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The Other Washington Could Hold the Key to Medicare's Cost Crisis
Washington state won't pay for medical procedures that are unsafe, unproven or cost too much. Why can't Medicare do that?
A recent federal assessment of Medicare’s fiscal health contained a shred of good news — the public health insurance program for the elderly is burning through cash at a slightly slower rate than expected. Yet declining health care costs haven’t bought much time. According to that May report by the Boards of Trustees for Medicare, the program is slated to run out of money in 2026, only two years later than previously forecast.
In order to cut costs and put Medicare on a stronger footing, many health policy experts say the program must stop covering procedures that do little to improve patient health or are not worth the price tag. But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers the program, has for the most part failed to implement such cost-cutting measures, because its authority is limited, cuts are controversial and Congress frequently interferes.
Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/16uAWCs
Source: The Center for Public Integrity
Stuck in Prior Auth Purgatory: The Hidden Costs of Health Care Delays
June 19th 2025Delays, denials, and endless paperwork—prior authorization isn’t just a headache for providers; it’s a barrier for patients who need timely care, explains Colin Banas, MD, MHA, chief medical officer with DrFirst.
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Democratic Doctors Caucus Reaffirms EMTALA Amid Trump's CMS Policy Reversal on Abortion Care
June 18th 2025Democratic leaders assert the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) remains vital for emergency care, countering confusion from recent policy changes affecting abortion rights and patient safety.
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