Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Kaiser Network reports that the measure passed by a vote of 289 to 139. Children from families with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty level would qualify for SCHIP, a move that likely would cover three million more children. Under the bill, SCHIP would be extended for four-and-a-half years and cost $57.3 million, a … [Read more...] about Congress Reauthorizes and Expands SCHIP
California May Freeze SCHIP Enrollment
The state of California is considering temporarily stopping enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to avoid a $17.2 million deficit that will be caused by a glut of "new clients." The state in general faces an $11.2 billion deficit. (Source) Over 900,000 children in California receive health care through the program. The enrollment freeze would protect benefits for current enrollees and manage costs of the program. Lesley Cummings, executive director for the … [Read more...] about California May Freeze SCHIP Enrollment
Democratic Majority Will Seek to Expand SCHIP
Earlier this year, the Bush administration sought to prevent the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded the program amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under SCHIP, depriving low-income children of coverage. Unable to override a presidential veto, Democrats decided to not pursue efforts to renew and expand SCHIP. With a Democrat in the White … [Read more...] about Democratic Majority Will Seek to Expand SCHIP
The Texas Comptroller to Complete Audits Regarding Overpayments
The following message was posted today at the TMHP Website: Information posted November 6, 2008: During the 79th Texas Legislature, Regular Session 2005, a requirement for a centralized overpayment recovery audit program for Texas was established. As a result of the legislation, the Texas Comptroller is required to complete an overpayment audit and recover any funds that may have been incorrectly paid to Medicaid providers. Click on the title to view the details. The Texas … [Read more...] about The Texas Comptroller to Complete Audits Regarding Overpayments
Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track
Last year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Medicaid spending would increase by $10 billion from 2008 to 2012 and by $23 billion from 2008 to 2017, under a so-called comprehensive immigration reform bill that failed to pass Congress. Three years earlier, the Government Accountability Office reported that the cost of caring for illegal aliens is difficult to track, for obvious reasons. Those in the country in violation of U.S. immigration law can and likely do use phony or stolen … [Read more...] about Illegal Alien Health Care Spending Difficult to Track
Congress to Postpone SCHIP
Earlier this year, the Bush administration sought to prevent the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The president twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded the program amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under SCHIP, depriving low-income children of coverage. The Government Accountability Office studied the issue and concluded the administration violated federal law when it prevented states from … [Read more...] about Congress to Postpone SCHIP
What’s in a Rule?
Earlier this year, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion outlining the definition of a "rule." El Paso Hospital Dist. v. HHSC, 247 S.W.2d 709 (Tex. 2008). The Court stated, "a presumption favors adopting rules... through the formal rule-making procedures." This case supports the premise that agency action may be invalidated if it isn't backed by a rule crafted through the formal rule-making process. When an agency fails to follow all of the required rule adoption procedures, because it … [Read more...] about What’s in a Rule?
GAO: CMS Lacks Oversight of Durable Equipment Medicare Funds
Talk about government waste! From April 2006 through March 2007, Medicare improperly paid $1 billion for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies in part because of fraudulent companies. According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) lacks oversight of millions of dollars in Medicare funds for durable equipment supplies. CMS allowed "sham companies" to fraudulently bill Medicare for … [Read more...] about GAO: CMS Lacks Oversight of Durable Equipment Medicare Funds
Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill, Congress Overrides Veto
Things are moving fast. As we mentioned last week, President George W. Bush was set to veto a bill that would halt a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut. Yesterday, the president vetoed the bill, despite the bill passing both houses of Congress by veto-proof margins in recent weeks. President Bush wrote that he vetoed the bill because it would "harm beneficiaries by taking private health plan options away from them," and urged Congress to send him a bill "that reduces the growth in … [Read more...] about Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill, Congress Overrides Veto
Bush to Veto Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Last week, just before the Fourth of July recess, the Bush administration delayed a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1. A few Democrats scoffed at the gesture, saying it was "misleading" and that the administration froze the cut just for the sake of "appearance." According to the Associated Press, President Bush will unfreeze the cut and veto any bill that attempts to move it forward, although the bill's supporters have enough votes to … [Read more...] about Bush to Veto Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
