Mary K. Caffrey

A recent deal with CMS would bring $1 billion to safety-net hospitals for fiscal year 2016, but Medicaid expansion to 800,000 Floridians is worth an estimated $2.1 billion.

Data represented May 18, 2015, at the American Urological Association annual meeting in New Orleans, certainly grabbed headlines.

Authors of an accompanying editorial said the real issue is lowering LDL cholesterol, not necessarily which medication is used.

Incidence of this common skin cancer keeps rising even though it is easy to prevent. CDC says more must be done to encourage Americans to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit use of tanning beds.

Governor Bobby Jindal wants the state budget to meet requirements of Americans for Tax Reform. Even a less severe plan that has passed the Louisiana House still falls short in funding to compensate private operators of charity hospitals and medical schools.

New Jersey lawmakers want physicians to accept in-network rates if patients use their in-network hospital in an emergency. Other disputes would go to arbitration.

This is the third year that CMS has released Medicare payment data, and this year the agency added information on prescription drugs.

CMS' Medicaid managed care proposal broadens the definition of "care coordination," according to healthcare advocates in New Jersey, where the state's Medicaid program has been under fire.

The suits are on behalf of providers and health insurance customers and involve some famous plaintiffs' attorneys.

The medical loss ratio recommendation sought by CMS mirrors requirements for qualified health plans under the ACA. Insurers say a blanket requirement will not align with successful measures at work in several states.

Consumer protections and rules to promote the march to value-based care are highlights of the massive proposal.

An account in The New York Times comes closest to identfying the drafting error that set in motion King v. Burwell, the case that could unravel a key feature of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, experts predict that a ruling for the plaintiffs will create political fallout for more Republicans than Democrats.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

The Obama Administration says that Florida can receive $1 billion this year and $600 million next year to pay for uncompensated care in safety net hospitals. However, the administration made it clear that more funding awaits the state if Medicaid expansion reaches those up to 138% of the federal poverty line.

Authors led by Harvard's Frank Hu, MD, write that combating diabetes worldwide requires policy solutions that recognize the societal and environmental forces that work against those who might try to pursue healthier lifestyles. Hu recently spoke at Patient-Centered Diabetes Care 2015, presented by The American Journal of Managed Care and Joslin Diabetes Center.

The authors discuss the success of the Pioneer ACO model and the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, among others. They outline an agenda that includes engaging managed care stakeholders, so that both public and private payers are moving toward value-based payment.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage of the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

The most sweeping overhaul of Medicaid regulations since 2002 is due soon. So far there are few hints at what CMS may require states to do as they award managed care contracts in an effort to better coordinate care and control costs.

Until this study, no one had reported on how the discrepancies between adult and pediatric guidelines might affect treatment for young adults.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Data presented at the American Urological Association in New Orleans show a 50% drop in PSA testing in the years since the USPSTF issued its controversial D recommendation. Some see a "chilling" effect, but not all see a problem.

The findings in Diabetes Care served as early confirmation of what some had feared: a bifurcated Medicaid system will lead to an American of haves and have-nots in healthcare.