Health Care Policy Report Index-Summary

AARP

– Brand-name drug prices from April 2009 to March 2010, Medicare beneficiaries, report, 787; 2005 to 2009, 1286
– MA and Part D changes under PPACA, fact sheets, 750

ABORTION

– Alaska child medical care expansion bill, funding provision, governor vetoes, 890
– Colo., anti-abortion “personhood” amendment, midterm elections, voters defeat ballot measure, 1645
– Fla., ultrasound requirement, bill vetoed, 934
– Health care reform, negotiations with pro-life Democrats, 419; executive order prohibiting use of federal funding, 422
– Idaho denial of services, 483
– Neb. gestational age determination and risk factor identification requirements, 569; informed-consent law enforcement, preliminary injunction (D. Neb.), 1081
– Oklahoma

– – Elective, insurers coverage ban, governor's veto of bill stands, 890
– – One-subject rule, 2008 and 2009 laws violate state constitution (Okla.), 320
– – Questionnaire requirement, lawmakers override governor's veto, 812
– – Restrictions, governor signs 3 bills, 520
– – Ultrasound procedure challenged (Okla. Dist. Ct.), 669; temporary restraining order approved, 1128

– Tenn., exclusion of services from health information exchanges, 703
– W. Va., right to ultrasound, bill passage, 386

ABUSE

– Drugs and alcohol

See SUBSTANCE ABUSE

– Fraudulent activity

See FRAUD AND ABUSE

ACCESS TO CARE

– Acute care, where people go for treatment, article, 1333
– CDC report, 1684
– Charity care

See CHARITY CARE

– Children

See CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE; CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

– Closure of Braddock Hosp., settlement agreement, Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center to boost services, 1324
– College graduates on parents' health insurance policies, 604
– Community centers

– – Hospital affiliations and specialist care for uninsured persons, report, 857
– – Uninsured persons, expanded access and services, study, 190

– Disabled persons

See generally DISABLED PERSONS

– Disparities by race and ethnicity

See MINORITY HEALTH CARE

– Health information exchanges, direct primary care medical home membership, BNA Insight, 543
– Internet, broadband infrastructure, FCC funding proposals, 309; health care provider praise, 379; health IT adoption barriers, 659
– Investment fund, Cal. foundation seeks program grant proposals, 1679
– Legal immigrants, Mass. private insurance plan inadequate, 1193
– Medicaid

See generally MEDICAID

– Medically underserved areas

– – Colo., primary care providers job act, 1048
– – Tax exclusion for providers working in, IRS news release, 927

– Medicare

See generally MEDICARE

– Minorities

See generally MINORITY HEALTH CARE

– New access points, grants availability, 1224
– PPACA will ensure, Harkin (D-Iowa) says at conference, 730
– Pregnancy and childbirth, mobile health service announced, 207
– Reform proposals

See generally LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3590, HR 3962

– Retail clinics and primary care physicians, RAND comparison, 437
– Rural areas

See generally RURAL HEALTH CARE

– State issues

See specific states

– Underinsured children, problems, study findings, 1328
– Uninsured persons

See UNINSURED PERSONS

ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS (ACOs)

– Accreditation draft standards, NCQA releases, 1567; comment letters, 1768
– California

– – Lessons for national debate on health care reform, report, 1605
– – Recommendations, state medical association, 1670

– Comments from CMS officials, Natl. Comm. for Quality Assurance policy conference, 1794
– Costs of health care, impact unclear, CRS report, 1685
– Delivery reform, stakeholders comments during open door forum conference call, 1746
– Development, panel urges private sector participation, 349
– Early planning by health care industry urged before rules finalized, webinar speakers, 1033
– Flexible approach to implementation, AHA recommendation, 1748
– Fraud and abuse laws

– – Guidance sought by stakeholders, CMS public meeting, 1477; obstacles to success, webinar speaker, 1549; recordings and transcript available, 1574
– – Waivers, options outline, 1651

– Guiding principles for development and operation, AMA announcement, 1705
– Health care reform proposals, organizational planning, Analysis and Perspective, 35
– Health information technology and other requirements, report, 1533
– Hospital alliance announces launch of collaboratives, 784
– Impact on other health providers, CMS concerns, 1346
– Interagency regulation and enforcement questions, BNA Insight, 1408
– Medicare

