Feds Take Additional Steps to Combat Alzheimer’s Disease
Department of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released an aggressive plan to combat Alzheimer’s disease at the Alzheimer’s Research Summit held May 15.
More Young Adults Now Have Health Insurance
Increased coverage for young people may be due to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allows children to stay on their parents’ insurance policies until their 26th birthday.
Funds Committed to Expand Community Health Centers
In May 2012, the Obama Administration committed $728 million to renovate and grow 398 community health centers.
Federal Court to Reconsider Genetics Patents
On March 26 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court instructed the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its July 2011 decision to uphold patents held by Myriad Genetics.
New Texas Law for Meningitis Vaccine
In May 2012, the Texas Legislature passedSenate Bill 1107, a law that requires new college students to provide proof of receiving a bacterial meningitis vaccine10 days prior to the start of classes.
States Urged to Prepare for Health Insurance Exchanges
With the looming deadline to create health insurance exchanges, states are being encouraged to do all they can this year to prepare for their successful launch in 2014.
Online Marketplaces Make Medicaid Eligibility Easier
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that individuals applying for health coverage in the new online marketplace, which is required by the federal health law, will be immediately informed if they qualify for Medicaid or premium subsidies.
Alzheimer’s Research Receives More Funding
The federal government has devoted new funding for Alzheimer’s disease research.
Initiatives to Lower Medicaid Costs and Improve Care
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is launching two initiatives to help states save money and better coordinate care for the nine million Americans enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.
New Rule Requires Plain Language in Describing Health Plan Benefits and Coverage
The U.S. departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury together published new guidelines requiring health insurers and group health plans to provide consumers with plain language information about their health plans.