Obama adviser hints at Medicare changes in upcoming ‘jobs plan’: “When asked how the proposal might address entitlements such as Medicare, [David][ Axelrod said he didn’t want to come out in front of the president’s plan, but said Obama believed 'modest adjustments' to Medicare would ultimately be necessary to keep the program viable." [National Journal]
Trial lawyers to make case against Perry: “Among litigators, there is no presidential candidate who inspires the same level of hatred – and fear – as Perry, an avowed opponent of the plaintiffs’ bar who has presided over several rounds of tort reform as governor.” [Politico]
Doctors question Perry’s stem-cell treatment: “The treatment carries potential risks ranging from blood clots to cancer and may run afoul of federal rules, doctors say. At least one patient died of a clot hours after an infusion of fat-derived stem cells outside the United States” and now scientists “are questioning the safety and wisdom of Perry’s treatment, especially because it was not part of a clinical trial in which unproven therapies are tested in a way that helps protect patients and advances medical knowledge.” [Boston Globe]
Trade commission challenges hospital merger: “Obama administration officials have been roaming the country, talking up their vision of a future in which doctors and hospitals team up to provide better care at lower cost. But a starkly different picture is unfolding this summer in a courtroom here, where lawyers from the Federal Trade Commission have been challenging a hospital merger in Toledo, Ohio.” [Robert Pear]
CMS expands competitive bidding: “The CMS said it is expanding its competitive-bidding program for durable medical equipment to include eight new categories, including wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment and supplies.” [Modern Healthcare]
Administration grants more waivers: “The Obama administration granted another 106 waivers last month from part of the healthcare reform law — the first round of three-year waivers the Health and Human Services Department has approved.” [Sam Baker]
Obama administration spent millions to promote ACA: “Documents obtained by a government watchdog group show that the Obama administration has set aside millions since last year to promote the health care overhaul, and may have tried targeting its ads toward black and Hispanic audiences in particular.” [Fox News]
Judge halts North Carolina’s Planned Parenthood cuts: “North Carolina cannot withhold funding from Planned Parenthood until a lawsuit over that provision of the state budget has been resolved, a federal judge ruled late Friday. The ruling by Judge James Beaty Jr. gives at least a temporary reprieve to Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina while they seek to invalidate the portion of the state budget that would withhold funding for non-abortion services.” [CBS News]
High deductible plans to gain popularity: CDHPS still meet the minimum requirements of the Affordable Care Act and “employers could gradually reduce their contributions to either the health reimbursement arrangements or health savings accounts that usually accompany the plans, to avoid becoming subject to the excise tax that will be assessed beginning in 2018.” [Business Insurance]
Should people use food stamps to buy soda: The USDA has shot down New York’s proposal to ban the use of food stamps to purchase soda and that’s probably a good thing. [Sarah Kliff]
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