– – Event panel and white paper raise questions, 1588
– – Fee-for-service pitfalls, promise shown but models still evolving, online conference, 1257
– – Two-sided risk model and bonus-only model, pros and cons, MedPAC letter, 1749

– Open door forum conference call, CMS hosts, 928
– Opt-out by beneficiaries, pilot program, MedPAC meeting, 1519
– Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

– – Antitrust laws

– – – Clinical integration, evaluation under “rule of reason,” 1433
– – – Violations avoidance by providers, DOJ guidelines, House panel hearing, 1747

– – Medicare Shared Savings Program

– – – Common misconceptions and unanswered questions, BNA Insight, 1689
– – – Initial rulemaking and policies development, comments sought, 1703; comments receipt, 1795

– – Promise shown if provisions properly implemented, lawyer says, 732
– – Proposed rule from CMS expected in fall, 839; patient notification guidance expected, 1588

– Performance measurement system, journal article, 1605
– Provider participation may hinge on HHS regulations, BNA Insight, 790
– Regulations uncertain, online conference speakers, 1528
– Survey of health care “opinion leaders,” results, 1160
– Vt. pilot project, report identifies considerations, 824
– Webinars, May 19-June 17, BNA Legal and Business Edge, 737; May 25-June 17, 774; June 2-17, 807
– Workshop, FTC plans, 928; CMS and FTC announcement, 1311

ACCOUNTING

– HCERA and PPACA laws may be considered together, SEC position, 559
– Standards for charity and insurance claims, 632

ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION

– ACOs draft standards, NCQA releases, 1567; comment letters, 1768
– CON

See CERTIFICATE OF NEED (CON)

– Electronic health records products

– – Progress, Certification Comm. for Health IT, 25
– – Temporary and permanent certification, ONC proposed rule, 308; final rule released, 920
– – Vendor guarantee, 97

– Hospitals' telemedicine providers, credentialing rules streamlining, CMS proposed rule, 806
– Joint Comm'n

See JOINT COMMISSION

– Medicaid Management Information System, Fla. certification, 1158
– Primary care home initiative, Joint Comm'n expands ambulatory care organizations process, 1362
– Wis. Medical Examining Bd. physician certification rules, new law changes, 778

ACOs

See ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS (ACOs)

ACQUISITIONS

See MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

– Hospital visitation rules for same-sex partners, presidential memorandum, 561; proposed rule, CMS releases, 965; CMS final rule, 1704
– N.Y., surrogate decisionmaking with no directive, state Senate passage, 285; bill signed, 387

ADVERSE EVENTS

– Anti-psychotic drugs alleged cause of illnesses in Medicaid enrollees (Utah Dist. Ct.), 744
– Hospitals

– – Incidence among Medicare beneficiaries, report, 1723
– – Incident reports, Cal. Public Health Dep't letters to chief executives, 1680
– – Or. Patient Safety Comm'n report, 1283

– Large-scale events, disclosure dilemma, research paper, 1330
– Public disclosure limited, HHS OIG report, 63
– Screening method shortcomings, HHS OIG report, 327

ADVERTISING

See also MARKETING
– Direct-to-consumer ads, prescription drug side effects disclosure, FDA proposed rule, 480; comments from drug industry and consumer groups, 1009
– Health care reform

– – Medicare impact, HHS funds use no violation of federal law, GAO report, 1551
– – Targeted campaign by business coalition, 341

– Medicare physician pay cut cancellation, AMA campaign, 837
– Prescription drugs misleading ads, providers role in detecting, FDA educational outreach program, 734

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

See PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

AGED PERSONS

See ELDERLY PERSONS

AGENCIES, FEDERAL

See specific agencies and departments

AHIP

See AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS (AHIP)

AIDS AND HIV

– Funding shortfall for drug assistance programs, Nelson letter to Senate colleagues, 1276
– HAART usage and mortality, market trends, CDC report, 256
– Ryan White Program reauthorization, CRS report, 150
– 340B drug pricing, overcharges by Bristol-Myers Squibb alleged (C.D. Cal.), 1767

ALABAMA

– AWP, Medicaid overcharge verdict reconsideration (Ala.), 142
– High-risk pool temporary federal program, direct involvement declined, 689
– Medicaid, CMS authority to require federal refund of recovered funds (M.D. Ala.), 523

