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The National Association of Insurance Commissioners met in Seattle and pushed through a much debated recommendation on how federal officials should judge insurance company expenses.
Medicare voucher-type plans have not, to date, been part of a cost control solution. Given the track record, it is also not unreasonable to conclude the mandatory voucher program Rep. Paul Ryan advocates wouldn't save money either.
Party politics were obvious this week as House Democrats approved $16 billion in additional federal Medicaid funds for states.
For the 11 million people signed up for private Medicare Advantage plans, their future with the popular program that has been designated for cuts in federal funding may depend on where they live.
This week, Democrats grab an unexpected success in extending enhanced Medicaid funding. Meanwhile, Medicare's trustees offer a positive view for the program's future but Missouri voters reject the new health law's individual mandate.
The new health care reform law will extend the solvency of Medicare's main hospital insurance program by 12 years, according to a new government report.
This week, HHS issued rules on high-risk health insurance pools as well as guidance on children's coverage issues. Two new polls focused on seniors and health reform, and both political parties continued to position themselves for the fall elections.
The Congressional Budget Office's latest projections again make it clear that the nation is rushing headlong toward a fiscal crisis, and the health law does nothing to head it off.
A lot has changed since last summer's town hall meetings. A new poll finds that, in the last month, the percentage of people viewing the health law unfavorably has fallen. But seniors continue to be more negative.
A look at the new health law's long-term-care program and the plan to close the Medicare drug doughnut hole.
This week, news outlets covered the Obama administration as it began implementing parts of the new health law and also unveiled a national HIV/AIDS strategy. And, Capitol Hill is still reacting to the president's recess appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick to head the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid.
A new Medicare demonstration program sends doctors to see chronically ill patients at home
President Obama used a recess appointment to bypass the usual congressional confirmation process, advancing his administration's health reform implementation efforts but triggering GOP cries of political foul.
Provisions such as eliminating co-payments for some preventive services, reviewing premium increases and expanding Medicaid coverage to adults without children could have a lasting impact on the health system.
President Obama's appointment - during a congressional recess - of Dr. Donald Berwick to head the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services is focusing new attention on Berwick's record and beliefs, in particular a 2008 speech about Britain's National Health Service. This is an edited transcript.
Democrats had hoped to extend health insurance subsidies for newly laid off workers, extend extra Medicaid payments to the states, and pass a long term Medicare 'doc fix' before the July 4 recess. But all they could accomplish was a short-term Medicare fix.
The SGR system was flawed from the start and should have been fixed years ago. But now we have an opportunity to make necessary systemic changes. This lemon really can, and must, be turned into lemonade.
As Congress temporarily delayed the 21 percent Medicare pay cut to doctors, it failed to resolve the issue of COBRA benefits and Medicaid funding for hard-pressed states.
Good news and bad news for doctors who treat Medicare patients.
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