APC Health Policy News - Week of August 30, 2010

Following last week's recess action to pass Medicaid funding expansion, HHS Secretary Sebelius went on record as telling states they'd need to officially request the funds. It's reported that although reform remains controversial, the climate surrounding reform legislation is less combative than during last year's recess.  An Annals of Internal Medicine article written by current and former White House officials triggered response from physician groups opposing the recommendation that physician practices evolve toward larger group operations.  Eyes are now focused upon how HHS and whether Secretary Sebelius' office will or will not tweak the Medical Loss Ratio proposal agreed to by insurers. An article by the Secretary appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine focused upon the administration's message of the benefits of reform law in improving health through preventive care.