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CMS to put part of "Stark III" on hold
CMS has announced that it will partially delay implementing a provision in "Stark III" rules for one year. CMS is putting a hold on the "stand-in-the-shoes" physician self-referral prohibition... Read more...
CMS hopes to close Medicare race, ethnicity gap
While anyone would argue that Medicare beneficiaries ought to the get the appropriate level of care regardless of their race or ethnic background, officials with Medicare aren't sure how to make this happen, according to experts addressing a Congressional briefing session this week. Right now, disparities definitely exist in how well minorities are cared for, both within and …
... Read more...Suit challenges Medicaid documentation law
A lawsuit filed yesterday claims that a law that requires Medicaid patients to present evidence of U.S. citizenship before receiving treatment is unconstitutional. Families USA filed the suit on behalf of 11 patients yesterday. Patient advocacy groups have argued that the requirement could mean low-income patients who are U.S. citizens but do not have access to the required documentation could be denied access to care. Others have argued that the requirement could prevent those in need of …
... Read more...NCI chief steps down
National Cancer Institute head Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach is leaving his job at the agency to concentrate on his role at the FDA. Critics have argued that it was inappropriate for von Eschenbach to hold the top jobs at both agencies given the potential conflicts of interest involved. Dr. John Niederhuber moves into the top spot at NCI. Washington observers doubt that von Eschenbach will be formally confirmed in his FDA role any time soon since Democrats have vowed to place a hold on his …
... Read more...SPOTLIGHT: Wide discrepancy found in Part D prices
Federal officials have argued that one of the main benefits of the new prescription drug benefit is that it gives participants a wide selection of possible plans and options to select from. A new study by the California-based Coalition to Advance Prescription Drug Education (CARxE) and the Center for Practical Health Reform finds that seniors participating in the program can save substantial sums if they shop around. According to researchers, prices for most drugs vary by up to 200 percent. Release
Drug companies to cover Part D 'donut hole'
A consortium of seven major drug companies said that it will create a new discount program designed to help low-income seniors obtain prescriptions while they are enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. The program, which will be known as Bridge Rx, will provide discounts of 50 percent or more to eligible low-income seniors when they hit Medicare Part D's notorious "donut hole," the gap in the program's coverage that leaves participants responsible for covering their own prescriptions. …
... Read more...Bird flu outbreak continues in Turkey
Fears grow in Europe as health officials in Turkey announced that the country's H5N1 outbreak appears to have spread, leading some health experts to argue that the virus mutated into a form capable of more efficient transmission. As many as 70 people were hospitalized around the country yesterday with symptoms of the disease. World Health Organization officials continue to insist that there is no evidence that the disease has acquired the dreaded capability for human-to-human transmission …
... Read more...National Capital Medical Center project moves forward
Plans to build a new $400 million hospital in traditionally underserved southeast Washington, DC, are moving forward. Mayor Anthony Williams and the president of Howard University signed a deal yesterday which makes the project official. A new independent, not-for-profit corporation will operate the National Capital Medical Center. As part of the deal, Howard University will sell its hospital to the new entity. Critics have argued that the economically disadvantaged area, which is plagued …
... Read more...SPOTLIGHT: Officials question HIV test errors
A rapid HIV test considered a potential breakthrough by some public health advocates has developed an exceptionally high false-positive rate. According to public health officials in New York, the OraQuick HIV test has produced "hundreds" of false positive results. The news comes as the test awaits approval by the FDA for over-the-counter sale. OraQuick's supporters have argued that wider availability of the test would stem the spread of HIV. Article
HHS announces digital records initiative for Gulf states
The Department of Health and Human Services announced a new initiative that will fund two programs in Gulf states hit by Hurricane Katrina. HHS will work with the Southern Governor's Association and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to modernize the information technology infrastructure in areas impacted by the disaster. As part of the initiative, Louisiana will develop its own health information sharing and electronic health record system. Supporters of electronic medical …
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