Questions are already being sent to the DOJ. Incoming House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler warned acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker that Democrats will scrutinize the Trump administration’s decision not to defend Obamacare against a state-driven lawsuit in Texas, saying the move appeared to be a “cynical pretext” for launching another repeal attempt. Mr. Nadler, New York Democrat, noted Democrats have been peppering the Justice Department with a slew of … [Read more...] about Incoming Democrat Congressmen will Scrutinize Decision not to Defend Obamacare in Texas Lawsuit
Administration Considering Pulling Medicare Coverage from Some Drugs to Encourage Negotation of Price
In an effort to give insurers leverage for negotiation, Trump is advocating pulling protections guaranteeing Medicare coverage: Pharmaceutical companies that raise the cost of certain drugs risk losing protections that guarantee Medicare coverage, part of a Trump administration proposal to give insurers leverage to negotiate lower prices. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Monday proposed exceptions to six protected classes of treatments for illnesses … [Read more...] about Administration Considering Pulling Medicare Coverage from Some Drugs to Encourage Negotation of Price
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Cannabis Schizophrenia and Border Control
Reconciliation of state and federal law regarding cannabis has a ways to go: A Canadian investor travelling to Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend a prominent cannabis conference and tour a new cannabis facility has been issued a lifetime entry ban to the United States, according to an immigration lawyer he consulted. “He was travelling straight from Vancouver to Vegas. When they found out he was going down to tour the marijuana facility and that he was an investor in marijuana, they gave … [Read more...] about Cannabis Schizophrenia and Border Control
Hackers or Mistakes? Health Information Data Breaches.
According to a study, it's mistakes and security lapses: Most health information data breaches in the U.S. in recent years haven’t been the work of hackers but instead have been due to mistakes or security lapses inside healthcare organizations, a new study suggests. … [Read more...] about Hackers or Mistakes? Health Information Data Breaches.
Texas Hospital Corporation Indicted for Violating the Texas Mental Health Code
A criminal indictment has been issued against Sundance Behavioral Healthcare System: A corporation that runs behavioral health hospitals in North Texas has been indicted on nine criminal counts of violating the Texas Mental Health Code, accused of holding four patients involuntarily and illegally at its Arlington facility. SAS Healthcare Inc., more commonly known as Sundance Behavioral Healthcare System, is accused of knowingly violating the Texas Mental Health Code by detaining two patients … [Read more...] about Texas Hospital Corporation Indicted for Violating the Texas Mental Health Code
Class Action Suit Filed by Veterans Against VA over Medical Marijuana
The VA has been denying benefits to veterans for using prescribed medical marijuana. Now veterans are suing: Thousands of Navy and Marine Corps veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who developed post-traumatic stress disorder but were denied Veterans Affairs health benefits have been given a green light to sue the military, under a ruling by a federal judge in Connecticut. Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Haight Jr. in New Haven on Thursday certified a class-action lawsuit against … [Read more...] about Class Action Suit Filed by Veterans Against VA over Medical Marijuana
New Rules on License Terms and Survey Frequency for Alf’s, DAHS’s and ICF’s/IID
HHSC issued a new provider letter on October 29, 2018, adopting the new rules which affect license terms and survey frequencies for the above-mentioned providers. The rules were effective on that date. The license terms will be gradually transitioned to a three-year term on a scheduled timetable as described in the provider letter. Survey frequency will occur as follows: HHSC may conduct inspections of ALFs, DAHS facilities, and ICFs/IID asappropriate. However, it is required to conduct … [Read more...] about New Rules on License Terms and Survey Frequency for Alf’s, DAHS’s and ICF’s/IID
Newly Adopted Rules for ALF’s, DAHS’s, ICFs/IID, NF’s and Pediatric Extended Care Centers
Texas HHSC has adopted one new rule and several amendments to rules in the Texas Administrative Code, implementing legislation from HB 2025 passed in 2017. The rules were effective on October 28, 2018, but HHSC is giving Alf's, DAHS facilities and NF's until May 1, 2019 to develop and implement the policies related to Alzheimer's training. Enforcement on the other rule changes will be enforced now. The provider letter announcing this can be found here. The Texas Secretary of State has … [Read more...] about Newly Adopted Rules for ALF’s, DAHS’s, ICFs/IID, NF’s and Pediatric Extended Care Centers
Pre-Claim Review for Home Health Agencies Back on the Table
In 2016, CMS rolled out a pre-claim review demonstration which was stopped by stakeholders with the aid of Congress. The initiative was to require that claims be sent in earlier in the claims process. CMS has revived the initiative with some modifications. Policy experts believe that stakeholders will not be able to stop the new version of the pre-claim review. The April 2018 report of the Government Accountability Office was probably the death knell for the efforts of opponents. … [Read more...] about Pre-Claim Review for Home Health Agencies Back on the Table