HHS Releases Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Annual Report for 2006

On February 12, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice released the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Annual Report for FY 2006.

Senators Introduce Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2008

On February 6, 2008, U.S. Senators Mel Martinez and John Cornyn introduced the Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2008, which would increase the maximum criminal sentence, double the civil penalties, and quadruple the criminal fines associated with certain Medicare violations.

President's Budget Proposes $178 Billion in Medicare Cuts

On February 4, 2008, the President delivered a $3.1 trillion budget proposal to Congress for fiscal year 2009. As widely reported, the budget includes $178 billion in Medicare program reductions over the next 5 years, and $556 billion in Medicare reductions over the next decade.

Medicare Proposes Coverage for Artificial Hearts

On February 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that it proposes coverage (with evidence development) for artificial heart devices in Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Food and Drug Administration approved studies.

President's Budget to Seek Significant Medicare Cuts

The Washington Post reports that, under the President's FY 2009 budget, the growth of federal health care programs would be reduced by $208 billion over 5 years, with approximately $170 billion of that amount coming from the Medicare program.

Lower Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs Projected

On January 31, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Press Release announcing that the overall projected cost of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is $117 billion lower over the next 10 years than estimated last summer.

Senator Baucus Comments on Rising Medicare Costs

In a Press Release, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus commented on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recent report of rising Medicare costs in the journal Health Affairs.

Medicare Recovery Audit Contributes to Substantial Hospital Financial Loss

Medicare recovery audit accounts for nearly half of a hospital's $28 million financial loss in 2007.

Medicare Part D Drug Benefit Fuels Medicare Spending

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that health care spending growth in the United States accelerated slightly in 2006, increasing 6.7 percent in 2006 compared to 6.5 percent in 2005. However, CMS reports that the Medicare Part D...

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Changes Proposed for Low Income Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that it will publish a proposed rule intended to allow certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries to remain in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that they enrolled in without having to pay a premium.

President Bush Signs Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007

On December 29, 2007, President Bush signed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 into law, extending the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and temporarily addressing a number of Medicare program issues.

U.S. Ruling Backs Benefit Cut at 65 in Retiree Plans

Our present government is hell-bent on disassembling the New Deal, not because it's unpopular or that it doesn't work, but because it costs less to get rid of it.  Make no mistake - this is an administration that values the bottom line above all else.  American...

GAO Audit Reveals $90 Million in Questionable Medicare Payments

In a recently released report to Congress, the Government Accountability Office reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made approximately $90 million in questionable payments to contractors.

UPDATE: House Passes Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S.2499) in a 411-3 vote.

UPDATE: Senate Passes Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007

On December 18, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S.2499), which would prevent the 10.1 percent cut to Medicare physician payments beginning January 1, 2008.