We at Basic American Medical would like to bring to you a round-up of some of the most interesting news in long-term care this week from AHCA/NCAL Gazette.

Democrats lose big test vote on health legislation

By Robert Pear and David M. Herszenhorn, New York Times. Oct 22, 2009

Senate majority leader, Harry Reid’s proposed action to increase Medicare payments to doctors lost in a test vote of 53 to 47 on Wednesday. A number of Democrats who disliked the idea that the $247 billion price tag would not be offset by taxes or other methods of accumulating the necessary funds voted against the measure alongside Republicans.

Panel votes against insurer exemption

By The Associated Press. Oct 21, 2009

A move toward stripping the insurance industry of an exemption from federal antitrust laws has been started by Democrats at the Capitol. According to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) the measure would put a stop to ”price-fixing, bid-rigging and market allocation in the health and medical malpractice” areas of insurance. The measure could be included in the major health care reform bill that will be voted on later this year.

House passes bill exempting certain healthcare facilities from “red flags” rule

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & AssistedLiving. Oct 22, 2009

Bill H.R. 3763, which is designed to make some healthcare facilities exempt from the “red flags” rule, was passed in to law in a 400 to 0 House vote. Under the “red flags” rule, businesses must set up programs to prevent identity theft if the business can be even loosely defined as a “creditor.” Under the new bill, facilities that have fewer than 20 employees would be exempt, and larger facilities can apply for exemptions based upon a number of other factors.

Senators introduce new elder abuse bill

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & AssistedLiving. Oct 22, 2009

The Elder Abuse Victims Act, a bill that would require the Department of Justice to create uniform procedures to handle elder justice matters was introduced by a small group of senators yesterday. The bill would also provide funding for victims and for victim advocacy groups , and provide federal grants to help states put together elder justice units or positions.

Paterson Administration fears cost of U.S. health care overhaul

By Danny Hakim and David M. Herszenhorn, New York Times. Oct 22, 2009

Gov. David A. Paterson’s administration is expressing great concern over how the proposed health care legislation could impact the New York state budget. Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch said, “We’re being penalized for our generosity. What the White House wanted to do is expand the number of people covered by Medicaid, and therefore they wanted to give the most money to the states which had the tightest eligibility requirements.” If penalties are placed on people choosing not to buy health insurance, it will likely drive up the numbers of those applying for Medicaid benefits. New York already has less strict Medicaid eligibility requirements than many states, and therefore would receive less funding, putting added strain on the state’s budget.

Medicare Basic 2010 Premiums Sport Asterisks

By Philip Moeller, U.S. News & World Report. Oct 21, 2009

The CMS has released the new official (and somewhat confusing) 2010 Medicare premiums and deductibles. The CMS has stated its support for a Congressional proposal to steer clear of premium increases for 2010, but as of now the premium and deductible rates released for 2010 are based upon a scenario without such a premium freeze. The U.S. News & World Report provides a detailed breakdown of the CMS’s 2010 changes, and may be viewed at the following link:

U.S. working to ready more flu drugs, Congress told

By David Morgan, Reuters. Oct 21, 2009

According to Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, emergency intravenous use of new antiviral medications for individuals suffering from severe cases of the H1N1 virus could be approved in under a week’s time.

Poll finds Mass. doctors support health care overhaul law

By Kay Lazar, Boston Globe. Oct 22, 2009

According to a recent poll, 4 out of 5 doctors support the Massachusetts state health care overhaul enacted in 2006, but about 50 percent of respondants felt that changes should be made to control costs and ensure more comprehensive coverage for patients. Only 7 percent of responding doctors thought the law should be repealed.

We at Basic American Medical would like to bring to you a round-up of some of the most interesting news in long-term care this week from