Bush Administration

ALSO NOTED: Hospital group says quality reporting too costly; Health IT 'name game' creating headaches; and much more...

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> The Premier Healthcare Alliance, which represents 2,000 hospitals across the U.S., is raising a stink over new quality reporting standards it says are far too costly to implement. FierceHealthFinance

> Sometimes, a good idea simply doesn't work out in practice. It's looking like the federal group whose job it is to provide good definitions for key IT terms may be creating more confusion than it solves. FierceHealthIT

> Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) is accusing the Bush administration of dragging its feet when it comes to giving the FDA the $275 million more it's requested. Specter wants to see the FDA get it this year, but the administration wants to put the funding off until fiscal 2009. FiercePharma

> It looks like Baxter may be getting closer to offering a commercial version of a bird flu vaccine that fights three lethal strains of the virus. FierceVaccines

And Finally... Just in time for summer, healthy ice cream that might actually be worth eating. Article

FDA may get $275 million more for staff, outsourcing

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:59:54 -0400

The Bush administration is asking Congress for an additional $275 million for fiscal 2009 to allow the FDA to add more workers, expand programs and technology, and perhaps most interestingly, outsource some of its regulatory work. Given an earlier FDA request to expand its budget, the total added funds would come to about $404.7 million in fiscal 2009 than fiscal 2008, a 17.8 percent climb in spending. This will allow for 490 new FDA jobs. The funding request also asks Congress to expand FDA authority, notably to outsource some of its regulatory work by accrediting independent, third-party organizations to conduct voluntary inspections. These organizations would have the right to ban imports by a company if it delays, limits or denies access to agency inspectors.

To learn more about the new FDA budget (and outsourcing plans):
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
FDA says it needs bigger budget
FDA moves to allay drug-import fears
FDA can't guarantee drug safety

OB/GYN referral guidelines stir controversy

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have stirred up controversy, with parties including the Bush Administration weighing in to complain that they may be inappropriate. Under the ACOG guidelines, OB/GYNs are required to make referrals to other doctors if patients want procedures they won't wish to perform themselves, notably abortions and emergency contraception. However, it's not clear whether a specialist could lose certification for refusing to make such referrals. Now, a war of words has erupted between pro-choice and pro-life physicians within the OB/GYN community over whether such standards are appropriate.

At this point, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has stepped in, sending a letter to both ACOG and the profession's certifying board, the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In his letter, Leavitt said that he was concerned that qualified OB/GYNs could lose their certification over refusing to do something they consider unethical. However, this may be a moot point, as federal law has protected physicians who don't want to perform abortions--or refer to others that do--since 2004.

To learn more about the controversy:
- read this NPR piece

ALSO NOTED: Consumer group sues FDA for stronger Cipro warnings; Study: Catheter infections preventable; and much more...

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> Consumer group Public Citizen has sued the FDA, demanding that it issue stronger warnings regarding Cipro and related antibiotics. Article

> A new study suggests that most catheter infections are stoppable if hospitals put the right strategies in place. Report

> The battle continues over Medicaid expansions, with states seeking to expand eligibility and the Bush administration opposing such changes. Article

> Within a few days, Atlanta's troubled Grady Memorial Hospital may have new leadership, and by most accounts, a better shot at a stable future. Article

And Finally... Doctors prescribe placebos a lot more often than you might think. Article

ALSO NOTED: The reverberating effects of the S-CHIP veto; Minnesota health costs rise; and much more...

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> The Bush Administration's veto of the S-CHIP expansion could cost Tennessee hospitals $150 million. Article

> It seems that healthcare costs in Minnesota are on the rise. Article

> Do your physicians use smartphones? Well, you'd better make sure you give them something useful to do with them. FierceHealthIT

> Not sure whether patient-driven health records are a good idea? One trade group is, and they're pitching the idea to the public. FierceHealthIT

And Finally... Now what are the odds of that happening? Well, 7.5 in one million, to be precise. Article

ALSO NOTED: States challenge S-CHIP limits; FL hospitals fight for PIP law; and much more...

