Georgia health officials have announced a plan to preserve Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids for the next two years. About 1.4 million Georgians participate in Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor, and in PeachCare, the program for children of needy families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The programs are funded by state and federal sources. Health advocates said keeping the programs intact is even more important in these tough economic times when more people might need public assistance.
A legal debate has begun in Philadelphia, with the city and Fox Chase Cancer Center arguing the merits of surrendering a quarter of Burholme Park to keep the hospital and research facility in the city. The expansion requires 19 acres of the 69-acre park, and would encompass most of the land that makes up the privately run Burholme Park Golf Center. A lawyer representing a group of neighbors argued that leasing active parkland is unprecedented and that it goes against the will of Robert Waln Ryerss, whose 1895 bequest of his mansion and surrounding property created the park. Fox Chase has looked at other options, including moving to Delaware, if it’s not allowed to expand into Burholme Park.
A new Illinois law strengthens protections against discrimination based on the results of genetic tests that can pinpoint someone's risk of disease. Advocates hope the law will offer peace of mind to people who might otherwise be dissuaded from undergoing such tests because they fear repercussions from their employer or health insurer. Genetic testing can show a person's risk for cancer, heart disease and other ailments, as well as lead to lifesaving treatment. But some people won't get the tests because they fear the information will be used against them, the advocates say.
Health insurer WellPoint Inc. spent $890,000 in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on several healthcare-related issues, according to a report filed with the House clerk's office. WellPoint lobbied on Medicare funding, reauthorization of a children's health insurance program, health information technology, health savings accounts, issues related to the uninsured, insurance market reform, generic drugs, and other matters.
Leaders of Akron General Medical Center are coming out publicly against plans for a for-profit, physician-owned hospital in northern Summit County, OH. A group of Akron General department chairs recently launched a campaign against a 100-bed, for-profit hospital that physician investors want to build in partnership with General's cross-town rival, Summa Health System. The Akron General doctors argue that the physician-owned hospital will attract affluent, well-insured patients with less-complicated cases, leaving Akron's nonprofit hospitals stuck caring for uninsured patients and those with costly, complex problems.
The West Penn Allegheny Health System is cooperating with a Securities and Exchange Commission probe of the hospital network's $73 million revenue write-down, said system officials. In a prepared statement, West Penn spokesman Tom Chakurda confirmed the SEC was conducting an "informal inquiry with regard to West Penn Allegheny Health System and the $73 million balance sheet adjustment." West Penn Allegheny refinanced $758 million in bonds last year, but questions arose last month when the president and CEO announced that the health system may have overstated revenue by $73 million, including $67 million in patient receivables.