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First Edition: June 6, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the Senate confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

6 Jun 2014

United Spinal Association, NSCIA to convene at ROCH to address disability issues

United Spinal Association and advocates from its membership division, National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), will gather in Washington, D.C. on June 22-25 for Roll on Capitol Hill to shape policies that impact the health, independence and quality of life of people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

6 Jun 2014

State highlights: NYC soda fight back in court; doc training slots in N.Y.; Texas inmate dialysis costs

New York City's battle over sugary drinks is entering its endgame. But much more than soda is at stake. A plan to limit the sale of large, high-calorie beverages, championed by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg as a novel way to fight obesity, went before the State Court of Appeals here on Wednesday, the city's final recourse after a lower court judge struck down the proposal last year (Grynbaum, 6/4).

6 Jun 2014

Longer looks: When an ER doctor becomes an ER patient; visualizing end-of-life treatments; Google Glass inside operating rooms

If you are shot or stabbed in or around Oakland, you are likely to be sent [to Highland Hospital). Oakland has the highest violent crime rate in the nation, so I have indeed seen my fair share of victims over my long career here.

6 Jun 2014

UnitedHealth Group raises dividend by 34 percent

Despite its lackluster performance in the first quarter, attributed to government cuts to Medicare Advantage programs and new taxes, the insurer's stock has climbed 28 percent since June 4, 2013, the day before its last dividend increase.

6 Jun 2014

NCOA brings innovative online support program to help people manage type 2 diabetes

Under a unique collaboration, the National Council on Aging with support from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation and WellPoint are—for the first time—bringing a proven and affordable face-to-face and online support program to help people manage their Type 2 diabetes.

6 Jun 2014

Senate to vote on confirmation of Burwell as HHS chief

The Senate is scheduled to proceed with consideration of the Obama administration pick to take over the Department of Health and Human Services.

6 Jun 2014

UnitedHealthcare recognizes employers for improving employees' health through wellness programs

UnitedHealthcare has announced winners of its Well Deserved Award, an annual honor given to employers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving their employees' health and well-being through effective worksite wellness programs.

6 Jun 2014

HHS probes data discrepancies for 2 million enrollees

Administration officials said that in most cases, those discrepancies will not affect consumers' coverage or the level of subsidies they received. Individuals are being asked to submit additional documentation to ensure they're getting the correct tax credits.

6 Jun 2014

UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS join forces to motivate young people to lead healthy lifestyles

UnitedHealthcare is teaming up with IRONKIDS® for the UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS Kansas Fun Run to inspire and motivate young people to lead active, positive and healthy lifestyles.

6 Jun 2014

Medicaid rolls grow by 6 million since health law rollout

The total, which includes 1.1 million people who signed up in April alone, does not indicate how many people gained coverage through the law's expansion of Medicaid, a program pursued by 26 states. That's because individuals who were eligible for Medicaid before the law's passage, but not enrolled, also signed up.

6 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 5, 2014

Today's headlines include the latest developments regarding congressional action on the veterans' health care scandal as well as reports about the latest Medicaid enrollment figures in the context of the health law.

5 Jun 2014

ASTRO issues new Model Policy for proton beam therapy

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new Model Policy for proton beam therapy (PBT) that details which cancer diagnoses meet ASTRO's evidence-based standards and should be covered by private insurers and Medicare.

5 Jun 2014

Congress supports full Medicare coverage of lung cancer screening for seniors

A large number of United States Senators and Representatives are taking the lead to support full Medicare coverage of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for seniors at high risk for lung cancer.

5 Jun 2014

States scramble to pay hefty tab for health exchange fixes

According to The Wall Street Journal, five states -- Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon -- will look to their own funds, remaining federal grants and new federal funding requests to pay these costs.

5 Jun 2014

Medicare overpays advantage plans billions because of billing errors: report

An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity examines how use of a "risk score" that is supposed to help protect the private plans if they have an excess of sicker beneficiaries may have been mishandled.

5 Jun 2014

Congress wrestles with best way to solve VA problems

Lawmakers ponder whether to expand the system or just give veterans more opportunities to opt into private health care at federal expense. Some analysts say, though, that any fixes could be held up in the Senate by election year bickering.

5 Jun 2014

Democrats tout Medicaid expansion in campaigns

But House Republicans are divided over their promise to vote on a health law alternative this year as millions of Americans are now enrolled in expanded Medicaid and subsidized private coverage.

5 Jun 2014

PointRight releases PointRight Pro 30 to track and reduce rehospitalization rates

PointRight Inc., providing industry-standard analytics for healthcare providers and payers, announces the release of PointRight® Pro 30™, an upgraded version of its popular tools leveraging big data to track and reduce rehospitalization rates in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

5 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 4, 2014

Today's headlines include a story about the costs some states will face in attempting to fix their online insurance marketplace.

4 Jun 2014

Medicare News and Research

First Edition: June 6, 2014

United Spinal Association, NSCIA to convene at ROCH to address disability issues

State highlights: NYC soda fight back in court; doc training slots in N.Y.; Texas inmate dialysis costs

Longer looks: When an ER doctor becomes an ER patient; visualizing end-of-life treatments; Google Glass inside operating rooms

UnitedHealth Group raises dividend by 34 percent

NCOA brings innovative online support program to help people manage type 2 diabetes

Senate to vote on confirmation of Burwell as HHS chief

UnitedHealthcare recognizes employers for improving employees' health through wellness programs

HHS probes data discrepancies for 2 million enrollees

UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS join forces to motivate young people to lead healthy lifestyles

Medicaid rolls grow by 6 million since health law rollout

First Edition: June 5, 2014

ASTRO issues new Model Policy for proton beam therapy

Congress supports full Medicare coverage of lung cancer screening for seniors

States scramble to pay hefty tab for health exchange fixes

Medicare overpays advantage plans billions because of billing errors: report

Congress wrestles with best way to solve VA problems

Democrats tout Medicaid expansion in campaigns

PointRight releases PointRight Pro 30 to track and reduce rehospitalization rates

First Edition: June 4, 2014

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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