Top Stories

Top news stories from the past 14 days. Please visit the News Archive for earlier stories.

CMS Proposed Policy, Payment Rate Changes for Services in Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers in 2010
Jul 2, 2009 -- Hospitals would be able to bill Medicare for pulmonary and intensive cardiac rehabilitation services furnished in outpatient departments beginning January 1, 2010 under a proposed rule issued today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as providing for payments to rural hospitals for kidney disease education services furnished in their outpatient departments for Medicare beneficiaries with Stage IV chronic kidney disease.

CMS Proposes Payment, Policy Changes for Physicians Services to Medicare Beneficiaries in 2010
Jul 2, 2009 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during calendar year (CY 2010) by over 1 million physicians and nonphysician practitioners who are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

Cure for the Health Care Crisis?
Jul 2, 2009 -- StarTribune.com, (MN) article reports that as the national health care debate intensifies, a little clinic in northeast Minneapolis may be pointing the way.

HUD to Refinance Debt for Hospitals
Jul 2, 2009 -- AHA News reports that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today implemented its authority to refinance debt for hospitals under the Section 242 hospital mortgage insurance program, without conditioning such refinancing on new construction or renovation.

Inadequate Mental Health Care Plagues Rural America
Jul 2, 2009 -- Center for Rural Affairs article reports that living and working in rural America presents a variety of distinct stresses and strains as varied as rural America itself, but regardless of differences, state leaders from across the nation indicate that mental and behavioral health problems are a major, widespread rural concern.

Nearly 44 Million in United States Without Health Insurance in 2008
Jul 2, 2009 -- An estimated 43.8 million Americans had no health insurance in 2008, approximately 2.8 million more than in 1997, according to new data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

New Report Finds Obesity Epidemic Increases, Mississippi Weighs in as Heaviest State
Jul 2, 2009 -- Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

President Calls for Medicare Payment Rate Revisions
Jul 2, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News reports that President Obama reiterated his call to adjust Medicare reimbursement rates as a part of his broad push for health reform in a meeting with nine reporters, including writers from local newspapers, Wednesday.

Rep. Kirkpatrick introduces Comprehensive Bill to Improve Health Care Access for Rural Veterans
Jul 2, 2009 -- Arizona Silver Belt article reports that Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick this week introduced the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009, a major piece of legislation will make it easier for Veterans living in rural areas to access quality health care options.

Vice President Biden Launches Initiative to Bring Broadband, Jobs to More Americans
Jul 2, 2009 -- Vice President Biden yesterday, on the first stop on the President's National Rural Tour, announced the availability of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to un-served and underserved communities across America.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Lead Obama Administration's Rural Tour
Jul 1, 2009 -- President Obama announced today that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead the Obama Administration's Rural Tour where discussions will be held throughout the country about how the USDA and other federal agencies are working to strengthen rural America.

FDA Seeks Public Input on Tobacco Regulation
Jul 1, 2009 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it is seeking public input on the implementation of its historic new authority overseeing tobacco products in the United States.

Wal-Mart Backs Employer Health Insurance Mandate
Jul 1, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News article reports that Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, announced today in a letter (.pdf) to congressional and administration officials that it backs an employer health insurance mandate, according to the Associated Press.

47,000 Older Adults Treated in Emergency Departments Annually for Fall Injuries Related to Walkers and Canes
Jun 30, 2009 -- From 2001 to 2006, an average of 129 Americans ages 65 and older were treated in emergency departments each day—a total of more than 47,000 each year—for injuries from falls that involved walkers and canes, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

AMA Unveils Enhanced ePrescribing Learning Center
Jun 30, 2009 -- The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that earlier this year they launched a new online learning center to provide physicians with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions about electronic prescribing (ePrescribing), and today unveils enhanced tools for ePrescribing and opens the site and all its resources to all physicians.

First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Release of $851 Million from Recovery Act to Upgrade & Expand Community Health Centers, to Serve More Patients
Jun 30, 2009 -- First Lady Michelle Obama today announced the release of $851 million in grants to address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for millions of Americans.

HHS Rescinds Medicaid Regulations
Jun 30, 2009 -- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that the administration will rescind all or part of three Medicaid regulations that were previously issued and delay the enforcement of a fourth regulation.

Obama Administration Begins Naming State Directors for Rural Development
Jun 30, 2009 -- The Obama Administration today began naming individuals who will serve as State Director for Rural Development at the USDA.

One Nurse for Every 840 Students; Rural Schools Feel Lack of Help
Jun 30, 2009 -- News Tribune, (IL) article tells how Congress is mulling over a bill that would increase the number of school nurses nationwide.

Patient-Centered Research Report Sent to Congress Outlining Research Priorities
Jun 30, 2009 -- Recommendations for how the HHS Office of the Secretary will spend $400 million in funds for patient-centered research, also known as comparative effectiveness research, were released today by Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER).

