From a call by Republican governors to overhaul the program, to forums, speeches and new reports, the Medicaid program attracted an unusual level of attention in Washington the week of June 13–17, but whether the heightened scrutiny will push the federal–state program in new directions is unclear. Read more »
Medicaid managed care plans that are owned by publicly traded, for-profit companies spent an average of 14 percent of premiums on administrative costs, higher than the average of 10 percent spent by non-publicly traded plans, according to a Commonwealth Fund study. Read more »
Many in health policy say that paying fixed monthly fees per enrollee to private health plans to deliver Medicaid benefits seems like a powerful tool to manage costs. But the state of Connecticut is revamping its program to move away from such "managed care capitation." Read more »
Costly hospital readmissions that pose a huge challenge for the health care system can be reduced among Medicare beneficiaries, preliminary "dramatic" results from a major Medicare study as well as a separate Harvard Medical School report are indicating. Read more »
House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation to reduce drug costs in Medicare's prescription drug program, a measure that exemplifies the kinds of changes to health entitlements that Democrats say they are willing to accept in the negotiations over raising the debt limit. Read more »
A national prevention strategy that was authorized in the health care law and that Health and Human Services (HHS) officials say sets a direction and priorities for better health has been unveiled. Read more »