In a surprising turn of events, the Bush administration has delayed a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which was scheduled to go into effect today. (Associated Press) But Democratic senators Jay Rockefeller and Charles Schumer say the freeze is "misleading" and for the sake of "appearance." (Kaiser Network) Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would halt the pay cut, to be funded by reducing funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The Bush … [Read more...] about Bush Freezes Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
House Passes Bill to Stop Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Yesterday, the House of Representatives "overwhelmingly" passed a bill that would stop a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians pay cut, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1. (Associated Press) The House passed the measure by a vote of 355-59, despite a potential presidential veto. Democrats want to fund the delayed cut by decreasing funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, and President Bush has threatened to veto any bill that cuts funding to MAs. In any case, the House-passed bill … [Read more...] about House Passes Bill to Stop Medicare Physicians Pay Cut
Senate Democrats Fall Short on Medicare Physicians Payment Bill
Last week, Democrats in the Senate did not get the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and begin debate on a measure that would delay a 10.6 percent Medicare physicians fee cut for 18 months. (Kaiser Network) As I mentioned before, Democrats in both houses of Congress are trying to delay the cut, which goes into effect on July 1, 2008. The Bush administration seeks to reduce funding to Medicare and Medicaid programs and will veto any bill that proposes to cut funding to Medicare Advantage (MA) … [Read more...] about Senate Democrats Fall Short on Medicare Physicians Payment Bill
Congress Battles Over Medicare/Medicaid Funding
Although President Bush has proposed to reduce funding to programs like Medicare and Medicaid, both houses of Congress have other plans. Last week, the House of Representatives voted to approve a $3.1 trillion FY 2009 budget that excludes President Bush's proposed Medicare and Medicaid program cuts. (Kaiser Network) Kaiser reports (via the Washington Post) that Democrats may wait until the new administration to pass spending bills to avoid the current president's veto. Meanwhile, Democrats … [Read more...] about Congress Battles Over Medicare/Medicaid Funding
$20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new rule that would reduce funding for inpatient rehabilitation facilities in fiscal year 2009. According to CQ Health Beat (via Kaiser Network), the $20 million reduction, required by Congress, would prevent a cut to Medicare physicians payments. The same legislation reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In other SCHIP news, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) contends that the Bush … [Read more...] about $20 Million Funding Reduction for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
California Coalition Will File Suit to Stop Medicaid Cuts
As you may recall, the Bush administration has proposed to cut spending on programs like Medicaid, including reducing physician reimbursements. A coalition of local governments and providers in California plans to file a lawsuit to stop these cuts. (Kaiser Network) San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said that a proposed 10 percent reimbursement reduction could serve as a disincentive to doctors treating patients in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. He fears patients will seek treatment … [Read more...] about California Coalition Will File Suit to Stop Medicaid Cuts
House Seeks to Expand SCHIP Through Budget Reconciliation Bill
Although President George W. Bush twice vetoed bills that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Democrats in the House of Representatives are still trying to find ways to expand the program. (Kaiser Network) Last week, Charles Rangel, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said the House budget reconciliation bill would include provisions to expand SCHIP and stop a 10 percent Medicare physician payment reduction. The measure would increase SCHIP … [Read more...] about House Seeks to Expand SCHIP Through Budget Reconciliation Bill
Governors Criticize Medicaid Cost Shift
The National Governors Association has gone on record to oppose the Bush administration's proposal to shift more Medicaid costs to the states. (Kaiser Network) The shift reportedly will save $15 billion over five years. One change under the new rules is that states no longer will be allowed to use Medicaid funds to help pay for physician training. The administration contends there's "no explicit authorization under the Medicaid statute to subsidize the training of physicians." This change … [Read more...] about Governors Criticize Medicaid Cost Shift
Bush Administration To Shift More Medicaid Costs to States
The Bush administration plans more Medicaid rule changes. Earlier this week, CQ Weekly reported that the administration plans to shift more Medicaid costs to the states, prompted by Government Accountability Office studies that show states have used "questionable" practices to gain more federal dollars. (Kaiser Network) From the report (emphases added): The first regulation, to be issued March 3, would end payments for ancillary services provided under case-management plans. The … [Read more...] about Bush Administration To Shift More Medicaid Costs to States
House Democrats Consider New SCHIP and Medicaid Funding Bill
Last week, House Democrats failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expansion bill. This week, they're considering drafting a new bill that would expand SCHIP, place a moratorium on rules limiting Medicaid eligibility, and provide a temporary boost to the federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid. (Kaiser Network) Will Democrats garner enough votes for the proposed bill to override a presidential veto? Probably not. … [Read more...] about House Democrats Consider New SCHIP and Medicaid Funding Bill