|
In other news...
Hospice
Rate Cuts Softened in FY2010 Hospice Wage Index <=
span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:=
black'>
The Final FY2010 Wage Index Rule was posted on the Fed=
eral
Register for public inspection. Reimbursement cuts associated with =
the
elimination of the Budget Neutrality Adjustment Factor (BNAF) have =
now
been spread out over seven years, instead of being harshly pha=
sed
in over two years.
For nearly 18 months, the hospice community has been fighting a
regulation, originally proposed in the FY2009 Wage Index issued by =
the
previous Administration, which would reduce hospice reimbursement by
eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment factor. In the FY=
2010
Wage Index, the current Administration considered submitted comment=
s,
the severity of the economic conditions facing the hospice community
and the ever-increasing desire by patients and families to have acc=
ess
to high-quality end-of-life care.
The seven-year phase out of the BNAF affords the hospice community a
more rational approach to absorbing the eventual rate reductions ov=
er a
longer period of time. Although the end result is still a
substantial and unwarranted rate reduction, the National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization believes this approach recognizes the
ongoing financial pressures facing the hospice community and
prioritizes compassionate and high-quality care for our nation's mo=
st
vulnerable population, the dying and their families.
WHO:
Pandemic Update
The Wor=
ld
Health Organization's August 28 Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 9
advises countries in the northern hemisphere to prepare for
a second wave of pandemic spread. Countries with tropical clim=
ates
should prepare for an increasing number of cases and countries in
temperate parts of the southern hemisphere should remain vigilant,
especially for "hot spots" of increasing transmission.
<=
/o:p>
The H1N1
pandemic virus has rapidly established itself and is now the domina=
nt
influenza strain in most of the world. The pandemic will persist in=
the
coming months as the virus moves through susceptible populations. <=
o:p>
<=
/o:p>
Most patients
only experience mild illness, although the virus can be severe and
fatal. The number of such cases is small. Larger numbers of
severely ill patients requiring intensive care are likely to be the
most urgent burden on health services, creating pressures that could
overwhelm intensive care units and possibly disrupt the provision of
care for other diseases.
|
![3D"HCAR](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image001.jpg")
![3D"Delta](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image002.jpg")
![3DCardiocom](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image003.jpg")
![3DHoneywell](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image004.jpg")
![3D"Lewis](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image005.jpg")
![3D"Get](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image006.jpg")
![3Dhcar](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image007.gif")
![3DHCIN](3D"Sept92009wformat_files/image008.jpg")