Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and the Trump administration are proposing new regulations for short-term health insurance plans, focusing on value-based care as a priority. According to reports, Azar's speech focused on value-based care, an approach in which doctors and hospitals are reimbursed by private health insurance and the government for how well patients emerge after a medical procedure versus the amount of care provided. The proposed rule — which would allow people to … [Read more...] about Trump proposes new rule for affordable Healthcare: Limited duration health plan for 364 day
Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass right-to-try legislation. According to reports, the right-to-try’ legislation that aims to help terminally ill patients access experimental therapies and drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration outside of clinical trials, was passed through the Senate and is now undergoing disputes from doctors, ethicists, and lawyers. The medical providers and supporters who strongly oppose the bill argue that giving … [Read more...] about Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
With the looming threats by the Republican-led White House to repeal the federal health care law (Obamacare), a new health care bill, Defending Access to Women’s Health Care Services Amendment Act, was introduced to prevent insurance companies from charging more specifically for women's health services like cancer screenings or contraceptive costs. According to news sources, Washington officials signed legislation requiring all insurance companies in the Washington, D.C. to cover a list of … [Read more...] about Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
Health and Human Services Commission Allocating $47.7 million to Improve State Hospital System
According to HHS, in order to begin improving the state’s inpatient psychiatric care system which provides care for adults, adolescents and children, a total of $47.7 million will be allocated to renovate and architecturally plan for the replacement of existing facilities as well as plan and design a new hospital. The funding is part of $300 million approved by the 85th Texas Legislature to improve the state hospital system in the 2018-2019 biennium) Projects to be funded and implemented … [Read more...] about Health and Human Services Commission Allocating $47.7 million to Improve State Hospital System
Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
According to The Office of Texas Government news release, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have reached an agreement to continue a critical part of the state’s Medicaid program over the next five years.The approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver will allow the state to continue expanding managed care to Medicaid clients while also preserving supplemental payments to hospitals and other critical Medicaid providers. According to … [Read more...] about Texas to receive $25 Billion in Medicaid Funding after Approval of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver
New Algorithm Predicts Patient’s Palliative Care by Estimating the Chance of Mortality
Identifying candidates for Palliative Care can now be determined through a new algorithm that could help to prepare and provide better care for terminally ill people during their final months of life. According to reports "researchers at Stanford University have developed a neural network that can determine a patient's chance of dying in the next three to 12 months in order to point doctors to them so they can more effectively deliver palliative care. The system collects and analyzes a … [Read more...] about New Algorithm Predicts Patient’s Palliative Care by Estimating the Chance of Mortality
The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
The Senate Tax Bill (HR 1 )recently passed will expand the break for high medical costs. According to reports, the bill preserve the deduction for medical expenses and lower the threshold for claiming it to 7.5% of adjusted gross income, from the current 10% but this would be temporary. By 2019 the threshold would return to 10% effectively only lasting 1 year. People aged 65 and older who previously had a medical expense deduction of 7.5% will now see it rise to 10% with the Affordable Care … [Read more...] about The New Senate Tax Bill and its effect on Medicare costs
Texas Register Update Concerning Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts new Division 7, concerning DSRIP Program Demonstration Years 7-8, and within the new division (Review Texas Register for programs).The following information was obtained from the Novemeber 24 issue of the Texas Register.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Texas' request for a new Medicaiddemonstration waiver entitled "Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program" in accordance with §1115 … [Read more...] about Texas Register Update Concerning Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program.
Physician shortage in Texas spells major issues for aging population
43 US states have a higher proportion of primary care physicians to residents than Texas and 35 out 80 Texas counties have no doctors at all. According to news reports, there are not enough doctors in Texas, especially in certain rural stretches of South Texas. The shortage will require training — and retaining — more physicians in Texas but one main problem is that the state needs to add more residency slots for post-graduate medical training to remain competitive — a problem that has plagued … [Read more...] about Physician shortage in Texas spells major issues for aging population
