The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has quietly begun applying a controversial directive limiting expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to state proposals to expand Medicaid coverage to children. Read more »
Despite record-setting federal funding for community health centers--which provide care largely for underserved people--the nation's 1,100 centers are feeling the strain of providing quality care for the growing uninsured patient population. Read more »
While many health care analysts believe that comparing medical treatments in terms of how much they cost and how well they work will reduce health care costs, the precise impact of "comparative effectiveness" research is difficult to predict, with any potential for substantial cost savings taking a decade or more to materialize, a Congressional Budget Office analysis concludes. Read more »
Major health care system changes, combined with universal health insurance, could save $1.5 trillion compared to projected spending growth over the next 10 years, according a report released by the Commonwealth Fund. Read more »
Despite progress at the federal level toward ending racial and ethnic disparities in health care, federal efforts are underfunded and show a lack of seriousness about getting the job done, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher said during a recent panel on minority health issues. Read more »
Despite all the talk in Washington backing "pay for performance" in Medicare, there's no consensus yet on the details of such a system and much discussion and analysis are needed to finish the job of implementing it, acting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Kerry Weems said. Read more »