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Viewpoints: Romney's gamble; The return of 'Mediscare;' Klein and Roy offer competing views on differences in Ryan, Obama plans

It doesn't take a political genius to see where the contest between President Obama and Mitt Romney is heading. With Rep. Paul Ryan on the Republican ticket, the campaign is looking at a full-throated debate over the future of Medicare. Are Romney and Ryan ready?

15 Aug 2012

First Edition: August 15, 2012

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey reports: "GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's choice of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as his running mate has brought renewed focus on Ryan's proposal to overhaul Medicare. But how would Ryan's plan to reduce federal spending, which has been approved twice by the GOP-controlled House, change Medicaid?"

15 Aug 2012

U-M Survival Flight helicopters can save lives of all the Great Lakes states

Three new maize-and-blue helicopters will soon be saving lives in the air above the Great Lakes states, and speeding patients toward advanced care at the University of Michigan Health System's hospitals.

15 Aug 2012

Ryan's Medicare plan comes under greater scrutiny

As Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., moves to the national stage as GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's running mate pick, his proposals to reshape Medicare, Medicaid and other safety net programs emerge as political lightning rods.

14 Aug 2012

First hospital penalties for high readmissions detailed

KHN examines new penalties hospitals face under the health law. Meanwhile, Medpage Today reports on the American College of Physicians' new recommendations on government rules about doctors' interactions with patients.

14 Aug 2012

On '60 Minutes,' Romney and Ryan defend Medicare plan

The GOP presumptive presidential nominee and his choice for a running mate also went on the offensive by criticizing the Obama administration for cutting Medicare spending.

14 Aug 2012

Choice of Ryan energizes campaign--for both GOP and Dems

By choosing U.S. Representative Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney has added some verve to what had been a tedious presidential contest. ... Now we have the potential at least for a true contest of ideas: What is the optimum size and role of government? What is the best way to reduce trillion-dollar annual deficits and $15 trillion in total debt? With a rapidly graying population and entitlements that eat up most of the federal budget, can Medicare's growth be stopped without impoverishing senior citizens? Is it time to raise taxes, even on the middle class?

14 Aug 2012

Medicaid expansion would have major effect on state economy

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution examines issues surrounding the expansion of Medicaid coverage under the health law and notes that the extra federal money coming into the state would have a $72 billion economic impact over 10 years.

14 Aug 2012

National HCGNE announces $1.38M in awards to Claire M. Fagin Fellows, Patricia G. Archbold Scholars

The National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (HCGNE) today announced $1.38 million in awards to the latest cohort of Claire M. Fagin Fellows and Patricia G. Archbold Scholars studying gerontological nursing in academic settings across the U.S.

14 Aug 2012

IRS rule could keep working-class families from affordable coverage

An IRS rule could mean some working-class families may not be able to afford employer-sponsored insurance nor qualify for federal subsidies under the health law, leaving a key part of America uninsured. Childless adults, however, are in line for significant health insurance coverage gains under the health law's Medicaid expansion.

14 Aug 2012

Editorial, opinion pieces, blogs address hunger summit held in London on Sunday

The following editorial, opinion pieces, and blog posts address a hunger summit hosted by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron at the conclusion of the Olympic Games in London on Sunday.

14 Aug 2012

Some Mass. health premiums to rise; Blue Shield of Calif. CEO pay down slightly

The increase in Massachusetts' small business and individual health care insurance premiums is down from increases of 5.5 percent on average last year.

14 Aug 2012

Boomers face dearth of home caregivers; Medicare expands home-care pilot project

As baby boomers age, the U.S. will face a challenge trying to fill more than 1 million new home care positions to meet their needs, The Associated Press reports. In the meantime, Medicare is adding more groups to a pilot program aimed at lowering costs for Medicare beneficiaries by providing them with home-based care.

14 Aug 2012

U.N. to allocate $55M in response to 'neglected humanitarian emergencies' in 8 countries

"The United Nations on Thursday announced that it will allocate $55 million to bolster operations in eight countries with neglected humanitarian emergencies," the U.N. News Centre reports, adding, "Afghanistan, Cameroon, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Sudan will all receive funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help provide food, water, health and other basic services."

14 Aug 2012

World leaders, athletes gather for 'hunger summit' at conclusion of Olympic Games in London

As the 2012 Olympic Games drew to a close in London on Sunday, world leaders and athletes gathered for a hunger summit at Downing Street, sponsored by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, Al Jazeera reports.

14 Aug 2012

Lack of legislative action heading into congressional recess could impact global health funding

"With Congress adjourned until after Labor Day and not a single funding bill for the federal fiscal year beginning October signed into law before the recess even began, the virtual standstill of legislative action could have a mixed impact on global health funding," the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports.

14 Aug 2012

Six manufacturers receive FDA approval to produce 2012-2013 flu vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved the 2012-2013 influenza (flu) vaccine formulation for all six manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute the vaccines in the United States.

14 Aug 2012

Health law critically important to women; Expanding Medicaid could spur state education cuts; Misuse of antipsychotics in dementia patients

If we can set aside the political wrangling and focus on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, what becomes obvious is its critically important impact on women's health. The fact is while women are the primary coordinators of health care for families and comprise the majority of U.S. health-care workers, they also put their own health-care needs behind those of their children. Cost is too often the reason.

13 Aug 2012

Reduce nurses’ burden, reduce in-hospital infections

The rate of “burnout” felt by nurses could be directly related to the rate of hospital-acquired infections via staffing rates, indicate US study results.

13 Aug 2012

State roundup: Fla. groups ask Gov. for essential benefits hearings

In a reversal of a law passed 4 years ago, physicians in Massachusetts will now be allowed to accept "modest" meals and refreshments provided by pharmaceutical or medical device companies.

13 Aug 2012