California Affordable Drug Coverage Bill Passes
The California Assembly Health Committee passed legislation to protect Californians with life-threatening diseases from escalating insurance costs for medication.
New Medicare Fee for Institutional Providers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began charging a new application fee to all institutional providers.
Healthcare Reform Update
As the struggle over the details of the Affordable Care Act persists, changes continue to be made.
Bill Proposed to Expand Medication Therapy Management
A new law is being proposed that would allow Medicare patients who have a chronic condition to review all their medications in one-on-one sessions with pharmacists, helping them to stick to their drug regimen.
GOP Governors Demand More Exchange Flexibility
Twenty-one Republican governors signed a letter sent in February to U.S.Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking for more flexibility for states as they put together their own health exchanges.
More Legislation Introduced to Ban Specialty Tiers in States
The introduction of legislation to ensure access by patients to high-cost therapies continues to increase throughout the country.
Hospital Outpatient Reimbursement Increased for 2011
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will provide $750 million to fund new prevention and public health programs, made available through the new healthcare law’s Prevention and Public Health Fund.
Federal Government Proposes Healthcare Cuts
As of April 2011, many cuts to healthcare spending are being proposed and expected.
Medical Tort Reform Legislation Proposed
The House Judiciary Committee is working to pass medical tort reform legislation.
Hospital Outpatient Reimbursement Increased for 2011
In August 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed to change the reimbursement rate of separately payable, non-pass-through drugs and biologicals.