News & Analysis
HHS Distributes $17M for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration will distribute $17 million for patient-centered outcomes research, comparing treatments and strategies to improve health outcomes for patients, according to an HHS release. Read more...Atlanta's Grady Hospital Agrees to Provide Dialysis For Illegal Immigrants
After months of negotiations, Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta has arranged treatment for 38 end-stage renal patients, mostly illegal immigrants, to receive free dialysis, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more...Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty Rejects All Funds From Reform Bill
Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota's Republican governor, has issued an executive order rejecting all funds from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the healthcare reform law, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio. Read more...Maryland Cardiologist Charged with Healthcare Fraud After Allegedly Implanting Unnecessary Stents
John R. McLean, MD, a cardiologist from Salisbury, Md., has been indicted for allegedly putting unnecessary coronary stents in hundreds of patients and billing private and public payors for the procedures, according to a Baltimore Sun report. Read more...Appeals Court Rules Health Plan Administrator Abused Discretion in Determining Discounted Rate was "Unreasonable," Case May Have Implications for OON Providers
The United States Fifth Court of Appeals has upheld a district court ruling that a health plan violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act by refusing payment to a hospital for health services it felt were not "reasonable and customary," according to court documents. Further, the court upheld a ruling that the plan administrator abused discretion in denying the claim. Read more...New Poll Shows Support Slipping Again For Healthcare Reform Law
After bumping up in a July poll, public support for the healthcare reform law in a new poll is back to its May levels, according to a report by Kaiser Health News. Read more...AHA Tells CMS of Concerns With Proposed ASC Quality, Cost Reporting Changes
In a comment letter to CMS on its proposed outpatient prospective payment system rule to start Jan. 1, 2011, the AHA expressed "serious concerns" about "the continuing failure of CMS to require ASC quality and cost reporting." Read more...Arkansas Orthopedic Surgeon Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Fraud
Robert J. Tomlinson, MD, a Fayetteville, Ark.-based orthopedic surgeon has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for healthcare fraud, according to an Arkansas News report. Read more...Don Berwick Refuses Sen. Grassely's Request for Donor List
CMS Administrator Don Berwick, MD, has declined a request from Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) to provide a list people who donated to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, which Dr. Berwick headed before his CMS appointment, according to the Hill. Read more...Anthem Gets California's OK for Higher Rates, Having Backed Off Startling Rate Increase that Influenced Reform Debate
California regulators approved a rate increase for Anthem Blue Cross that was hefty but still much lower than the proposal that set off a firestorm of criticisms during the healthcare reform debate in February, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. Read more...Channels
Sponsored Links
