Author archive for lhigashi

The White House fiscal 2017 budget continues the administration's push for Medicaid expansion with an expected proposal to offer three years of full federal funding for newly eligible beneficiaries to states who have not yet expanded, addresses the substance abuse crisis, extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program…

By Claudia BuckWith a toddler and a new baby on the way, Rachel Miller and her husband felt their family was complete. Miller, with her doctor's recommendation, asked to have her tubes tied as a permanent form of birth control, a procedure used by millions of women in recent decades.But…

By Marisa SpaldingThis summer, after a series of deceptive undercover videos falsely claimed to show Planned Parenthood staff selling fetal tissue, conservative lawmakers in Congress threatened to shut down the government over any federal budget that included funding to the healthcare provider. While the political debate over abortion continues, for…

By Michael VirtanenALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Bill Liblick was shocked to learn that his sister, a disabled woman with the mind of a 1-year-old, had repeatedly been sexually assaulted at a state-run group home. Then, after her death, he was astonished again when he received a $1.6 million bill…

By Alexander L. Okun, M.D., FAAPYou are asked to write a letter of medical necessity (LMN) for a patient covered by Medicaid who may need home care or therapeutic services initiated or sustained. These might include durable medical equipment, skilled nursing services, a personal care (home health) aide or other…