According to a study, A Progress Report On State Health Access Reform, published in Health Affairs, enactment of ambitious health reform laws in Massachusetts and Vermont in 2006 helped instigate a wave of state legislative activities to expand coverage to uninsured people. The study identifies thirty-nine states that have enacted laws in at least one access category since 2006. At least thirteen states have begun processes to enact comprehensive reforms to cover at least half of their uninsured residents. Key activities involve coverage expansions for uninsured children and for uninsured adults; regulatory changes in small-group and individual insurance markets; and individual and employer mandates. The future extent and durability of this wave are uncertain.
While at least 10 states have proposed legislation involving individual or employer mandates or both, only three have enacted such measures (Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island), the report noted.
Health Affairs 27, no. 2 (2008): w105-w115 (published online 29 January 2008; 10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.w105)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Hospital Investments in Competitiveness: Financing Options
Waller Lansden publishes its 2007 Hospital Investments in Competiveness: Financing Options survey.
Tennessee Court Rejects False Certification Claim
In Waller Lansden's Healthcare blog, attorneys Jim Mathis and Josh Collins note that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee recently dismissed a qui tam suit brought against Baptist Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., which alleged that Baptist violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by falsely certifying compliance with Medicare’s Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The court noted that, unlike Conditions of Payment, CoPs are not a prerequisite to a particular reimbursement. Alleged non-compliance with CoPs could lead to corrective action, but because the government would not have immediately withheld Medicare payments as a result of such deficiencies, they were neither material to payment nor so deficient as to constitute worthless services. Under the FCA, a false statement within a claim only makes the claim fraudulent if that statement influences the decision making body.
United States ex rel. Landers v. Baptist Mem’l Health Care Corp., No. 2:99-cv-2097 (W.D. Tenn. Dec. 17, 2007).
United States ex rel. Landers v. Baptist Mem’l Health Care Corp., No. 2:99-cv-2097 (W.D. Tenn. Dec. 17, 2007).
Venture Capital Activity Expected to Rise in 2008, Survey Finds
FierceBiotech reports that according to a recent survey of more than 350 venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, corporate buyers, investment bankers and research analysts, KPMG, LLP (the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm) found that 51 percent of respondents expected venture capital activity to continure rising in 2008. Of those surveyed, 24 percent indicated that greentech/cleantech sectors will likely receive the most capital over the next two years, followed by biotech/pharmaceuticals (15%), Internet services (13%), and mobile technology (11%).
Outside the U.S., investors are looking to the emerging markets in China and India as investment favorites. Over 64 percent of respondents indicated that China and India are the most attractive locations for entrepreneurs to find funding, while 61 percent of those surveyed expect both to have increased IPO activity over the next two years.
The investors surveyed also expect rising merger and acquisition activity in the next year. Forty-nine percent expect an increase, with 33 percent believing it will be about the same levels, and only 11 percent foreseeing a decrease in deals during the period.
. . . . .
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (http://www.us.kpmg.com/), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International's member firms have 123,000 professionals, including more than 7,100 partners, in 145 countries.
Outside the U.S., investors are looking to the emerging markets in China and India as investment favorites. Over 64 percent of respondents indicated that China and India are the most attractive locations for entrepreneurs to find funding, while 61 percent of those surveyed expect both to have increased IPO activity over the next two years.
The investors surveyed also expect rising merger and acquisition activity in the next year. Forty-nine percent expect an increase, with 33 percent believing it will be about the same levels, and only 11 percent foreseeing a decrease in deals during the period.
. . . . .
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (http://www.us.kpmg.com/), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International's member firms have 123,000 professionals, including more than 7,100 partners, in 145 countries.
Employment Edges Up at Hospital and Physician Offices
Modern Healthcare Online reports: Hospitals added roughly 10,000 workers in January, climbing 0.2%, to bring total hospital employment to about 4.58 million, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All figures are preliminary. For the 12 months ended in January, hospital payrolls added nearly 112,600 workers, an increase of 2.5%.
Physician office employment grew by about 8,400 workers, or 0.4%, last month to total 2.25 million employees. For the 12 months ended in January, physician offices added roughly 74,100 workers, an increase of 3.4%.
Physician office employment grew by about 8,400 workers, or 0.4%, last month to total 2.25 million employees. For the 12 months ended in January, physician offices added roughly 74,100 workers, an increase of 3.4%.
Vanderbilt To Ban Gifts from Drug Reps
The Tennessean reports: Vanderbilt Medical Center has decided to stop doctors, faculty members and others who work on campus from accepting meals or gifts from the drug industry in a bid to reduce the companies' influence on patient care and trim spending on drugs (the drug industry spends $25 billion a year on promotions to influence patients and doctors who write prescriptions). The plan will also preclude drug companies from sponsoring or attending conferences or continuing medical education classes on Vanderbilt's campus.
Its latest policy applies to the more than 400 pharmaceutical representatives and about 1,300 device and equipment representatives that frequent the medical center.
Vanderbilt's plan, however, does not include penalties for violaters.
The new conflicts of interest policy is set to be phased in by July 1.
Details
Its latest policy applies to the more than 400 pharmaceutical representatives and about 1,300 device and equipment representatives that frequent the medical center.
Vanderbilt's plan, however, does not include penalties for violaters.
The new conflicts of interest policy is set to be phased in by July 1.
Details
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