ACA Protections Go to Campus
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new proposed rule that takes an important step toward ensuring that students who purchase a health plan through their university or college will be able to benefit from
Less pain, more gain: defining an alternative to harmful Medicaid cuts
(please note most links below are pdfs)
On Friday, Community Catalyst sent a letter to Secretary Sebelius, outlining eight policies states could implement to cut Medicaid costs. We were inspired to weigh in by a series of letters between the Secretary and
Another Indian drugmaker faces FDA import ban
The FDA has banned imports from a factory run by Indian drugmaker Aurobindo following an inspection there in December. The ban on products from the company's Cephalosporin facility near Hyderabad echoes an import ban on Claris Lifesciences in November aft
New Round of HHS Funds Help States Fight Premium Increases
Today, the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CIIO) announced a new round of grants for states that will strengthen their ability to conduct premium rate reviews and roll back excessive increases. Community Catalyst and Consumers Uni
As FDA uncovers more on heparin, lawmakers say culprits pose current threat
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is opening an investigation into the heparin crisis, in which contaminated batches of the blood thinner from China were linked to more than 100 American deaths in 2007-2008. The committee, which has trained its eye
Third party plan? FDA looks to close inspection gaps
The FDA may look to outsource inspections of foreign drug manufacturing and supply plants, the agency’s acting deputy commissioner said at an industry forum last week. The resource-strapped agency has been focusing on how to execute its oversight duties i
A bright spot in those fed budget blues
Those who happen to use public radio as an alarm clock know it’s a bleak week. Proposed cuts to federal funding of public radio being talked about in the House’s FY 2011 budget have unleashed a frantic country-wide pledge drive. (Health care wise, bleak
The Insider: (Budget) Love Don't Come Easy
Legal Scene: You Can’t Hurry Love
Although VA Attorney General Cucinelli is seeking expedited review of the case against the Individual Responsibility Requirement (IRR), most court-watchers think this is unlikely to happen. The Supremes rarely reach down
Medicaid Gymnastics: You want state flexibility? I’ll show you state flexibility!
Secretary Sebelius sent a letter last week to state Governors outlining dozens of ways that states can trim costs in their Medicaid programs (see our summary here).
Most of these policies were right on target. They take aim at our fragmented health care d