Medicare

OVERNIGHT HEALTH: AMA breaks the bank with SGR lobbying

by Julian Pecquet and Sam Baker - 10/20/11 10:52 PM ET

Healthwatch’s Sam Baker has more.

ACOs for all: It seems like everyone in the healthcare world had something to say about the long-awaited Accountable Care Organizations.

{mosads}Hospitals rejoiced and insurers worried about industry consolidation after the Obama administration unveiled the key program of his healthcare reform law that aims to promote coordination among healthcare providers. Healthwath’s Julian Pecquet has the run-down here.

Don’t forget us: ACOs hogged the spotlight but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid also unveiled an initiative Thursday. The Advance Payment model provides support to physician-owned and rural providers participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program who also would benefit from additional start-up resources to build the necessary infrastructure, such as new staff or information technology systems. Find out more here.

Veto threat: Surprise, surprise, President Obama vows to veto spending bills that call for defunding the healthcare reform law. Just something for House and Senate leaders to think out as they work things out in conference. The Hill’s Erik Wasson has more here.

Canada drugs: Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) lashed out at Democrats who voted down his effort to allow drug imports from Canada. But can a free-market Republican question others’ consistency while seeking to import other countries’ price controls? Healthwatch asks the question.

State by state

Appeals court hears arguments in dispute over Arizona Medicaid cuts.

Baltimore’s version of the nationwide “Occupy Wall Street ” protest movement is seen as discouraging rape victims from contacting police as it seeks to create a self-contained, self-governing community.

Oklahoma judge blocks abortion drug law.

Fraud fight

An Indiana durable medical equipment provider agreed to pay $578,820 to the United States and $21,180 to the state of Indiana for billing Medicare for respiratory machines set up by unqualified personnel.

Lobbying registrations

Dovetail Health (self-registration)

Van Heuvelen Strategies / University Hospitals (community-based healthcare system)

Van Heuvelen Strategies / Banner Health (nonprofit hospital system)

Ernst & Young / Directors Guild of America — Producers Guild Pension and Health Plans

Health Policy Source / Billings Clinic

Health Policy Source / SSM Health Care

Greenberg Traurig / Gentiva Health Services

Greenberg Traurig / Public Health Trust/Jackson Health Systems

Greenberg Traurig / Universal Health Care (Medicare healthcare insurance plan and Medicaid plan provider)

Greenberg Traurig / National Association of Community Health Centers

Jefferson Business Consulting / Humana Veterans Healthcare Services