Friday Five: Top 5 healthcare business news items from the MCOL Weekend edition

by Claire Thayer, July 7, 2017

Every business day, MCOL posts feature stories making news on the business of health care. Here are five we think are particularly important for this week:

GOP leader says he'll rework health bill, but offers Plan B

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he plans to produce a fresh bill in about a week scuttling and replacing much of President Barack Obama's health care law. But he's also acknowledging a Plan B if that effort continues to flounder.

AP News

Friday, July 7, 2017

States Move To Tighten Medicaid Enrollment, Even Without A New Health Law

No corner of the health care system would be harder hit than Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor, if Republican leaders in Congress round up the votes to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act.

NPR News

Thursday, July 6, 2017

CMS won't delay controversial managed care requirements

The CMS is moving forward with controversial provisions from the mega managed-care rule that expands federal oversight over Medicaid programs after refusing several states' requests to delay implementation.

Modern Healthcare

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Should GOP Health Bill Prevail, Say Bye-Bye To Insurance Rebates

If Senate GOP leaders have their way, the check may not be in the mail. Many consumers collected unexpected rebates after the Affordable Care Act became law, possibly with a note explaining why: Their insurer spent more of their revenue from premiums on administration and profits than the law allowed, so it was payback time.

Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

What Tax Breaks? Those Promised In GOP Plans Go Mostly To Top 1%

There’s much talk on Capitol Hill about the tax cuts included in the Republican health plans, but unless you are a frequent user of tanning beds or have personal wealth that puts you in the top 1 percent, you might not feel much effect from them.

Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

These and more weekly news items on the business of healthcare are featured in the MCOL Weekend edition, along with the MCOL Tidbits, and more, for MCOL Premium level members.