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> Several states have come together to mount a federal challenge to the Bush administration's refusal to let them expand their S-CHIP programs. Article

> Florida hospital organizations are asking state legislators to extend the state's no-fault personal injury protection law, which will otherwise sunset. Article

> Boston University has begun offering what it calls a "pocket" MBA for physicians who want to improve their management skills and business-side resume. Article

> A Kansas health system has begun asking for substantial upfront payments from some uninsured patients seeking non-emergency care. Article

> Physician usage of Internet-connected smartphones may shoot through the roof in coming years. FierceHealthIT

And Finally... So how much do you think it's worth? Article

N.Y. considers suing feds over SCHIP rules

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:59:55 -0400

Never let it be said that New York's Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) takes things lying down. Aggravated by federal officials, who seemingly don't want to give him a waiver to expand the state's Children's Health Insurance Program, Spitzer is now saying that he'll consider suing if they don't give in on this.

Spitzer is bucking new rules, announced this month, that restrict such programs substantially. Under these rules, states that want to let higher-income families into the program would need to prove they'd already enrolled 95 percent of children whose parents make twice the federal poverty level. This effectively slams the door on CHIP expansions, given that no state in the country meets that standard. Such rules would force New York, and at least 18 other states, to limit or drop entirely planned expansions.

To find out more about Spitzer's plans:
- read this article from The New York Times (reg. req.)

Related Article:
Governors fight for future of SCHIP. Report

Teaching hospitals dodge a bullet

Thu, 31 May 2007 20:01:34 -0400

President Bush delivered a blessing for medical educational programs this week as part of new legislation. By signing the Iraq war spending bill, which contained language impacting Medicaid reimbursement, Bush also agreed to halt planned changes to federal Medicaid match funding. The Bush administration had previously proposed to eliminate Medicaid payments given directly to hospitals as a state match. Teaching hospitals have been using that money to pay for residency programs, but the administration objected to this use. Now, CMS will hold off on the proposed change for at least one year. However, the administration is likely to look at such measures again, as they could save CMS $1.8 billion through 2012.

To find out more about proposed Medicaid changes:
- read this St. Louis Post-Dispatch article

Employers back value-driven healthcare

Thu, 10 May 2007 20:01:34 -0400

Employers have signed on to HHS's value-driven healthcare in large numbers over the past few months, with 775 agreeing to support the Bush administration's plan, according to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. The employers, which cover 21 million employees and their families, include 97 firms from the top 200 U.S. companies, plus 25 states and state employee health plans. They've agreed to support the "four cornerstones" of value-driven healthcare, including expanded use of healthcare IT, measurement and publication of quality and price information, and creating incentives for efficient, high-quality care. Supporting Leavitt's announcement, The Leapfrog Group and the Partnership for Value-driven Health Care released what is believed to be the first-ever guide helping Medicaid and state employee healthcare officials make value-driven buying decisions.

To find out more about this initiative:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece

Related Article:
HHS asks employers to push transparency. Report

Medicaid cuts could slam teaching hospitals

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:01:34 -0400

New proposals being developed by the Bush administration would cut Medicaid money that currently pays treatment of patients by residents. Teaching hospitals use the money, which comes in as a match for state Medicaid funds, to fund residency programs. However, Bush officials argue that Medicaid funding shouldn't be used to train residents, and say the cuts would save about $1.7 billion which could be used for other purposes. In a move that would give teaching hospitals a chance to prepare, Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) has filed an amendment which would delay the cuts for two years, but his proposal is mired down in other discussions related to Iraq war funding.

If the Bush administration cuts are implemented, teaching hospitals could lose millions. For example, Missouri hospitals stand to lose about $75 million a year, and could end up cutting back on the number of residents they train. One institution which would be particularly hard hit is St. Louis-based Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which could lose a full $20 million annually, possibly forcing cutbacks within its 700-resident program.

To find out more about the cuts:
- read this piece from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Related Articles:
Critics blast Bush's Medicaid cuts. Report
Physician Medicare cut may be eliminated. Report