Health Care News and Research

RSS

Roundup: Okla. governor pushes funding fix to cover 9,000 on Medicaid; Texas lawmakers OK new mental health funds

Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state's Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their health insurance under the program.

21 May 2013

Findings examine surgeons' work-hour restrictions, impact of hospitalists' workloads

A survey found surgeons-in-training often skirt limits on work hours. Meanwhile, a new study concluded that the length of inpatient hospital stays when hospitalists' workload went up.

21 May 2013

State rejections of Medicaid expansion likely to widen health disparities

The Los Angeles Times reports that states opting against expanded eligibility -- among them, some of the nation's unhealthiest -- could fall even further behind as the Affordable Care Act is implemented. News outlets also offer reports from Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, California, Florida and Virginia.

21 May 2013

Viewpoints: Sebelius' 'ethical line'; As tricky phase of health law approaches, concerns about exchanges opening on time

One of the biggest questions hanging over the health-care system is how many young Americans will sign up for coverage once the Affordable Care Act begins to phase in this October. If too few buy insurance on the markets that the government is creating, insurance companies would be stuck covering primarily the old and the sick. They would have to pay out more per customer.

21 May 2013

IRS scandal, HHS fundraising stir the health law political pot

The Obama administration's efforts to raise money from private sources for the health law have led some likely donors to become "skittish." Meanwhile, as GOP lawmakers seek to link the Internal Revenue Service issues to the health law, media outlets examine the IRS's reach in this regard.

21 May 2013

Health law's insurance exchanges are not mirror image of Mass. version

Some of the state's features that advocates say helped consumers make their insurance-purchasing decisions were not included in the the federal health law.

21 May 2013

CBO: Obama's budget would reduce Medicare spending by $364B

The Congressional Budget Office estimated Friday that President Obama's budget would reduce Medicare spending by $364 billion over the next decade and would reduce future budget deficits. The White House and Congress will likely soon need to work on a long-term budget solution as the nation again approaches its debt limit.

21 May 2013

Employers eye limited plans to avoid health law penalties

The Wall Street Journal reports that "bare-bones" health plans may help some employers avoid the law's fines. Meanwhile, the Journal Sentinel explores how investors are assessing winning or losing stocks as a result of the law's implementation.

21 May 2013

Hospital emergency departments play growing role in US health care system

Hospital emergency departments play a growing role in the U.S. health care system, accounting for a rising proportion of hospital admissions and serving increasingly as an advanced diagnostic center for primary care physicians, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

21 May 2013

First Edition: May 20, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the policy and political issues currently surrounding the health law's implementation.

20 May 2013

CEO Roundtable on Cancer accredits UW Medicine with CEO Cancer Gold Standard

UW Medicine, a leading healthcare provider serving Seattle and the Northwest, is leading by example when it comes to promoting workplace wellness and encouraging healthier behavior.

20 May 2013

Cell Therapeutics announces issuance of final benefit assessment report for PIXUVRI

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today reported that Germany's Federal Joint Committee has issued its final benefit assessment report for PIXUVRI (pixantrone), which is indicated as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who have failed two or three prior lines of therapy.

20 May 2013

EndoChoice's new Fuse system improves accuracy of colonoscopy procedure

Although colonoscopy exams prevent many colon cancer deaths and are considered the most sensitive method for detecting colorectal cancers, the procedure is not completely effective in preventing cancer cases. EndoChoice Inc. today unveiled research that shows that its new Fuse system significantly improves the accuracy of this procedure and greatly reduces the number of adenomas missed by colonoscopists.

20 May 2013

All sterile drug products from NuVision Pharmacy lack sterility assurance, FDA warns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care providers of concerns about a lack of sterility assurance of all sterile drug products made and distributed by NuVision Pharmacy of Dallas, Texas.

20 May 2013

New colonoscope shows promise for colorectal cancer screening

A ground-breaking advance in colonoscopy technology signals the future of colorectal care, according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week.

20 May 2013

Médica Sur becomes first international member of Mayo Clinic Care Network

Mayo Clinic today announced that Médica Sur passed Mayo's rigorous review process to become the first international member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. As a member, Médica Sur will offer medical services that enable physicians to interact, share and collaborate with Mayo Clinic physicians to continue offering patients the best possible medical treatment in Mexico.

20 May 2013