News From Around the Web
> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on the Extension of 90/10 Federal Funding for Medicaid Eligibility Systems. The final rule is a key piece of CMS' efforts to support states in modernizing state eligibility systems to make real time, accurate eligibility determinations and promote enrollment of eligible low income people in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Rule (.pdf)
> The top Democrat on the House appropriations health subcommittee, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, says she is "happy" to include a rider in the spending bill that would limit payments to insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act through the risk corridor program. Republicans are supporting the rider, saying that it will help prevent "bailouts" of insurance companies, according to The Hill. Article
> President Barack Obama's policy on immigration, combined with the Affordable Care Act's ban on non-citizens signing up for health coverage, effectively keeps millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. and ensures that they will cost American jobs, a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece argues. Article (subscription may be required)
Healthcare IT News
> Researchers have discovered that they key to portal adoption in healthcare lies in ease of use and clarity. Simplicity was the biggest aesthetic that lead to acceptance of tools, and to that end, portals should be "well-structured, cohesive and easy to understand. Article
Healthcare Finance News
> A new study in Connecticut shows that state hospitals could save as much as $30 million per year if the bed tax used to leverage Medicaid matching payments was eliminated. Article
And finally… Is your house on fire, Clark? Article