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In Florida, federal court judge considers health-care challenge by states

In Florida, a federal court judge heard oral arguments surrounding the 20-state challenge to the health overhaul. At issue are two key elements of the new law: its mandate requiring that almost everyone have health insurance and its expansions of the Medicaid program. Although the judge said his ruling would take some time, he did offer some signals about the direction he might take.

20 Dec 2010

State Roundup: UMass bone marrow registry practices probed; Insurance woes hit many Calif. middle income families

Bone marrow registries are usually noble efforts to find donors with the right genetic match to save the life of a terminally ill person, but one such program in New England is under investigation by attorneys general in two states (Greenberg, 12/17).

20 Dec 2010

Significant gap exists in medical services for ER patients

Almost three quarters of hospital emergency department administrators nationwide report that lack of medical specialists at their facilities poses a risk to ER patients – in some cases a very significant risk.

20 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Cucinelli argues for quickly moving Va. case to the Supreme Court; Unraveling Medicaid leaves a big gap; Taking away a cancer treatment

It's hard not to laugh at the cries over the "injustice" of forcing people to buy coverage. Working Americans are already forced to buy health coverage - but for others. They can't choose not to pay the Medicare payroll tax. They can't even make a deal with the government, promising, "I will forgo all future Medicare benefits if I can be freed from the Medicare payroll tax" (Froma Harrop, 12/16).

17 Dec 2010

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota praises fix of orphan drug discount under 340B program

Families who were facing the prospect of huge increases in the cost of life-saving drugs for their children can breath easier thanks to a new law that will preserve discounts on specialized, so-called "orphan drugs."

17 Dec 2010

White House to hold meetings with stakeholders on overhaul implementation

News outlets offer reports about action on the implementation front, including White House stakeholder meetings and a vote by state insurance officials regarding the information health plans should provide consumers.

17 Dec 2010

Iowa moves forward on health exchange; Texas medical school highlights geriatrics; Concerns grow about prisoners' mental health needs

Republican lawmakers on the state level are largely against the new health reform law—but they aren't against all of the behemoth legislation. Virginia dominated headlines this week when a federal judge ruled the individual mandate to buy insurance unconstitutional on Monday. Much less noticed: the very next day, a task force appointed by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell recommended that the state implement a health insurance exchange earlier than federal guidelines require (Kliff, 12/16).

17 Dec 2010

Health law challenges shift to Florida courtroom

Today marks a "new day in court" as oral arguments will be heard in a Florida courtroom regarding the 20-state legal challenge. This lawsuit includes issues surrounding the health law's individual mandate and Medicaid expansions. Meanwhile, analysis continues regarding Monday's decision by a federal court judge in Virginia and a new round of debate regarding whether the health overhaul lawsuits bring to light issues of judicial bias.

16 Dec 2010

Justice Department will appeal health ruling, Virginia decision viewed as one step in long path to Supreme Court

The Justice Department makes clear its intent to appeal the Virginia federal court decision striking at the health overhaul's individual mandate. Meanwhile, news outlets explore the reach of that decision, noting that it may be more narrow than the reaction immediately following its release would indicate. Also explored: the next steps for this central provision within the health law and how it has become the sweeping overhaul's "central villain."

16 Dec 2010

State roundup: Minn. to add more adults to Medicaid; Mass. Gov. seeks savings in pensions and health care costs; Ariz. bishop and hospital spar over control

Minnesota can add 95,000 low-income adults to its Medicaid rolls, vastly improving their medical care, at no additional cost to the state, two officials at the state Department of Human Services told legislators Tuesday (Wolfe, 12/15).

16 Dec 2010

CRS report details regs issued since passage of health overhaul

The Congressional Research Service issued a new report examining the processes followed in the development of the new rules put in place since the passage of the health overhaul. Meanwhile, the omnibus spending bill now moving through Congress includes funds for Medicare and Medicaid fraud prevention.

