The State Children’s Health Insurance Program saw an enrollment of more than 7 million children which is a 5.9 percent increase over last year. This was announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

He said that it was pleasing that SCHIP was growing, however they needed more work to ensure that people at the lowest income level were covered. SCHIP faces reauthorization in this coming year. It was created in 1997 with bipartisan support and is meant to help uninsured children. After recieving 40 bn in federal aid over 10 years, the program was recently extended till March 2009.

continue reading "More Kids Covered By SCHIP In 2007"

The US has a large population that is from around the world, from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa… Many people live away from their parents. Every year thousands of parents move to the US to live with their children. It is great to have older parents, aunts and uncles nearby. However, concerns about the health of older people and the financial havoc this could wreak are always prevalent.

Many people are uanaware that it is possible for older people who are not citizens to receive Medicare benefits. If you are a foreigner with permanent resident status, you may qualify for purchasing Medicare. You should have lived in the US continuously for the last five years and should be atleast 65 years of age.

continue reading "Medicare For Non-Citizen Parents"

The Republican health proposal that would have required small businesses to offer limited health insurance created by the state has been shot down.  The proposal was opposed by nine people and was not supported by anyone. This led it to be postponed indefinitely.

The aim of the plan was to insure uninsured workers lacking health insurance testified Swalm. The bill did not require employers to pay for the plan, but the would have needed to offer a pre tax savings plan that would help employees afford the insurance.

continue reading "Republican Health Plan Shot Down"

According to the CMS, improper Medicare payments collected from and repaid to health care providers amounted to $371.5 million. There was a need for ensuring accurate Medicare payments, people with Medicare would thus be ensured that they were being billed correctly.

The RAC demonstration program was created by the MMA act, 2003 with a view to find and correct improper Medicare payments. More than 1.2 bn Medicare claims are processed annually. There are a number of types of errors leading to incorrect payments.

continue reading "Improper Medicare Payments"

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton see eye to eye on many areas of health care. One area where Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton agree is that people with insurance should be allowed to keep their cover. In addition they also agree that the less people earn the more subsidy they should receive. Large employers should pay for atleast a part of the health cover if not all.

In addition they also agree that insurance companies should not be allowed to choose customers. Too many Americans have inadequate health cover or do not have it at all. Obama believes that the reason people do not have health cover is that they cannot afford it, not because they do not want it. The problem was cost. He wanted to see a reduction in the cost of health insurance and would even consider a forceful reduction in insurance costs.

Clinton’s view is that everyone must have health insurance and those who don’t must be punished. Obama wants affordable insurance with punishment meted out only to those who do not insure their kids. Hillary Clinton is forcing people to do what she wants, according to Obama. According to experts, though, Clintons plan can make sure that America is covered. It is also an easier plan for people to criticize.

Governor Schwarzenneger has approved cuts to the tune of almost 2.2bn in state budget. The cuts are over a period of two years. They seek to address a state budget deficit of $14.5bn according to a report by the Sacramento Bee. Spending is to be reduced by about $1 bn this fiscal and $1.2 bn next year.

These bill will save $544 mn in Medi-cal spending in FY 2008. This will happen through a reduction in provider payment rates to the tune of 10%. California’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. The majority of FY 2009 savings are also from provider payment cuts.

The cuts are to come into effect from July 1. This is one month after the proposed date. This is to give time to lawmakers to reinstate a higher Medi-Cal rate in next years budget. Democratic legislators are hoping for a repeal of the Medi-Cal cuts. This may be possible through a tax increase, state lottery lease or some other revenue sources.

According to the Los Angeles Times, lasting savings are not likely through the approved cuts. This is because there may just be a delay of payments until the next budget and nothing else. Meanwhile there are other proposals in the offing. these include an elimination of dental services, optical care, and other optional services for adult beneficiaries of Medi-Cal.

Democrats on Tuesday were at loggerheads with administration officials over issues that were deemed “unrealistic.” The issues were about health care spending and other matters relating to President Bush’s 2009 budget request released on Monday.

The AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reported that “lawmakers made it plain that they would ignore the president’s proposals to cut Medicare and Medicaid spending” (Taylor, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/6).

continue reading "President Bush’s Proposal Cuts To Medicare, Medicaid Criticized by Democrats"

House Democrats might combine Medicaid funding increase, halting of Medicaid legislation and an expansion of SCHIP in one legislation. According to the legislation, a temporary boost would be given to the federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid. In addition there is a moratorium on new rules that will limit eligibility to Medicaid in the offing.

This statement was made by a readership aide on Tuesday. Democrats intend to garner GOP colleague support as well as support from Republican governors as the Democrats make the effort this year to pass legislation for SCHIP funding increase.

However with a presidential veto likely, the combination of bills may not get enough support to override the veto according to a house GOP aide. According to the aide, increasing the FMAP does not have support among many Republicans and a SCHIP revisit is not popular either.

According to the aide, if the Democrats make an effort to increase the Medicaid rate, fiscally conservative Democrats are “going to balk” at some point unless the increase in needed by the economy completely.

About two thirds of Americans are concerned about a serious illness saying that it could lead to a financial crisis. The random poll of 1004 Americans was conducted for creditcards.com. It was meant to examine how health care costs are leading to credit card debt.

The findings of the poll make you want to think about the health care system today. Women and lower income families are more likely to feel that a serious illness would lead to financial hardship than the average of American, 62% of whom think so.

continue reading "Health Care At The Cost Of Credit Card Debt"

According to a report by CQ Today, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Tuesday to review 2007 efforts that were aimed at passing legislation that would reauthorize and expand SCHIP.

According to witnesses at the hearing, as a result of the economic recession going on, the number of uninsured children is likely to go up. This is also a byproduct of the non expansion of public health insurance programs by Congress and the non prevention of changes to programs by Bush.

continue reading "SCHIP Expansion Examined"

Whether President Bush’s second veto of bil HR 3963 will be overriden is to be voted on Wednesday by the house. This bill was to expand SCHIP, however supporters of the bill do not have a two-thirds majority. The legislation was to expand the program by covering 10 mn children and spending was to be increased by $35 bn over a period of 5 years. The program was to be funded by an increase in federal cigarette tax by 61 cent per pack.

continue reading "Presidential Veto Of SCHIP Expansion Legislation Likely To Stay"

All presidential candidates have focused on health care as a pivotal point of the presidential campaign. With due reason, this is something at the top of voter minds right now. On Saturday, how well candidates address the health care crisis could reflect on their votes.

There is an extremely high number of uninsured residents in Nevada in addition to few physicians and low Medicaid reimbursements. In a recent poll of voter who are likely to vote Democratic, 20% selected health care as the single most important issue behind candidate selection.

continue reading "Nevada Caucuses Might Consider Health Care As A Deciding Factor"

USA Today examined the future of Medicare amidst exploding health care costs and how there could be sweeping changes in Medicare, Social Security and private health insurance.

According to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, by 2082, combined spending on Medicare and Medicaid would be 19% of GDP. Today that figure is just 4%. The American Academy of  Actuaries says that Medicare Deficit Elimination over 75 years would need an increase in Medicare payroll tax by 122%, a 51 percent reduction in benefits or a suitable combination of both options.

continue reading "What Is Medicare’s Future Amidst Exploding Health Care Costs?"

There may be reduced federal matching funds in the offing for Medicaid and SCHIP as a result of the California Budget Plan. The reduction in federal matching funds for California could be about $1.5 bn. This is the result of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 2008-09 budget. This finding is based on an analysis by the Assembly Budget Committee.

The State’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal is to recieve only $13.6 bn – a reduction of about $1 bn. Medi-Cal reimbursements would be reduced by 10 percent for physicians and hospitals. These reimbursements are already the among the lowest in the nation. Two thirds of Healthy Families (California’s SCHIP) would end up paying higher premiums.

continue reading "Medicaid, SCHIP To Lose With California Budget Plan"

The managed care plans of Medicaid for Schizophrenic patients as well as other mental ailments may just not be right according to an AJP study. These plans lead to lower expenses for Medicaid by increased costs for patients as well as more caregiver burden.

This study was by David L. Shern. It has long been acknowledged that family burden for mental illness patients has been high. Some situations like drug abuse and violence are tricky as well.

continue reading "AJP Study on Medicaid Managed Care Burden"