CBA Florida Inc. (fka CBAI)

[MrLong]

Aug/Sept:HCA makes deal with The White House.
The White House made a deal with Pharma. Whose left out of the equation still angry trying to find a way not to comply with healthcare reform? AHIP. Septmber should be very interesting but I would think contract announcements and the HCA IPO would happen prior to September... we'll see.

HCA, Hospitals Agree to $155 Billion Health-Care Deal (Update3)

The deal also calls for a phasing in of $50 billion in cuts to payments the hospitals get for treating a large number of uninsured patients, starting in 2015, according to the lobbyist. The White House, without giving precise figures, said those reductions would be “more than offset” by the increasing number of people who will be insured after the overhaul.

Reaching an agreement early with Baucus and the White House allowed hospitals to ward off deeper cuts. Obama on June 13 proposed more than $200 billion in payment reductions from Medicare and Medicaid, the U.S. program for the poor.

Today’s deal “represents the essential role hospitals play in making reform a reality,” Biden said. “We must and we will enact reform by the end of August. We can’t wait.”

((August was significant then and it is likely important today.))

The overhaul will represent “coverage for all, paid for by all,” said Rich Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association, who appeared alongside Biden in Washington.

Richard Bracken, president and CEO of Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA, said [color=red]Biden has his “wholehearted endorsement.”[/color]

((Could someone find a statement where AHIP worked out their deal with the White House and the President... they didn't. They pay what society has already funded: "Healthcare cures!"))

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=acmk0SbcgSzQ

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September

August 13, 2010

Dog Days of Summer Now, Busy Fall Ahead
Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO


For many, the waning days of summer are a time to get away to a favorite spot and unwind with family and friends, and I hope you will. For U.S. Representatives and Senators, it's usually a time to return home and reconnect with constituents.

However, this year, thanks in large part to your advocacy efforts, Congress' recess was interrupted to pass an extension of federal assistance to state Medicaid programs, or FMAP funding, which the president signed into law earlier this week.

When Congress comes back in September, they'll have little time to complete a long legislative to-do list before they hit the campaign trail, although a lame duck session is expected.

That means that while legislators are at home in August, please push them to fix CMS' flawed coding offset formula. It's a terrific opportunity to reinforce the fact that the decisions made in Washington have a direct impact on the health of our communities, and that we need their help to ensure that hospitals continue to deliver the high-quality care their constituents expect and deserve.

Have a happy and safe summer. Vantage Point will return next month.
http://www.aha.org/aha/main-story/2010/100813-vp.html