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State highlights: 'Habilitation' an essential benefit, but what is it?; Va. gov. candidates differ on mental health system; Calif. pays $2.7M for late hearings

A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, California, Colorado, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Texas.

25 Oct 2013

Men treated by self-referring urologists more likely to undergo unnecessary IMRT

A comprehensive review of Medicare claims for more than 45,000 patients from 2005 through 2010 found that nearly all of the 146 percent increase in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer among urologists with an ownership interest in the treatment was due to self-referral, according to new research, "Urologists' Use of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer," released today in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) for its October 24, 2013 issue.

25 Oct 2013

Use of IMRT for prostate cancer doubles when self-referral's financial incentives involved

A comprehensive review of Medicare claims for more than 45,000 patients from 2005 through 2010 found that nearly all of the 146 percent increase in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer among urologists with an ownership interest in the treatment was due to self-referral, according to new research, "Urologists' Use of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer," released today in The New England Journal of Medicine for its October 24, 2013 issue.

25 Oct 2013

Adcare Health Systems prices underwritten public offering of Series A Preferred Stock

AdCare Health Systems, Inc. the "Company") announced today that it has priced a "best efforts" underwritten public offering of its 10.875% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock") at a public offering price of $25.00 per share.

24 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 24, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that the Obama administration plans to tweak the tax-penalty deadline for signing up for health insurance as well as previews of what might happen when the contractors who built the health law's online insurance marketplace testify today on Capitol Hill.

24 Oct 2013

Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School to host 4th annual Wireless Health conference

Wireless Health 2013, presented by the Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance, invites the most advanced research from health, biomedical, engineering and computer science disciplines to encourage the development of widely usable mobile health solutions.

24 Oct 2013

GW researcher explores successful interventions implemented outside ED to reduce existing ED use

In recent years, many groups, including policy makers and health systems, have looked for ways to reduce the number of visits to the emergency department (ED) as a way to lower costs and improve the quality of care. Research conducted by Jesse Pines, M.D., director of the Office of Clinical Practice Innovation and professor of emergency medicine at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences, explored interventions that had been implemented outside of EDs that were designed to reduce ED use.

24 Oct 2013

WHO report underlines need for quantum leap in TB care and control

Tuberculosis treatment has saved the lives of more than 22 million people, according to the WHO Global tuberculosis report 2013 published today. The report also reveals that the number of people ill with tuberculosis fell in 2012 to 8.6 million, with global TB deaths also decreasing to 1.3 million.

23 Oct 2013

Hereditary high blood cholesterol overlooked and untreated worldwide

Hereditary high blood cholesterol leads to premature heart disease. It is overlooked and untreated virtually worldwide -- including in Europe. This is a major problem as the disease is dangerous for health. However, this disease is easy to diagnose and treat, according to the conclusion of a consensus report from the European Atherosclerosis Society.

21 Oct 2013

State Highlights: Indiana, N.H., Examine Obamacare Enrollment Gaps; New Blue Cross Contracts For Pa. Health System

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19 Oct 2013

Research roundup: Less savings needed for retirement health expenses; falls as a predictor of surgical outcomes

Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.

19 Oct 2013

Use of effective, risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies across US

A new report from the Dartmouth Atlas Project shows that the use of both effective and risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies widely across U.S. regions, offering further evidence that location is a key determinant in the quality and cost of the medical care that patients receive.

18 Oct 2013

Psychotic symptoms alone denote medical health risk

People with symptoms of psychosis have an increased rate of medical comorbidities and unhealthy lifestyle habits even if they do not have a psychiatric diagnosis, shows a worldwide study.

17 Oct 2013

Viewpoints: Young people could spark needed entitlement changes; Priebus demands that Sebelius go; GOP's 'absurd debate' on Hill health coverage

Eventually this shutdown crisis will end. And eventually the two parties will make another stab at a deal on taxes, investments and entitlements. But there's one outcome from such negotiations that I can absolutely guarantee: Seniors, Wall Street and unions will all have their say and their interests protected. So the most likely result will be more tinkering around the edges, as our politicians run for the hills the minute someone accuses them of "fixing the deficit on the backs of the elderly" or creating "death panels" to sensibly allocate end-of-life health care.

17 Oct 2013

Results of Phase 3 clinical trial of contraceptive vaginal ring presented by Population Council

Today, the Population Council presented findings from a Phase 3 clinical trial that was designed to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of the Council's investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR).

16 Oct 2013

DFID, MRC and ESRC collaborate to improve health systems in low- and middle-income countries

The Wellcome Trust, the Department for International Development (DFID), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) today announced a -15 million collaboration to support research that will generate practical measures to improve health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

10 Oct 2013

New agreement gives Health Net's members access to 14 of Prime Healthcare's hospitals

Prime Healthcare Services is pleased to announce that it has contracted with Health Net of California for 14 of its hospitals.

10 Oct 2013

Prominent leaders explore new era of healthcare partnerships at MDS' annual conference

Prominent healthcare leaders from around the country were reminded that "You don't have to get big, you just have to play smarter and get better" as healthcare organizations explored strategies for success at MDS Consulting's 8th annual Healthcare Leadership and Executive Conference held recently in Las Vegas.

9 Oct 2013

Doctors concerned about electronic health records

Being able to provide high-quality health care is a primary driver of job satisfaction among physicians, and obstacles to quality patient care are a source of stress for doctors, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

9 Oct 2013

Viewpoints: Sen. Barrasso warns insurance buyers beware; it will take time to assess marketplaces

Today begins the first phase of Obamacare's big test. The Obama administration has spent months and millions of dollars promising people great benefits from the new government-run health insurance exchanges. Now Americans will see for themselves. ... Instead of lower health care costs and better access to care, here are four reasons for the buyer to beware (Sen. John Barrasso, 10/1).

2 Oct 2013

Health Systems News and Research

State highlights: 'Habilitation' an essential benefit, but what is it?; Va. gov. candidates differ on mental health system; Calif. pays $2.7M for late hearings

Men treated by self-referring urologists more likely to undergo unnecessary IMRT

Use of IMRT for prostate cancer doubles when self-referral's financial incentives involved

Adcare Health Systems prices underwritten public offering of Series A Preferred Stock

First Edition: October 24, 2013

Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School to host 4th annual Wireless Health conference

GW researcher explores successful interventions implemented outside ED to reduce existing ED use

WHO report underlines need for quantum leap in TB care and control

Hereditary high blood cholesterol overlooked and untreated worldwide

State Highlights: Indiana, N.H., Examine Obamacare Enrollment Gaps; New Blue Cross Contracts For Pa. Health System

Research roundup: Less savings needed for retirement health expenses; falls as a predictor of surgical outcomes

Use of effective, risky drug therapies by Medicare patients varies across US

Psychotic symptoms alone denote medical health risk

Viewpoints: Young people could spark needed entitlement changes; Priebus demands that Sebelius go; GOP's 'absurd debate' on Hill health coverage

Results of Phase 3 clinical trial of contraceptive vaginal ring presented by Population Council

DFID, MRC and ESRC collaborate to improve health systems in low- and middle-income countries

New agreement gives Health Net's members access to 14 of Prime Healthcare's hospitals

Prominent leaders explore new era of healthcare partnerships at MDS' annual conference

Doctors concerned about electronic health records

Viewpoints: Sen. Barrasso warns insurance buyers beware; it will take time to assess marketplaces

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