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Latino children don't receive adequate pain control after surgery, say researchers

More than two-thirds of children from low-income Latino families don't receive adequate pain control when they go home after surgery, according to a study being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2014 annual meeting.

14 Oct 2014

Issues on coverage: Steep Rx costs; federal plan eliminates 'transgender exclusion'

Even patients with insurance are finding that specialty drugs can quickly eat a hole in their wallets because insurers are often putting them in a special tier and demanding high consumer co-payments. Also, the State Department is getting rid of the "transgender exclusion" in it largest health plan, and some consumer advocates are suggesting that people getting coverage on the health marketplaces be allowed to get "wrap-around" plans through their employers.

14 Oct 2014

Psychological cognitive disorder can lead to development of persistent post-surgical pain

Patients with a psychological cognitive disorder known as catastrophizing are more likely to develop persistent, chronic pain after surgery, according to new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2014 annual meeting. Pain catastrophizing occurs when a patient has an irrational and illogical focus on pain, perceiving that it is worse than it actually is.

14 Oct 2014

Opponents attempt to outlaw abortion state-by-state

The numbers have changed little over the decades: A majority of Americans support abortion. But across the country, the antiabortion movement has recorded major success in the last four years, part of a well-funded national strategy to legislate abortion out of existence state by state. Legislatures, many stocked with new Republican majorities, have passed laws that, if upheld, would drastically reduce access to abortion for millions of women (Semuels and La Ganga, 10/12).

14 Oct 2014

Obamacare premium increases likely in states with key Senate races

Politico reports that this could be bad news for Democrats who are running in Louisiana and Iowa -- both locations are experiencing double-digit rate hikes for individual health plans. In other news, Va. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie, a Republican, unveils a plan to replace the health law if it were to be repealed, and the New York Times take a close look at one Florida congressional contest.

14 Oct 2014

New guideline makes recommendations about treating, managing distal muscular dystrophy

A new guideline from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the American Academy of Neurology recommends guidance on how doctors should evaluate the full picture—from symptoms, family history, and ethnicity, to a physical exam and certain lab test results—in order to determine what genetic tests may best diagnose a person's subtype of limb-girdle or distal muscular dystrophy.

14 Oct 2014

Nursing home chain agrees to pay $38M to settle government poor care claims

Extendicare, which owns 150 nursing homes in 11 states and denied any wrongdoing, was accused of inappropriate billing and providing inadequate care.

14 Oct 2014

Medicare Advantage plans marked by shortcomings

The New York Times reports that these problem areas include rejection of claims for medical services and limits on prescription drug coverage. News outlets also report on ACOs grades and Medicare Advantage rate shifts.

14 Oct 2014

Medicaid backlogs persist, raising concerns as enrollment season nears

The Wall Street Journal reports that hundreds of thousands of people still don't officially have the Medicaid coverage they signed up for. Some of them began the process in late 2013. In other Medicaid news, debate in Mississippi continues regarding whether the state should pursue the expansion of the health insurance program for low-income and disabled people.

14 Oct 2014

Fla.'s gubernatorial candidates at odds over Medicaid expansion

Charlie Crist, the Republican-turned-Democrat, says he will consider using an executive order to expand the program for low-income Floridians.

14 Oct 2014

FDA approves new hepatitis C drug, Harvoni

Insurers and patients are decrying the cost for the new drug, nearly $95,000 for a 12-week course of treatment, which is more expensive than Gilead's other hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi. But unlike some hepatitis C treatments, Harvoni can be taken without injections usually given to hepatitis C patients.

14 Oct 2014

Preventing cancer: an interview with Dr Fiona Reddington

It’s estimated that more than four in 10 cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, keeping a healthy body weight, cutting back on alcohol, eating a healthy diet, keeping active and staying safe in the sun.

13 Oct 2014

Eisai, Helsinn Group announce FDA approval of AKYNZEO for prevention of CINV

Helsinn Group and Eisai Inc. announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AKYNZEO® for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of cancer chemotherapy, including, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

13 Oct 2014

Texas health worker contracts Ebola, fueling questions about training and preparedness

The case, the first in which the disease was transmitted in the U.S., raises questions about whether regular hospitals around the country are ready to safely deal with the virus.

13 Oct 2014

Web-based system could help improve detection of disease outbreaks, say researchers

A web-based system that allows preschools and child care centers to report illnesses to local public health departments could improve the detection of disease outbreaks and allow resources to be mobilized more quickly, according to University of Michigan research to be presented Saturday, Oct. 11 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

13 Oct 2014

Researchers explore effect of email exchanges between patients and physicians

Email has become one of the most widespread forms of communication, with its streamlined interactions benefiting both businesses and individuals.

13 Oct 2014

Ebola epidemic and its impact on healthcare workers

Since its first outbreak in Guinea in December, 2013, Ebola has hit West African healthcare providers disproportionately hard.

13 Oct 2014

Research roundup: Older consumers' spending on health care; hospital leaders' views of reporting quality

In 2011, households with at least one member between ages 50 and 64 spent 8 percent of their total budget on health items, compared with 19 percent for those age 85 or over.

13 Oct 2014

Preparing for the health law's second lap

With open enrollment fast approaching for the online insurance marketplaces, news outlets are examining the preparations that have been made in order to ensure a smoother process this time around.

13 Oct 2014

Johns Hopkins Medicine starts Healthy Beverage Initiative to improve community health

Johns Hopkins Medicine announces the start of its Healthy Beverage Initiative, a program designed to ensure that beverages containing relatively low levels of sugar are more readily available in the hospital cafeterias, vending machines and retail outlets on many Johns Hopkins Medicine campuses.

13 Oct 2014

Health Care News and Research

Latino children don't receive adequate pain control after surgery, say researchers

Issues on coverage: Steep Rx costs; federal plan eliminates 'transgender exclusion'

Psychological cognitive disorder can lead to development of persistent post-surgical pain

Opponents attempt to outlaw abortion state-by-state

Obamacare premium increases likely in states with key Senate races

New guideline makes recommendations about treating, managing distal muscular dystrophy

Nursing home chain agrees to pay $38M to settle government poor care claims

Medicare Advantage plans marked by shortcomings

Medicaid backlogs persist, raising concerns as enrollment season nears

Fla.'s gubernatorial candidates at odds over Medicaid expansion

FDA approves new hepatitis C drug, Harvoni

Preventing cancer: an interview with Dr Fiona Reddington

Eisai, Helsinn Group announce FDA approval of AKYNZEO for prevention of CINV

Texas health worker contracts Ebola, fueling questions about training and preparedness

Web-based system could help improve detection of disease outbreaks, say researchers

Researchers explore effect of email exchanges between patients and physicians

Ebola epidemic and its impact on healthcare workers

Research roundup: Older consumers' spending on health care; hospital leaders' views of reporting quality

Preparing for the health law's second lap

Johns Hopkins Medicine starts Healthy Beverage Initiative to improve community health

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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