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Study provides insight into how primary care patients experience genetic testing

Several companies sell genetic testing directly to consumers, but little research has been done on how consumers experience such tests. The tests have raised questions about the validity and accuracy of the information provided to consumers - especially without the involvement of a qualified health care professional.

16 Jul 2013

House subcommittee schedules markup of 'doc fix' bill

The panel on July 22 will consider a measure repealing the current Medicare physician payment formula. Also in the news, some fact-checking on House GOP efforts to repeal the health law.

16 Jul 2013

Psychiatric and mental health services in Scotland should be reviewed, say researchers

Individual ethnic groups use psychiatric and mental health services in Scotland very differently, a study suggests.

16 Jul 2013

First Edition: July 16, 2013

Kaiser Health News consumer columnist Michelle Andrews reports: "Since smokers' health-care costs tend to be higher than those of nonsmokers, is it reasonable for smokers to pay higher premiums when they buy insurance through the new state marketplaces that are scheduled to open in October? A handful of states and the District say the answer is no" (Andrews, 7/16).

16 Jul 2013

Viewpoints: Disability insurance 'time bomb;' Leavitt on the lessons of Medicare Part D's rollout; Boys and eating disorders

Social Security for retirement and Medicare are the best known of the major entitlement programs with looming financial disasters. While some argue about when they will run out of money, their projected 75-year unfunded liabilities grow larger every year and now total $40 trillion, much worse thereafter. But the ticking time bomb of entitlement reform is Social Security's Disability Insurance Fund (Michael J. Boskin, 7/14).

16 Jul 2013

Roundup: Ore. seniors get special medical deduction, but less generous than hoped; Six fired at Calif. hospital after patient data breaches

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Democrats wanted to do away with it. Oregonian columnist Susan Nielsen opined against it. Even AARP was OK with its demise. But when the smoke cleared this week, the Oregon Legislature merely curtailed it. Beginning this tax year, only seniors age 62 or older can deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses, not their entire households (Hunsberger, 7/12).

16 Jul 2013

Insurers could be caught in health law's smoker glitch; Student health plans to get an upgrade

As the health overhaul's implementation marches on, the Obama administration has limited a provision relating to the cost of smokers' premiums and one news outlet looks at the effects on plans available to college students.

16 Jul 2013

Freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, frequent flyers change health care marketplace

News outlets offer various reports on how emergency and urgent care facilities are affecting how America delivers health care.

16 Jul 2013

ACO pioneers face decision deadline

Modern Healthcare reports that Medicare Pioneers have until July 15 to let the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services know if they plan to stay in the program for a second year. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Mirror offers a picture of how accountable care organizations work.

16 Jul 2013

Reid says he's open to Senate abortion ban vote

But the Senate leader warns that Congress shouldn't focus on "fringe" issues. Meanwhile, political analysts say the Republican push to limit abortions scores points with the party's conservative base, but could widen its "gender gap" in the 2014 elections.

16 Jul 2013

Health exchange countdown: Insurers, regulators test drive new plans, TV ads

News outlets report on how the health law's online health insurance marketplaces will work, the products that will be available through them and the efforts to enroll millions of uninsured or underinsured people.

16 Jul 2013

Texas Senate passes abortion restrictions, opponents vow legal fight

Texas Senate lawmakers have followed their House counterparts in approving a series of abortion restrictions. The move has opponents vowing to take their fight to the courtroom and doctors at abortion clinics are worried the legislation could force them to shut down.

16 Jul 2013

Music decreases children's perceived sense of pain, say researchers

Newly published findings by medical researchers at the University of Alberta provide more evidence that music decreases children's perceived sense of pain.

16 Jul 2013

Ripple effect of employer mandate delay seen on policies, politics

Politico reports on how the Obama administration's decision may create some difficulties for employers. Other media outlets detail how Republicans will try to capitalize on it this week on Capitol Hill.

16 Jul 2013

Conversation guide helps doctor tackle end-of-life care planning with patient

How does a doctor tackle the delicate issue of end-of-life care planning with a patient? With an aging population and people living longer with chronic illness, it is increasingly important for patients and family members to decide how they and their loved ones would like to spend their final days. And for physicians in both hospital and primary care settings, it is crucial that they know how to address this issue with sensitivity.

16 Jul 2013

Health law opponents using campaign-style maneuvers

NBC News looks at the political tactics of conservatives hoping to derail the health overhaul. Meanwhile, one senator's attempt fails to cut funding and stop implementation.

16 Jul 2013

Health overhaul scam opportunities emerge

As the health law roll-out continues, more attention is being paid to the opportunities it may create for scammers and fraudsters.

16 Jul 2013

Study: Prosthetic valve endocarditis associated with high one-year mortality rate

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (inflammation and infection involving the heart valves and lining of the heart chambers) remains associated with a high one-year mortality rate and early valve replacement does not appear to be associated with lower mortality compared with medical therapy according to a study by Tahaniyat Lalani, M.D., M.H.S., of the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia, and colleagues.

16 Jul 2013

Exalenz Bioscience launches BreathID Hp to test and treat H. pylori

Exalenz Bioscience, developer of advanced diagnostic systems that use a patient's breath to detect and help manage gastrointestinal and liver conditions, announced today the global launch of the BreathID Hp, a next generation device in the company's BreathID product line.

15 Jul 2013

First Edition: July 15,2013

Today's headlines include reports about the health law's implementation and status checks on how the measure's online insurance marketplaces are taking shape.

15 Jul 2013