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Policy and Legislation

By David Williams | 09:45 am | July 19, 2012
I am heartened by the release of the Report of the State Budget Crisis Task Force, which highlights the fact that state finances are a mess and likely to get worse. The report identifies six big threats.
By Michelle McNickle | 04:30 pm | July 18, 2012
Now more than ever, providers are exploring whether the Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement program is best to receive their EHR incentive payments. For many, both are an option, and according to Stephen Martinez, CEO at MTS Healthcare, it's imperative to understand the ins-and-outs of each.
By Chris Anderson | 11:48 am | July 18, 2012
Changing the method for how CMS adjusts payments to reflect regional variations in the cost of care as recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) can help ensure payment accuracy, but would do little to tackle the broader issues of access to care and care quality.
By David Williams | 09:25 am | July 17, 2012
One of the few points of consensus in the “replace” part of “repeal and replace” is that malpractice reform should play a central role.
By Kaiser Health News | 02:49 pm | July 13, 2012
In what is shaping up as the first state-federal showdown on Medicaid following the Supreme Court's ruling on President Barack Obama's health law, Maine is moving ahead with plans to cut about 38,000 people from its rolls to balance its state budget.
By Eric Wicklund | 01:34 pm | July 12, 2012
Guidelines on how certain mobile medical apps will be governed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be released as soon as the end of the year.
By Mike Miliard | 12:48 pm | July 10, 2012
The Care Continuum Alliance, a healthcare industry association with more than 200 members, meets Wednesday on Capitol Hill to discuss strategies for improving population health and chronic disease management.
By Diana Manos | 11:21 am | July 10, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has added 89 more accountable care organizations (ACOs) to coordinate care and improve quality for Medicare patients in 40 states and Washington, D.C.
By Kelsey Brimmer | 10:04 am | July 10, 2012
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would update many payment policies and rates involving services for Medicare beneficiaries in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) beginning on Jan. 1. 2013.
By Frank Irving | 12:48 pm | July 09, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is sending some sunshine in the direction of primary care providers. In a proposed rule issued July 6, CMS is offering payment increases for family physicians and other primary care providers as well as proposals to better pay for the range of care primary care providers give patients.