GOP using rollout problems to attack ACA; Pa. drops CHIP waiting period;

News From Around The Web

> Members of the GOP are using the glitches reported in the federally-operated state health insurance exchanges as ammunition in its latest battle to limit the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Democratic supporters say continuing the attack on the ACA represents wishful, if not obsessive thinking, The Washington Post reports. Article

> Taking a step toward boosting the insurance coverage of its children, the state of Pennsylvania has eliminated its six-month waiting period to enroll in the state's CHIP program. Although the waiting period was intended to encourage families to retain commercial coverage, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports policymakers saw it as a barrier. Article

> Three of Texas' largest provider organizations have expressed concerns that the narrow networks offered by insurers operating in the state's health insurance exchange may be large blocs of doctors entirely, according to Kaiser Health News. Article

Provider News

> Healthcare reform, the continuing physician shortage and an aging population are changing the face of hospital staffing, according to U.S. News & World Report. In 2004, cardiologists, anesthesiologists and radiologists attracted the biggest demand among specialty physicians. Today, none of them make the top 10, and only cardiologists finish in the top 20, according to the article. Hospitals are far more interested in recruiting primary care providers, along with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Article

Healthcare IT News

> Although the government will hit only a small percent of the nation's providers with a Meaningful Use attestation audit, the stakes are high: Any single attestation misstep could be grounds for loss of the full incentive payment. Healthcare CIOs can imagine and worry about that possibility--or they could get the inside scoop from those who already have. Article

And finally...An emergency alert for pancakes. Article