Friday, August 20, 2004

Immigrant health rules spark debate
Boston Globe story - "Under proposed regulations slated to go into effect on Sept. 1, the federal government is offering $1 billion to hospitals and other providers that give emergency medical care to undocumented immigrants, an offer that is making many local health care administrators uneasy. The money would be distributed over the next four years by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help emergency care centers treat uninsured patients. To receive their share, health care administrators would have to ask patients very pointed questions about their immigration status..."  
  

Medical Necessity Definition Could Set Harmful Precedent
Psychiatric News story - "Psychiatrists sound the alarm about a new definition of medical necessity that could result in reduced access to health care for Medicaid beneficiaries throughout the country. Tennessee state officials have developed a definition of the term "medical necessity" that could weaken federal requirements concerning access to care through its Medicaid program called TennCare. At the urging of Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), the legislature passed a bill in May that would result in copayments of $1 to $40 for certain services for most beneficiaries, cap coverage at six prescription drugs a month, and require most beneficiaries to use the cheapest prescription drugs available. It would also limit days of hospitalization and doctor's visits annually..."