01/31/13 THE COMPREHENSIVE REAL-TIME NEWS FEED FOR HEALTHCARE LAW

Healthcare Law Newswire

• Is Andy Burnham eyeing a US import for the NHS? _{2013-01-31, 07:22 am}
  The shadow health secretary says he wants to look to the best US providers when building an integrated care system The shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, delivers his speech on 'whole-person care' to the King's Fund in London.
• Ken Cuccinelli's Messy Relationship With Mental... _{2013-01-31, 08:15 am}
  Pressed at Saturday's National Review Institute Summit on how best to fight back against President Obama's gun control campaign, Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli didn't blink.
• Aetna profit falls on settlement costs, names new CFO _{2013-01-31, 08:15 am}
  The health insurer also said Chief Financial Officer Joseph Zubretsky would lead a new business internally.
• Gov. Scott to unveil spending plan for 2013 _{2013-01-31, 08:14 am}
  Florida Gov. Rick Scott is unveiling his spending priorities for the coming year.
• Around Town _{2013-01-31, 08:07 am}
  State Rep. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, has received his legislative committee assignments.
• Watchdog hits DNC and Sebelius in new FEC complaint _{2013-01-31, 07:50 am}
  A government watchdog group claims the Democratic National Committee has failed to properly disclose its reimbursements for a 2011 trip during which Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius violated the Hatch Act.
• Expect Medicaid expansion decision soon _{2013-01-31, 07:25 am}
  Lawmakers are expected to make a decision on Medicaid expansion early in the coming session, House Speaker Will Weatherford , R-Wesley Chapel, said Wednesday.
• NC Lawmakers Back At Work; GOP In Firm Control _{2013-01-31, 06:53 am}
  North Carolina lawmakers returned to work Wednesday with expanded Republican majorities, turning their attention to GOP priorities such as retiring unemployment insurance debt and reducing maximum weekly benefits by one-third, staking out positions on federal health care expansion and helping cash-strapped group homes.
• Ken Cuccinelli's Messy Relationship With Mental Health _{2013-01-31, 06:46 am}
  Pressed at Saturday's National Review Institute Summit on how best to fight back against President Obama's gun control campaign, Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli didn't blink.
• Cut your exposure to Medicare taxes _{2013-01-31, 06:33 am}
  With a new debt ceiling showdown in front of us, the debate in Washington over how to curb costs for Medicare and Social Security is front and center.
• Fed Economist Steps Into Dispute On Geographic Differences In Health Spending _{2013-01-31, 06:03 am}
  An economist at the Federal Reserve has restoked the debate over the causes of regional differences in Medicare spending, and her analysis disputes some of the thinking behind a number of policy changes in the 2010 health law.
• NC lawmakers acting fast to block Medicaid growth _{2013-01-31, 05:34 am}
  North Carolina legislators plan quick action on a measure that would block the state from expanding Medicaid to cover more poor residents and leave it to the federal government to build the state's online marketplace for private health insurance.
• Schumer Asking for Regulation on Hydrocodone Meds _{2013-01-31, 05:31 am}
  U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer wants tighter federal controls on pain killers that have been linked to deaths in New York when abused.
• Michigan Attny Gen Supports Domino's 'Obamacare' Fight _{2013-01-31, 05:28 am}
  Michigan's attorney general is supporting a lawsuit filed by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan challenging mandatory contraception coverage in the federal health care law.
• House Republicans keep target on health law's insurance subsidies _{2013-01-31, 05:18 am}
  Meanwhile, a new GOP lawmaker from Texas renews his pledge to undo "ObamaCare" while a senator focuses on workforce issues.
• Institutional Pharmacies in the US Industry Market Research Report Now... _{2013-01-31, 05:17 am}
  The Institutional Pharmacies managed to get through the recession without losses, but over the past to years has experienced significant drops in revenue due to reduced reimbursement rates; however, as the population ages, and baby boomers enter retirement, the industry is expected to average strong growth over the next five years.
• NC Medicaid performance audit being released _{2013-01-31, 05:06 am}
  The governor and the state auditor are holding a rare joint news conference to discuss the findings of an audit commissioned by the General Assembly about North Carolina's Medicaid program.
• Illegal immigration foes despair over GOP moves _{2013-01-31, 04:49 am}
  It's been a couple of years since the self-described conservative considered herself a Republican, but she still often votes for GOP candidates.
• Medicaid audit report release seen as political _{2013-01-31, 04:46 am}
  A legislative panel's decision to speed the release of a special audit report on the state's Medicaid program drew criticism Wednesday from Democrats, who suggested political motivations had skewed its findings, and state Medicaid officials, who called flaws in the report "alarming." Sen.
• Free wellness visit _{2013-01-31, 04:46 am}
  When it's time for your annual physical, you know how you typically think of medical stuff to ask the doctor? Well, don't do that anymore.

THE COMPREHENSIVE REAL-TIME NEWS FEED FOR HEALTHCARE LAW.

