2011 December Health Care News

The December issue of Health Care News reports on the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to shelve the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, the long-term care program that was a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Also in this issue:

• Auctions for contracts to sell durable medical equipment under Medicare may have design flaws that will lead to prices too low for market stability, resulting in shortages in supply to patients, higher costs to government, and lower quality of care.

• Montana governor considers Canadian-style health care, pushes “Medicaid for all” plan.

• Vaunted clinics exemplifying new approach reject Obama administration’s plan for accountable care organizations.

• Arkansas governor’s willingness to delay on establishing a state health insurance exchange is seen as a political tactic and attempt to make time to build support.

• Oncologists in the United Kingdom say too much is being spent on end-of-life care, propose rationing cancer drugs.

• The Illinois Department of Public Health, led by former Obama advisor Dr. Eric Whitaker, is charged with allowing huge misuses of funds.

• HHS is going about Medicare reform the wrong way.