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Research to better understand doctors' attentiveness to patients' spiritual concerns

Research from Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, the official journal of the Association of Professional Chaplains and a publication from Routledge, aims to better understand doctors' attentiveness to patients'/families' spiritual concerns as well as doctors' attitudes towards referrals to chaplains.

4 Apr 2014

Obama administration point to official end -- April 15 -- for enrollment extension

The Wall Street Journal reports that this cut-off will apply to the hundreds of thousands of people who started signing up for insurance on the federal health exchange but got held up during their last-minute shopping. Also in the news, the latest from California and Georgia in terms of deadlines and enrollment efforts.

4 Apr 2014

New Medicaid era takes different paths in Mich., Wis.

The neighboring states opt for different approaches to Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, in Missouri, two Republican lawmakers clash over whether to accept the health law's expansion, and the Pennsylvania governor says he is nearly ready to pull back his proposal that is languishing with federal officials.

4 Apr 2014

Study shows high-risk drinking may improve post weight loss surgery

Much has been reported about the potential for increased risk of alcohol misuse after weight loss surgery (WLS), with most theories pointing to lower alcohol tolerance and a longer time to return to a sober state after surgery, but a new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests that upwards of half of high-risk drinkers are actually less likely to report high-risk drinking behavior after weight loss surgery.

4 Apr 2014

With eyes on upcoming congressional elections, Democrats see glimmer of hope in enrollment numbers

For months, Republicans have viewed the health law as a powerful weapon against Democratic opponents, but the better-than-expected enrollment figures offered Democrats a positive counter-argument.

4 Apr 2014

Now that open enrollment has ended, what are the health law's next challenges?

News outlets are beginning to focus on the next set of implementation chores, as well as the ways in which the law will impact the health care marketplace.

4 Apr 2014

Walking reduces high risk for heart disease in patients with kidney infection

Heart disease and infection are major complications and the leading causes of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is now well established that immune system dysfunction is involved in both of these pathological processes.

4 Apr 2014

Ryan budget plan stirs opposition on both sides of the aisle

The proposal from House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., would cut $5 trillion over the next decade by repealing the Affordable Care Act and making sharp cuts to health care programs for the middle class and the poor. Democrats are incorporating the proposal into their midterm campaign strategy, while some Republicans, angered by the House leadership's handling of the 'doc fix' vote, are also expressing doubts.

4 Apr 2014

Longer looks: New doubts about shaken baby syndrome; arresting the mentally ill; self-help therapy

A number of reexamined cases in recent years - aided by new technology and debate among medical experts - have put proponents of the (Shaken Baby Syndrome) hypothesis on the defensive.

4 Apr 2014

Kidney disease patients with poor quality of life at increased risk of developing heart problems

Kidney disease patients with poor quality of life are at increased risk of experiencing progression of their disease and of developing heart problems, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The findings suggest that quality of life measurements may have important prognostic value in these individuals.

4 Apr 2014

Confident from enrollment numbers, Obama turns focus to GOP health care and budget plans

President Barack Obama continued to tout the success of the health care law, using the momentum to attack the House GOP's new budget proposal, as well as providing a blueprint for the defense of the law for Democrats in upcoming elections.

4 Apr 2014

Medicare will release billing data from doctors

The information will include data on what services doctors used, the average amount they charged Medicare and what they were paid. Doctors have fought such disclosures in the past.

4 Apr 2014

Metabolon announces launch of fourth-generation metabolomics platform

Metabolon, Inc., a leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery, announced today the launch of DiscoveryHD4, the company's fourth-generation metabolomics platform.

4 Apr 2014

Jindal offers alternative to health law

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal unveiled a 26-page health plan that emphasizes the role of states in keeping health costs down while giving consumers more flexibility. He also reiterates the need to repeal Obamacare.

3 Apr 2014

Failed state exchanges set sights too high, say experts

Common themes characterize several failed state exchanges, including trying to do too much the first year and having tangled lines of authority, reports CQ HealthBeat.

3 Apr 2014

Rural nursing presents challenges, rewards

Providing comprehensive health care can be a daunting task for nurses serving nearly 60 million people living in rural America.

3 Apr 2014

Roundup: Battles fought over Lyme disease, autism and abortion

In Texas, abortion providers file suit to block a state rule that could shut down many of the state's remaining clinics, while lawmakers in Vermont and N.Y. seek to immunize doctors who prescribe long-term antibiotics for patients with lasting symptoms attributed to Lyme disease.

3 Apr 2014