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New research studies seek to improve diagnosis and treatment for emphysema and other lung diseases

The University of Michigan Health System will try to find out, through two new multi-center research studies that seek to improve diagnosis and treatment for millions of people affected by emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung diseases. Together, those conditions are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both studies are now accepting new participants.

20 Nov 2009

Health organizations commend Alberta government for passage of bill to sue tobacco companies

A coalition of prominent health organizations is applauding the Alberta government for passing a bill that will hold tobacco companies accountable for their tremendous impact on the healthcare system.

19 Nov 2009

Reid says Senate will hold first health bill vote on Saturday

Reuters reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday the Senate will vote Saturday on a procedural move to begin debate on the Senate's health care reform bill. "'The finish line is in sight,' ... Reid said.

19 Nov 2009

$10 million grant to help enroll uninsured, eligible American Indian and Alaska Native children in CHIP

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of up to $10 million in grants to help reach American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children who qualify for, but are not yet enrolled, in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

19 Nov 2009

Senate health bill released, another step toward Democratic-backed reforms

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid set the stage for a climactic debate in the Senate over health care by unveiling a 10-year, $848 billion bill that would extend insurance to 31 million Americans without coverage," The Wall Street Journal reports.

19 Nov 2009

Insurers say they won't alter mammogram coverage despite new guidelines

Insurance companies say mammogram coverage is unlikely to change despite the debate over the effectiveness of breast cancer screenings for women in their forties.

19 Nov 2009

Senate bill draws immediate reactions from GOP, interest groups

Republicans quickly rebuked Senate Democrats' health overhaul bill after its release last night, Roll Call reports. They said it would result in higher insurance premiums, tax hikes, and Medicare cuts, and complained that it was drafted behind closed doors, and that they have not yet had a chance to read it.

19 Nov 2009

White House backing Medicare 'doc fix' bill

Reuters reports that the White House Wednesday "urged Congress to pass a bill to boost Medicare payments to doctors, a step that could shore up support" from the American Medical Association for health care reform.

19 Nov 2009

Southern District of Florida Health Care Fraud Team receives the 2009 Excellence in Public Awareness Award

The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) is pleased to announce that the Southern District of Florida Health Care Fraud Team--comprised of individuals representing the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida; the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Division; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Miami Regional Office--is the recipient of the 2009 Excellence in Public Awareness Award.

19 Nov 2009

Molina Healthcare's Medicaid plans included in 'America’s Best Health Insurance Plans'

Molina Healthcare, Inc., today announced that U.S. News and World Report has ranked all of Molina’s eligible subsidiary Medicaid health plans in California, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah and Washington among “America’s Best Health Insurance Plans” in the magazine’s annual report measuring the quality and performance of the nation’s Medicaid health plans.

19 Nov 2009

eHealthInsurance releases six-point checklist to get the most out of Medicare coverage

eHealthInsurance, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families, and small businesses, that now offers a new online Medicare resource, www.eHealthMedicare.com, today released a six-point checklist to help Medicare recipients make informed decisions about their Medicare options.

19 Nov 2009

Elder parents more likely to be happier with informal home care

Most families, at some point, will struggle with a decision about how best to provide long-term care for an elderly parent. A new study co-authored by University of Virginia economics professor Steven Stern suggests that you shouldn't assume a home-care professional can better care for your parent than you can.

19 Nov 2009

Medicare fraud: New Jersey hospital to pay over $3.02M to resolve allegations

The United States has entered into a settlement with a New Jersey hospital and filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit against a New York hospital involving allegations that the hospitals defrauded Medicare, the Justice Department announced today.

19 Nov 2009

Humana to commence 'Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition' program for CMS

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, Humana will begin administering the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (LI-NET) program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This program allows individuals who receive Medicare’s low-income subsidy to also receive immediate prescription drug coverage at the point of sale if they are not already enrolled in a Part D plan.

19 Nov 2009

AAHSA commends Senator Reid for including CLASS provisions in health reform bill

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) commends Senator Reid (D-Nev.) for his leadership on ensuring that the Community Living and Supportive Services (CLASS) Plan provisions are included in the Senate's health reform bill.

18 Nov 2009

AARP tells GOP it won't reverse support for Democrats' House health bill

"House Republicans want the AARP to rescind its endorsement of comprehensive health reform legislation after a government report showed it could cause some providers to stop accepting Medicare patients," CongressDaily reports. The report, issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "warned some Medicare beneficiaries could lose access to providers if the House bill becomes law."

18 Nov 2009

CLASS Act, individual mandate draw new attention to health bills

Some provisions in the health bills are attracting a new wave of analyses and some criticism of the health reform bills.

18 Nov 2009

Seniors struggle with drug costs while Congress debates Medicare 'doughnut hole'

Minnesota Public Radio reports: "Since 2006, senior citizens have been able to choose plans for Medicare prescription drug coverage, but that coverage contains a gap known as the 'doughnut hole,' a gap that health care reform plans being debated in Congress would address."

18 Nov 2009

White House reports billions lost in improper payments for Medicare, other government programs

The White House announced Tuesday that billions of federal dollars were spent in improper payments in 2009 and that spending in the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for more than half of that total. President Barack Obama will issue an executive order to crack down on the problem, officials said.

18 Nov 2009

Tempest over new mammography guidelines affect health legislation, insurance guidelines

Newspapers across the country featured front-page follow-up stories on new mammogram recommendations today.

18 Nov 2009

Medicare News and Research

New research studies seek to improve diagnosis and treatment for emphysema and other lung diseases

Health organizations commend Alberta government for passage of bill to sue tobacco companies

Reid says Senate will hold first health bill vote on Saturday

$10 million grant to help enroll uninsured, eligible American Indian and Alaska Native children in CHIP

Senate health bill released, another step toward Democratic-backed reforms

Insurers say they won't alter mammogram coverage despite new guidelines

Senate bill draws immediate reactions from GOP, interest groups

White House backing Medicare 'doc fix' bill

Southern District of Florida Health Care Fraud Team receives the 2009 Excellence in Public Awareness Award

Molina Healthcare's Medicaid plans included in 'America’s Best Health Insurance Plans'

eHealthInsurance releases six-point checklist to get the most out of Medicare coverage

Elder parents more likely to be happier with informal home care

Medicare fraud: New Jersey hospital to pay over $3.02M to resolve allegations

Humana to commence 'Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition' program for CMS

AAHSA commends Senator Reid for including CLASS provisions in health reform bill

AARP tells GOP it won't reverse support for Democrats' House health bill

CLASS Act, individual mandate draw new attention to health bills

Seniors struggle with drug costs while Congress debates Medicare 'doughnut hole'

White House reports billions lost in improper payments for Medicare, other government programs

Tempest over new mammography guidelines affect health legislation, insurance guidelines

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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