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First Edition: March 3, 2014

Today's headlins include stories detailing ongoing challenges with state-run exchanges as well as previews of what's next regarding the federal budget process.

3 Mar 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

Since 2009, the eight states (Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Maximizing Enrollment program have worked to streamline and simplify enrollment systems, policies, and processes for children and those eligible for coverage in 2014. ... States [focused] on five key areas: 1) applications, 2) eligibility determinations, 3) renewals and transfers, 4) notices, and 5) business processes.

3 Mar 2014

RainDance Technologies closes $16.5 million Series E financing round

RainDance Technologies, Inc., an innovative genomics tools company making molecular testing of complex diseases more standardized and readily available, today announced that it has closed a $16.5 million Series E financing round extension. New investors include GE Ventures and Northgate Capital; all existing financial investors also participated in this round of financing.

3 Mar 2014

Despite appearances, agreement exists about some health care improvements

USA Today notes that consensus can be found regarding five steps. In other implementation news, NBC News reports on a new service being offered by some tax preparers -- health insurance enrollment.

3 Mar 2014

Deficient hygiene routines make it difficult to eradicate multi-resistant bacterium

A previously unknown multi-resistant bacterium has been sticking around at a Swedish University Hospital for ten years.

3 Mar 2014

Utah Gov. rejects full Medicaid expansion, opts instead for a 'private' approach

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert unveiled a proposal that would use federal money to help qualifying state residents buy private health insurance and would, he said, keep the state in control of the program. In Virginia, the political back-and-forth over expanding the program continues.

3 Mar 2014

Same food may trigger both allergies, say experts

Some children who outgrow one type of food allergy may then develop another type of allergy, more severe and more persistent, to the same food. A new study by pediatric allergy experts suggests that health care providers and caregivers carefully monitor children with food allergies to recognize early signs of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a severe and often painful type of allergy that has been increasing in recent years.

3 Mar 2014

CBO: Republican 'fix' to health law would hurt coverage, cost $74 billion

The Congressional Budget Office report comes out as House Speaker John Boehner discusses whether there's a future for a GOP bill.

3 Mar 2014

In states with failing exchanges, CMS opens door to retroactive premium subsidies

A ruling by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will make it possible for consumers in some states to get federal subsidies even when they buy insurance outside of the Obamacare insurance marketplaces.

3 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

About half a century ago, organized medicine and the hospital industry in this country struck a deal with Congress that in retrospect seems as audacious as it seems incredible: Congress was asked to surrender to these industries the keys to the United States Treasury. In return, the industries would allow Congress to pass a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act .... We have come to know it as Medicare.

3 Mar 2014

Study: Twitter could be used to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors

Real-time social media like Twitter could be used to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors with the aim of detecting and potentially preventing outbreaks, a new UCLA-led study shows.

3 Mar 2014

Study explores risks associated with using herbal cannabis for treatment of rheumatic conditions

Patients with rheumatic conditions are in need of symptom relief and some are turning to herbal cannabis as a treatment option. However, the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana to treat symptoms of rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia is not supported by medical evidence.

3 Mar 2014

Aetna announces quarterly cash dividend, sanctions additional repurchase of common stock

The Board of Directors of Aetna declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share on the company's common stock.

3 Mar 2014

Psychiatric APNs share 'comprehensive response' to Marathon bombings

Psychiatric advanced practice nurses (APNs) played a critical role in supporting psychological recovery after the Boston Marathon bombing-not only for injured patients, but also for family members and hospital staff, according to an article in Clinical Nurse Specialist, official journal of the the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

3 Mar 2014

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, New York, and North Carolina.

3 Mar 2014

New study may open door to better diagnosis, treatment for chronic insomnia

Johns Hopkins researchers report that people with chronic insomnia show more plasticity and activity than good sleepers in the part of the brain that controls movement.

3 Mar 2014

Researcher to receive AACR- Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for achievement in cancer research

John F. DiPersio, M.D., Ph.D., will be recognized with the 19th Annual American Association for Cancer Research-Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cancer Research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, to be held in San Diego, Calif., April 5-9.

3 Mar 2014

Health Care News and Research

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

RainDance Technologies closes $16.5 million Series E financing round

Despite appearances, agreement exists about some health care improvements

Deficient hygiene routines make it difficult to eradicate multi-resistant bacterium

Utah Gov. rejects full Medicaid expansion, opts instead for a 'private' approach

Same food may trigger both allergies, say experts

CBO: Republican 'fix' to health law would hurt coverage, cost $74 billion

In states with failing exchanges, CMS opens door to retroactive premium subsidies

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

Study: Twitter could be used to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors

Study explores risks associated with using herbal cannabis for treatment of rheumatic conditions

Aetna announces quarterly cash dividend, sanctions additional repurchase of common stock

Psychiatric APNs share 'comprehensive response' to Marathon bombings

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

New study may open door to better diagnosis, treatment for chronic insomnia

Researcher to receive AACR- Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for achievement in cancer research

Maryland exchange can't tell whether Medicaid enrollees are still eligible

Study: Residents of socioeconomically deprived regions suffer from diabetes, obesity

Council discusses innovative model of care with Cleveland Clinic CEO

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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