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Study shows no difference between relief offered by topical pain creams and placebos

In an effort to reduce chronic pain, many people look for hope by paying $20 to thousands of dollars for a tube of prescription topical pain cream or gel.

6 Feb 2019

Winners and losers under bold Trump plan to slash drug rebate deals

Few consumers have heard of the secret, business-to-business payments that the Trump administration wants to ban in an attempt to control drug costs.

1 Feb 2019

Patients suffer when health care behemoths quarrel over contracts

David Lerman, a Berkeley, Calif., lawyer, changed health plans this year only to learn that his new insurer has no contract with the dominant medical provider in his community.

1 Feb 2019

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Live from D.C.: A look ahead at health policy in 2019

The 2020 presidential campaign has begun and health is a big part of it, with Democratic candidates pledging their support for "Medicare-for-all" and many of its variations.

31 Jan 2019

Hurricane Katrina's aftermath included increase in CVD hospitalization rates

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes are generally described in terms of wind speed, land area, and inches of rain. They're also described in terms of human costs, such as the number of fatalities and injuries.

31 Jan 2019

Frail seniors find ways to live independently

Pauline Jeffery had let things slide since her husband died. Her bedroom was a mess. Her bathroom was disorganized. She often tripped over rugs in her living and dining room.

31 Jan 2019

New covered California sign-ups plummet

The number of new enrollees in Covered California plans plunged by nearly a quarter this year, largely because of the elimination of the tax penalty for people without insurance, officials announced Wednesday.

30 Jan 2019

Hospitalized women with stroke less likely to get specialized medical evaluations

Hospitalized women with ischemic stroke were less likely than men to be evaluated by stroke specialists and get specialized diagnostic tests, according to preliminary research to be presented in Honolulu at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

30 Jan 2019

Having vaccine after shingles appear do not reduce the risk of stroke

Stroke risk increased significantly in the days, weeks and months after shingles appeared, despite use of the shingles vaccine and antiviral therapy to treat it, according to preliminary research to be presented in Honolulu at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2019, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

30 Jan 2019

New study analyzes health outcomes of switching patients from analog to human insulin

In the United States, the drug price for insulin has skyrocketed over the last two decades. While the price has increased for all forms of insulin, newer, "analog" insulin medications such as glargine and lispro have become especially expensive.

30 Jan 2019

Congress wades into emotional debate over high-cost prescription drugs

Senators railed against pharmaceutical executives Tuesday for declining to testify before Congress about out-of-control drug prices, as lawmakers on both sides of the U.S. Capitol kicked off investigations sure to rattle one of the nation's most powerful industries.

30 Jan 2019

Community hospitals link arms with prestigious facilities to raise their profiles

After seven years of a vigorous fight, Jim Hart worried he was running out of options. Diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 60, Hart had undergone virtually every treatment — surgery, radiation and hormones — to eradicate it. But a blood test showed that his level of prostate-specific antigen, which should have been undetectable, kept rising ominously. And doctors couldn’t determine where the residual cancer was lurking.

29 Jan 2019

New research reveals that prescription opioids are used long-term to treat severe osteoarthritis

New research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology, reveals that prescription opioids are commonly used long-term to treat pain in older patients with severe osteoarthritis.

28 Jan 2019

ACR expresses its continuing concern with recent CMS policy

In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the American College of Rheumatology expressed its continuing concern with a recent CMS policy allowing Medicare Advantage plans to utilize step therapy for Part B drugs.

25 Jan 2019

Global task force of bone health experts question effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures

There is little to no evidence that two surgical procedures used to fuse crumbled vertebrae following a spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis reduce pain for patients any better than non-surgical or placebo procedures, according to a new report from a global task force of bone health experts published today in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

24 Jan 2019

Medicare News and Research

Study shows no difference between relief offered by topical pain creams and placebos

Winners and losers under bold Trump plan to slash drug rebate deals

Patients suffer when health care behemoths quarrel over contracts

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Live from D.C.: A look ahead at health policy in 2019

Hurricane Katrina's aftermath included increase in CVD hospitalization rates

Frail seniors find ways to live independently

New covered California sign-ups plummet

Hospitalized women with stroke less likely to get specialized medical evaluations

Having vaccine after shingles appear do not reduce the risk of stroke

New study analyzes health outcomes of switching patients from analog to human insulin

Congress wades into emotional debate over high-cost prescription drugs

Community hospitals link arms with prestigious facilities to raise their profiles

New research reveals that prescription opioids are used long-term to treat severe osteoarthritis

ACR expresses its continuing concern with recent CMS policy

Global task force of bone health experts question effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures

Free screening for lung cancer can save money while building healthy relationship with patients

Trump zeroes in on surprise medical bills in White House chat with patients, experts

County by county, researchers link opioid deaths to drugmakers’ marketing

Hospitalizations may be major risk factor for increased cognitive decline in older adults

Regenstrief scientist visits CMS to create access to better care for Americans with dementia

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