Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is asking for $480 million more in additional Medicaid funding for hospitals as part of the federal waiver for its universal access program, according to a report by the Boston Globe.

Forty-four Democratic senators are urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to introduce a bill that would extend enhanced Medicaid funding to the states after the end of the year, according to a report by AHA News Now.

HealthSouth's CEO said the company plans to grow its inpatient division in 2010 and 2011 through joint ventures, acquisitions and building new hospitals, according to a report by the Birmingham Business Journal.

Hospitals more specialized in orthopedic surgery have better outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements, according to a new study of Medicare patients undertaken by University of Iowa researchers.

Faced with a projected $20 million deficit this fiscal year, San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, Calif., may lay off up to 100 employees or even put itself up for sale, according to the Tracy Press.

Anthem Blue Cross of California has agreed to postpone big rate increases for individual policyholders from March 1 to May 1 so outside actuaries can review its rate proposal, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing to cut $347 million from the state health services budget, including Medicaid, and remove 21,500 people from the state's MinnesotaCare program, according to a release from the Minnesota Hospital Association.

St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan began laying off over 300 workers starting Feb. 12 and has asked other employees to take temporary 120-day pay cuts of 10-25 percent to prevent the hospital from closing, according to a report in the New…

Standard & Poor's and Moody's have both reaffirmed strong bond ratings for North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, a major financial component of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, citing the hospital's current positive focus on integrating management, governance and…

California's Kaiser Permanente released its financial earnings for 2009, announcing a $2.1 billion profit for 2009, according to a report by the San Francisco Business Times.