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First Edition: December 20, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the action taken by the administration to relax a health law requirement just four days before the deadline.

20 Dec 2013

Political cartoon: 'Rumpelstilt-Scare?'

Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Rumpelstilt-Scare?" by Nate Beeler.

20 Dec 2013

Rutgers-Camden nursing professor recommends new ways to promote physical activity for urban girls

Most people know that one of the keys to reducing or preventing health problems is to get more exercise, but determining how to best integrate physical activity into their daily lives - and having access to exercise programs - remains a significant hurdle to clear on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

20 Dec 2013

AMP proposes new, service-oriented terminology for high quality laboratory testing

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) released a special article in the January 2014 issue of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics titled "Revisiting Oversight and Regulation of Molecular-Based Laboratory-Developed Tests"(LDTs).

20 Dec 2013

Value-based medicine gains momentum

When Tanner Martin, 17, developed excruciating back pain last year, he was sure he needed an X-ray to find out what was wrong…But Konnie Martin was no ordinary parent. As chief executive officer of San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, Colorado, she is at the center of an experiment, known as value-based insurance, that could transform American healthcare.

20 Dec 2013

What if I don't like the coverage offered by my employer?

Kaiser Health News consumer columnist Michelle Andrews outlines the health insurance options for people offered coverage at work (12/19).

20 Dec 2013

Adults nationwide concerned about use of e-cigarettes by children and teens

Adults nationwide are concerned about the use of e-cigarettes by children and teens, with 44 percent indicating worries that the devices will encourage kids to use tobacco products, according to a new poll from the University of Michigan.

20 Dec 2013

Joint initiative aims to eradicate health disparities among communities of color in the U.S.

The world's first and largest group medical practice and one of the nation's premier volunteer service organizations of professional African American women are joining forces to eradicate health disparities among communities of color in the United States. Mayo Clinic and The Links, Incorporated have established a formal collaboration that aims to develop a more diverse health care workforce.

20 Dec 2013

IQWiG reassesses vemurafenib for treatment of advanced melanoma

Pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) reassessed vemurafenib (trade name: Zelboraf), a drug for the treatment of adults with a certain type of advanced melanoma.

20 Dec 2013

Viewpoints: Republicans' 'repeal trap;' 'insufferable' pajama boy; ADHD epidemic; ACLU's campaign against Catholic hospitals

The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, Indiana, reports on a fascinating exchange between GOP Rep. Marlin Stutzman and a local meat market owner, Lee Albright, who likes the Affordable Care Act and quizzed the Congressman about the real world implications of the GOP repeal stance (Greg Sargent, 12/18).

20 Dec 2013

State highlights: Calif. midwives prepare for new independence; Minn. gov supports nurse board changes; Colo. Medicaid dental care

California licensed midwives will have increased independence and authority in attending births, potentially giving more pregnant women access to their services under a new law that goes into effect in January. Assembly Bill 1308 removes an unworkable clause that required all licensed midwives to be supervised by a physician. Licensed midwives had been unable to fulfill that requirement since it went into effect 20 years ago because physicians' malpractice insurance prohibited them from filling that role. In addition, licensed midwives will now be authorized to operate birth centers without physician supervision and will have increased access to drugs, tests and medical devices used in their practice (Renner, 12/18).

20 Dec 2013

'Deluge' of signups reported by some state exchanges

A handful of states with relatively smoothly operating insurance websites have seen enrollment increases of 30 percent to 40 percent this week. But others, including Massachusetts, Maryland and Colorado, continue to experience political as well as technical challenges.

20 Dec 2013

Study supports mounting evidence that inflammation may be the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis

Saint Louis University researchers have analyzed the microbiomes of people with chronic rhinosinusitis and healthy volunteers and found evidence that some chronic sinus issues may be the result of inflammation triggered by an immune response to otherwise harmless microorganisms in the sinus membranes.

20 Dec 2013

New American Journal of Public Health issue explores methods, practices to enhance birth outcomes

In a new issue of the American Journal of Public Health, researchers and experts investigate the latest methods and practices in improving birth outcomes. The special issue compiles a collection of commentaries, research studies and editorials to discuss maternal and child health topics ranging from disparities to breastfeeding.

20 Dec 2013

Longer looks: A 'biopsy chaperone;' medical errors at assisted living homes; 'wasting money' on multivitamins

At least 80 times in recent years, employees at San Diego County assisted living homes overlooked serious medical issues, gave the wrong medication or otherwise failed to properly care for vulnerable seniors. The problems arose as a result of the unique position held by the care homes, viewed by many families as health-care facilities even though they lack the required levels of training, supervision and oversight. The new cases were examined by U-T Watchdog as part of an ongoing partnership with the CHCF Center for Health Reporting at the University of Southern California (Jeff McDonald, 12/14).

20 Dec 2013

Web-based brokers still unable to enroll consumers

Despite promises of technical fixes by the federal government, Web-based brokers like eHealth are still unable to enroll consumers in Obamacare policies through their own sites as an alternative to healthcare.gov.

20 Dec 2013

USC's Keck Medicine becomes world's first center to implant responsive brain device to treat epilepsy

On Dec. 18, Keck Medicine of USC became the world's first medical center to implant a responsive brain device newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat epilepsy, with potential to help millions of people worldwide.

20 Dec 2013

Medicaid expansion: Wisconsin's 'third way'; Virginia's health secretary could ease path

News outlets report on various developments related to two state efforts to expand the health insurance program for low-income people.

20 Dec 2013

People with diabetes at risk of developing diabetic macular edema during their lifetime

Despite recent advances in prevention and treatment of most vision loss attributed to diabetes, a new study shows that fewer than half of Americans with damage to their eyes from diabetes are aware of the link between the disease and visual impairment, and only six in 10 had their eyes fully examined in the year leading up to the study.

20 Dec 2013

Minnesota's health exchange turmoil continues

As of Dec. 1, fewer than 4,500 people had signed up for coverage through the state's online insurance marketplace, leading to apologies from its new director and talk of postponing the deadline for enrollment for January coverage.

20 Dec 2013

Health Care News and Research

First Edition: December 20, 2013

Political cartoon: 'Rumpelstilt-Scare?'

Rutgers-Camden nursing professor recommends new ways to promote physical activity for urban girls

AMP proposes new, service-oriented terminology for high quality laboratory testing

Value-based medicine gains momentum

What if I don't like the coverage offered by my employer?

Adults nationwide concerned about use of e-cigarettes by children and teens

Joint initiative aims to eradicate health disparities among communities of color in the U.S.

IQWiG reassesses vemurafenib for treatment of advanced melanoma

Viewpoints: Republicans' 'repeal trap;' 'insufferable' pajama boy; ADHD epidemic; ACLU's campaign against Catholic hospitals

State highlights: Calif. midwives prepare for new independence; Minn. gov supports nurse board changes; Colo. Medicaid dental care

'Deluge' of signups reported by some state exchanges

Study supports mounting evidence that inflammation may be the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis

New American Journal of Public Health issue explores methods, practices to enhance birth outcomes

Longer looks: A 'biopsy chaperone;' medical errors at assisted living homes; 'wasting money' on multivitamins

Web-based brokers still unable to enroll consumers

USC's Keck Medicine becomes world's first center to implant responsive brain device to treat epilepsy

Medicaid expansion: Wisconsin's 'third way'; Virginia's health secretary could ease path

People with diabetes at risk of developing diabetic macular edema during their lifetime

Minnesota's health exchange turmoil continues

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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