Daily Healthcare Digest for 26 February: Republicans See Leverage Opportunity with Medicare, Healthcare

“The way to approach this is as a leverage opportunity.”

The “this” in question is Medicare reform — and Republicans feel that it might be an ace in the hole for them with the Obama administration.

“I think the smart governors will not just say ‘we’ll take the money’ but say, ‘Okay, give us the opportunity to reform Medicaid.’”

That’s Tevi Troy, a former Health and Human Services official under George W. Bush. And the background is: he thinks Republicans can leverage cooperating with the Affordable Care Act if they’re also allowed the chance to reform Medicare.

So sure: it’s a, “Yes, we’ll take the money. But only if you let us do this other thing.” Similar to, I’ll accept your charity, but it’ll cost you.

“There’s a lot of ‘let’s make a deal’ going on and a willingness to try new things,” Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, is quoted as saying in the article.

Tuesday headlines:

• When Two Policies Meet: “In sifting through the recent HIPAA omnibus changes, healthcare organizations that currently are or plan to be affiliated with military organizations such as the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Veterans Administration (VA) may want to analyze some rule overlaps.”

• Poor, Beleagured California: “An estimated 3 million to 4 million Californians — about 10% of the state’s population — could remain uninsured even after the healthcare overhaul law takes full effect. The burden of their care will fall to public hospitals, county health centers and community clinics. And those institutions may be in jeopardy.”

• Because it’s Never Too Early to Think About 2014: “The election of 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the health-care-leader-as-politician, with another health expert today announcing his intention to run for Governor of Massachusetts.” Folks, meet Evan Falchuk.

• It Never Hurts to Hear This Again and Again: Computerization in Health Care Demands High Data Standards.