Thompson Suggests ‘MAMA’ as HCFA’s New Name
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson is considering changing HCFA's name to the "Medicare and Medicaid Association," or MAMA for short, CongressDaily reports. Speaking at an American Hospital Association membership meeting, Thompson said that the agency must "improve its communication skills" with the health industry. However, Thompson also said that Congress must boost the agency's funding so it can meet its responsibilities. Thompson plans to move the secretary's office to HCFA's Baltimore headquarters for a week to "personally" run the agency. He also plans to move the administration of permits, waivers and responsibility for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to the secretary's office. Thompson said, "We need to change [HCFA's] attitude to try and find a way (for it) to say 'Yes'" (Fulton, CongressDaily, 4/30).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.