MASSDEVICE ON CALL — During the 1st 3 years of Affordable Care Act implementation, the Obama administration has failed to meet half of its mandatory deadlines, according to a new report from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.
The report evaluated deadline-driven elements of the ACA legislation and found 32% were completed on time, 17% were completed late, 24% had not been completed as of May, and 9% were not completed due to a lack of funding, according to an analysis from Forbes.
The administration has been criticized for relaxing deadlines on high-profile pieces of the healthcare law, such as the employer insurance mandate, but this is the 1st report to comprehensively review missed deadlines.
ACA defunders lose momentum, Tea Party redoubles efforts
A GOP-driven effort to kill Obamacare by voting against any and all legislation that might support healthcare reform is losing steam, with many members of Congress concerned about negative consequences of such a dramatic measure.
However, the ultra-conservative groups Tea Party Patriots, For America and Heritage Action are doubling down on the so-called defunding movement with an advertising campaign. The advertising campaign will target house Republicans who refuse to support defunding efforts.
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In the U.K., private medical records might be fair game on the free market
British conservative politician Jeremy Hunt and the National Health Service are driving a movement to allow medical records to be sold to private companies. Physicians would not have to tell patients that their information, including medical record numbers, address and date of birth, can be sold. The NHS hopes the cash and increased information exchange will support medical research, and Hunt believes the policy will draw life science companies to the U.K.
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McKesson lands $30M contract modification from DOD
The Defense Dept. granted McKesson Technologies a $30 million contract modification for its digital imaging systems. The medical supplies manufacturer and distributor inked a deal for a network-picture archive communication system with the DOD. The contract modification represents the execution of the 1st option year of a 2-year base contract. The technology will be used by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Maine Corps and federal civilian agencies.
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Patients beware: doctor judgment compromised by financial incentives
A new study found that doctors more frequently prescribed radiation treatments when they had financial interests in radiation treatment centers. Urologists treating prostate cancer patients were more also more likely to prescribe the treatment when they owned shares in radiation treatment centers, according to the Government Accountability Office.
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