Revolving-Door Patients Illustrate Health System Flaws
Jun 30, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News article discusses how patients who leave the hospital, only to boomerang back days or weeks later have become a front-burner challenge not only for hospitals and doctors but also for those trying to rein in rising costs.

MedPAC Comment Letter: HIT Policy Committee Meaningful Use
Jun 29, 2009 -- In this document the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) comments on the draft recommendations presented by the Meaningful Use Workgroup of the HIT Policy Committee on June 16, 2009 concerning the criteria to define the term “meaningful use” with respect to the Medicare and Medicaid incentives for adoption and use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology by hospital and physicians (and other eligible professionals).

New Snapshots Show States Vary Widely in Providing Quality Health Care
Jun 29, 2009 -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) has released their State-by-State quality data, and continues to give States mixed reviews for the quality of care they provide.

Power Line Frenzy Hits Rural America
Jun 29, 2009 -- Daily Yonder article discusses how getting power from wind turbines to customers in the cities will require thousands of miles of new transmission lines, but finding the billions needed for these transmission lines will be difficult.

Secretary Sebelius Releases New State by State Reports Highlighting Urgent Need for Health Reform
Jun 29, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a series of new reports on the health care status quo that highlight the urgent need for health reform across the nation.

Stimulus Money Boosts Health Clinics Serving Poor
Jun 29, 2009 -- Associated Press article Seattle Times, (WA) reports that from a Colorado homeless shelter to rural Pennsylvania clinics that can accept new patients, health centers that serve the poor are among the first places the federal stimulus package is being spent.

USDA Launches New Recovery Act Website Highlighting USDA Efforts to Create Jobs and Stimulate Economic Growth
Jun 29, 2009 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today launched a new USDA Recovery Act website, including features and functionality that will allow people to learn about, share, and discuss American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding in states and communities throughout the country.

White House to Host National Online Health Care Reform Discussion Using Social Media
Jun 29, 2009 -- In a recent White House blog post, President Obama announced that he will participate in an online town hall type meeting about health care reform on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

2009 Recovery Month to Mark 20th Anniversary: TV and Radio Public Service Announcements Unveiled
Jun 26, 2009 -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today unveiled materials developed to help communities plan and host Recovery Month events and activities and to help publicize the Agency’s 24/7 toll-free substance use disorder information and treatment referral Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP.

CDC Introduces New Website to Help Employers Combat Obesity and Reduce Health-Related Costs
Jun 26, 2009 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today unveiled LEANWorks!, a Website designed to help businesses address obesity.

Congress Suspends Health Care Debate as Crowds Rally for Plan
Jun 26, 2009 -- Miami Herald, (FL) article tells how thousands rallied outside the Capitol in Washington D.C. last week to show their support for revamping the nation's health care system, while Senators who are negotiating how to overhaul the nation's health care system broke off formal talks Thursday until after the July Fourth holiday, saying that they lack consensus on how to pay for the $1 trillion or more that the changes could cost over the next decade.

Health Care Reform Bill Price Tag Goes Down
Jun 26, 2009 -- Politico article reports that a group of key Senate negotiators has found a way to further reduce the price tag of the health care reform bill, bringing it in line with a $1 trillion target and moving the Senate Finance Committee closer to a deal, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Thursday.

New Data on Soda and Snack Taxes, State Fiscal Distress, Smoking and Obesity Rates, Oral Health, Women's Health Disparities and More
Jun 26, 2009 -- The Kaiser Family Foundation announced that Statehealthfacts.org has recently added new and updated data on Demographics and the Economy, Health Status, Medicaid & CHIP, Health Costs & Budgets, Providers & Service Use, and Women's Health Disparities.

New Media-led Effort Responds to AIDS Crisis in Black America
Jun 26, 2009 -- Kaiser Family Foundation reports that leading U.S. media companies announced a new coordinated national campaign to mobilize Black Americans in response to AIDS and promote specific calls-to-action to prevent and reduce the further spread of HIV.

Program Targets Rural Schools
Jun 26, 2009 -- Associated Press article via Center for Rural Affairs reports that a new program intended to put more math, science and technology teachers in rural Indiana schools is moving ahead with a first class of nearly 60 teachers.

Urban-Rural Breast Cancer Disparities
Jun 26, 2009 -- UPI reports that the recent decline in U.S. breast cancer was less pronounced among the poor and those living in rural areas, according to researchers at the Northern California Cancer Center.

Analysis: Why Health Care Reformers Are Wooing Skeptical Seniors
Jun 25, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News discusses how in national surveys, seniors are significantly less likely than younger adults to say they expect to benefit from a national health overhaul.

FDA Warns Not to Eat Two Brands of Pistachios
Jun 25, 2009 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers not to eat two brands of pistachios repacked by Orca Distribution West Inc. of Anaheim, Calif.

Guide Offers Strategies for Raising Health Care Worker Flu Vaccination
Jun 25, 2009 -- AHA News reports that T he Joint Commission today released a guide to help health care organizations increase flu vaccination rates among health care workers.

