The Washington Post(5/3, A1, Whoriskey, Keating) reports on its front page in an article of nearly 3,400 words on its findings after examining hospice care in the US, partly through Medicare billing records. The Post found that many hospice providers fell short of what patients and their families expected, especially […]

The AP (5/5) reported that Andy Allison, who has run Arkansas’ Medicaid program since 2011, announced his resignation on Friday. Allison will resign on June 1. Northwest Arkansas Online (5/2) quoted from Allison’s announcement: “Gov. Beebe, John Selig and DHS Deputy Director Janie Huddleston gave me the opportunity to lead […]

Several recent proposals for Medicare reimbursement were released last week by CMS, drawing media and industry attention. The Congressional Quarterly (5/2, Reichard, Subscription Publication) reported on the looming “big lobbying push” by hospitals over proposed changes to Medicare reimbursement. CQ notes that “Because hospitals account for so much Medicare spending […]

Several states are continuing to consider the possibility of Medicaid expansion, while states with such programs in place are evaluating their effectiveness. In Washington state, the AP (5/4, Corte) reported that the state’s expanded Medicaid program has enrolled more people than anticipated. Now, according to the AP, “questions remain about […]

NPR Share to Facebook (5/2, Whitney) reports in its “Shots” blog on the picture of the Affordable Care Act that emerged from new data released Thursday. When insurance enrollment on exchanges and through brokers and on Medicaid expansion is taken together, enrollment overall was 17.8 million or more people, although […]

The AP (5/3, Deslatte) reported that on Friday, the CMS “rejected Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s financing plans for the privatization of six state-owned hospitals that care for the poor and uninsured.” The article called this “a potentially significant blow to the state’s health care operations.” This could “create massive upheaval […]

The Washington Post (5/2, Millman) reported in its “Wonkblog” that after the release of 2014’s final enrollment report, we now “have a final look at what types of new health plans the 8 million Americans who signed up for Obamacare are choosing.” The blog notes that “the nearly 4 million […]

The Washington Examiner (5/4, Schow) cites reporting by The Hill in an account that the inspector general’s office for the Department of Housing and Urban Development said Friday it will investigate whether the agency “improperly promoted and implemented Obamacare.” The probe was requested by government accountability watchdog Cause of Action, […]

The Hill (5/3, Cox) reports in its “Floor Action” blog that Republicans are likely to “grill” HHS Secretary-nominee Sylvia Burwell on the Affordable Care Act in a nomination hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Moreover, some Republicans in the House are urging the Senate GOP members […]

The Daily Caller (5/3, Hurtubise) reports that “all state Obamacare exchanges but one failed to meet the percentage of young enrollees experts considered necessary to keep premiums low, despite the surge of sign-ups the last month.” The piece notes that “Washington, D.C. took an early lead in signing up young […]