State Health Watch Archives – May 1, 2005
May 1, 2005
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U.S. health improvements slowing: Some states better off than others
The 15th annual Americas Health: State Health Rankings study conducted by United Health Foundation says that while the overall health of U.S. residents continues to improve, the rate of improvement has slowed in recent years. -
Fiscal Fitness: How States Cope - GAO report finds Medicaid lax drug price oversight is costing taxpayers millions
A new report from Congress General Accounting Office said lax oversight by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has resulted in taxpayers overpaying for prescription drugs purchased by Medicaid. -
Is fix aimed at Medicaid growth the right one?
A Health Affairs study indicates that enrollment growth was the primary driver of increased Medicaid spending from 2000 to 2003, raising questions about the effectiveness of the administrations proposed efforts to save money in Medicaid by cracking down on what officials have called accounting loopholes that states use to obtain additional federal funds. -
States need to think about health savings accounts
While a study by Americas Health Insurance Plans indicates that the market is responding favorably to new health savings accounts (HSAs), a Georgetown University Health Policy Institute assistant research professor says states need to consider carefully the implications of federal HSA legislation if they want to make the accounts available to their residents. -
OIG audits hurting mental health treatment for youth
Two members of Congress have asked Department of Health and Human Services officials to stop an activity by the departments Office of Inspector General that they said is cutting off federal funding for treatment of children hospitalized with severe mental illness. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
JEFFERSON CITY, MOWhile Republican senators supported Gov. Matt Blunts plan to revamp the states Medicaid program with the initial step of removing more than 100,000 people from the program, Democrats labored in mid-March to delay a vote on the legislation.