16 Dec 2010

Personalities, politics emerge from decision's aftermath

Personalities and politics swirl around news about Monday's ruling in the Virginia health law challenge, with news outlets detailing how judges in different cases reached their conclusions and examining Judge Henry Hudson's ties to a GOP consulting firm. More reports also surround the related political dust-ups and posturing.

16 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Reviewing judge's ruling on health law's individual mandate

The legal case against it almost certainly will make its way to the Supreme Court before the individual mandate is due to take effect in 2014. But considered in its proper context, it doesn't violate the Constitution (12/15).

15 Dec 2010

Almonds can help treat, prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

With nearly 16 million Americans living today with pre-diabetes, a condition that is the precursor to type 2 diabetes, and half of all Americans expected to have some form of diabetes by the year 2020, healthy eating is more important than ever. But here is some good news: a recent scientific study shows that incorporating almonds into your diet can help treat and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease.

15 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 15, 2010

Today's major health policy news is full of second-day stories and analysis regarding Monday's health law decision by a federal court judge in Virginia.

15 Dec 2010

Legal analysis, implementation predictions and political posturing abound in the wake of yesterday's decision

Yesterday's court decision triggered a wave of analysis, speculation, posturing and predictions about what health reform's future will hold.

15 Dec 2010

OpEds: Assessing Judge Hudson's decision on individual mandate

In March, New Hampshire preschool teacher Gail O'Brien, who was unable to obtain health insurance through her employer, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma. Her subsequent applications for health insurance were rejected because of her condition. With each round of chemotherapy costing $16,000, she delayed treatment because she knew her savings wouldn't last (Eric H. Holder and Kathleen Sebelius, 12/14).

14 Dec 2010

Study links large waistline to increased risk of heart problems and type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Strelitz Diabetes Center and the school’s department of physiological sciences have published research showing a strong link between a large waistline and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

14 Dec 2010

Healthcare reform – debates begin all over again

The US Justice Department this Tuesday announced its intention to appeal a federal court’s ruling against a key part of the Obama administration's healthcare law.

14 Dec 2010

UnitedHealthcare's care management solution will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence: Study

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that UnitedHealthcare's innovative care management solution in the Phoenix market will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence. According to the recent West Health Plan Analysis, the use of non-physician, credentialed providers is intended to create virtual medical homes that allow non-traditional providers, such as pharmacists, wellness coordinators and lifestyle coaches, to recommend and coordinate necessary prescription adjustments.

14 Dec 2010

Health Reform News and Research

In Florida, federal court judge considers health-care challenge by states

State Roundup: UMass bone marrow registry practices probed; Insurance woes hit many Calif. middle income families

Significant gap exists in medical services for ER patients

Today's Opinions: Cucinelli argues for quickly moving Va. case to the Supreme Court; Unraveling Medicaid leaves a big gap; Taking away a cancer treatment

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota praises fix of orphan drug discount under 340B program

White House to hold meetings with stakeholders on overhaul implementation

Iowa moves forward on health exchange; Texas medical school highlights geriatrics; Concerns grow about prisoners' mental health needs

Health law challenges shift to Florida courtroom

Justice Department will appeal health ruling, Virginia decision viewed as one step in long path to Supreme Court

State roundup: Minn. to add more adults to Medicaid; Mass. Gov. seeks savings in pensions and health care costs; Ariz. bishop and hospital spar over control

CRS report details regs issued since passage of health overhaul

Personalities, politics emerge from decision's aftermath

Today's Opinions: Reviewing judge's ruling on health law's individual mandate

Almonds can help treat, prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

First Edition: December 15, 2010

Legal analysis, implementation predictions and political posturing abound in the wake of yesterday's decision

OpEds: Assessing Judge Hudson's decision on individual mandate

Study links large waistline to increased risk of heart problems and type 2 diabetes

Healthcare reform – debates begin all over again

UnitedHealthcare's care management solution will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence: Study

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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