Sebelius Speaks on Obama's Health Care Plan

This post on Real Clear Politics has a short video of Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius discussing the Obama administration's plan for health care. Sebelius discusses that the system needs competition, and that the administration is open to discussions on how to improve the government-run plan better. The video is about 12 minutes long, take some time to view it below.

View the video

Encouraging patients to take medicine on time

In a recent article at Fierce Healthcare, they note that the New England Healthcare Institute is bringing a group of individuals together to strategize on ways that will encourage patients to take their medicines in prescribed doses at the correct times. They're looking at strategies that include strategies, packaging and financial incentives. Read more about their effort here.

To network with health plan and pharma professionals involved in medication and treatment compliance initiatives, join our LinkedIn group.

Economy to Blame for Healthcare Payment Difficulties

More Americans are putting off health care costs due to the economic climate in 2009. Reuters reports that, Thomson Reuters, "conducted a Pulse survey of 100,000 homes to inquire about health insurance woes reporting that about 17.4% of homes admitted to postponing or waiting for health care in 2009." The report stated that, "40% of homes are postponing medical care for the next three months, with 15% foregoing regular doctor checkups." Homes that earned less than $50,000 per year were three times more likely to have trouble paying medical bills.

Obama Proposes $313 Million in Healthcare Costs

The Wall Street Journal reports that President Obama has outlined a massive plan to cut government healthcare spending by $313 million over the next 10 years in an attempt to expand coverage for the uninsured.

There are many health-industry groups that have criticized his plan, including The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and American Hospital Association. Their concern is that these cuts will hurt hospitals and trauma units. This proposed plan has caused a lot of controversy within the healthcare industry. What do you think of Obama's outline for healthcare cuts?

Read the full article here.

Healthcare reform may not happen by October

The LA Times takes an in-depth look at the current time line for the health care reform from President Obama. The estimated cost of the new bill could cost up to $1.6 trillion over the next decade, and Obama'a goal of movoing the bill through the House and Senate by the end of the summer is looking dim. Read the full update here.

Republicans propose new healthcare plan

Today, the Republicans of the House have released their idea for a new healthcare plan. It would take the current system and improve upon already existing Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance program. It would allow all individuals to have access to health insurance, while not mandating employers to supply it or individuals to purchase it.

For more, read the story here.

Where does healthcare reform stand?

Reuters has an article laying out where certain matters stand when it comes to healthcare reform for the United States. In this article, they look at what is currently going on in the Senate and the House. Read the full report here.

Obama's Healthcare Plan Making Headway

After months of discussions between Congress, Obama has stated that "It's time to deliver," according to this post on CBS News. A lot of legislation is being drafted now, including this one which would require every American, except for those who cannot afford it, to obtain health insurance. Obama's public plan has received a lot of criticism from Congress, what are your thoughts? Read the full article here.

Take a look at the video below to see White House Senior Advisory Davis Axelrod speak with Harry Smith about Pres. Obama`s stance on health care reform.

Medicaid Managed Care Congress: Day 2

As Day 2 beings at the Medicaid Managed Care Congress, with a keynote from Senator Tom Daschle.

Senator Tom Daschle kicked off the meeting this morning with a wonderful keynote. He sketched out the Obama administration’s strategy for achieving healthcare reform. He believes that there is a 50-50 shot at significant reform this year and suggested that although health plans are apprehensive about a public plan that this option may serve as a safety net for the numbers of chronically ill not currently covered under traditional Medicare or Medicaid. In addition, he emphasized the continued need for a plan to reform long term care system. Is should focus not only through financial and access issues but also to the pool of primary care providers. As Americans looks to reform the system, policy makers must look to invert the pyramid that exists and move from a sick care based system to a system based on prevention by enriching the pool of quality primary care nurses and physicians to better support a system focused on wellness and prevention.

Medicaid Managed Care Congress: Day 1 Workshops

Afternoon workshops open with great group on never events, “Implementing a Comprehensive Never Event Reduction Program to Track, Report and Reduce the Occurrence of Never Events” it is an iterive process it being managing never events for hospital acquired conditions

The other workshop, “Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Identification and Reduction,” encouraged over 50 people to share strategies for managing waste fraud and abuse identification and reduction. We found this statement,”With any new strategy or policy people need to think about the unintended consequences,” to be very insightful. What do you think?

Medicaid Managed Care Congress this week!

This week, the 17th Annual Medicaid Managed Care Congress takes place in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference kicked off this morning.

Some of the highlights of the today's events are:

- A packed room of over 50 Medicaid Managed Care executives attended an intensive primer on Medicaid Managed Care including Jim Frizzera, Principal, Health Management Associates; Cindy Adams, Chief Operating Officer, Superior Healthplan; Pamela Coleman, Director of Health Plan Operations, Texas Health and Human Services Commission; and Vernon Smith, PhD, Health Management Associates.

Some of the highlights included:
-More states need to focus on rewarding quality to improve hedis scores with NCQA.

-Holding all things constant Medicaid growth may level off however growth is expected in the aged and disabled populations. However significant expansion is still expected.

-Others joined in an a health literacy workshop lead by list speakers.

If you're attending the 17th Annual Medicaid Managed Care Congress and would like to share your insights about what's being discussed at the event, post your thoughts in the comments or email jpereira@iirusa.com!

Medicare service rates

In a recent op-ed piece at the New York Times, Peter B. Bach looks at the situation in which doctors find themselves every year with Medicare. Medicare has a set rate contract that all doctors sign, which results in doctors concentrating in certain geographic regions. Although there is a certain concentration in these areas, it doesn't mean that the services are better. Read his full column here.