Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Crackdown urged on Medicaid fraud Washington Times story omn a Medicaid forum hosted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the American Public Health Association- "Health policy analysts yesterday suggested clamping down on Medicaid fraud and abuse to offset expected cuts to the federal health care program for the needy. ... The panelists, who expect Congress to cut Medicaid funding over the next several years, recommended ways to contain program spending, such as capping eligibility, covered services and reimbursement. They also suggested linking federal reimbursement to states with economic performance. During a recession, for example, states could expect a greater reimbursement."  
  

Some Senators Say Institute of Medicine Should Have Role in Commission To Study Medicaid Item in the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report - "A bipartisan group of senators is urging HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to allow the Institute of Medicine to lead the Medicaid study commission, CongressDaily reports. The commission, called for in the fiscal year 2006 budget resolution approved by Congress last month, will recommend ways to cut $10 billion from Medicaid over five years and propose longer-term solutions to slow the program's rising costs. A spokesperson for Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), who spearheaded the effort to create the panel, said Smith wants Leavitt to give IOM a 'big role' in crafting the commission's recommendations."