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $500 Million for Five Grant Solicitations to Train Workers for Green Jobs
Jun 25, 2009 -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced five grant competitions, totaling $500 million, to fund projects that prepare workers for green jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Colorado Health Talks Get a Spark from Co-ops
Jun 24, 2009 -- Denver Post, (CO) article tells how rural utility co-ops in Colorado could provide an example of how a co-op would work nationally for health care,

HHS Announces Advanced Development Contract for New Way to Make Flu Vaccine
Jun 24, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the department will pursue advanced development of new way to make influenza vaccine.

More Isn't Better In Health Care Spending
Jun 24, 2009 -- Daily Yonder article shows how spending on health care varies wildly from one part of the country to another, but there is no relationship between spending and good care.

New Report Analyzes Cost Implications of Three Health Reform Scenarios, with Alternative Public Plan Options
Jun 24, 2009 -- A new analysis from The Commonwealth Fund is the first to compare three different scenarios, a comprehensive approach to health insurance, provider payment, and care delivery system reforms that has the potential to slow health care cost increases while achieving near-universal coverage.

Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report: Hidden Costs of Health Care
Jun 24, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report -- Hidden Costs of Health Care: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less, that documents the rising cost of deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses that are making it more difficult for families with insurance to receive the health care they need.

Sources: Hospitals May Strike Deal to Save $200 Billion
Jun 24, 2009 -- Kaiser Health News article reports that lobbyists and health care industry sources say hospitals also are involved in high-level negotiations over potential cuts that could help save up to $200 billion as part of the health care overhaul plan.

Too Big to Fail or Too Small to Matter
Jun 24, 2009 -- Center for Rural Affairs weekly Column by Elisha Greeley Smith, tells how the closure of rural car dealerships is a severe economic blow to rural communities and counterproductive to rural economic development.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Kicks-Off Obama Administration's United We Serve' Initiative
Jun 23, 2009 -- USDA Deputy Secretary highlights the Summer Food Service Program that helps feed hungry kids during the Summer months when school is out.

General Notice: Recruitment of Sites for Assignment of Corps Personnel Obligated Under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program     Federal Register 
Jun 23, 2009 -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that the listing of entities, and their Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores, that will receive priority for the assignment of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship recipients (Corps Personnel, Corps members) during the period July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, is posted on the NHSC Web site at http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/.

HHS Announces Initiatives in Support of the “Year of Community Living”
Jun 23, 2009 -- In support of President Obama’s proclamation of the “Year of Community Living,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity that will make it easier for older people, younger adults, and their families to learn about and access health and long-term care options through Aging and Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs).

HUD to Offer Housing Assistance to 4,000 Americans with Disabilities
Jun 23, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today joined President Obama's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by announcing that it will offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other care facilities.

Kellogg Foundation Gives $1.6 Million to Leverage President Obama’s United We Serve Program
Jun 23, 2009 -- The W.K. Kellogg Foundation today announced investments of $1.6 million to leverage activities related to United We Serve, President Obama’s nationwide service initiative challenging all Americans to participate in community service this summer.
    

Negotiations Over Health Insurance Co-ops at Impasse
Jun 23, 2009 -- CNN Politics article reports that negotiations between key Senate Democrats and Republicans over health insurance co-ops as an alternative to a government-run health plan were at an impasse as the parties faced off over how much federal government involvement there should be in the creation and running of the co-ops, according to senators and aides involved in the talks.

Obama Signs Anti-Smoking Measure
Jun 23, 2009 -- Associated Press article via Kaiser Health News reports that President Obama in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests today "signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes."

Drug Makers Offer $80 billion Toward Healthcare Overhaul
Jun 22, 2009 -- Los Angeles Times, (CA) article reports that U.S. drug makers agreed Saturday to shell out $80 billion over the next 10 years to lower the cost of medication for seniors and help pay for President Obama's proposed healthcare overhaul, as part of an agreement hashed out with lawmakers and administration officials.

Energy Research, Nukes to Propel Rural Economy
Jun 22, 2009 -- Daily Yonder article tells how gun sales are hot now, but global warming is turning billions in research and construction toward rural power projects.

FDA Warns Not to Eat Nestle Toll House Prepackaged, Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Jun 22, 2009 -- On June 19, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7 (a bacterium that causes foodborne illness).

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Release of $6 Billion in New CHIP Funds to Insure Children
Jun 22, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that $6 billion in new federal funds will be made available to states and U.S. territories for fiscal year 2009 to provide health care to millions of children across America through their Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate Confirmation of Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh
Jun 22, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Howard Koh as the next Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS.

New Medicare Nursing Home Guidance to Include Quality of Life and Environment Requirements
Jun 22, 2009 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued new guidance for nursing home surveyors, further defining and clarifying several important dimensions of care to help improve nursing home residents’ quality of life and environment.

VA Reopening Health Care Enrollment to Thousands of Veterans
Jun 22, 2009 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its award-winning health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income.