CBO Chief Says Obamacare Is Reducing Deficit

CBO Chief Says Obamacare Is Reducing Deficit

You have to read to the end of this article. 

State Strategies for Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health Services in a Changing Medicaid Environment

Treasury:Individuals Found Ineligible For Coverage Must Repay Subsidies

If‘clean,’ big data can improve U.S. health care

3 ways insurers can discourage sick from enrolling

The U.S. spends $15B a year to train doctors, but we don’t know what we get in return

After five years of slower growth, health-care spending will pick up again
But only by a very small amount.  Perhaps title oversates.  

Why more people could be getting health insurance at work

Why more people, not fewer, could be getting health insurance at work http://nyti.ms/1tADNpm  

New Birth Control Rules Appear To Track Supreme Court Suggestion

Medicare Star Ratings Allow Nursing Homes to Game the System  Very critical article.  Raises important issues but not certain how valid. 

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Tracking Survey
Some useful information about enrollment, use of services, etc.

Financial and Quality Impacts of the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration 
Results are positive.  

States Seeking to Expand Medicaid Through Waivers Can Learn From Arkansas, Iowa, and Michigan

One Year into Duals Demo Enrollment: Early Expectations Meet Reality


Almost 7 million Americans could qualify to #GetCovered outside open enrollment: http://gtcvrd.am/1w9bELw

Provider networks aren't transparent enough. http://t.co/55rTYUvy39

80% of patients who read their doctor's notes better understood their own health via @nprnews http://n.pr/1yAiPbw

Child refugees and health care
 
Updated edition of our FAQ about resolving health insurance Marketplace “inconsistencies”

Primary care practices need help to effectively use #HIT, but how? Check out key techniques from @ColoradoBeacon: http://ow.ly/AGtuR

Exchange Customers Now Receiving Subsidies Should Review Tax Issues 

2014 ELECTION: GOP’S NEW SCRIPT ON ACA –
Obamacare Still ‘Red Meat’ For GOP Candidates But Focus Of Attacks Shift

While these campaigns are not so accurate, they will score points because the public is not adequately informed. 

Tax refunds may get hit due to health law credits 
 

 

Study looks at impact of Massachusetts individual mandate +

Study looks at impact of Massachusetts individual mandate 

Reducing teen pregnancy

It has dramatically declined in a number of states. Hope Maryland can expand its program as well.

Survey of Health Insurance Marketplace Assister Programs

Approved Demonstrations Offer Lessons for States Seeking to Expand Medicaid Through Waivers

Insurance Marketplaces That Promote Quality Improvement

The Relative Contribution of Multiple Determinants to Health

Some Insurers Refuse To Cover Contraceptives, Despite Health Law Requirement 

Californians Favor Tougher Rules On Health Insurance Rates, Survey Says

Handicapping How 'Obamacare,' Other Health Issues Play Into Campaigns

Lawsuit Challenges Employer Wellness Program 



CALIFORNIA WORKING WITH CONSUMERS TO GET PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND/OR RESIDENCY –
Without proof of citizenship, residency, 100,000 could lose Obamacare

 

 

Why More, Not Fewer, People Might Start Getting Health Insurance Through Work +

Why More, Not Fewer, People Might Start Getting Health Insurance Through Work 

Good news for Obamacare: Health coverage is soaring, but health prices aren’t

How the Affordable Care Act might transform the labor market

ENROLL AMERICA EFFORTS FOUND TO BE EFFECTIVE: FULL EVALUATION REPORT –
Evaluation of Enroll America: An Implementation Assessment and Recommendations for Future Outreach Efforts

Md. Officials Vow To Have Marketplace Working In November
This has articles besides the Post one.Sounds good. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is true.
The mystery of the falling teen birth rate


Webinar: Integration for Medicare–Medicaid Enrollees
on 8/27

Internet Security Is Growing Concern At Health Care Sites 

Big Support For Insurance Rate Regulation Measure In California

Medicare Experiment Could Signal Sea Change For Hospice
Sounds good

Medicare Testing Payment Options That Could End Observation Care Penalties
Having been caught in this, glad to see.

ACA NO LONGER TOP HOT BUTTON ISSUE FOR GOP 
Obamacare Losing Punch as Campaign Weapon in Ad Battles






 

Chronically Ill Still Face Insurer Discrimination

Consumer Groups: Chronically Ill Still Face Insurer Discrimination

Trends in the Medicare Part D Plan Marketplace
Encouraging trends as costs have not increased much in past few years.