ALASKA

– Child medical care expansion bill, abortion funding provision, governor vetoes, 890
– Grants, Medicaid/CHIP quality improvement and health IT adoption, 274
– Medicaid, matching funds for electronic health records, 118

AMA

See AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA)

AMBULATORY CARE

– Advancing quality improvement, AMA focus groups' report, 1133
– Disclosure of patient rights information, same-day procedures, CMS proposed rule, 616
– FY2011 payment increase, MedPAC recommendations, 112
– Hospital outpatient services use, western Wash. area, report, 1527
– Infection rates, N.J. quarterly reports required, 139
– MA outpatient copayment and inpatient services link, study, 191
– Medicare payment rates, OPPS final rule, 478
– Primary care home initiative, Joint Comm'n expands accreditation process, 1362

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS

See now AARP

AMERICAN INDIANS

See NATIVE AMERICANS

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA)

– ACOs, guiding principles for development and operation, 1705
– Ambulatory care, advancing quality improvement, focus groups' report, 1133
– Code of conduct principles for health insurers, issuance, 818
– House of Delegates reports and resolutions disposition, 923; electronic cigarettes classification as drug delivery device, 924
– Medicare

– – Consultation codes elimination, financial impact on physician practices, survey, 1132
– – Physician pay cut cancellation, ad campaign, 837; congressional action sought on upcoming cut, 1659

– Patient safety organizations, physicians guide released, 1133
– Preauthorization requirements complicate doctors' efforts, group says, 1767
– Report card for health insurers, 938
– Social media use by physicians, new policy adopted, 1683
– Transparency of physician ratings, health insurers urged to improve, 1129

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA)

– COBRA subsidies

See generally COBRA (HEALTH CARE COVERAGE CONTINUATION)

– Comparative effectiveness research on disability services, HHS infrastructure funding, 701
– Electronic health records

See ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
– – Grants

See GRANTS

– Health information exchanges

See HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGES

– HIPAA, overview of changes, issue brief, 400
– HITECH Act

See HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ECONOMIC AND CLINICAL HEALTH (HITECH) ACT

– Medicaid, federal medical assistance percentage adjustments, HHS notice, 172; CRS report, 216; NACDS praise for proposed extension, 234; extension needed to avoid state cuts, Families USA and Kaiser reports, 253; governors urge 6 month extension, 270; political subdivision contributions, states compliance, CMS guidance, 974; double-dip recession possible, governors say, 997; states budget decisions without extension, Special Report, 1135; Senate to vote on extension, 1147; Senate passes extension, 1177; Obama signs state aid package, 1211; deadline for states to request extension, 1237; enrollment growth and program sustainability, GAO report, 1529
– Workforce training and expansion, grant awards, 1394

AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS (AHIP)

– Dependent coverage of adult children up to age 26, comments on interim final rule, 1241
– Group health plans

– – Grandfathered plans under PPACA, comments on interim final rules, 1242
– – Nondiscrimination requirements, white paper, 1303

– Health care reform

– – Criticism of bill, 371
– – Implementation recommendations, 652

– Hospital readmissions reduction, study and publication, 906
– HSAs

– – Contributions and withdrawals in 2009, AHIP study, 1813
– – Enrollment continues to rise but growth rate slowing, report, 785

– Premiums

– – Blaming PPACA for increases, HHS zero tolerance warning to insurers, 1343; Sebelius accused of intimidation, 1467
– – Determinants, press briefing, 1068

– Welfare benefit plan under ERISA, definition, EBSA withdraws proposed rule, 1184

ANTI-KICKBACK LAWS

– Physician self-disclosure protocol, call for CMS implementation, 698

ANTIBIOTICS

– Clinical trials for new drugs, FDA developing industry guidance, 881

ANTITRUST

– ACOs

– – Clinical integration, evaluation under “rule of reason,” 1433
– – Violations avoidance by providers, DOJ guidelines, House panel hearing, 1747

– Competition in health insurance and provider markets, DOJ Antitrust Div. focus in post reform world, 1008
– Conn., Anthem BCBS hospital reimbursement rate investigation, 24; clarification of policy, 183; request for federal involvement, 351
– Generic drugs, pay-for-delay patent case settlements ban

