News in brief - Nov. 14, 2005

Senate's health spending bill approved - Heart-device makers investigated - Florida, West Virginia governors named to Medicaid commission - Abortion clinic that sought injunction against Missouri law closes

Senate's health spending bill approved

The Senate late last month approved its version of the appropriations bill for the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, sending the measure into negotiations with the authors of the version that was passed by the House of Representatives.

More than $450 billion would go toward funding mandatory programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, while more than $29 billion would go toward funding the National Institutes of Health.

One point of contention with House negotiators could center on the nearly $8 billion in emergency funding that Senate leaders added to the bill to prepare for a potential avian flu outbreak.

Physician payment is addressed in a different measure. At press time, the Senate was preparing to pass a budget reconciliation bill that would guarantee doctors a Medicare raise of 1% in January 2006.

Heart-device makers investigated

The U.S. Dept. of Justice last month issued subpoenas to the nation's three leading heart-device manufacturers seeking information about whether the firms made payments to physicians in exchange for using their products.

Medtronic, St. Jude and Guidant released statements notifying the public about the subpoenas.

Under federal law, companies are prohibited from making payments or giving any benefit to a physician in a position to recommend that a certain device be used.

The subpoenas were issued by the office of U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Attorney Michael J. Sullivan. Neither Sullivan's office nor the heart-device companies would comment further on the matter.

Florida, West Virginia governors named to Medicaid commission

The Dept. of Health and Human Services has nominated two governors to a federal advisory group that will make long-term Medicaid reform recommendations.

Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and Gov. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia will serve as voting members of the Medicaid panel, bringing the total number of commissioners to 30. AMA Immediate Past President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH, also is on the panel but is one of 15 members who do not get to vote on final recommendations.

The commission already has released a report suggesting ways to cut more than $10 billion from Medicaid in the short term. Members will continue to meet on an occasional basis to formulate long-term reform ideas for inclusion in a December 2006 report.

Abortion clinic that sought injunction against Missouri law closes

An abortion clinic in southern Missouri abruptly closed last month, ending its lawsuit challenging a new abortion law in the state.

Officials from Springfield Health Care Center called the facility's closure a board decision. They said it was not related to the new statute or the facility's lawsuit. The center had won a temporary injunction against the law, which would create civil liability for people who help minors get abortions without parental consent.

Two Planned Parenthood affiliates also filed a lawsuit challenging the law and won a temporary injunction. The organizations argued that the law would discourage teens from seeking help from trusted adults other than their parents.

The law requires physicians who are performing abortions to have privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is performed.