There's been a continued interest in how medication adherence can improve both health outcomes and patient safety.

Health policy experts have been debating how to obtain more reliable, unbiased information on which drugs and medical procedures are most effective.

Consumers are demanding fundamental changes in the U.S. healthcare system to gain more timely access and better coordination of healthcare, according to a survey.

There is more focus on linking payment with quality, whether as pay for performance, value-based purchasing or restructured employee benefits packages that modify out-of-pocket expenses based on quality of providers, according to experts.

National reports — The e-prescribing SureScripts and RxHub network merger reflects the national movement toward interconnected, standards-based technology infrastructures.

Washington, D.C. — Enough Republicans sided with Democrats last month to approve legislation canceling a scheduled 10.6% cut in Medicare fees for physicians.

Washington, D.C. — Government agencies and qualified researchers will be able to tap into Medicare Part D claims data to learn more about drug coverage and safety under a new policy issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

National Reports — A new Ohio mandate standardizes the credentialing process and promotes more contracting transparency and fairness in the managed care process.

Washington, D.C. — Several Congressional leaders, the Bush administration and major players in the e-health community are promoting electronic prescribing systems as an achievable step toward broader health information interconnectivity. Legislation to postpone a cut in Medicare payments to physicians includes a provision that encourages electronic prescribing by physicians.