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Commentary on VA shake-up:Inadequate performance measures; Congress must do its part; similarities to Medicare

Media outlets offer opinions on Gen. Eric Shinseki's departure from the Department of Veterans Affairs and efforts to fix problems in that system.

3 Jun 2014

After controversies, Medicare reimbursement for end-of-life planning again getting consideration

The federal government may reimburse doctors for talking to Medicare patients and their families about "advance care planning," including living wills and end-of-life treatment options - potentially rekindling one of the fiercest storms in the Affordable Care Act debate.

3 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 3, 2014

Today's headlines include coverage of Medicare data released Monday indicating that 2012 charges for some common inpatient hospital procedures dramatically increased over the previous year.

From Medtronic 3 Jun 2014

New editor takes reins at Health Affairs

Key elements of the Affordable Care Act were first previewed in the journal Health Affairs. It's where policy wonks kick the tires on big ideas for reforming Medicare, Medicaid and most every aspect of health care in the United States - before those proposals find their way into legislation on the Hill.

3 Jun 2014

New study reveals central role of physician leadership in ACOs

In spite of early concerns that hospitals' economic strengths would lead them to dominate the formation of Accountable Care Organizations, a new study published in the June issue of Health Affairs reveals the central role of physician leadership in the first wave of ACOs.

3 Jun 2014

Viewpoints: GOP needs to refine its message on health law; battle over school lunches

It was supposed to be so easy this election year for Republican congressional candidates. All they would have to do was shout "repeal Obamacare!" and make a crack about government doctors and broken websites, and they could coast into office on a wave of public fury. ... But it has not quite worked out that way. ... That sentiment conflicts with the Republican playbook, which party leaders are suddenly trying to rewrite. The result has been an incoherent mishmash of positions, as candidates try to straddle a widening gap between blind hatred of health reform and the public's growing recognition that much of it is working (6/1).

3 Jun 2014

Medicare to cover sex-change surgery

The ruling, handed down Friday by a Department of Health and Human Services appeals board, reverses a Medicare policy in place since 1981. It covers surgery, but not other treatments like hormones.

3 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 2, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about state health law implementation activities as well as the next steps regarding the difficulties at the VA health system.

2 Jun 2014

Research roundup: End-of-life preferences; surviving trauma when older; ACA's big waiver for states

Policies and practices that promote advance care planning and advance directive completion implicitly assume that patients' choices for end-of-life (EOL) care are stable over time, even with changes in health status.

31 May 2014

U.S. Court awards Teva favorable decision for generic Celebrex

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia denied a motion filed by Mylan and issued an opinion and order affirming a decision by the FDA under which Teva should receive sole 180-day "first-to-file" exclusivity for generic Celebrex® (celecoxib) 100, 200 and 400 mg capsules.

31 May 2014

CMS says it won't review billings despite IG report that it overpays doctors

The move comes even as a report points at $6.7 billion in overspending in Medicare. The HHS inspector general also says that the program paid $457 million in 2012 to detect drugs after a sharp increase in prescription drug abuse.

31 May 2014

Actavis signs deal with Cephalon to settle patent litigation related to Nuvigil tablets

Actavis plc today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Cephalon, Inc. to settle all outstanding patent litigation related to Actavis' generic version of Nuvigil® (armodafinil tablets, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg and 250 mg).

31 May 2014

Medtronic settles whistleblower case for $9.9 million

Suit accused the medical device maker of giving doctors gifts in return for using its products. Elsewhere, a federal judge denied dismissal of a lawsuit against Novartis alleging a kickback campaign to boost its drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

31 May 2014

Use of chemotherapy before surgery to remove ovarian cancer has increased dramatically

The use of chemotherapy before surgery to remove ovarian cancer has increased dramatically in recent decades, particularly among certain patients, according to a new analysis from Fox Chase Cancer Center that will be presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

31 May 2014

Sticker shock marks newly insured's health law coverage

Also, federal regulators ponder if e-cigarettes are considered tobacco use -- allowing insurers to charge more in premiums to their users. And one Texas family's Obamacare opt-out story.

31 May 2014

First Edition: May 30, 2014

Today's headlines include the latest reports about the problems with the VA health system. Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Rovner reports: "It's not just veterans who are having trouble with health care.

30 May 2014

State highlights: Complaint says Fla. plans tried to keep out AIDS patients; Ill. restores some Medicaid services; Fla. Gov. to sue feds

Four Florida insurance companies offering Affordable Care Act policies are discriminating against people with HIV or AIDS, according to two health-rights organizations that plan to file a formal complaint with the federal government Thursday.

30 May 2014

Medicare intends to penalize hospitals for giving followup care to seniors

Medicare has announced plans to penalize 2,633 hospitals for giving followup care to seniors, even if the care was appropriate.

30 May 2014

Viewpoints: Michelle Obama and school lunches; more about the VA health system 'scandal'; context and caution on Medicare's physician data release

When we began our Let's Move! initiative four years ago, we set one simple but ambitious goal: to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthy.

30 May 2014

Type of surgeon has influence on long-term outcomes for rectal cancer surgery patients

A new Mayo Clinic study shows that the type of surgeon and the type of hospital have a significant influence on long-term outcomes for patients who undergo surgery for rectal cancer.

30 May 2014

Medicare News and Research

Commentary on VA shake-up:Inadequate performance measures; Congress must do its part; similarities to Medicare

After controversies, Medicare reimbursement for end-of-life planning again getting consideration

First Edition: June 3, 2014

New editor takes reins at Health Affairs

New study reveals central role of physician leadership in ACOs

Viewpoints: GOP needs to refine its message on health law; battle over school lunches

Medicare to cover sex-change surgery

First Edition: June 2, 2014

Research roundup: End-of-life preferences; surviving trauma when older; ACA's big waiver for states

U.S. Court awards Teva favorable decision for generic Celebrex

CMS says it won't review billings despite IG report that it overpays doctors

Actavis signs deal with Cephalon to settle patent litigation related to Nuvigil tablets

Medtronic settles whistleblower case for $9.9 million

Use of chemotherapy before surgery to remove ovarian cancer has increased dramatically

Sticker shock marks newly insured's health law coverage

First Edition: May 30, 2014

State highlights: Complaint says Fla. plans tried to keep out AIDS patients; Ill. restores some Medicaid services; Fla. Gov. to sue feds

Medicare intends to penalize hospitals for giving followup care to seniors

Viewpoints: Michelle Obama and school lunches; more about the VA health system 'scandal'; context and caution on Medicare's physician data release

Type of surgeon has influence on long-term outcomes for rectal cancer surgery patients

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