Healthcare Law Newswire

• What are the 23 executive orders on gun violence? _{2013-01-17, 02:56 am}
  Read more: Crime , National , Politics , News , Legal , 23 Executive Orders , 23 Executive Actions , What are the 23 Executive Actions , What are the 23 Executive Orders , President Obama , Obama , Obama Gun Control , Gun Control Executive Orders , Guns , National Gun Control , Gun Violence Below is a list of the 23 executive orders President Obama ... (more)
• Excerpts: Gov. Haley’s State of the State speech _{2013-01-17, 02:30 am}
  Note: Video is provided as a public service by ETV; video typically is available only when the General Assembly is in session.
• Read the fine print of tax laws _{2013-01-17, 02:24 am}
  One reason I read somewhat boring bureaucratic information is so you don't have to, but I am beginning to think that more people need to begin to pay attention.
• Plenty_of_work_ahead_in_legislative_session0_1358373022.jpg _{2013-01-17, 02:17 am}
  The 2013 legislative session of the Kentucky House of Representatives convened on Tuesday, January 8th to begin the 30-day, odd year "short" session which will extend through late March.
• Haley calls on legislators to fund crumbling infrastructure, have 'conversation' on education funding_{2013-01-17, 02:12 am}
  The S.C. Department of Revenue's data will be as secure as any in the private or public sector by the time new cybersecurity enhancements are implemented following a massive breach of taxpayer information, Gov.
• Former Summerville student is the face of new federal law _{2013-01-17, 02:09 am}
  PROVIDED Summerville High School teacher Karen Parker and RJ Sloke, a former foster child, pose together during his visit to Summerville in November 2012.
• O'Malley presents $37.3B budget _{2013-01-17, 02:02 am}
  In the state budget plan he unveiled Wednesday, Gov. Martin O'Malley touted cost-cutting measures that are helping sew up the state's structural deficits, but the proposed fiscal 2014 budget would expand spending to about $37.3 billion, about 4 percent more than the previous year.
• Highlights from around the Capitol _{2013-01-17, 01:59 am}
  Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and a top lawmaker unveiled legislation Wednesday that they say will improve health care for the poor and disabled while fighting fraud, but they ruled out expanding Medicaid under an Obama administration effort to provide health care to 1.5 million uninsured poor people.
• Obama plan faces fierce opposition _{2013-01-17, 01:51 am}
  City Council and Mayor Dennis P. Williams have a deal on a budget amendment - at least one that can be voted on Thursday night.
• MOVHD dental projects growing _{2013-01-17, 01:38 am}
  The Smiles for Life Program for low-income adults screened 536 clients at the health department.
• Florida must offer insurance for part-time state workers or pay $300M penalty _{2013-01-17, 01:36 am}
  It turns out that the state of Florida has yet another major decision to make in the next few months when it comes to the federal health care overhaul.
• More _{2013-01-17, 01:27 am}
  President Obama announced big plans to curb gun violence Wednesday. He called on Congress to act on several issues and signed 23 executive orders.
• Insurance Division OK's Wellmark's Premium Increase _{2013-01-17, 01:27 am}
  About 150,000 Wellmark individual policy holders may be feeling a little sicker after hearing the Iowa Insurance Division granted Wellmark's request to raise health insurance premiums by roughly 13%. The increase becomes effective April 1. Lin Sorenson from Des Moines has seen her health insurance premiums go from $200 a month to more than $400 a ... (more)
• Ala. gun owners skeptical of new legislation _{2013-01-17, 01:25 am}
  Auburn University is recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a weeklong series of special events and you are invited to participate.
• Reaction to Haley's speech _{2013-01-17, 01:20 am}
  Republican legislators, who control the House and Senate, respond to the State of the State speech by fellow Republican Nikki Haley "We rolled out an agenda a couple of weeks ago, and I was pleased to see so many of the items that we rolled out as a part of the speech tonight.
• Whole Foods CEO: ObamaCare Worse Than 'Socialism,' It's 'Fascism' _{2013-01-17, 01:17 am}
  Whole Foods CEO John Mackey was doing an interview on NPR's Morning Edition when the subject of his 2009 Wall Street Journal op ed calling Obamacare Socialism came up. Mackey doubled down now referring to the President's health care law as "fascism."
• Re: Obama Gun Control NRA: President Introduces Federal Gun Control... _{2013-01-17, 01:12 am}
  In the wake of last month's tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting , the White House has moved swiftly to address the ramifications of rampant gun violence and introduced a series of executive actions to reduce violent acts by guns Wednesday afternoon.
• Letter: Invest in preventive health care _{2013-01-17, 01:00 am}
  Access to affordable preventive health care is especially important for women, who are more likely than men to go without needed care because of cost.
• Convictions of Doctor, Wife Upheld on Appeal _{2013-01-17, 12:58 am}
  A federal appeals court has upheld the convictions of a Kansas doctor and his wife in a moneymaking conspiracy linked to 68 overdose deaths.
• Re: Brownback budget would eliminate mortgage interest deduction _{2013-01-17, 12:43 am}
  Eliminate mortgage interest deduction. Keep .06 percent sales tax scheduled to end in June.

