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Acting CMS chief Marilyn Tavenner becomes agency's first confirmed head in 7 years

In a 91-to-7 vote, the Senate approved President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Tavenner, who has been the agency's acting administrator, was endorsed by Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.

17 May 2013

Humans: The primary cause of global climate change

Do most scientists agree that human activity is causing global climate change? Yes, they do, according to an extensive analysis of the abstracts or summaries of scientific papers published over the past 20 years, even though public perception tends to be that climate scientists disagree over the fundamental cause of climate change.

17 May 2013

First Edition: May 16, 2013

Today's headlines detail the Senate confirmation of Acting Chief Marilyn Tavenner to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

16 May 2013

Better understanding of cells' development has implications in study of inflammatory diseases

Labs around the world, and a core group at Penn, have been studying recently described populations of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells. Some researchers liken them to foot soldiers that protect boundary tissues such as the skin, the lining of the lung, and the lining of the gut from microbial onslaught. They also have shown they play a role in inflammatory disease, when the body's immune system is too active.

15 May 2013

Sebelius raises eyebrows by soliciting donations for health law outreach

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has asked businesses and charitable groups to make large donations to help underwrite the costs of public outreach associated with the overhaul. A GOP leader is questioning the legality of the efforts.

14 May 2013

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been seeking out funds from private sources to support efforts to publicize the health law.

13 May 2013

The president's impassioned health law speech: 'We're going to keep fighting'

President Barack Obama was unusually detailed in his defense of the law, emphasizing the scope of insurance coverage for many Americans.

13 May 2013

Obama aims to tamp down fears about health law

During a Tuesday news conference, President Barack Obama acknowledged likely "bumps and glitches" as key provisions of the health law take effect, but said that many elements of the measure are already in place and "working fine."

2 May 2013

Democrats worry about messy rollout of health law, Republicans plan continued attack

For Democrats, anxieties are running high regarding the political impact of a messy rollout of the overhaul and expected premium increases for some groups. Meanwhile, GOP leaders push a series of bills aimed at dismantling or altering the law in an effort to publicize what they say are its shortcomings.

29 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 26, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that some Democratic senators have concerns about the health law's roll out as well as other news about the measure's implementation.

26 Apr 2013

Health providers are joining with community organizers, insurers to get the word out on health law benefits

The New York Times examines how the law's backers are working to explain it to the public. Meanwhile, other outlets report on accountable care organizations and concerns -- from business leaders and HIV advocates -- about changes coming from the overhaul.

25 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 24, 2013

Today's headlines include stories about the health law's implementation as well as health policy developments from Capitol Hill.

24 Apr 2013

People with apple-shaped bodies more likely to develop kidney disease

High blood pressure in the kidneys of people with apple-shaped bodies may be responsible for their increased risk of developing kidney disease later in life, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

12 Apr 2013

Obama uses budget to inch closer to 'grand bargain' with GOP

The budget blueprint, released Wednesday, includes what the president called "manageable" curbs on Medicare spending growth, but GOP congressional leaders were dismissive, while some Democrats were unsettled.

12 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 11, 2013

Today's headlines include details regarding how Medicare and Medicaid, as well as funding for the health law's implementation, fared in President Barack Obama's budget plan.

11 Apr 2013

Tavenner moves closer to Senate confirmation to head CMS

Marilyn Tavenner, who has been the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since 2011, received a warm reception from Democrats and Republicans alike during a Tuesday Senate Finance Committee hearing.

11 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 10, 2013

Today's headlines include more details and analysis regarding President Barack Obama's budget plan and how it handles Medicare and other entitlement programs.

10 Apr 2013

NAIC offers states options to 'mitigate' the premium increases that are expected when the health law takes effect

State regulators are looking for ways to protect consumers against increases in health insurance rates that they expect to occur next year as major provisions of the new health care law take effect.

6 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 5, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how President Barack Obama's budget proposal -- to be released next week -- will handle Medicare and Medicaid.

5 Apr 2013

Administration delays health law provision for small business insurance market

The Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, would have provided a variety of insurance options for small firms. When the law takes effect next year in states with federally run exchanges, these businesses will be able to offer workers a single plan instead.

3 Apr 2013