APC Health Policy News - Week of August 23, 2010

The Urban institute issued briefs examining the effect of health reform on businesses the economy and the national deficit. High risk pools are taking shape and insurers agreed to the definition of medical costs for the calculation of Medical Loss Ratio, covered in more detail by The Hill and Politico. States continue to implement health care reform provisions, as they prepare to fight suits against the Mandate. Meanwhile, HHS is awarding funds to help states investigate and oversee insurance rate increases. Patient records left at a Massachusetts dump received a lot of attention as efforts to enhance patient privacy remain a high priority in reform efforts.