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Big differences in VA care quality

Sloan Gibson, the acting head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, pledged to end delays in care for veterans Monday.

3 Jun 2014

Insurer sues Medtronic over bone-growth drug

Humana Inc. alleges the device maker violated federal racketeering statutes by conspiring with prominent physicians to promote unapproved uses of the drug, reports The Wall Street Journal.

3 Jun 2014

Henry Schein acquires France dental distribution business of Sirona Dental Systems

Henry Schein, Inc., the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced today that it has acquired Sirona Direct, the France dental distribution business of Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.

3 Jun 2014

Commentary on VA shake-up:Inadequate performance measures; Congress must do its part; similarities to Medicare

Media outlets offer opinions on Gen. Eric Shinseki's departure from the Department of Veterans Affairs and efforts to fix problems in that system.

3 Jun 2014

After controversies, Medicare reimbursement for end-of-life planning again getting consideration

The federal government may reimburse doctors for talking to Medicare patients and their families about "advance care planning," including living wills and end-of-life treatment options - potentially rekindling one of the fiercest storms in the Affordable Care Act debate.

3 Jun 2014

Usage of marijuana impairs quality of sleep

A new study suggests that marijuana use is associated with impaired sleep quality.

3 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 3, 2014

Today's headlines include coverage of Medicare data released Monday indicating that 2012 charges for some common inpatient hospital procedures dramatically increased over the previous year.

From Medtronic 3 Jun 2014

New editor takes reins at Health Affairs

Key elements of the Affordable Care Act were first previewed in the journal Health Affairs. It's where policy wonks kick the tires on big ideas for reforming Medicare, Medicaid and most every aspect of health care in the United States - before those proposals find their way into legislation on the Hill.

3 Jun 2014

Study suggests that circadian factors may contribute to suicidality

A new study provides novel evidence suggesting that suicides are far more likely to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. than during the daytime or evening.

3 Jun 2014

Virginia's Medicaid expansion standoff moves state toward budget shortfall, government shutdown

Also in the news, after Louisiana's Medicaid expansion efforts failed in the legislature, the state is poised to try out Gov. Bobby Jindal's alternative to the federal health law.

3 Jun 2014

With healthcare.gov the go-to for 36 states, national exchange becoming a likely possibility

Politico reports that a national enrollment system is what liberals wanted all along, and now, because some GOP governors took a pass on state-run marketplaces while some Democratic states bungled theirs, it's picking up steam. News outlets also report on the latest exchange news from Maryland, Illinois, Minnesota and Washington.

3 Jun 2014

Sound Physicians agrees to employ, manage hospitalist physicians at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center

Sound Physicians, a leading hospitalist organization focused on driving improvements in the quality, satisfaction and financial performance of inpatient healthcare delivery, announced today an agreement to employ and manage a team of hospitalist physicians at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago, Ill.

3 Jun 2014

State highlights: NYC plan for treating mentally ill; Kan. town gets abortion services again; Iowa medical marijuana

Mayor Bill de Blasio has asked several of his commissioners and aides to provide him with a plan by September to reduce the rate of incarceration among New Yorkers with mental illness. The effort, which City Hall will announce on Monday, is the administration's first major criminal justice initiative. Named the Task Force on Behavioral Health and the Criminal Justice System, it will include recommendations from the police and correction commissioners, the Manhattan district attorney, hospital administrators and judges (Goldstein, 6/1).

3 Jun 2014

Survey shows "significant gap" in detection of nutrition problems in hospitalized patients

A new survey of Canadian physicians shows a "significant gap" between optimal practices to detect nutrition problems in hospitalized patients and what action is actually taking place.

3 Jun 2014

New study suggests that blue light exposure may increase hunger, alter metabolism

A new study suggests that blue-enriched light exposure immediately before and during the evening meal may increase hunger and alter metabolism.

3 Jun 2014

States focus on network adequacy, other issues

States are updating rules to better reflect how the health system has changed as a result of the Affordable Care Act and the Los Angeles Times takes a look at confusion by doctors, as well as consumers, about who's in the new networks.

3 Jun 2014

New study reveals central role of physician leadership in ACOs

In spite of early concerns that hospitals' economic strengths would lead them to dominate the formation of Accountable Care Organizations, a new study published in the June issue of Health Affairs reveals the central role of physician leadership in the first wave of ACOs.

3 Jun 2014

Viewpoints: GOP needs to refine its message on health law; battle over school lunches

It was supposed to be so easy this election year for Republican congressional candidates. All they would have to do was shout "repeal Obamacare!" and make a crack about government doctors and broken websites, and they could coast into office on a wave of public fury. ... But it has not quite worked out that way. ... That sentiment conflicts with the Republican playbook, which party leaders are suddenly trying to rewrite. The result has been an incoherent mishmash of positions, as candidates try to straddle a widening gap between blind hatred of health reform and the public's growing recognition that much of it is working (6/1).

3 Jun 2014

Compliance with CPAP therapy may help prevent cardiovascular complications

A new study suggests that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy rapidly improves blood pressure and arterial tone in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

3 Jun 2014

Sanders details plan to overhaul veterans health care

On Sunday, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., unveiled legislation, called the Restoring Veterans' Trust Act, which is designed to smooth out the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs by -- among other changes -- making it easier for veterans to see outside providers if care isn't available within 30 days.

3 Jun 2014

Health Care News and Research

Big differences in VA care quality

Insurer sues Medtronic over bone-growth drug

Henry Schein acquires France dental distribution business of Sirona Dental Systems

Commentary on VA shake-up:Inadequate performance measures; Congress must do its part; similarities to Medicare

After controversies, Medicare reimbursement for end-of-life planning again getting consideration

Usage of marijuana impairs quality of sleep

First Edition: June 3, 2014

New editor takes reins at Health Affairs

Study suggests that circadian factors may contribute to suicidality

Virginia's Medicaid expansion standoff moves state toward budget shortfall, government shutdown

With healthcare.gov the go-to for 36 states, national exchange becoming a likely possibility

Sound Physicians agrees to employ, manage hospitalist physicians at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center

State highlights: NYC plan for treating mentally ill; Kan. town gets abortion services again; Iowa medical marijuana

Survey shows "significant gap" in detection of nutrition problems in hospitalized patients

New study suggests that blue light exposure may increase hunger, alter metabolism

States focus on network adequacy, other issues

New study reveals central role of physician leadership in ACOs

Viewpoints: GOP needs to refine its message on health law; battle over school lunches

Compliance with CPAP therapy may help prevent cardiovascular complications

Sanders details plan to overhaul veterans health care

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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