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Friday, October 28, 2011

Health Care

News                                                                                                                             
National Journal | With Stimulus Funds Gone, States Brace for Increased Medicaid Spending
Stimulus spending cushioned states from Medicaid expenditures in 2009 and 2010 -- making those two years the only period in the program’s history when state Medicaid spending did not rise. With stimulus funds gone, state spending on Medicaid is expected to increase by an average of 28.7 percent in the next fiscal year.
CNN: Money | For most seniors, a small Medicare rate hike
Premiums for office visits and outpatient hospital services will go up by $3.50 a month, the Obama administration announced Thursday.
National Journal | Seniors Get a Break On Medicare Part B Premiums
For most beneficiaries, premiums will be $99.90 a month in 2012, a $3.50 increase over the $96.40 paid this year by a majority of elderly and disabled beneficiaries.
Politico | Kaiser poll finds drop in support for health care reform law
Just 34 percent of those surveyed said they have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act, the lowest ranking in Kaiser Family Foundation’s monthly Health Tracking Poll since the law passed in March 2010. By contrast, 51 percent said they have an unfavorable view.

Econ Comments                                                                                                             
WSJ | Repeal Health Law? It Won't Be Easy
Every Republican presidential candidate has promised to repeal the Obama administration's health-care overhaul. But despite full-throated criticism, it's going to be hard for any of them to fulfill that pledge if elected.