Noting that many physicians across the country who lead small practices are at a business breaking point, David M. Dale, MD, FACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) testified today before the House Small Business Committee. Dr. Dale emphasized that practices are medicine’s small businesses, where much of their revenue is tied directly to Medicare’s flawed reimbursement rates and formulas.

Health authorities have expressed alarm at an increase in the number of doctors being investigated over suspected Medicare rorts.

Many recent studies have found that Medicare spending across the country varies greatly. But despite these spending differences, aggregate health outcomes tend to be the same no matter which region a person lives in. Because of this, some policy makers have determined that there is no value to the excess costs in high-spending areas.

Medicare reforms continue transition to more accurate hospital services payment system - promote quality care for all hospitalized patients.

The chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians (ACP) today commended Senate Finance Committee Leaders for working on a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but expressed concern that funding levels are too low and that pending Medicare cuts are not addressed.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has a new tool allowing consumers to do a hospital compare by seeing hospital rankings. This hospital ratings tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions.

The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) hailed on June 5th the introduction of H.R. 2567, "The Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2007."

The Board of Directors of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) announced on May 16th a new initiative to protect beneficiaries as they consider enrolling in the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs and ensure that brokers, agents and plan marketing staff meet new qualifications and requirements.

Medicare recipients - particularly senior citizens - and their families are urged to be aware that some health insurance companies are employing aggressive marketing tactics to sell Medicare Advantage products which may mislead consumers. According to the Department's respected Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), many Medicare beneficiaries are receiving bad financial advice leading them to make decisions which are not in their best interest.

The Medicare Trustees Report issued yesterday shows that while Medicare's financial outlook remains troubling, the program's outlook has improved slightly compared to last year's estimate. The Trustees note that Medicare expenditures were $408 billion in 2006, or 3.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and are projected to increase to over 11 percent of GDP in 75 years.