HHS Helps Medicare Beneficiaries
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt declared a public health emergency in the flood-stricken states of Iowa and Indiana. The action gives HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare beneficiaries and their health care providers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs. Read more
Medicare Beneficiaries Satisfied With Health Care Regardless Of Spending
Variations in regional Medicare spending do not affect beneficiaries’ perceptions of the care they receive, according to a study released Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Bloomberg/Tennessean reports. Read more
Local Healthcare Spending, Perceived Quality Care Unconnected
A survey of Medicare beneficiaries suggests that more regional spending on medical care does not improve patients’ perceptions of the medical care they receive, according to a study in the May 28 issue of JAMA. Read more
Democrats To Move Forward With Medicare Package
Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday said he will move forward with a Medicare package developed by Democrats that likely will be opposed by Republicans and the Bush administration, CQ Today reports. Read more
FDA Will Monitor Medical Records Of Medicare Beneficiaries
HHS on Thursday announced the creation of a new program that will allow FDA, state agencies and academic researchers to use medical record data to ensure drugs and medical devices are safe for consumers after they enter the market, the Washington Post reports (Stein, Washington Post, 5/23). Read more