News From Around the Web
> Five senators sent President Barack Obama a letter requesting a bipartisan, bicameral meeting to review a plan to eliminate the Cadillac tax, a provision of the Affordable Care Act set to take effect in 2018 that would put a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans. Letter
> The California State University Institute for Palliative Care is offering an online course aimed at increasing knowledge about improving the quality of life for patients who have life-threatening illnesses. The course is open to nurses, social workers and others who provide case-management services in health plans of every size. Announcement
> Both supporters and opponents of the Affordable Care Act shared optimistic and pessimistic views over similar facts at the Wall Street Journal CEO Council on Tuesday. Article
AntiFraud News
> Twenty-eight people have been arrested on charges of participating in a "sprawling" healthcare fraud scheme that involves compensation claims. All the individuals, including four medical professionals, have agreed to plead guilty after a two-year investigation involving postal workers and VA employees. Article
> Medicare Advantage plan sponsors could be facing a greater level of scrutiny, and potentially more legal costs, but legal experts say four simple steps could potentially mitigate liability. Article
And finally… Solving the mystery behind Big Bird's best friend. Article