> This November, Florida voters will be able to vote on a proposed state constitutional amendment (of questionable legality) that would seek to prevent the federal government from requiring Floridians to buy health insurance, reports the St. Augustine Record. Article
> The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking public comments on its new plan to conduct consumer surveys to learn why people disenroll from Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, as well as their expectations regarding Part D benefits and services, according to a notice in the April 23 Federal Register. Notice
> Plans to transition the Florida Medicaid program to a managed care model have stalled, according to a News Service of Florida report in the Sunshine State News. The Medicaid overhaul was interrupting budget negotiations that need to be concluded during the current legislative session, so Republicans dropped the plan but are prepared to revisit the issue next year. Article
> Regina Herzlinger, a director who had questioned the financial performance of WellCare Health Plans Inc., has resigned from the Tampa, Fla.-based managed care company's board. In her resignation letter, Herzlinger asserted that WellCare has consistently underperformed competitors and the overall market in the last three months. Article
> Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire has enhanced the Compass SmartShopper Program used by the city of Manchester's self-funded health plan. The program, which provides members with financial incentives of $50 to $100 when they choose cost-effective healthcare providers, now targets more than 30 high-volume elective procedures and tests (e.g., cataract surgery). Press release
> Adult Medicaid enrollees can have trouble staying out of the hospital--coming in at a full 70 percent more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of initial admission than people with private health insurance, according to AHRQ News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research. Report
> More than 460 physicians, including numerous specialists at the University of Louisville in Kentucky may choose to leave Humana Inc.'s network on July 1 rather than accept a 10 percent pay cut from the Louisville-based health insurer, reports the Courier-Journal. Article
And Finally... If only good health insurance inspired such loyalty. Article