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Calif. high risk pool may overflow; seniors and long-term care costs

In California, the PCIP exceeds expected costs and small businesses are struggling. Minnesota insurers are worried about long-term care policies and a Michigan pay-to-play probe is opened.

22 Nov 2011

Racial disparities in emergency diverticulitis surgery

Black senior citizens who need surgery for the intestinal disorder diverticulitis are significantly more likely to die in the hospital than their equally ill white counterparts, even when each racial group carries the same health insurance, new Johns Hopkins research suggests.

22 Nov 2011

Older home health care patients are prescribed PIMs three times higher than others

Older adults receiving home health care may be taking a drug that is unsafe or ineffective for someone their age. In fact, nearly 40 percent of seniors receiving medical care from a home health agency are taking at least one prescription medication that is considered potentially inappropriate to seniors, a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine has revealed.

22 Nov 2011

Recommendations aim to enhance health and quality of life for frail and vulnerable patients in nursing home care

More than 1.5 million adults live in nursing homes in the United States, and approximately 30 percent of people will diewith a nursing home as their last place of residence. As this population continues to increase, so will the need for physicians to assist those patients with proper care and guidance in making end-of-life decisions.

21 Nov 2011

Active sex life in seniors secret to happiness

In the study of 238 married people aged 65 or older in the US. the researchers found that almost 80 per cent who had sex more than once a month were ‘very happy’ with their life in general.

21 Nov 2011

Medicare physician pay cut again in play

Because the deficit panel's prospects are increasingly dim, efforts to intervene to prevent a 27 percent reduction in Medicare physician payment are becoming increasingly dire.

21 Nov 2011

Kiewit-Turner intensifies construction activities at medical center project for Colorado's veterans

Kiewit-Turner, a joint venture, has begun mobilizing additional workers and equipment as construction activities intensify on the Department of Veterans Affairs' medical center project.

21 Nov 2011

Cigna, HealthSpring receive early termination of waiting period under Hart-Scott-Rodino Act

Cigna Corporation and HealthSpring, Inc. today announced that they have received early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with Cigna's pending acquisition of HealthSpring. The early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act satisfies one of the conditions for consummation of the transaction.

21 Nov 2011

American high school students earn top honors for liver disease and brain injury research

The shortlist of contenders for the highest science honor awarded to American high school students narrowed tonight as the winners of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Region 3 Finals were announced.

21 Nov 2011

Super committee still at loggerheads on deficit, agreement still elusive

With just days remaining to overcome the impasse, deficit panel members appear to be making no progress toward an agreement to reach the 10-year savings target. Still, meetings and discussions continued regarding possible tax increases and cuts in the growth of programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

19 Nov 2011

Colo. Gov. dismisses GOP call for Medicaid waivers; Fla. sanctions Medicaid docs

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday rejected a Republican suggestion that he seek a federal waiver to rules governing Medicaid to balance the state budget. The Democratic governor's reaction comes amid a standoff with Republicans over suspending a property-tax break for seniors that costs the state $100 million a year.

19 Nov 2011

Victory for seniors: Calif. Adult Day Health Care center lawsuit resolved

Senior advocates had sued the state because of Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to shut down the ADHC program to save money.

19 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Waiting for the super committee; TV coverage of Supreme Court's health law session

Congress's bipartisan super committee is heading toward its November 23 deadline with no deal in sight to cut $1.2 trillion from the deficit over 10 years. So it's time to think seriously about the consequences of the default alternative, which would be a $1.2 trillion "sequester," or automatic spending cut, starting in 2013. It's hardly the nightmare of Washington dread.

19 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 18, 2011

In today's health policy headlines, reports indicate that the super committee continues to face difficulties and may not make its fast-approaching deadline.

18 Nov 2011

Medicaid officials struggle with surge in long-term care needs

The company's naming of David J. McNichols comes as a consulting firm for the state is evaluating the current system of delivering care to Medicaid and PeachCare beneficiaries in Georgia. WellCare has part of that multibillion-dollar business, along with two other managed care companies. The state pays the three firms a total of more than $2.5 billion a year to serve the Medicaid and PeachCare populations.

18 Nov 2011

Outside groups launch TV ads warning about Medicare cuts

Americans United for Change, AFSCME, SEIU and MoveOn.org are among the groups targeting GOP lawmakers regarding proposals to cut Medicare. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is striking back with ads of its own warning about government-run health care.

18 Nov 2011

Debt panel deliberations involve gloom, doom and blame

As indications continue to suggest the super committee stalemate continues, the panel members and other lawmakers are pointing fingers and assigning blame. Health programs -- including Medicare -- continue to be a sticking point. News outlets also examine how the threatened cuts that would kick in if the panel doesn't find success would impact the health sector.

18 Nov 2011

LGBT seniors face higher rates of disability, physical and mental distress

Aging and health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender baby boomers have been largely ignored by services, policies and research. These seniors face higher rates of disability, physical and mental distress and a lack of access to services, according to the first study on aging and health in these communities.

17 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 17, 2011

In today's headlines, reports that the Supreme Court's review of the health law shocks Medicaid advocates and more on the continuing struggles of the super committee.

17 Nov 2011

Study finds Medicare changes would impose additional costs on majority of 'healthy' beneficiaries

Several deficit-reduction committees have suggested changing the federal health-care program for seniors to combine the hospital- and doctor-services deductibles that participants currently pay separately. In this system, seniors could have a $550 annual deductible, and be required to pay 20 percent toward all services up to a $5,550 annual limit.

17 Nov 2011

Seniors News and Research

Calif. high risk pool may overflow; seniors and long-term care costs

Racial disparities in emergency diverticulitis surgery

Older home health care patients are prescribed PIMs three times higher than others

Recommendations aim to enhance health and quality of life for frail and vulnerable patients in nursing home care

Active sex life in seniors secret to happiness

Medicare physician pay cut again in play

Kiewit-Turner intensifies construction activities at medical center project for Colorado's veterans

Cigna, HealthSpring receive early termination of waiting period under Hart-Scott-Rodino Act

American high school students earn top honors for liver disease and brain injury research

Super committee still at loggerheads on deficit, agreement still elusive

Colo. Gov. dismisses GOP call for Medicaid waivers; Fla. sanctions Medicaid docs

Victory for seniors: Calif. Adult Day Health Care center lawsuit resolved

Viewpoints: Waiting for the super committee; TV coverage of Supreme Court's health law session

First Edition: November 18, 2011

Medicaid officials struggle with surge in long-term care needs

Outside groups launch TV ads warning about Medicare cuts

Debt panel deliberations involve gloom, doom and blame

LGBT seniors face higher rates of disability, physical and mental distress

First Edition: November 17, 2011

Study finds Medicare changes would impose additional costs on majority of 'healthy' beneficiaries

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