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With stimulus money soon to run out, Medicaid benefits are about to drop

Even though unemployment has gone up, the increased federal Medicaid match will expire at the end of the month. As a result, benefits will likely be cut for many. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that children with Medicaid are far more likely than those with private insurance to be turned away by medical specialists or be made to wait more than a month for an appointment.

17 Jun 2011

Majority of publicly-insured children unable to get doctor's appointment for medical conditions

Sixty-six percent of publicly-insured children were unable to get a doctor's appointment for medical conditions requiring outpatient specialty care including diabetes and seizures, while children with identical symptoms and private insurance were turned away only 11 percent of the time, according to an audit study of 273 specialty physician practices in Cook County, Ill.

16 Jun 2011

GOP governors seek more Medicaid flexibility

Although not all Republican governors are pushing to change Medicaid into a block-grant program, there seems to be general agreement for seeking greater flexibility in how states spend Medicaid dollars. Reports also persist that some Democratic lawmakers appear open to plans to chip away at Medicaid's requirements.

15 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 14, 2011

In her latest Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "When you're calling for an ambulance, chances are good that you won't think to ask for one that's in your health plan's provider network. And in most cases, you wouldn't have much control over who it is anyway. That could leave you with hassles and extra charges for an out-of-network ride".

14 Jun 2011

HHS offers Medicaid guidance for same-sex couples

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clarified that same-sex couples are entitled to the same protections that exist for heterosexual couples when one member enters a nursing home.

13 Jun 2011

Some Democrats may not hold steady against Medicaid cuts

There may be more to read from what wasn't included in Sen. Jay Rockefeller's letter to the White House on Thursday than what was in it.

13 Jun 2011

Eating at wrong time of the day reduces fertility in fruit flies

Dieticians will tell you it isn't healthy to eat late at night: it's a recipe for weight gain. In fruit flies, at least, there's another consequence: reduced fertility.

8 Jun 2011

Research roundup: More spending can lead to better care; Calif. exchange lessons; high-volume hospitals

Medical Spending And The Health Of The Elderly -- Does more medical spending lead to better health care for people over age 64? To answer that question, "researchers from George Mason University and the Urban Institute used data of 17,438 elderly who entered the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey in the fall of each year from 1991 to 1999, and conducted multiple interviews over three years," according to one description of the study.

4 Jun 2011

Rheonix to receive U.S. patent for powerful microfluidic platform

Rheonix, Inc., developer of the Rheonix CARD system that provides a powerful microfluidic platform for the evolving molecular diagnostics industry, announced that on June 14, 2011 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will issue Patent Number 7,959,875, "Microfluidic Chips and Assay Systems," and on April 13, 2011 it allowed Patent Application Number 11/594,444, "Microfluidic Systems," to the Company.

3 Jun 2011

Kindred acquires RehabCare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of RehabCare Group, Inc.

2 Jun 2011

New online tool can help detect and monitor dengue outbreaks

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Google.org have found web-based search data to be a viable source of information for early detection and monitoring of outbreaks of dengue, an emerging mosquito-borne virus found in tropical areas of the world.

1 Jun 2011

Research Roundup: Medicaid co-payments, access to docs causes worse health

Disparities In Child Access To Emergency Care For Acute Oral Injury -- This study looked at the "impact of insurance status on dental practices' willingness to schedule an appointment for a child with a symptomatic fractured permanent front tooth." Six researchers posed as mothers of 10-year-old boys who all had the same injury but different coverage: Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or private Blue Cross dental insurance.

27 May 2011

Imec, Wipro create joint initiative to develop nanoelectronics and NEMS-based solutions

Imec today announced the establishment of imec India in Bangalore, Karnataka, making a first step towards the Indian market with the signing of an R&D partnership agreement with Wipro Technologies, the Global Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited.

25 May 2011

Scientists develop quick, low-cost microchip for immune monitoring and clinical applications

There's a wealth of health information hiding in the human immune system. Accessing it, however, can be very challenging, as the many and complex roles that the immune system plays can mask the critical information that is relevant to addressing specific health issues.

25 May 2011

Sonova sales increase 13.3% to CHF 1,617 million for financial year 2010/11

Sonova consolidated its leading position in the hearing instrument industry in financial year 2010/11. Despite negative currency effects, a new sales record of CHF 1,617 million was achieved.

24 May 2011

An alternative solid phase affinity matrix for chromatin immunoprecipitation

Porvair Filtration Group working in collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, UK has produced an alternative, high performance Solid Phase Affinity Matrix for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The research at Essex University evaluating the new BioVyon - Protein A material in ChIP assays is published in the May 2011 issue of Analytical Biochemistry.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 23 May 2011

New technique can detect minute traces of tumoral DNA in biological fluids

It will perhaps be possible, in the near future, to detect cancer by a simple blood or urine test. In fact, biologists from CNRS, Inserm, Paris Descartes and Strasbourg universities have developed a technique capable of detecting minute traces of tumoral DNA present in the biological fluids of patients suffering from cancer.

23 May 2011

CHIPRA quality measures will provide an excellent set of metrics to judge quality of children's health care

The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) legislation required a core set of recommended health care quality measures to be identified for voluntary use by State Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), which together cover almost 40 million American children and adolescents.

21 May 2011

Research roundup: Closing E.R.S; Predicting future health costs; Providing rural residents with specialized care

Factors Associated With The Closures Of Emergency Departments In The United States -- This study looks at the community, market and medical factors that led to an increase of urban hospital-based emergency department closures.

20 May 2011

Kool Smiles inaugurates new Takoma Park dental office

Kool Smiles, a leading dental health provider for children and adults, now has opened its doors to additional families in Maryland with a new office location in Takoma Park. Kool Smiles of Takoma Park officially opened on May 2 as the organization continues to expand access to quality dental care for families in underserved communities across the nation.

18 May 2011