– – Reform provision support, 49; FTC report, 88; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4872
– – Senate committee revives legislative efforts to clamp down, 1151; war supplemental funding bill, language removal praised, 1162

– Health care reform and market competition, BNA Insight, 401
– Insurance exemption reform

– – Implementing legislation

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3596, HR 3962, S 1681, S 3217

– – McCarran-Ferguson Act

– – – Actuaries' opinions on proposed changes, 136
– – – Perriello-Markey proposal for repeal, 203; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 4626
– – – Proposed changes, CRS report, 122

– Lack of competition in health insurance industry, call for merger regulation, AMA study, 291
– Mergers and acquisitions

See MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

– Most favored nation clauses, BCBS of Mich. contracts with hospitals, antitrust violation (E.D. Mich.), 1560
– Price collusion alleged, Minn. provider group settlement, proposed consent order (FTC), 977

ARIZONA

– CHIP, budget legislation eliminates KidsCare, 429; maintenance-of-effort provision in federal reform law, 517; enrollment rollback reversed to keep federal funds, 809
– Marijuana for medicinal use, ballot measure, midterm election results, 1680; final vote count, measure passes, 1719
– Medicaid-alternative program

– – Budget law leads to cutbacks, organ transplants exclusion criticized, 1482
– – Copayments increase for certain enrollees, stay issued (D. Ariz.), 1441
– – Rollback of expansion, referendum proposed, 93; enrollment rollback reversed to keep federal funds, 809

– Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

– – Goldwater Inst. of Phoenix challenge (D. Ariz.), 1248
– – Individual mandate provision, midterm elections ballot measure challenges, 1285; voters approve measure, 1639

ARMED SERVICES

See MILITARY HEALTH CARE

ARRA

See AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA)

ASCs (AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS)

See AMBULATORY CARE

ASSISTED SUICIDE

– Mont., physician aid in dying practice upheld (Mont.), 59

ATTORNEYS

– “Creditor” definition, red flags rule for identity theft

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 6420, S 3987

– Red flags rule for identity theft, enforcement, health groups request delay, 177; application to physicians, health groups lawsuit (D.D.C.), 803; compliance deadline moved, 841; temporary exemption for health care providers, 922; temporary exemption for physicians, agreement finalized, 999

AUDITS

– Cal. agency reduces fines against nursing homes, report criticizes, 974
– MA, appeal rights to risk adjustment data validation, CMS final rule, 514
– Medicaid

– – Ill., medical loss ratio calculation error, 707
– – New York

– – – Fraud, waste, and abuse, pilot program results, 1643
– – – Hospital overpayments, claims processing errors, 707
– – – Overpayments due to billing errors, 22

– – Recovery audit contractor program, states establishment, CMS proposed rule, 1668
– – Utah overcharges, auditors point to state-owned clinic as main source, 1841

– Medicare Part D, CMS on-site audits planned, 310
– Payment recapture model

– – Expansion ordered, presidential memorandum, 345
– – Medicare recovery audit contractor program, CMS performance, GAO report, 491; CMS update, 969; CMS has yet to fix vulnerabilities, Senate subcommittee hearing, 1067

AUTISM

– Kan., children of state employees, coverage extension, 624
– Ky., insurance coverage guidelines enacted, 667
– Me., health insurance coverage for children, 623
– Mass., insurers coverage requirement, new law, 1188
– Mo., insurers coverage requirement, compromise version of bill passed, 739; governor signs bill, 936
– N.H., insurers coverage requirement, new law, 1156
– Vt., insurers coverage requirement, new law, 852

AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICE (AWP)

– Ala. Medicaid overcharge verdict reconsideration (Ala.), 142
– Database publisher and drug distributor, conspiracy to inflate costs alleged, Conn. settlement (D. Mass.), 1565
– False claims and Medicaid overpayment allegations, 3 drug companies settle charges, 1802
– Idaho Medicaid program, Actavis settles alleged drug price inflation suit (Idaho Dist. Ct.), 855; Sandoz settles, 1566
– Minn., Medicaid Act and state law challenges (D. Minn.), 245
– N.Y. Medicaid, state false claims violations (D. Mass.), 181
– Pharmacy groups' suits in four states, 572
– Settlements re database publishers, S.C. FY2011 budget provision holds pharmacies harmless, 933
– Utah Medicaid, state false claims dismissal (Utah Dist. Ct.), 321