CMS says positive ICD-10 test results prove agency is ready for Oct. 1

CMS says positive ICD-10 test results prove agency is ready for Oct. 1-modernhealthcare: As providers around the country brace for the Oct. 1 conversion to ICD-10 diagnostic and procedural codes, the CMS is reporting positive results from the final round of end-to-end testing of the Medicare claims processing system.

Acting CMS Head Still Being Vetted After More Than a Year on the Job

Acting CMS Head Still Being Vetted After More Than a Year on the Job-morningconsult: Andy Slavitt’s confirmation is up in the air. The Senate Finance Committee has yet to announce a hearing for President Obama’s pick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, even though Slavitt has served as the Acting Administrator for CMS since July 2014.

When Congress returns from vacation, budget fight looms

When Congress returns from vacation, budget fight looms-reuters: The U.S. Congress will soon embark on a high-stakes budget negotiation with President Barack Obama that, if productive, could give Republicans the increased military spending they want and Democrats the increased domestic spending they seek.

Rubio: GOP Needs 60 Votes to Repeal Obamacare

Rubio: GOP Needs 60 Votes to Repeal Obamacare-rollcall: Sen. Marco Rubio sounds rather bearish on repealing Obamacare anytime soon, even if he or another Republican becomes president. Outlining his economic and foreign policy visions at a town hall meeting in Londonderry, N.H., on Wednesday, the Floridian said upending the 2010 health care overhaul law would take the support of a filibuster-proof supermajority of 60 senators.

Senate Will Try to Repeal Obamacare Medical Device Tax in the Fall

Senate Will Try to Repeal Obamacare Medical Device Tax in the Fall-nationaljournal: The Senate will make an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act's medical-device tax before the end of the calendar year, according to a Republican and Democratic aide.

House GOP leaders desperate to avoid shutdown

House GOP leaders desperate to avoid shutdown-politico: An explosive confrontation brewing between the House Republican leadership and conservatives over Planned Parenthood is threatening to shut down the government for the second time in three years. And House GOP leaders have yet to settle on a strategy to avert it.

House GOP adds healthcare tax bill to fall agenda

House GOP adds healthcare tax bill to fall agenda-thehill: House GOP leaders are eyeing a package of healthcare bills this fall that will target some of the most despised taxes under the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee's Health Subcommittee, said he expects a comprehensive bill repealing healthcare taxes to be ready sometime after lawmakers return from recess.