Kaiser network.org – Feb. 12, 2009. CMS on Thursday announced a tentative decision to end Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopies, or CT colonographies, the New York Times reports. “Controversy has swirled for years” about whether virtual colonoscopies, which use X-ray images and computer software to create images of the colon, are as effective as traditional […]

Kaiser network.org – Feb. 12, 2009. The Hill on Thursday examined how the “leadership void” at HHS “is affecting more than President Obama’s health reform agenda,” because the “continued lack of a secretary and of leaders at key agencies will delay the Obama administration from putting its stamp on the massive bureaucracy.” Former Senate Majority […]

Kaiser network.org – Feb. 12, 2009. “Blog Watch” offers readers a roundup of health policy-related blog posts.  Click title to read more… The American Prospect‘s Ezra Klein responds to an opinion piece by Betsy McCaughey in which she warned that certain health provisions of the stimulus bill “will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor […]

Kaiser network.org – Feb. 12, 2009. The House and Senate on Friday likely will vote on a $789B billion compromise economic stimulus package that includes a number of provisions related to health care spending, USA Today reports (Wolf, USA Today, 2/13).  Click title to read more… Among other provisions, the stimulus package includes: $87 billion […]