Trending News Today: Children's Health Insurance Program Expands

The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid is now proposing to pay hospitals fixed rates for cardiac arrest care and the care a patient receives 90 days after the event. If hospitals bill less than the fixed amount, they may keep the extra money, but if they exceed the amount, it must be repaid to Medicare, according to The Wall Street Journal. Since Medicare reimburses physicians and hospitals separately for each service, they believe this may incentivize unnecessary treatments.

Arizona has become the last state to provide children from low and middle income families with various health insurance services through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This program provides basic coverage, as well as dental care and speech therapy. It is expected that 30,000 to 40,000 children will become eligible for this coverage, according to The Washington Post.

A recent study discovered that more than half of adults misused prescription medication within the past year. Researchers found that 45% of adults were using illicit drugs, and others were using medications they were not prescribed. Amphetamines, benzodiazepines, anti-anxiety medication, and opioids were among the most often misused by patients, The Washington Post reported.