01/06/13 THE RAW HEALHCARE LAW NEWS FEED

HEALTHCARE NEWSLINE

• Obamacare fails to stop health insurance rates from skyrocketing by... _{2013-01-07, 12:51 am}
  Health insurance companies across the country are attempting to increase their premiums for customers by over 25 percent - even though Obamacare was introduced to stem the rising cost of health care At risk from the rising rates are small businesses and those who do not have their health care plan offered by their employer and are left to find ... (more)
• Insurance companies rush to raise rates into the double-digits _{2013-01-07, 01:58 am}
  One of the chief objectives of President Barack Obama's health care reform was to make health insurance affordable for all Americans and prevent sudden increases in the cost of typical health care.
• Analysis: Education will dominate Mississippi legislative session _{2013-01-07, 01:51 am}
  Look first to the lawmakers who will handle education proposals, and to the private groups lobbying for or against charter schools.
• Stylish Investigators and Government Regulations on VisionMonday.com _{2013-01-07, 01:46 am}
  It must be hard to keep secrets around the three celebrities featured in this week's edition of Bold Face .
• Louisiana Spotlight for Jan. 7, 2013 _{2013-01-07, 01:40 am}
  T he start of February brings an end to programs that care for some of the most-vulnerable citizens of the state, those in the final days of their lives and children at risk for mental-health problems.
• John E. SUNUNUFiscal cliff battle ends with a whimper _{2013-01-07, 01:37 am}
  Set aside the dramatics of casting major votes less than 48 hours before a new Congress took the oath of office.
• Tenn. GOP supermajority looks to year ahead _{2013-01-07, 01:26 am}
  With a new GOP supermajority in place for the dawn of the 108th General Assembly this week, Democrats find themselves facing irrelevancy except in cases where the ruling Republicans are divided.
• Congressional leaders stake out debt ceiling positions _{2013-01-07, 01:23 am}
  Congressional leaders on Sunday showed no signs of emerging from their corners to resolve the next step in the financial crisis, with Democrats still talking about higher taxes on the wealthy and the Senate's top Republican suggesting that a crippling default on U.S. loans was possible unless there were significant cuts in government spending.
• Texas Legislature's session begins Tuesday _{2013-01-07, 01:22 am}
  They're back. The 83rd Texas Legislature convenes Tuesday, when lawmakers return to Austin to tackle a host of issues likely to determine the state's quality of life long after the two-year legislative cycle ends in early 2015.
• Dusting off projects: Wind tax credit renewal aids region _{2013-01-07, 01:21 am}
  The U.S. Congress helped the wind energy industry start the new year with hopes of continued expansion by passing a tax incentive in legislation meant to keep the country from going over the fiscal cliff.
• Help for parents of the medically fragile _{2013-01-07, 01:18 am}
  After a rash of bad publicity arising out of severely disabled children being put into nursing homes over parental objections, with some ending up dead, Florida's health care agency is changing the way it deals with families.
• County seeks to keep sales tax rate _{2013-01-07, 01:08 am}
  The County Legislature will soon request a home rule message from the state Legislature that keeps its sales tax at 8 percent.
• Neogen launches improved rapid test for Salmonella enteritidis _{2013-01-07, 01:05 am}
  Neogen Corp. has significantly improved its Reveal rapid lateral flow test for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis , and has launched the improved test as Reveal 2.0 for Salmonella enteritidis .
• Clearly Clean launches recyclable MAP tray for food products _{2013-01-07, 01:04 am}
  Clearly Clean Products LLC, introduces what is perhaps the world's first and only recyclable MAP tray for meat, poultry, entres and kebobs.
• Legislators To Convene As 83rd Session Begins _{2013-01-07, 01:03 am}
  What will come out of Austin over the next 140 days is always a mystery come the first of January every other year.
• Health premiums soar nationwide _{2013-01-07, 12:54 am}
  Health insurance companies across the country are seeking and winning double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though one of the biggest objectives of the Obama Administration's health-care law was to stem the rise in insurance costs for consumers.
• Risks to retirement industry remain despite fiscal cliff deal _{2013-01-07, 12:43 am}
  Davis & Harman's Derek B. Dorn: "Congress has delayed the fiscal cliff by erecting a new and potentially more dangerous one." Tax preferences for retirement savings remain a potential target as Congress last week removed the immediate threat of the fiscal cliff and now must address required spending cuts and long-term solutions to the growing ... (more)
• Xerox alleges contract is unfair _{2013-01-07, 12:36 am}
  Technology giant Xerox alleges West Virginia officials cut a multi-million dollar "side deal" that allowed a California company to unfairly win what is perhaps the largest contract in state government history.
• National Rifle Association vetoes health research _{2013-01-07, 12:34 am}
  President Barack Obama says his administration will soon produce proposals designed to reduce gun violence.
• Smart Benefits: Hospital Payment Disparity in RI _{2013-01-07, 12:26 am}
  A new report from the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner reveals startling discrepencies among hospital payments in Rhode Island.

California regulators seek to police out-of-state pharmacies

California regulators seek to police out-of-state pharmacies 

State regulators are responding to a deadly nationwide meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated drugs by seeking new power to inspect out-of-state pharmacies that sell special-order prescription drugs in California.