Health Care Reform Articles - May 7, 2011

May 6, 2011

Florida Legislators Pass H.M.O. Plan for Medicaid

By LIZETTE ALVAREZ

MIAMI — In a sweeping overhaul of its $21 billion Medicaid program, the Florida Legislature approved a bill Friday to shift nearly three million Medicaid recipients into managed-care programs in the hope of saving money and improving services.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/us/07florida.html?pagewanted=print

SJC ruling a boost to immigrant health care

Court says Mass. erred in coverage cut; decision could hit state finances hard

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/05/07/court_rules_massachusetts_erred_in_cutting_immigrants_health_coverage/

Vt. seeks insurance for most residents

‘Single-payer’ plan could begin by ’17

http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2011/05/07/vt_seeks_health_insurance_for_most_residents/

Diagnosis as disease

Physicians are now making diagnoses in individuals who wouldn't have been considered sick in the past, and it's raising healthcare costs.

By H. Gilbert Welch

May 6, 2011

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-welch-diagnosis-20110506,0,3828813,print.story

Medicare 'Doc Fix' Put on Life Support by AMA Lobby

By MERRILL GOOZNER, THE FISCAL TIMES

MAY 06, 2011

This story comes from our partner 

The annual scramble to prevent next year's scheduled pay cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients kicked off Thursday with physician leaders calling for a five-year program of guaranteed annual raises and a high-ranking House Republican calling for another short-term fix.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/May/05/Fiscal-Times-Medicare-Doc-Fix.aspx?p=1

Big Medicare overhaul? Don't bet on it By: David Nather May 7, 2011 07:37 AM EDT

Confused by what comes after the dueling deficit plans by President Barack Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan? Not sure whether to follow the bipartisan deficit talks led by Vice President Joe Biden, the bipartisan “Gang of Six” talks, or the budget resolution being written by Sen. Kent Conrad, who’s also in the “Gang of Six”? Ryan has made front page news with his plans for Medicare and Medicaid. But that’s not the same thing as making progress. The House Budget Committee chairman has waded into the muddiest swamp of Washington politics, and most observers figure his plan is going to get stuck there. http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=F3488539-9227-450C-B173-404E0D73C8C6 Vermont to Go Single Payer -- Do I Hear a Second? Posted: 05/ 6/11 05:36 PM ET The Vermont House of Representatives voted 94 to 49 this week to establish a Green Mountain health insurance exchange, the first step in establishing a single payer program in that State. The bill now goes to Governor Peter Shumlin's desk, who is a strong supporter of the idea. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-bergthold/vermont-to-go-single-paye_b_858718.html?view=print