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Sen. Grassley seeks more public information on doctors; some experts say physicians could take tough stance with 'assertive' patients

Full public access should be restored to a federal databank on sanctioned doctors maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services, Republican Sen. Charles E. Grassley said in a letter to the agency Friday. Grassley wrote to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to reiterate his objections to a decision by the Health Research and Services Administration (HRSA) to remove the National Practitioner Databank's Public Use File from its website.

7 Nov 2011

A prescription for prevention

Medicine-related hospital admissions could be reduced by a simple initiative designed and implemented by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Pharmacy.

7 Nov 2011

U.N. agencies respond to flooding in Horn of Africa

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees "reports heavy rains and flooding in parts of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are causing havoc among thousands of displaced Somalis in the region" and "flood-damaged roads are hampering relief efforts to thousands affected by the heavy rains," VOA News reports.

7 Nov 2011

Medicare touts progress on closing doughnut hole

Meanwhile, MedPAC makes recommendations for controlling costs for "dual eligibles," and Medicare sees new rules bring costs down for weight loss surgery.

7 Nov 2011

Malpractice charges work way slowly through legal system, if at all

As hospitals and doctors try to implement new ways of preventing lawsuits, scrutiny of the system continues around the country.

7 Nov 2011

States trying to wrangle Medicaid costs, with some unintended consequences

Wisconsin is not alone in dealing with the thorny task of trying to lower the cost of its health care programs for low-income residents. Massachusetts no longer pays for restorative dental care and dentures. Washington no longer covers eyeglasses and hearing aids. Minnesota no long covers chiropractic care. … Every state plans to implement at least one policy to control Medicaid spending this fiscal year.

7 Nov 2011

Insurance Commissioners delay vote on brokers' fees

The National Association Of Insurance Commissioners meeting could not come to a consensus on the issue of whether to remove broker and agent fees from the expenses that insurance companies can count as administrative costs under the health law. In the meantime, GOP lawmakers have asked the IRS commissioner to clarify that individuals in state exchanges get any tax credits created under the new law.

7 Nov 2011

Blue Shield of Calif. turns to retail stores; Poll finds workers' share of health costs growing

Insurer's retail outlet in San Francisco will be in a supermarket. Meanwhile, a poll of large U.S. employer health spending by Modern Healthcare finds workers' costs are increasing.

7 Nov 2011

Proposals to raise Medicare age could raise costs too

NPR reports that raising the Medicare age could shift higher health care costs to others instead of saving money, while some lawmakers send a letter to the super committee opposing changing the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health care.

7 Nov 2011

Groups sound off on exchanges as governors wrestle with HHS over control

The issue of shaping health insurance exchanges is raising controversy even as states worry they'll bear the brunt of the public's anger over the law.

7 Nov 2011

Abortion and 'personhood' on GOP campaign agenda

State-level initiatives to restrict access to abortions help make social issues a major focus of the Republican presidential nomination contest.

7 Nov 2011

Pharmacyclics first quarter GAAP net loss increases to $14.5M

Pharmacyclics, Inc. today reported financial results and recent developments for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2011.

7 Nov 2011

Gifts established at Case Western Reserve to educate physicians in integrative oncology

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is honored to announce gifts to establish the inaugural Parker Hannifin - Helen Moss Cancer Research Foundation Professorship in Integrative Oncology. This professorship will establish the School of Medicine and its affiliate hospitals as national leaders in teaching, research, and patient care in the field of integrative oncology.

7 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 7, 2011

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on venture capitalists' new interest in companies that can curb health costs and concerns among states on implementing the federal health law.

7 Nov 2011

SweetSpot announces initiative to monitor blood glucose levels in veterans with diabetes

SweetSpot Diabetes Care, Inc. today announced an initiative to remotely monitor blood glucose levels in veterans with diabetes, which will be funded by an award from The U.S. Department of Veteran Affair's industry innovation competition known as VAi2.

7 Nov 2011

Nearly 6.5M younger Americans to be diagnosed with knee OA in next ten years

Based on current trends, nearly 6.5 million Americans between the ages of 35 and 84 are expected to be diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in the next 10 years, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

HHS scientists to share recent rheumatology findings at 75th ACR annual meeting

Hospital for Special Surgery physician-scientists who focus on arthritis, lupus, vasculitis and related conditions are traveling from New York City to Chicago this week to share their recent findings at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

7 Nov 2011

Metier obtains $9 million verdict against Campbell County Memorial Hospital

Tom Metier of Metier Law Firm, LLC, of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fort Colllins, Colorado, obtained a $9 million verdict for plaintiffs Louis and Rebecca Prager against Campbell County Memorial Hospital and Brian Cullison, M.D. for medical negligence.

5 Nov 2011

National survey reveals top barriers to better oral health among Hispanics

The majority of Hispanics in the United States believe more information about good oral health habits, access to affordable oral health care, and more Hispanic and Spanish-speaking dentists and dental hygienists in their communities would help them "a lot" in achieving better oral health.

5 Nov 2011

More than half of all Americans will have diabetes by 2020

Half of all American adults are destined to develop diabetes or pre-diabetes by 2020 if they don't make dramatic lifestyle changes, according to a dire new prediction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

5 Nov 2011