapies Subject To Caps
Physical, occupational and speech therapy now face annual Medicare caps because health care reform legislation killing the limits on patients\' costs has stalled.
First Edition: February 4, 2010
Today\'s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of a new report tracking increases in U.S. health care spending.
Lawmakers Sound Off On President\'s Budget And Health Costs
Some lawmakers want more attention paid in President Obama\'s budget to how driving down health care costs could help cut the budget deficit, McClatchy reports.
AP Offers Advice On Choosing Medicare Advantage Plans
The many available Medicare Advantage plans often confuse consumers.
Today\'s Op-Eds: Obama\'s Budget, Gingrich On Bipartisanship, Physician Clinics
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials.
Investigation: Washington State Moves Medicaid Nursing Home Patients To Adult Family Homes
The Seattle Times probes Washington\'s practice of relocating Medicaid patients from nursing homes to adult family homes, which saves millions of dollars but frequently results in sub-standard care for the sickest and poorest residents.
Legislators Set Sights On Temporary Medicare \'Doc Fix,\' Again
Doctors are still pushing for a permanent fix to the Medicare payment system but are likely to get only another temporary fix that would stave off a 21 percent cut in reimbursement rates scheduled to take effect in March.
Health And Human Services Would Get Boost Under Obama\'s 2011 Budget Plan
News outlets report on how certain health programs fare under Obama\'s 2011 budget request.