While Washington Fiddles, CA Leaders Forge Ideas for Universal Healthcare
As the nation’s Republican leaders huddle to reconsider their plans to “repeal and replace” the nation’s health law, advocates for universal health coverage press on in California, armed with renewed political will and a new set of proposals.
Self-Reported Quality Measures Don’t Add Up, Study Says
Data from The Leapfrog Group’s doesn’t match Medicare data and suggests a lack of reliability in self-reported data, researchers say. Leapfrong says it “goes to extreme lengths” to verify survey data.
CMS: Don’t Put off Newly Required Emergency Exercises
Medical facilities still have the better part of a year before the new emergency preparedness rule is implemented this fall, but they should not wait any longer to begin complying, CMS warned last week.
AAMC: U.S. Physician Shortage Could Surpass 100,000 by 2030
The United States could face a shortage of 40,800–104,900 physicians by 2030, according to a study published earlier this month by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
NQF Recommends Reduction of Quality Metrics
The organization recommended eliminating around 51 out of 240 of all federal quality metrics used to determine payment in seven federal healthcare programs. This is meant to make the requirements for providers more efficient and streamlined.
Justice Department Joins Lawsuit Alleging Massive Medicare Fraud by UnitedHealth
Two whistleblower complaints allege that UnitedHealth has had a practice of asking the government to reimburse it for underpayments, but did not report claims for which it had received too much money.
Late Move to Dump ‘Essential’ Benefits Could Strand Chronically Ill
A last-minute attempt by conservative Republicans to dump standards for health benefits in plans sold to individuals would probably lower the average consumer’s upfront insurance costs, such as premiums and deductibles, said experts on both sides of the debate to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
AMA: Surprise Surveys Improve Mortality Rates
A new AMA study found that patients are less likely to die if they are treated on the same day as a surprise Joint Commission survey.
GOP Bill’s Unheralded Changes In Rules Could Undermine Health of Neediest
An under-the-radar provision in the Republican proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act would require the millions of Medicaid enrollees who signed up under the Obamacare expansion to renew their coverage every six months — twice as often as under current law.
Editor’s Note
An apology to our readers for the late arrival of PSQI to your inboxes. The last gasp of winter struck the New England area on Tuesday and our remote office was without power for almost 30 hours.