The share of Americans who are uninsured is falling. 
More good news on this front.  

PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH PLANS GETTING INVOLVED IN INSURANCE LITERACY

A community outreach effort to explain insurance plans

Complex Care Management: A Tool for Improving Quality and Lowering Costs

More than 40% of Social Security Disability Insurance recipients take opioid pain relievers via @dangoldbergcny http://mobile.journals.lww.com/lww-medicalcare/_layouts/oaks.journals.mobile/articleviewer.aspx?year=2014&issue=09000&article=00013 …

"The drug companies are the most powerful lobbying in Washington I've encountered" @SenJohnMcCain says at town hall here in NH.
 

Medicare to Start Paying Doctors Who Coordinate Needs of Chronically Ill Patients +

Medicare to Start Paying Doctors Who Coordinate Needs of Chronically Ill Patients    This seems like an excellent idea, but I would like to see more details before making final judgement.   Does any two chronic conditions qualify for this level of care.  Are there some cases, where the two conditions may be of little consequence that it may result in over-treatment.  Are there ways to make the coordination more effective than others.  Does this new policy provide guidance on that dimension. 

Wal-Mart wants to be your doctor

Small Medical Practices Had Fewer Preventable Hospital Admissions

Treating People with Complex Care Needs
Hope they point us to more details on such programs.

Large Employers Trimming Healthcare Spending

Using Volunteers in Navigator and Assister Programs: Doing More with Less +

Using Volunteers in Navigator and Assister Programs: Doing More with Less 

Hospitals Seek To Help Consumers With Obamacare Premiums

Small Nonprofit Hospitals At Tipping Point, Says Rating Service This is a cause for concern

Hospital Readmission Reduction Program Reignites Debate Over Risk Adjusting Quality Measures A friend is second author on this important article. 

EMPLOYERS PLAN TO SHIFT MORE COSTS TO EMPLOYEES –
Big companies see modest rise in healthcare costs next year

 

Average ACA Premium Increase Estimated At 7.5% +

Average Obamacare Premium Increase Estimated At 7.5 Percent   There are 27 states included in this estimate which is not enough states to be a good indicator.  Is 7.5% a high or low figure? 

2015 ENROLLMENT NOT EXPECTED TO BE ANY EASIER THAN 2014 –
Here’s why Obamacare enrollment will be super confusing next year, too


Medicaid Rolls Are Growing Even in States That Rejected Federal Funds

Tax Day 2015 May Be Another Health Law Hurdle


Interoperability

Thoughts on CMS' Innovation Center + more

This blog entry covers CMS' Innovation Center and other articles.  

Washington's $10 Billion Search For Health Care's Next Big Ideas

Here are my comments in response to the above article which appeared in the Post and Kaiser Health News article 

I worked for CMS' Office of Research and Demonstrations for 13 years.  Our model of carefully designed demonstrations with research designs and evaluation research was extremely successful.  We produced many major changes in the program thru legislation such as prospective payment in hospitals and home health, managed care, risk adjustment, hospice care, prenatal care, and many others.  I highly recommend that this model get far more attention at CMS.  

I made this comment on the Post site but as of this writing it has not been displayed yet. 

Another ACA ‘horror story’ faces scrutiny

Moving into ‪#‎Medicare‬? Our new graphic shows how financial assistance changes when individuals move into the program http://bit.ly/1sEPoFg

Legislators Who Block Medicaid Expansion Are Stiffing Veterans Out of Health Care, and Stiffing Workers Out of Jobs

An Amazing Healthcare Revolution Is Happening In Maryland — And Almost No One's Talking About It

Study: States Embracing Obamacare See Biggest Drops in Uninsured

 Study: States Embracing Obamacare See Biggest Drops in Uninsured

 

How State Marketplaces Are Promoting Health Plan Quality A good step forward but much more is needed.

The Use (and Overuse) of Credit History: Credit-based ID Verification Creates Barriers to ACA Access

Hospitals See New Revenues, Stiffer Fines From Obamacare

Some States Boost Transparency Of Insurance Rate Review Amid Criticism 

Calif. Insurers Team On Huge Digital Medical Records Plan

 

Newly Insured Millions Face a Learning Curve

Newly Insured by Health Law, Millions Face a Learning Curve 

3 Takeaways From the Medicare Trustees Report  Some useful comments. 

August 1 Maryland Health Connection Update  Some positive news.


Investor Gains Debated in New Post-Acute Care Proposals 

This is an area where there is potential for much needed services integration.   

Health Affairs August Issue: Variations In Health Care