Health Care News and Research

RSS

Medicaid 'death debt' causes some to step away from coverage

A little-known aspect of Medicaid allows states, in certain cases, to recoup medical costs by claiming deceased people's homes, which is causing some people to avoid coverage, even those who are newly eligible under the health law's expanded eligibility.

24 Jan 2014

Political cartoon: 'Friends With Benefits?'

Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Friends With Benefits?" by Mike Lester.

24 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 24, 2014

Today's headlines include reports that a federal district court judge in Missouri has blocked state officials from restricting groups efforts to help people sign up for coverage as part of the federal health law.

24 Jan 2014

Big jump in Medicaid signups reported

More than 6.3 million people were found eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program since October, but it is unclear how many are newly insured since recipients must re-enroll each year. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urges mayors to push their states to expand the program. News outlets also look at developments in Virginia and Florida.

24 Jan 2014

Comprehensive supplement released on Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference

The Annals of the American Thoracic Society has released a comprehensive supplement on the 56th annual Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference entitled "The Lung Microbiome: A New Frontier in Pulmonary Medicine."

24 Jan 2014

Researchers examine effects of ACA on cancer survivors

In 2010, the total cost of cancer care in the United States reached $125 billion. Globally, the economic toll from cancer is nearly 20 percent higher than the leading cause of death, heart disease. Cancer patients are also living longer today, which is further increasing the cost of their continued care.

24 Jan 2014

Focused ultrasound exam accurately identifies heart problems in athletes

A young athlete in seemingly excellent health dies suddenly from a previously undetected cardiovascular condition such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in nearly every U.S. state annually.

24 Jan 2014

Viewpoints: Target has the right idea for part-timers; health law 'beyond rescue;' fighting back to secure the right to abortion

The big noise on the health insurance front today was sounded by Target, which announced via a corporate blog that it's ending health insurance for its part-time workers. Instead of signing up for a company plan, they're encouraged to use the health care exchanges set up through the Affordable Care Act. ...

24 Jan 2014

Scientists, clinicians to examine role of human gut microbiota in digestive and overall health

The microbial communities that reside in the human gut and their impact on human health and disease are one of the most exciting new areas of research today. To address the most recent advances in this rapidly developing field, scientists and health-care professionals from all over the world will come together at the Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit in Miami, Florida, on March 8 and 9, 2014.

24 Jan 2014

HHS develops national plan to prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections

Independent evaluators have found that measurable progress in reducing the rates of some targeted HAIs has been achieved under the umbrella of a national plan to prevent HAIs that was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

24 Jan 2014

Diabetic British Muslims may avoid attending GP surgeries to discuss fasting during Ramadan

British Muslims with diabetes may avoid attending GP surgeries to discuss fasting during the holy month of Ramadan - with potentially serious consequences for their future health, new research by the universities of Manchester and Keele shows.

From The University of Manchester 24 Jan 2014

Looking ahead: The President's State of the Union address talking points

When President Obama brings up health care during his State of the Union address on Jan. 28, he will make one issue clear (yet) again: He will defend the Affordable Care Act against any and all political attacks this year.

24 Jan 2014

Longer looks: Leaving antidepressants; the lack of tech-savvy doctors

Whenever I feel like taking a trip back in time, I save myself the trouble of building a time machine and instead just head over to a doctor's office. For a Millennial, or really anyone who lives a modern lifestyle, getting medical care is a rare departure from an otherwise technology-fueled existence. …

24 Jan 2014

Pfizer announces results from Phase 3 study of ALO-02 in patients with chronic low back pain

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today top-line results from a Phase 3 study of investigational agent ALO-02 (oxycodone hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride extended-release capsules) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic low back pain.

24 Jan 2014

Gap continues to grow between urban and rural residents in life expectancy

Reducing health inequalities and increasing life expectancy in the United States have both been primary goals of the national health initiative, Healthy People 2020. Unfortunately, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, over a 40-year period, rural residents have experienced smaller gains in life expectancy than their urban counterparts and the gap continues to grow.

24 Jan 2014

State highlights: Minn. improves hospital safety

A selection of health policy news from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Iowa and Virginia.

24 Jan 2014

Target to drop part-time workers' health policies, join other companies changing benefits after ACA rollout

Experts predict that more employers with large numbers of part-time workers will follow as they attempt to keep costs low.

24 Jan 2014

SCCA Proton Therapy ProCure Center achieves milestone of treating 100 adult and pediatric cancer patients

Past and present patients, families, friends, staff and physicians of SCCA Proton Therapy, A ProCure Center gathered this week to commemorate the milestone of treating 100 adult and pediatric cancer patients.

24 Jan 2014

In Calif., Anthem leads in enrollment; Md. Glitches blamed on IBM software

At the halfway mark, industry giant Anthem Blue Cross is holding on to a slim lead among health insurance providers with a 31% share of California's exchange market. The Covered California exchange released enrollment figures Tuesday for its 11 health plans from Oct. 1 to the end of December.

24 Jan 2014

Survey finds modest drop in January uninsured rate

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index found that the uninsured rate for U.S. adults dropped by 1.2 percentage points in January as the health law's coverage expansion took effect, with the biggest change seen among unemployed people and nonwhites.

24 Jan 2014