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State round-up: Warnings, coverage and violations in health care

Modern Healthcare: "States would have up to one year to repay the federal government a share of the money they recoup from fraudulent or improper Medicaid payments, under an amendment approved by the Senate Finance Committee. Under current law, once state inspectors identify fraudulent practices, they have 60 days to return a portion of the federal dollars back to the government. Under the new amendment, states would instead have a full year to make those payments while expanding the role of recovery audit contractors" (DoBias, 9/24).

25 Sep 2009

At Finance Committee, fireworks surround efforts to add drug discount, eliminate individual mandate

The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday defeated an amendment that sought to squeeze more money out of pharmaceutical companies to help pay for the costs of changing the health care system. The panel's vote was a victory for President Obama and Finance Chairman Max Baucus.

25 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Fence Sitters Matter In Health Debate Wall Street Journal Who will determine the outcome of the great health debate? Many senators and House members, but also a small slice of the public that is undecided (Gerald F. Seib, 9/25).

25 Sep 2009

Frustrated doctors say insurers meddle in patient care

"Have you ever wondered why your doctor has you come back two or three times to complete a check-up instead of wrapping it up in one visit? Doctors candidly admit that it's about money," CNN reports.

25 Sep 2009

Business, once an ally, now stands against Republicans on health reform

The Wall Street Journal reports that big business, a longtime ally of Republicans in the health care reform fight, is feeling distance from the party over soaring costs and their bottom lines.

25 Sep 2009

Health coverage, quality depend heavily on geography

An analysis of Census date finds that health care quality and coverage is closely connected to geography.

25 Sep 2009

Kirk named to replace Kennedy, bringing Senate Democrats to crucial 60 votes

Democrats again reach 60 seats in the Senate with the announcement of Ted Kennedy's interim replacement. The Los Angeles Times reports that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick "named Paul Kirk Jr., a former Democratic National Committee chairman and close friend and former aide of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, to serve as a temporary replacement for the deceased senator until a special election for the seat is held in January."

25 Sep 2009

Recipients of the Lundbeck Neonatal Nursing Career Path Scholarship announced

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) is proud to announce the recipients of the Lundbeck Neonatal Nursing Career Path Scholarship. The program, made possible through a grant from Lundbeck Inc. (formerly Ovation Pharmaceuticals), supports clinical neonatal nurses who seek to advance their education and become neonatal nurse practitioners.

25 Sep 2009

GOP to stall confirmation of HHS nominees, due to flap over insurers' letters to seniors

Debate continues about the administration's reaction to letters sent by insurers to seniors about health overhaul.

25 Sep 2009

On quality of care, U.S. is not always best

The Washington Post interviewed Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., about other developed nations' health care systems: "We won't adopt the German system or French system or anything of the like. But I think we can get clues on the fundamental differences of various systems," he said. Conrad added that the system that has "largely been adopted in France, Germany, Japan, Belgium and Switzerland, is not government-run.

25 Sep 2009

CBO scores on health bills raise questions

Various news outlets are examining the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the cost of health bills.

25 Sep 2009

Finance committee agonizes over Medicare cuts

Politico reports: "The top Senate Republican says Democratic cuts to Medicare will cost them in the 2010 elections, warning that the hundreds of billions in reductions to the senior citizen health program is 'Orwellian.' Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate minority leader, criticized Democrats for insisting that a half-trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare as part of the health care overhaul, well, aren't exactly cuts to Medicare.

25 Sep 2009

Poll: More approve of Obama's handling of health care, but many still confused

The latest CBS News/New York Times poll finds that Americans are still confused and anxious about a health care overhaul.

25 Sep 2009

House passes bill to stop some Medicare premium increases

The House voted overwhelmingly to stop premium increases in Medicare Part B— which covers doctor visits — from taking effect next year.

25 Sep 2009

Labor chief asks for probe into health insurance lobbying

The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones reports: "AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Thursday urged some state insurance commissioners to investigate how the costs of insurers' lobbying to defeat health-insurance reform are affecting premiums."

25 Sep 2009

Hamilton Health Sciences contravening the collective agreement: Registered nurses of ONA

Thirty-seven registered nurses, members of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) will attend an arbitration hearing in Hamilton tomorrow that will decide whether Hamilton Health Sciences will be allowed to continue to arbitrarily reassign nurses to other vacant positions within the hospital.

25 Sep 2009

Schumer's amendment to the health bill will benefit people with disabilities: United Spinal Association

United Spinal Association praised New York Senator Charles Schumer for introducing an amendment to the Senate Finance Committee health care reform bill to enact the Community Choice Act benefiting people with disabilities.

25 Sep 2009

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise public awareness about breast cancer

A sea of pink t-shirts will stretch from Athens to Bologna to Frankfurt to Zurich to Antwerp today in an effort to raise public awareness about breast cancer. In five cities across Europe, breast cancer survivors, their families, friends, supporters and advocates will join forces in a show of strength, courage and solidarity.

25 Sep 2009

Free online guide for health care organizations to improve patient care

Lilly USA and the National Committee for Quality Assurance have collaborated to release a free online guide and resource library for health care organizations that wish to undertake quality improvement initiatives to improve culturally and linguistically appropriate services and reduce disparities in care.

25 Sep 2009

10th Annual Clinical Team Conference to focus on clinical care

More than 1,400 hospice and palliative care professionals and researchers have gathered in Denver for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's 10th Annual Clinical Team Conference that begins today at the Hyatt Regency Denver.

25 Sep 2009