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Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

About half a century ago, organized medicine and the hospital industry in this country struck a deal with Congress that in retrospect seems as audacious as it seems incredible: Congress was asked to surrender to these industries the keys to the United States Treasury. In return, the industries would allow Congress to pass a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act .... We have come to know it as Medicare.

3 Mar 2014

Council discusses innovative model of care with Cleveland Clinic CEO

Today, the Nashville Health Care Council hosted 250 member executives for a conversation with Dr. Toby Cosgrove, president and CEO, Cleveland Clinic, about the Clinic's innovative model of care and focus on wellness of the mind and body.

3 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: Questioning the tales of Obamacare woes; Republic replacement MIA; 'mixed messages' on mammograms

Conservatives appear to be really upset that liberals are actually taking on the facts in the anti-Obamacare ads they've been running. How dare you question whether the people in these ads are giving an accurate picture - they're suffering! (Paul Krugman, 2/26).

28 Feb 2014

States: N.C.'s Medicaid managed care proposal; narrow provider networks; Planned Parenthood's big plan

Gov. Pat McCrory's health agency is backing away from initial proposals to fix Medicaid costs by hiring a handful of big managed care organizations to run North Carolina's $13 billion health care system. The state Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday presented its framework for revamping Medicaid to an advisory group set up by McCrory (Dalesio, 2/26).

28 Feb 2014

Researchers identify new way of treating people with hearing disabilities

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a biological circadian clock in the hearing organ, the cochlea. This circadian clock controls how well hearing damage may heal and opens up a new way of treating people with hearing disabilities.

28 Feb 2014

Medicare Part D cost-saving plan draws opposition on several fronts

Among other things, the proposal would limit the types of antidepressants -- and other kinds of drugs -- that are available to Medicare beneficiaries. Drug industry and insurer groups are lining up against the change.

27 Feb 2014

Study highlights health outcomes in Hispanic and Latino populations

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, released the largest and most comprehensive health and lifestyle analysis of people from a range of Hispanic/Latino origins. The data will enable individuals, communities, and policy makers to tailor better health intervention strategies.

27 Feb 2014

Humans have poor memory for things they hear, find researchers

Remember that sound bite you heard on the radio this morning? The grocery items your spouse asked you to pick up? Chances are, you won't.

27 Feb 2014

Medicare official defends proposed changes to prescription drug program

In written testimony, Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator of the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the changes are needed to head off cost increases, but an industry-sponsored study argues some of the changes could cost taxpayers more.

27 Feb 2014

Goal: Therapies for hearing loss and communications problems

Research scientist Christine Portfors will study how the brain chemical dopamine influences hearing with support from the National Institutes of Health. The work may ultimately lead to better therapies for people with hearing loss and communication problems.

27 Feb 2014

States: Calif. docs fight health law reimbursements; Wis. and collective bargaining; Kan. navigators restrictions

A selection of health policy stories from California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Virginia, Oregon, Georgia, North Carolina and Maine.

25 Feb 2014

State highlights: 'Health care homes' show promise in Minn.; Texas women's health providers; Fla.'s hidden costs

A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York and Massachusetts.

24 Feb 2014

Highlights: Ky. malpractice bill; Texas punishes doc under abortion law; DOJ enters whistleblower case

A selection of health policy stories from Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, California, Colorado and Florida.

21 Feb 2014

Va. GOP pushes state house vote on Medicaid expansion

The recorded vote, likely to be held Thursday, is designed to demonstrate the sweeping Republican opposition to the expansion, which is one of Gov. Terry McAuliffe's main legislative goals.

21 Feb 2014

Premature babies who receive interventional therapy plus mother's voice learn to eat efficiently

Premature babies who receive an interventional therapy combining their mother's voice and a pacifier-activated music player learn to eat more efficiently and have their feeding tubes removed sooner than other preemies, according to a Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt study published today in Pediatrics.

20 Feb 2014

Ark. House vote falls short for 'private option' Medicaid expansion

Also in the news, other states -- including Missouri, Wyoming and Utah -- continue to contemplate their own efforts to expand the program or health insurance coverage for low-income people.

20 Feb 2014

OTC asthma inhaler endangers patients by encouraging substandard treatment

An over-the-counter (OTC) asthma inhaler up for approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) endangers patients by encouraging substandard treatment, according to Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), a leading nonprofit patient education and advocacy organization.

20 Feb 2014