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Status of ACOs in New York

2/3/12 – Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are networks of physicians and other providers that are held accountable for the cost and quality of the full continuum of care delivered to a group of patients. They are seen as a health care model that can both reduce costs and improve quality of care.

Life Science Job Openings

2/2/12 – I noticed today that the New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA) posted new job openings on its website. NYBA’s site allows prospective employees to search for jobs across the country but it’s great to see that the two new postings are for employment opportunities right here in New York!

Upshot of MRT Webinar

2/2/12 – Yesterday afternoon, State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson held a briefing via webinar on the Medicaid initiatives in Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal and the status of certain Phase II Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) proposals. Last year the MRT was created to reform the Medicaid program in New York by advancing ideas to control costs and improve the quality of the program.

Legal Brief Issued on Affordable Care Act Case

2/1/12 – This morning I saw that Kaiser Family Foundation has published a brief on the pending Supreme Court case challenging the Affordable Care Act. With the Supreme Court scheduled to hear oral arguments on the case in March, this brief is a timely summary of the case and the legal arguments made by the parties involved.

Gov. Cuomo’s Proposed Health Benefit Exchange

1/25/12 – In his 2012-13 budget, Governor Cuomo proposed the New York Health Benefit Exchange, which is almost identical to legislation passed by the Assembly late last session (A.8514/S.5849).

Little Focus on Health Care Reform in Pres. Obama’s Speech

1/25/12 – Kaiser Health News has posted a good synopsis of national press reaction to the Obama State of the Union speech, where he barely mentions health care reform.

N.Y. Organization Aiming to Improve Diabetes Care

1/24/12 – In its January 2012 issue, Health Affairs profiled the New York State Health Foundation’s diabetes campaign. The campaign is focusing on adults with type 2 diabetes and is encouraging practicioners to adopt the Chronic Care Model, which emphasizes the use of patient-centered medical homes.

States’ Progress of Implementing Health Care Reform Reported

1/18/12 – Today the White House has released a report on the status of each state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s health care reform law passed in March of 2010.

Updated: New Medicines In Development for Children

1/23/12 – According to a new report, there are almost 300 new medicines in development that meet the health care needs of infants, children and adolescents. It’s exciting to see that nearly 50 of these new meds are being developed by biopharmaceutical companies located in New York.

Addressing Social Needs Important for Health, Physicians Say in New Survey

1/12/12 – A recent survey among primary care providers and pediatricians showed that 4 in 5 physicians believe taking care of a patient’s social needs – such as access to nutritious food, reliable transportation and adequate housing – is as important as addressing medical conditions.