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AlertNet footage shows scenes of food shortages in North Korea, says appeals for aid go unanswered

"Footage of malnourished North Korean orphans and official warnings over failed harvests have given a rare glimpse at the scale of devastating food shortages in the country following a harsh winter and widespread flooding," the Guardian reports.

7 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Defining 'essential benefits;' 'Super committee' special pleadings; Limiting consumer choice in prescriptions

The IOM report acknowledges that "the determination of the (essential health benefits) is a politically and socially charged endeavor."

7 Oct 2011

Preventive task force panel will urge men to skip prostate screening, reports say

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is scheduled to issue this recommendation on Tuesday, but advance press reports indicate the expert panel will urge the federal government to change its current position to recommend that men under age 75 forgo this widely used test.

7 Oct 2011

Research roundup: Health disparities; Prescription drug abuse in Medicare Part D; Medicaid's role for HIV patients

Achieving Equity In Health -- This policy brief examines the outlining factors that cause disparities in the health care system and focuses on the October issue of the journal, which is devoted to research on the subject.

7 Oct 2011

Health interests make cases to super committee

For instance, hospital groups are urging the panel not to reduce bad-debt payments, saying such a step would take a toll on the hospital safety net. Others are asking that entitlements in general and Medicare specifically be protected.

7 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 7, 2011

In today's headlines, reports about what the Institute of Medicine recommends in terms of the criteria and methods the Department of Health and Human Services should follow in developing the health law's essential benefits package.

7 Oct 2011

Cuomo aides pressed NYC to support Medicaid deal

The Bloomberg administration was reluctant to agree to execute a deal brokered by state officials and a powerful union, The Wall Street Journal reports. In other Medicaid news, Kansas officials describe efforts to revamp its program and Wisconsin boosts campaign against fraud.

7 Oct 2011

New set of strategies could improve U.S. health care system for vulnerable populations

A new set of strategies released today by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System could dramatically improve how the U.S. health care system serves vulnerable populations-those in the U.S. who are uninsured, low-income, or members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

7 Oct 2011

New laboratory in Kenya will research, monitor emerging infectious diseases

"A laboratory that will research and monitor emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) such as yellow fever and dengue" was launched in Kenya last month "in an attempt to tackle growing vector-borne health threats in the region," SciDev.Net reports.

7 Oct 2011

PEPFAR ART cost model data presented to PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board

"For every 1,000 patient-years of PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment provided, 228 fewer HIV patients die, 449 fewer children become orphans, 61 fewer sexual HIV transmissions occur and 26 fewer 'vertical' transmissions (e.g. mother-to-child) occur," John Blanford of the CDC told the PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board in Washington, D.C., on September 14, according to a post in the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog.

7 Oct 2011

NHC applauds IOM for recommendations on how to develop EHB package

The National Health Council (NHC) applauded the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for its thoughtful recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how to develop an essential health benefits (EHB) package.

7 Oct 2011

Where you live could play a larger role in health disparities than originally thought

Where you live could play a larger role in health disparities than originally thought, according to a new study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

7 Oct 2011

Report on cancer survivorship statistics

Over the next decade, the population of cancer survivors over 65 years of age will increase by approximately 42 percent.

7 Oct 2011

MedPAC plan to revamp Medicare physician pay draws intense opposition

A proposal by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to revamp the Medicare physician reimbursement system is drawing intense opposition from providers who say commissioners are demanding too much in health industry cuts to pay for the overhaul. Sternly worded letters from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), along with physician specialty groups, will be in MedPAC's mailbox when the commission meets Thursday.

7 Oct 2011

Funding issues affecting health exchanges, community health centers

News outlets examine why some states are not pursuing funding to aid in the creation of health exchanges, and how community health centers - targeted for expansion by the health law in order to build the health system's capacity - are now facing cuts.

7 Oct 2011

Study explores link between ads, parental influence and food choices made by children

Directly advertising food items to children worries many parents and health care providers, and the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have expressed concern about the negative impact of advertising on children's healthy food choices.

7 Oct 2011

CNBC.com examines counterfeit pharmaceuticals in special report

In a special report, CNBC.com examines "the world of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, from the dangers they pose and where they're made, to what is being done to combat them."

7 Oct 2011

HHS inspector to step up anti-fraud and abuse efforts in 2012

One new item on the to-do list will be to review hospitals deemed to be at high risk of submitting improper bills to Medicare. Also, The Fiscal Times details how lab test costs could be squeezing Medicare and Medicaid.

7 Oct 2011

Recap of key briefing on advancements in malaria fight

This post in the Malaria Policy Center blog recaps a Tuesday Capitol Hill briefing, hosted by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Working Group on Malaria, "that highlighted research and development advancements by the U.S. military and U.S. academic institutions to develop the tools to eliminate malaria and keep our servicemen and women safe as they serve overseas."

7 Oct 2011

CLASS implementation oversight listed in HHS work plan

But GOP lawmakers are seeking an actuarial report from the Department of Health and Human Services that may offer insights into this controversial long-term care insurance program's fiscal viability.

7 Oct 2011