Weekly News Wrap-Up (December 7 - December 11)

HHS Finalizes FMAP Matching Rates for Medicaid Programs (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 11, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday finalized the adjusted federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) matching rates for state Medicaid programs for the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2009.

One-Third of American Adults Provide Care, New Report Find (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 10, 2009)
There are more informal caregivers in the U.S. than ever before. Nearly one-third of the population provides some level of care, according to a new study.

Democratic Negotiators Agree to Abandon Public Option (The Wall Street Journal, December 9, 2009)
A group of Senate Democrats have tentatively agreed to drop a proposed government-run insurance option and instead expand Medicare coverage to include people ages 55 to 64 who have difficulty getting insurance. The 10-member negotiating panel was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in an effort to resolve the long-running debate over the public option.

CLASS ACT Clears Hurdle In Senate Healthcare Bill Debate (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 7, 2009)
An attempt to kill off the Community Living Assistance Supports and Services (CLASS) Act was thwarted Friday.