During a Friday news conference on the national budget sequester, President Obama said that some Democrats will not touch the health care entitlement program for older Americans and those with disabilities. “And what I’ve said … is that I’m prepared to take on the problem where it exists, on entitlements, and do some things that my own party really doesn’t like, if it’s part … [Read more...]
Medicare’s transition into ‘value-based purchasing’ managed care
U.S. Healthcare reform is creating a fundamental shift away from the fee-for-service model to more coordinated care, leading to better outcomes and lowered spending. Starting this year, the financial viability of hospitals will depend on how well care is coordinated for Medicare beneficiaries. A relatively little-known piece of the Affordable Care Act called the “Hospital … [Read more...]
Obama names Marilyn Tavenner as new CMS Chief.
President Obama nominated Marilyn Tavenner to run one of the biggest agencies in the federal government today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If it were anyone else it might be a big deal, however, Ms. Tavenner has been running the department for more than two years as the acting Deputy. If recent history is any indication, the nomination won't … [Read more...]
Medicare Spending Slowing Ahead of Projections
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) lowered its spending projections for Medicare earlier this month. The watchdog agency noted that Medicare's expenses have been "significantly lower" than estimated for three straight years. The CBO revised its 10-year spending projections for the program down by $137 billion in its latest long-term economic forecast. That's a two percent … [Read more...]
New KHN Poll Shows Americans Support ACA and Medicare Expansion
A new public opinion survey on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare and Medicaid, by the Kaiser Family Foundation, is packed with new findings. Americans overwhelmingly support the ACA and its proposed build out of health exchanges. The following points highlight the report from the survey. Americans have mixed feelings about the ACA, but they support … [Read more...]