federal government news from FierceHealthcare
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SPOTLIGHT: Public blames drugmakers for H1N1 vaccine shortage
Consumers are quite frustrated by the problems they're having getting an H1N1 flu vaccination, and doubtless, there's plenty of blame being handed around out there. But according to a new survey by... Read more...
PhRMA fights to keep rebate in reform bills; Maryland rate-setting success catches attention;
> The folks at pharmaceutical industry group PhRMA are working to make sure their vow to offer $80 million in savings to the federal government isn't forgotten. At least some versions of the... Read more...
Whistleblower accuses Commmunity Health Systems of making illegal donations
A former employee of Community Health Systems has filed a whistleblower suit alleging that the healthcare company made illegal donations to New Mexico counties that contain three of the chain's... Read more...
New York City, State agree to repay more than one-half billion in Medicaid claims
When it comes to reimbursement disputes, this one was a whopper. New York State and New York City officials have jointly agreed to repay the federal government more than half a billion dollars for... Read more...
State governors ask Obama for Medicaid help
With unemployment increasing, state budgets are being hit with a double whammy: increasing costs for Medicaid but a decreasing tax base to pay for the benefits. So when President-elect Obama asked... Read more...
With FTC against deal, No. VA system gives up on acquisition
With the Federal Trade Commission coming out against the deal on antitrust grounds, Northern Virginia's five-hospital Inova Health System has given up on its plans to acquire Prince William Health... Read more...
Report: Antifraud compliance getting tougher for hospitals
A new report from the Deloitte Forensic Center argues that it's getting increasingly difficult for hospitals to comply with state and federal anti-fraud rules given the surge in new anti-fraud... Read more...
GA health system settles false claims suit for $5.1M
Savannah, GA-based Memorial Health has agreed to pay $5.1 million to settle a suit claiming that it made excessive payments to ophthalmologists. The suit, which was filed by a physician... Read more...
Genetic discrimination bill progressing in Congress
After more than a decade of attempts, it looks like Congress might finally pass a bill that would block health insurers from denying coverage to otherwise healthy persons based on their genetic... Read more...
GAO says gov't needs to create HAI prevention standards
A new report from the Government Accountability Office suggests that the federal government should step up to the plate and set standards for hospitals to follow in preventing hospital-acquired... Read more...
