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By: Cheryl Clark, February 2, 2010
Rural healthcare projects would lose $44 million in President Obama's proposed 2011 budget, but that number is deceiving because the reduction includes the end of two regional projects that are costing $45 million in the current fiscal year. Two rural health budget increases are in the areas of rural health outreach and healthcare programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
By: Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, February 3, 2010
Surgical patients are being put at risk because a new California regulation allows nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without the supervision of a physician, claims a lawsuit filed against California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by two large physician groups Tuesday. "It's a patient safety issue when you have absolutely no supervision from a physician; it's very risky," says Francisco Silva, general counsel for the California Medical Association, which filed the complaint jointly with the California Society of Anesthesiologists.
By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2010
As companies struggle to provide workers with healthcare coverage, some believe there will be increased pressure to find ways to control costs through prevention and lifestyle changes. One expert says the next target will be obese and overweight applicants and employees.
By: John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2010
The benefits and cost-sharing requirements of the Medicare Advantage plans that serve 10 million Americans vary widely from plan-to-plan with little explanation for the variance, a new Kaiser Family Foundation study finds. The analysis—Medicare Advantage 2010 Data Spotlight: Benefits and Cost-Sharing—examines trends in benefits and cost-sharing for Medicare Advantage plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and private fee-for-service plans.
By: James Carroll, February 2, 2010
Last December, the first sets of complex RAC review issues were released. Since then, the list has grown, as each RAC has released its own DRG validation issues. The recent set of approved RAC issues illustrates the need for providers to incorporate a RAC strategy,
By: Joe Cantlupe, for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2010
All nine House Democrats whose districts represent areas in the 10 highest uninsured rates voted for health reform. One Republican in the top 10, however, voted against the House's reform plan.
By: Joe Cantlupe, for HealthLeaders Media, February 3, 2010
The government should initiate "small scale reforms" to its healthcare insurance system to overcome potentially devastating obstacles in serving an aging and chronically ill baby-boomer population, says one of the leaders in the healthcare consumerism movement. "We're going to have just a huge problem," says John C. Goodman, president and CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis, referring to 78 million baby boomers retiring early or losing jobs and potentially facing burdensome health issues.
By: Janice Simmons, for HealthLeaders Media, February 3, 2010
While healthcare reform legislation waits on the sidelines as policymakers decide the next steps to take, a sliver of movement was seen on the House side Tuesday as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that work would begin to repeal the health insurer antitrust regulations. The vote could come as early as next week.
By: Carrie Vaughan, for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2010
A little known provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act may help some nonprofit healthcare providers with the high costs of implementing IT.
By: Rebecca Hendren, for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2010
Some organizations ensure nursing's voice is heard and that nurses are involved in all decisions through shared governance.
By: February 1, 2010
Judy Suska of IMA Consulting offers hospitals tips on working with health plans on claims denials. [Sponsored by Emdeon]