Biden Pledges to Extend Medicare’s Solvency for ‘At Least Two Decades’
WASHINGTON — President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address on Tuesday night contained at least one healthcare surprise, according to an expert — a pledge to extend the solvency of the Medicare program. During a section of the speech dealing with addressing the debt ceiling, Biden said that “instead of making the wealthy pay […]
Biden Seeks More Info on Medication Abortion Barriers
WASHINGTON — President Biden signed an executive order Sunday giving three members of his cabinet 2 months to report to a White House task force on the barriers U.S. women face when trying to receive a medication abortion. “Since the day of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, President Biden […]
Worried About Your Medicare Payment Because of the Debt Limit? Don’t Be, Experts Say
WASHINGTON — Clinicians should be “concerned but not panicky” about the potential effects on Medicare, Medicaid, and other healthcare payments as the federal government approaches a “debt ceiling,” experts say. “The federal government has never defaulted,” said Bill Hoagland, senior vice president of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank here. Healthcare providers “should […]
Child Molestation Charges Land Seattle-Area Doc With a Suspended License
A King County physician had his license suspended amid allegations of child molestation, the Washington State Department of Health announced earlier this week. In August, Lu Gao, MD, PhD, was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree child molestation-domestic violence and one count of third-degree child molestation-domestic violence in King County Superior Court, according […]
Senate Eases Medicare Cuts as Part of $1.7 Trillion Spending Bill
WASHINGTON — As the clock ticked down the hours before the federal government was due to run out of money, the Senate on Thursday afternoon passed — by a 68-29 vote — a $1.7 trillion spending package that included partial relief from pending cuts in Medicare physician payment. The omnibus bill, which the House was […]
Proposed Budget Deal Would Partially Delay Cut to Medicare Physician Payments
WASHINGTON — Physician groups wasted no time Tuesday expressing their dismay over a proposed $1.7 trillion budget deal in Congress that would rescind upcoming Medicare physician payment cuts — but only partially. “MGMA is deeply dismayed by the failure of Congress to adequately address the full 4.5% cut to the Medicare conversion factor set to […]
Funding, Policy Changes Needed to End Maternal Health Crisis, Federal Officials Say
WASHINGTON — Addressing the maternal mortality crisis requires a layered approach that includes extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum persons, expanding home visitation programs, and giving hospitals “gold stars,” government officials said. But without action from Congress and the states, they stressed during a stakeholder meeting here Tuesday, certain tools to reduce maternal illness and death […]
Quinoa can make a better cookie
The “super grain” quinoa has the potential to make a super cookie, according to research by Washington State University. In a study published in the Journal of Food Science, WSU researchers show that two types of quinoa, bred specifically to grow in Washington state, had great functionality as a potential high-fiber, high-protein additive flour for […]
Hospital Responds to Staffing Crisis After Reports of Patient Death
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Washington state is responding to local leaders’ concerns about nurse staffing levels and reports of a recent patient death outside the emergency department (ED) earlier this month. Several days after the patient reportedly died in the ED waiting area, the Snohomish County Council and Everett City Council sent a […]
High Court Considers Case Involving Medicaid Recipients’ Right to Sue the Program
WASHINGTON — A Medicaid case now being considered by the Supreme Court has the potential to erode the authority of the program, but one legal observer said that doesn’t appear to be the most likely outcome, based on oral arguments earlier this week. “It seemed like the justices understood” the implications of ruling for the […]