The Newest Generation of Drugs - Who Can Afford Them?
August 17, 2008 - The Seattle Times via AHIP Hi-Wire
For these new drugs, an increasing number of patients must pay a percentage of the tab, generally 25 to 30 percent. For many of those patients, that can mean a bill of $600 to $900 a month for a drug that they may need for many years.
Scorecard on US health system performance, 2008 results
July 1, 2008- The Commonwealth Fund
Between 2006 and 2008, overall performance of the US health care system failed to improve and access to health care actually declined, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. On a more positive note, the report found improvement in quality metrics, such as patient safety measure and basic treatment guidelines emphasized in national campaigns or public reporting. The report analyzes performance relative to five dimensions of a high-performance health system: healthy lives, quality, access, efficiency and equity.
CMS Taking Steps to Implement New Medicare Secondary Payer Reporting Requirements
August 25, 2008 - Deloitte's Washington Bulletin via Benefits Link
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has set up a website to facilitate implementation of new mandatory reporting requirements relating to the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules for the group health plans. The CMS website can be accessed at www.cms.hhs.gov/MandatoryInsRep. The new reporting requirements will be implemented on January 1, 2009, and the CMS's website will be a 'one-stop shop' for all relevant implementation and compliance materials.
New Report: Adult Obesity Rates Rise in 37 States, Obesity Rates Now Exceed 25 Percent More Than Half of States
August 19, 2008 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Adult obesity rates have increased in 37 states in the past year according to the fifth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2008 report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Rates rose for a second consecutive year in 24 states and for a third consecutive year in 19 states. No state saw a decrease. Though many promising policies have emerged to promote physical activity and good nutrition in communities, the report concludes that they are not being adopted or implemented at levels needed to turn around this health crisis.
