Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Blogging Hiatus
Just wanted to let y'all know, the GA HFMA Legislative Blog team is back from our couple month hiatus. Based on the fact that there has been nothing but speculation for the last couple months, we have not felt the need to post things that were changing by the minute. However, with the President's address last night, it appears things will be picking up pace again. Thanks for your continued dedication and readership.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
AHA: Proposed cuts could cripple hospitals' ability to care for patients
June 16, 2009
The AHA Monday expressed “deep disappointment” over the administration’s proposal to cut an additional $220 billion in hospital payments over the next 10 years, noting that hospitals already face as much as $38 billion in previously announced reform-related cuts and $41 billion in payment cuts under the proposed Medicare inpatient prospective payment system rule. “Additional cuts of this magnitude could severely jeopardize hospitals’ ability to care for their patients and communities,” AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said in response to President Obama’s call Saturday for another $313 billion in health care spending cuts. The proposal includes $110 billion in across-the-board “productivity adjustments” to Medicare payment increases and $106 billion in Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts. Umbdenstock said the DSH cuts overlook the critical role these programs play in supporting a broad range of services for hospitals' most vulnerable patients, while “productivity adjustments” make little sense for the health care field, where the focus should be on “ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time in the right setting." While hospitals have committed to engage in reform activities that have associated cost savings, Umbdenstock said “reform must improve care for patients without crippling hospitals’ ability to care for patients and communities.” (Post Courtesy of www.aha.org)
The AHA Monday expressed “deep disappointment” over the administration’s proposal to cut an additional $220 billion in hospital payments over the next 10 years, noting that hospitals already face as much as $38 billion in previously announced reform-related cuts and $41 billion in payment cuts under the proposed Medicare inpatient prospective payment system rule. “Additional cuts of this magnitude could severely jeopardize hospitals’ ability to care for their patients and communities,” AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said in response to President Obama’s call Saturday for another $313 billion in health care spending cuts. The proposal includes $110 billion in across-the-board “productivity adjustments” to Medicare payment increases and $106 billion in Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts. Umbdenstock said the DSH cuts overlook the critical role these programs play in supporting a broad range of services for hospitals' most vulnerable patients, while “productivity adjustments” make little sense for the health care field, where the focus should be on “ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time in the right setting." While hospitals have committed to engage in reform activities that have associated cost savings, Umbdenstock said “reform must improve care for patients without crippling hospitals’ ability to care for patients and communities.” (Post Courtesy of www.aha.org)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Article from National HFMA Website Responding to Senate Finance Committee Papers on Health Reform
Monday, May 18, 2009
Senators Issue Policy Options for Financing Healthcare Reform
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and ranking member Chuck Grassley have released policy options for financing healthcare reform, recommendations that the rest of the committee will discuss on Wednesday before the Senate marks up legislation in June.
One potential funding source explored in the paper are savings achieved from within the healthcare system. The policy options look at three ways to adjust the annual inflationary increase to account for productivity in Medicare payment rate updates—reducing the inflationary update by an amount equal to all, one-half, or one-quarter of the expected productivity gains. The paper also recommends reducing geographic spending variations by cutting Medicare payments in areas where spending is above the national average. In addition, the paper suggests updating payment rates for home health services, which have the highest profit margin in Medicare, to be more reflective of actual costs of providing care; ensuring appropriate payments for durable medical equipment; adjusting payments for high-growth services such as imaging and minor procedures; and reducing market-basket updates for providers whose payments are higher than actual costs.
Another category of financing reform focuses on modifying the current tax treatment of health-related expenses to eliminate inconsistencies and discourage wasteful health spending. One of the policy options requires nonprofit hospitals to maintain a minimal level of charitable activity, limit charges to the uninsured and indigent patients, and curtail aggressive collection actions. Hospitals that do not meet these requirements would be subject to an excise tax. The paper also explores ways to make the tax exclusion for employer-provided health insurance more equitable and efficient, such as capping the exclusion based on the value of the health insurance policy or the income level of the employee. And a final source of funding are tax provisions to promote wellness, such as a tax increase on alcoholic beverages and an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Public comments should be directed to Health_Reform@finance-dem.senate.gov by May 26.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Baucus's Call to Action Website for Healthcare Reform 2009
Check out the website set up by Senator Baucus to track healthcare reform.
http://finance.senate.gov/healthreform2009/home.html
http://finance.senate.gov/healthreform2009/home.html
Monday, May 11, 2009
Health Groups Vow to Control Cost
Washington Post Article regarding the Health Care Industry, including AHA's, effort to work with the administration on Heathcare Reform.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051002222.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051002222.html?hpid=topnews
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Baucus Draft Proposal on Healthcare Reform
Last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus released a draft proposal on healthcare reform. It can be accessed here: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/042809%20Health%20Care%20Description%20of%20Policy%20Option.pdf
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Washington Post Article
Here is an interesting article from the Washington Post on Obama's Healthcare agenda:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042302983.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042302983.html
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Pro-Action Blog. Please keep checking back for updates. Feel free to email us, if you come across something you think we should post.
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