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Texas lawmakers pass bill to stop Medicaid expansion; Arizona debate gets heated

The Republican-majority Texas Legislature makes changes to a bill so the state bans expansion under the Affordable Care Act but doesn't violate current Medicaid law. In Arizona, meanwhile, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoes five bills to prod lawmakers to expand the program and pass a budget.

29 May 2013

Studies find patients often choose higher cost treatments, doctor-patient communications needs improvement

The studies in JAMA Internal Medicine look at issues surrounding coordinated care between doctors and their patients.

29 May 2013

Sebelius' actions under microscope as she rolls out health law

News outlets report how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has become a "lightning rod" for criticism as the administration's central player responsible for implementing the high-stakes law.

29 May 2013

Scientists identify role of GSK-3 alpha protein in promoting oncogenic KRAS function

While the mutated KRAS oncogene is associated with many cancers, it has not yet been successfully targeted by a therapeutic agent. Scientists are trying to find another way to target the gene by blocking signals from another protein downstream.

29 May 2013

Roundup: Maryland hospital rate system faltering; NY Catholic Archdiocese's coverage of birth control considered

In a world of constantly rising health-care costs, Maryland has long stood alone. Through a novel system that gave regulators unusual leverage to set prices, the state delivered care at a price that grew more slowly than elsewhere in the country - even at some of the nation's most renowned hospitals.

29 May 2013

Researchers to examine effectiveness of antibiotic therapy to treat appendicitis in children

In the first study of its kind in the United States, researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital will examine the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy alone to treat appendicitis in children, research that could allow patients to avoid a surgery many may not need.

29 May 2013

Partisan politics, public distrust thwart efforts to carry out health law

The New York Times reports that partisan gridlock will likely prevent Congress from making even small adjustments. Meanwhile, a CNN poll finds that a majority of Americans continue to oppose the measure, which adds to the Obama administration's challenge of selling it to the public.

29 May 2013

Medicare paying for an increasing number of 'functional' eye lifts

The public health insurance program for people over 65 typically does not cover cosmetic surgery, but for cases in which a patient's sagging eyelids significantly hinder their vision, it does pay to have them lifted.

29 May 2013

HHS sees cost savings in the cloud

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department is looking for cost savings in the cloud as it weathers painful budget cuts.

29 May 2013

Insurance exchanges become health law opponents' latest target

Also in the news, the latest developments from California, Mississippi, Vermont, Kansas, Minnesota and New Hampshire regarding the law's online insurance marketplaces.

29 May 2013

Businesses brace for health law's coverage requirements, potential costs

Some large companies are scaling back generous health plans they have traditionally offered employees, even though the so-called 'Cadillac tax' on high-end plans doesn't take effect until 2018, while small firms are exploring early coverage renewals and self-insurance.

29 May 2013

First Edition: May 28, 2013

Today's headlines include stories about the strategies of some businesses -- small and large -- to blunt the health law's impact.

28 May 2013

CEO of Comprehensive Care named to 'America's Agenda: Health Care for All' board

Comprehensive Care Corporation, a leading behavioral health, substance abuse and pharmacy management provider for employers, Taft-Hartley health and welfare funds, and managed care companies, announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Clark A. Marcus , has been named to the Board of Directors of "America's Agenda: Health Care for All."

28 May 2013

Information and services about sexuality and sexual health unavailable to many young people

Young people are demanding information and education about their bodies, sex, their sexuality and sexual health, as well as access to services that will support them to stay safe and healthy. Papers published in the latest themed issue of Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) demonstrate that information and services in fact remain unavailable to many young people, and many may grow up without fully understanding things that they are currently experiencing such as menstruation, let alone preparing themselves for future sexual relationships and adulthood.

28 May 2013

Report finds increase in unintentional marijuana ingestions among young children

Following modification of drug enforcement laws for possession of marijuana in Colorado, there was an apparent increase in unintentional marijuana ingestions by young children, according to a report and accompanying editorials published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics, a JAMA Network publication.

28 May 2013

Findings support ongoing development, implementation of organized stroke care delivery

An integrated system of stroke care delivery in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in fewer deaths from stroke and fewer discharges to long-term care facilities because of better access to optimal stroke care, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

28 May 2013

Patient preference to participate in decision making is linked with higher hospitalization costs

A survey of almost 22,000 admitted patients at the University of Chicago Medical Center found patient preference to participate in decision making concerning their care was associated with a longer length of stay and higher total hospitalization costs, according to a report published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

28 May 2013

AARP Illinois highlights report on uninsured Illinois veterans this Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, AARP Illinois is highlighting a recent report by the Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which shows that nearly 17,600 of the 42,000 currently uninsured Illinois veterans would receive health coverage if Medicaid is expanded under the Affordable Care Act.

28 May 2013

Survey reveals low level of shared decision making between patients and physicians

A national survey sample of adults who had discussions with their physicians in the preceding two years about common medical tests, medications and procedures often did not reflect a high level of shared decision making, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

28 May 2013

St James's Institute of Oncology orders two Versa HD systems to improve patient care

St James's Institute of Oncology, a leading radiotherapy center in the UK, recently ordered two Versa HD™ systems, an advanced linear accelerator designed to improve patient care and treat a wide range of tumors throughout the body.

From Elekta 28 May 2013

Health Care News and Research

Texas lawmakers pass bill to stop Medicaid expansion; Arizona debate gets heated

Studies find patients often choose higher cost treatments, doctor-patient communications needs improvement

Sebelius' actions under microscope as she rolls out health law

Scientists identify role of GSK-3 alpha protein in promoting oncogenic KRAS function

Roundup: Maryland hospital rate system faltering; NY Catholic Archdiocese's coverage of birth control considered

Researchers to examine effectiveness of antibiotic therapy to treat appendicitis in children

Partisan politics, public distrust thwart efforts to carry out health law

Medicare paying for an increasing number of 'functional' eye lifts

HHS sees cost savings in the cloud

Insurance exchanges become health law opponents' latest target

Businesses brace for health law's coverage requirements, potential costs

First Edition: May 28, 2013

CEO of Comprehensive Care named to 'America's Agenda: Health Care for All' board

Information and services about sexuality and sexual health unavailable to many young people

Report finds increase in unintentional marijuana ingestions among young children

Findings support ongoing development, implementation of organized stroke care delivery

Patient preference to participate in decision making is linked with higher hospitalization costs

AARP Illinois highlights report on uninsured Illinois veterans this Memorial Day

Survey reveals low level of shared decision making between patients and physicians

St James's Institute of Oncology orders two Versa HD systems to improve patient care

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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