Healthcare Legal & Regulatory News | Becker's Hospital Review

Loophole in Health Reform Law Would Open Medicaid to Millions of Middle-Class People

The healthcare reform law would make Medicaid available to several million middle-class citizens, an issue that government officials say was discovered only after the bill was signed, according to an MSNBC report.

Louisiana Bill Would Stop Medicaid Switch in 2014 Without Reauthorization

The Louisiana House on Monday unanimously backed a proposal that would end Gov. Bobby Jindal's "coordinated care networks" on Dec. 31, 2014, unless they receive legislative reauthorization, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Washington State Seeks Federal Approval of Medicaid Exemptions

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed legislation that would seek federal permission to implement several exemptions to current Medicaid cost-sharing and benefit standards, according to an American Medical News report.

Legislators Consider Sweeping Medicare Changes As Part of Deficit Package

Two major Medicare changes are being considered by lawmakers as they negotiate on various proposals to close the country's staggering $14.3 trillion debt, according to a Green Bay Press Gazette news report.

Data Shows Many Hospitals Overuse Double CT Scans

Healthcare experts at various academic hospital institutions have found that numerous hospitals overuse double CT scans, according to a Washington Post report.

Obama Administration to Permanently Halt Healthcare Reform Waivers

The Obama administration announced it will stop issuing one-year waivers to insurers for certain provisions that are part of the healthcare reform law, according to a Wall Street Journal news report.

CMS to Adopt Predictive Fraud-Fighting Technology July 1

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will begin using a predictive modeling technology to combat Medicare fraud on a national basis on July 1. To read the full-length story on Becker’s ASC Review, click here.

Massachusetts Bill Would Permit Videotaping of Surgery in OR

A bill in Massachusetts could allow licensed medical videographers to tape surgical procedures if the patient agrees to pay for the taping.

New Proposal to Curtail Overuse of Advanced Imaging Goes to Congress

A new proposal set to hit Congress could require some physicians and patients to receive pre-approval from Medicare for advanced imaging exams, according to a Kaiser Health News report.

Florida's Shands Jacksonville Kidney Transplant Program Was Failing During Shutdown

When Shands Jacksonville (Fla.) Medical Center voluntarily closed its kidney transplant program on Jan. 12, documents recently obtained by a local newspaper show the program was failing six of 12 federal standards, according to a Florida Times-Union report.