GOVERNMENTNews in brief - Oct. 6, 2003Abortion bill set for conference committee - Fewer beneficiaries will lose Medicare health plan in 2004 Abortion bill set for conference committeeThe Senate has given the nod to allowing its legislation banning so-called partial-birth abortion to go to conference committee with the House version of the bill. The conference, which is necessary to consolidate the two versions of the bill, was held up by Senate Democrats seeking to keep in language in support of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. The Senate voted unanimously to go into the negotiations disagreeing with the House for taking the Roe v. Wade language out of the House version of the bill. The measure, if passed, is expected to meet immediate court challenges. Fewer beneficiaries will lose Medicare health plan in 2004Sixteen health plans have decided to leave the Medicare managed care program or to reduce their service areas in 2004, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in late September. Their actions will affect 41,000 beneficiaries, most of whom will have access to another Medicare health plan. Last year, 217,000 beneficiaries lost their coverage when health plans dropped out of Medicare+Choice entirely or left their region. "While we are disappointed to hear about any beneficiaries losing a health plan option, we are pleased to see the program stabilizing in anticipation that Congress will change the program for the better," CMS Administrator Tom Scully said. Copyright 2003 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
|
Featured stories     
« Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
Next »
Current topicsMost-viewed
This weekMedicaid primary care pay: The next SGR? More newborns showing ill effects of maternal opioid use Get our email alertsUse our one-step registration. Learn more Your information will not be shared. Privacy policyColumns and series
From the vault |
|||||||||
