Children with public insurance are 22 percent less likely to receive comprehensive primary care than those with private insurance, according to new research from the University of Michigan Medical School. Public insurance programs cover one-third of U.S. children, many of whom belong to the most vulnerable groups, including minorities, the underprivileged and those in poor [...]

Today from the Capsules blog: Mary Agnes Carey reports that former House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin has some advice for Republicans who want Medicare beneficiaries to pick up part of the tab for home health services:  It won’t work. You can also read the latest installment of Blogwatch, which tracks cyber chatter on the new [...]

Stateline: Stitching Medicare And Medicaid Together Over the past decade, programs that integrate Medicaid and Medicare have resulted in improved consumer satisfaction, better health outcomes and lower Medicaid costs in Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Washington. In each case, states have had to change their Medicaid rules by attaining a waiver [...]

News outlets consider the impact of health reform on insurers — who are seeking flexibility on mandates — as well as changes to premiums, small businesses and emergency room care. : Insurers are planning to lobby lawmakers to avoid some provisions of the health overhaul. “An internal memo to members of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) obtained by [...]