MANAGED CARE February 1998. ©1998 Stezzi Communications
Washington Initiatives
Two of the most powerful movers and shakers in managed care have left their jobs. Charles "Chip" Kahn, regarded as one of the most knowledgeable health care experts on Capitol Hill, resigned as majority staff director of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health to become chief operating officer and president-elect of the Health Insurance Association of America — a previous employer. And Bruce Fried left HCFA last month to return to the private sector. Fried was director of the agency's Center for Health Plans and Providers.... Tricare, the managed care program providing health benefits to military retirees, is undergoing revision. The Department of Defense has proposed a rule that would extend balance billing limitations for providers and adjust the maximum allowable charge rate under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services so that it's no lower than the Medicare rate.