The following bills (which may affect long term care providers) were recently introduced in the 82nd Legislative Session: HB 28: Relating to reimbursement for health care services provided at certain times to persons enrolled in the Medicaid managed care program. HB 32: Relating to the prohibition of required health insurance coverage. HB 39: Relating to a court's authority to order a proposed patient to receive extended outpatient mental health services. HB 57: Relating to the … [Read more...] about 82nd Legislative Session: New House Bills
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House Stops Physician Payment Cut
The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts there will be 40,000 fewer family care physicians in 10 years, and 160,000 fewer by 2025. One proposed solution to the growing shortage is to increase residency positions for family doctors at teaching hospitals. To make matters worse, doctors face a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments in 2010. An internist quoted in CNN Money said if the cut went through, it would exceed his profits, and he'd have to lay off employees to stay in business. … [Read more...] about House Stops Physician Payment Cut
House Delays Physician Payment Cut
The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts there will be 40,000 fewer family care physicians in 10 years, and 160,000 fewer by 2025. One proposed solution to the growing shortage is to increase residency positions for family doctors at teaching hospitals. To make matters worse, doctors face a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments in 2010. An internist quoted in CNN Money said if the cut went through, it would exceed his profits, and he'd have to lay off employees to stay in business. But … [Read more...] about House Delays Physician Payment 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
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
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
House Dems Fail to Override SCHIP Veto
Last Wednesday, Democrats in the House of Representatives failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expansion bill. Democrats were 15 votes short of the required 2/3 majority needed to override a presidential veto. (Kaiser Network) Last year, Bush twice vetoed a bill that would have expanded SCHIP by $35 million over five years. Mike Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the administration … [Read more...] about House Dems Fail to Override SCHIP Veto
Will the House Override President Bush’s SCHIP Veto?
Last week, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). His veto caused quite a backlash in the mainstream media and among Democrats. The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow whether to override the veto. The expansion would add $35 billion over five years to the SCHIP program. Republicans who voted against the bill are concerned it will expand coverage to adults, illegal aliens, and middle-income families who … [Read more...] about Will the House Override President Bush’s SCHIP Veto?
House Blocks Medicare Inpatient Hospital Reimbursement Reduction
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to block a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would have reduced Medicare inpatient hospital reimbursements in FY 2008 by 2.4 percent. (Kaiser Network) CMS apparently anticipates that hospitals will bill Medicare for services that reimburse at higher rates "in response to changes that would link payments with the severity of the illnesses of patients." The proposed rule to reduce … [Read more...] about House Blocks Medicare Inpatient Hospital Reimbursement Reduction
House Approves Medicare Drug Negotiation Bill
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow the government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices. (Source) If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 would nullify the part of Medicare Part D law that prohibits the government from negotiating drug prices. As expected, it was a party line vote, with mostly Democrats voting in favor of the bill. According to the Washington … [Read more...] about House Approves Medicare Drug Negotiation Bill
