News in brief - May 2, 2011

Medicare hospital pay rates to drop in 2012 - Bill would establish urotrauma commission

Medicare hospital pay rates to drop in 2012

Inpatient payment rates for acute care hospitals would decrease by $498 billion for fiscal 2012 under a proposed regulation the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released April 19.

The Medicare agency would reduce payments a total of 0.5% by using an adjustment that offsets increases based on changes in hospital documentation and coding. The American Hospital Assn. said CMS incorrectly assumes spending on inpatient hospital care has gone up because of coding changes.

"America's hospitals are deeply disappointed that [the] proposal puts further stress on vital care on which seniors depend," said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA's president and CEO. "Medicare already fails to cover the cost of hospital services, and these reductions ultimately make hospitals' ability to care for patients and communities even more challenging."

CMS will accept comments on the 2012 proposed rule until June 20.

Bill would establish urotrauma commission

A House bill would provide $1 million to study urinary tract injuries sustained by military personnel.

The proposal would establish a National Commission on Urotrauma led by the Dept. of Defense. Commissioners would analyze the incidence and duration of urotrauma, as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with the injuries. This includes battlefield injuries to kidneys, ureters, urinary bladders, urethra, and female and male genitalia.

"This bill highlights the importance of urotrauma research and treatment and specifically addresses the medical needs of our young military service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan," said Steven Schlossberg, MD, an American Urological Assn. spokesman. "Moreover, [the bill] emphasizes the importance of urologic disease and the federal government's role in helping to promote the best quality patient care to our military."

The bill was introduced by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R, Ky.), Mike Ross (D, Ark.), Peter King (R, N.Y.), Mike McIntyre (D, N.C.) and Steve Stivers (R, Ohio) on April 15.