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Some Hill races could hinge on seniors anger over Medicare

Reporting for Kaiser Health News in collaboration with USA Today, Marilyn Werber Serafini writes: "As emotions run high over the law, anger and fear about its impact on Medicare — whether founded or not — could be a deciding factor in some particularly close congressional races, especially in areas where there are large numbers of seniors, say political analysts such as Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health.

27 Oct 2010

Political picture still dreary for some Dems who backed health reform

National Journal: "Just over half of Americans likely to vote in next week's midterms want the next Congress to repeal this year's health care overhaul if Republicans gain power on Capitol Hill, according to a new poll, a dramatic rebuke to a sitting president and freshly minted statute.

27 Oct 2010

Medicare growing fiscally unsustainable yet remains politically untouchable

Medicare, an indispensable safety net, is fiscally unsustainable in the long term, yet it may be politically untouchable, The Center for Public Integrity reports in the first of a multipart series.

27 Oct 2010

Health care angst keeps campaigns on edge in final week

Interest and anger about health care is fueling tension in political campaigns for offices ranging from insurance commissioner to U.S. senator.

27 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 26, 2010

In today's headlines, more reports from the campaign trail -- highlighting how tempers and politics continue to flare around health overhaul issues.

26 Oct 2010

NAA applauds IACC's decision on safety issues in autism community

The National Autism Association (NAA) is applauding the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) today following the Committee's decision late Friday to instate a subcommittee dedicated to safety issues within the autism community.

26 Oct 2010

Medicare plan choices attract attention as open enrollment approaches

Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services say they have taken steps to streamline this year's plan options for private Medicare plans, including Part D, the prescription drug plan including eliminating some plans they consider duplicative.

26 Oct 2010

Michigan hospitals focus on ERs for seniors; GA. voters consider funding new trauma centers

Some hospitals in Michigan seek to address the unique needs of senior patients, including the use of specially designed emergency rooms, while voters in Georgia consider new fees to help improve trauma units.

26 Oct 2010

GSA Annual Scientific Meeting to focus on up-to-date news on aging

America's premier authorities on aging will share the most up-to-date news on Social Security, health care reform, the impact of disasters on older people, evolution instruction in classrooms, and other current topics at The Gerontological Society of America's upcoming 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting.

25 Oct 2010

Emeritus to acquire Weston Group for $18.0 million

Emeritus Corporation, a national provider of senior living services, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Weston Group, Inc. and related entities, which provide rehabilitation services and medical equipment products to the senior living industry.

25 Oct 2010

Health Plan One introduces web-based Medicare Quick Quotes Tool

Health Plan One, a general agent in the online health insurance market, has launched a new online product called the Medicare Quick Quotes Tool. This web-based tool helps insurance agents compare Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans more efficiently and effectively than in the past.

22 Oct 2010

CIHR, RX&D - HRF to fund research projects on mental illness, palliative care

Six research projects on co-existing heath problems associated with mental illness and one project on palliative care among First Nations received over $9 million in funding announced today. This amount is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Rx&D Health Research Foundation.

22 Oct 2010

Dems and GOP each find something to cheer about in health care polls; Justice Thomas' wife against law

An AP-GfK poll has found that the GOP is now leading Democrats on virtually every measure except health care and social security, which is split nearly evenly.

22 Oct 2010

Medicare beneficiaries will find fewer advantage and prescription drug plans

Private Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan options are fewer for 2011, and some Nashville-area seniors may face higher out-of-pocket expenses for the private insurance.

22 Oct 2010

Female sex hormones help women survive after trauma

Women who have been severely injured are 14 percent more likely to survive than similarly injured men, according to a new Johns Hopkins study, a difference researchers believe may be due to the negative impact of male sex hormones on a traumatized immune system.

21 Oct 2010

Idaho halts Medicaid cuts for dental care; Georgia and justice department reach accord on mental health services

Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter removed a political abscess Tuesday, restoring all previously contracted dental care providers to the state's Medicaid-funded Idaho Smiles program.

21 Oct 2010

Today's Opinions: The health law and Medicare, issues of implementation; the call for repeal

The reality is that the bill doesn't cut Medicare benefits a dime and doesn't "jeopardize access" for anybody, although it may very well force plenty of seniors to change the plans they're on. It also puts Medicare on sounder financial footing, postponing insolvency for about 12 years.

21 Oct 2010

Campaign claims examined as some democrats embrace health law in re-election bids

Kaiser Health News/The Washington Post analyze myths and facts in the congressional campaigns. "The debate that preceded passage of the health-care overhaul resumed as a heated issue in the midterm elections.

20 Oct 2010

UnitedHealth Group consolidated third quarter revenues increase 9% to $23.7 billion

UnitedHealth Group today reported third quarter results, including strong revenue growth in both its Health Benefits and Health Services business groups. Third quarter 2010 net earnings were $1.14 per share. Key performance metrics and costs were in line with or better than Company expectations.

19 Oct 2010

60 Plus applauds FDA decision to remove unapproved colchicine products

James L. Martin, chairman of the 60 Plus Association, a seniors advocacy group, applauded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to remove unapproved colchicine products from the market, and called on drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to help the FDA protect patients from unapproved drugs.

19 Oct 2010