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First Edition: September 12, 2013

Today's headlines include a range of stories related to the politics and policies in play as Oct. 1 -- the health law's big day -- quickly approaches.

12 Sep 2013

Botox Cosmetic receives FDA approval for treatment of crow’s feet lines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new use for Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe lateral canthal lines, known as crow’s feet, in adults. Botox Cosmetic is the only FDA approved drug treatment option for lateral canthal lines.

12 Sep 2013

Choosing Wisely List released by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today released a list of specific tests or procedures that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in orthopaedics as part of the Choosing Wisely- campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.

12 Sep 2013

Companies with culture of health may yield greater value for their investors

Companies that build a culture of health by focusing on the well-being and safety of their workforce may yield greater value for their investors, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

12 Sep 2013

Uninsured residents report improved health with primary care 'home'

A new study shows significant health benefits for uninsured people living under the federal poverty level in the suburbs when they receive access to primary care.

12 Sep 2013

Qualitative data collected in Benin improves understanding of feeding practices of young kids

Qualitative data were collected in a study on infant and young child feeding in rural Benin in May 2013. This research aimed to improve understanding of complementary feeding practices of young children. It was conducted in the preparatory phase of the Work Package 4 in the FoodAfrica Programme.

12 Sep 2013

ASTRO selects Jean B. Owen as 2013 Honorary Member

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected health care researcher Jean B. Owen, PhD, as the 2013 Honorary Member, the highest honor ASTRO bestows on distinguished cancer researchers, scientists and leaders in disciplines other than radiation oncology, radiobiology and radiation physics.

12 Sep 2013

Becker's Hospital Review names Virginia Mason as one of 50 Greenest Hospitals in America

Virginia Mason has been named one of the 50 Greenest Hospitals in America for 2013 by Becker's Hospital Review, a leading health care publication.

12 Sep 2013

New analysis finds ASCs provide billions of dollars to Medicare program and its beneficiaries

A new analysis by researchers at the prominent University of California-Berkeley Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare finds that ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) provide billions of dollars in savings to the Medicare program and its beneficiaries.

12 Sep 2013

MBA graduate earns Certificate of Leadership Fundamentals by completing RLI program

The Radiology Leadership Institute™ (RLI), a program of the American College of Radiology, awarded its first Certificate of Leadership Fundamentals™ to Alexandru Bageac, M.D., MBA. Bageac earned this certificate by successfully completing Level I of the RLI program, which focuses on the fundamental tenets of leadership.

12 Sep 2013

State highlights: S.F. suing Nevada over 'dumped' patients; feds push Pa. to move kids to Medicaid; Medicaid contractor's lawsuit against La. goes forward

A selection of health policy stories from California, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Georgia and Oregon.

12 Sep 2013

Viewpoints: Hopes for single payer system remain; GOP's move to tie debt ceiling to health law is dangerous; subsidy fraud must be stopped

With the Oct. 1 rollout of a major facet of the Affordable Care Act on the horizon, you'll be hearing a lot about the glitches, loopholes and shortcomings of this most important restructuring of America's healthcare system in our lifetimes.

12 Sep 2013

Some House GOP lawmakers take hard line position against health law funding in debt limit debate

As Republican leaders unveiled a plan to avert a government shutdown, they faced the challenge of building support for the proposal within their own ranks because it does not defund the health law. Some within the caucus reacted with skepticism.

12 Sep 2013

Some big insurers 'MIA' from state-based exchanges

CNN reports that health plans such as Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna are practicing watchful waiting to see how the launch of these online marketplaces and the 2014 push to expand coverage rolls out. Meanwhile, California's exchange will be ready, according to its executive director, and most uninsured Kentuckians will receive discounts, says the governor.

12 Sep 2013

FDA takes steps to restrict the use of pain meds

The Food and Drug Administration will require a class-wide label change for long-acting opioids aimed at limiting use of these drugs to patients with severe, refractory pain.

12 Sep 2013

Hydroxyurea treatment prevents complications, lowers medical care costs in children sickle cell disease

The benefits of hydroxyurea treatment in people with sickle cell disease are well known -- fewer painful episodes, fewer blood transfusions and fewer hospitalizations. Now new research from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other institutions reveals that by preventing such complications, the drug can also considerably lower the overall cost of medical care in children with this condition.

12 Sep 2013

Federal officials, contractors give health exchange 'data hub' thumbs up

Several contractors gave positive reports about their readiness to launch the health law's new online marketplaces Oct. 1 at a House hearing Tuesday, although one expert predicted a "rocky start," and several Republicans said they were not reassured.

12 Sep 2013

Big changes for addiction treatment predicted under Obamacare

An estimated 40 million people could enter treatment because the health law recognizes drug addiction and alcoholism as chronic diseases that must be covered by insurance plans, according to the California Health Report.

12 Sep 2013

Parsing Obamacare's impact on employment

A new survey shows that despite worries about the health care law, chief financial officers anticipate improved hiring conditions over the next year, according to CBS News. Other media outlets report on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's challenge to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to visit Seaworld where he says employees' part-time hours have been capped to avoid the requirement that they be offered health coverage.

12 Sep 2013

North Carolina professor receives 2013 New Scholar in Aging Award from Ellison Medical Foundation

Li Qian, PhD, an assistant professor in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has received a 2013 New Scholar in Aging Award from the Ellison Medical Foundation.

12 Sep 2013

Health Care News and Research

First Edition: September 12, 2013

Botox Cosmetic receives FDA approval for treatment of crow’s feet lines

Choosing Wisely List released by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Companies with culture of health may yield greater value for their investors

Uninsured residents report improved health with primary care 'home'

Qualitative data collected in Benin improves understanding of feeding practices of young kids

ASTRO selects Jean B. Owen as 2013 Honorary Member

Becker's Hospital Review names Virginia Mason as one of 50 Greenest Hospitals in America

New analysis finds ASCs provide billions of dollars to Medicare program and its beneficiaries

MBA graduate earns Certificate of Leadership Fundamentals by completing RLI program

State highlights: S.F. suing Nevada over 'dumped' patients; feds push Pa. to move kids to Medicaid; Medicaid contractor's lawsuit against La. goes forward

Viewpoints: Hopes for single payer system remain; GOP's move to tie debt ceiling to health law is dangerous; subsidy fraud must be stopped

Some House GOP lawmakers take hard line position against health law funding in debt limit debate

Some big insurers 'MIA' from state-based exchanges

FDA takes steps to restrict the use of pain meds

Hydroxyurea treatment prevents complications, lowers medical care costs in children sickle cell disease

Federal officials, contractors give health exchange 'data hub' thumbs up

Big changes for addiction treatment predicted under Obamacare

Parsing Obamacare's impact on employment

North Carolina professor receives 2013 New Scholar in Aging Award from Ellison Medical Foundation

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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