State Health Watch Archives – September 1, 2005
September 1, 2005
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It’s time for policy-makers to think about the underinsured
In all the recent discussions about ways to solve the problem of the uninsured in the United States, little attention has been paid to the plight of the underinsured. But a new Commonwealth Fund study reported in Health Affairs estimates that nearly 16 million adults were underinsured in 2003. -
Georgia’s Community Health Works program improves health, cuts emergency room visits
Community Health Works (CHW) in Forsyth, GA, which works for five hospitals in seven central Georgia counties, has been improving or stabilizing health for its members while generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in fewer annual health care charges. -
Paying for performance can reduce costs
The old adage that you get what you pay for may have particular meaning in the effort to cut health care costs. -
Pharmacy cost controls reduce access
An unintended consequence of the many steps states are taking to control the cost of prescription drugs in their Medicaid programs is a reduction in access to medications for Medicaid recipients. -
Leavitt names Medicaid commission members
A Health and Human Services Department (HHS) advisory commission charged with identifying reforms needed to stabilize and strengthen Medicaid will have 13 voting members and 15 nonvoting members. -
Senators want to end fed’s erectile dysfunction drug payments
Legislation introduced by Senate Finance Committee chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) would prohibit coverage by federal programs including Medicaid and Medicare for erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
State expands Medicaid program