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."
NAMI to honor University of Texas Medical Branch psychiatrist Galveston County Daily News story on Grace Jameson, who "has been a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch for more than 50 years. What that means, she said, is that she taught students at UTMB while making her living in the private practice of psychiatry. Because of Jamesons efforts, UTMB had one of the first two psychiatric units for adolescents in Texas, and she participated in developing a treatment program for troubled youth that came to be copied throughout the country."
Health care cuts to close mental health clinics (Louisiana) Shreveport Times story - "The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals plans to close 17 mental health care clinics and shut down 100 psychiatric beds in order to help balance the budget. Health Secretary Fred Cerise outlined the budget woes Monday to the House Appropriations Committee, which made no decisions but will consider possible changes in the next few weeks. The mental health clinic closures are part of $295 million in cuts that are necessary already." See also
Health-care options depress panel (
Advocate, Baton Rouge LA).
Mental health workers seek support for programs (North Carolina) Goldsboro News-Argus story - "Mental health workers told lawmakers Monday the community needs help from the Legislature to prepare to take on a larger portion of the burden for caring for people with mental illnesses. 'The state needs to give counties more flexibility with funds,' said Dr. Jack St. Clair, the director of Eastpointe, which provides services for people with mental health and substance abuse problems and developmental disabilities in Wayne, Duplin, Sampson and Lenoir counties. St. Clair's remarks came at legislative breakfast attended by state Reps. Louis Pate and Stephen LaRoque and state Sen. John Kerr. "
