In Washington… Kennedy and McCain introduce managed care reform bill —
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) recently introduced a bipartisan patients’ bill of rights modeled after last year’s Dingell-Norwood bill. The bill would cover all 165 million privately insured Americans, with medical disputes reviewed in state court and contract claims considered in federal court. There would be a cap on civil fines of $5 million. Health insurers and business groups criticized the bill and President Bush is planning to present his own proposal in the coming weeks.
Prospects good for NIH funding this year—
President Bush plans to maintain the steady increases NIH has received in the last three years, which could mean a $3.4 billion increase for FY 2002. Like President Clinton, President Bush has endorsed the goal of doubling the NIH appropriation by 2003.
Worth noting—
At a Senate committee hearing this week on the HIPAA privacy rules, Republicans showed some interest in extending the two-year implementation period provided under the new rules. Democrats, including Sen. Edward Kennedy, generally took the pro-consumer perspective, favoring implementation according to the current schedule.
On Beacon Hill…Distressed hospital awards announced—
The Division of Medical Assistance recently released its awards to distressed hospitals. The Massachusetts fiscal year 2001 state budget appropriated $10 million for this purpose. Of the 28 hospitals that applied, seven were awarded the funding: Carney Hospital in Dorchester, $2.55 million; Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, $2.45 million; Franklin Medical Center, $1.8 million; Mercy Hospital in Springfield, $1.4 million; Hallmark Health System in Malden, $1 million; Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, $500,000, and Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport, $300,000.
Worth noting—
Senator Moore's proposed legislative oversight hearing regarding ambulance diversions has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 8 at 10 a.m. at the State House, Room A1. Partners physician legislation (S600/H1944) and its timely payments legislation (S475/H1945) have been referred to the Joint Health Care Committee, and have not yet been assigned a date for a public hearing.