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Obama, Congressional leaders strike debt-limit deal

The agreement, which has the support of House and Senate Democratic and Republican leaders, must now win the approval of rank-and-file members. Within the agreed-upon framework, the second wave of cuts could touch payments to Medicare providers, but beneficiaries would not be hit. Also, programs for the poor, such as Medicaid, would be exempted.

2 Aug 2011

HHS reviewing Florida's plans for Medicaid; Iowa hospital system taking the brunt of Medicaid growth

Officials from Florida and the federal government are working on the state's plans to move all Medicaid enrollees to managed care plans. Meanwhile, Iowa is planning changes to its Medicaid program that could impact the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. And a Medicaid provider in Georgia finds anomalies in payments.

2 Aug 2011

Exploring the debt deal's repercussions

Politico asks if the agreement will muddy the Medicare waters. Meanwhile, USA Today examines the political damage that it may ultimately cause.

2 Aug 2011

Cost/benefit analysis shows net savings for obesity and eating disorders

Teaching middle-school children about nutrition and exercise and encouraging them to watch less TV can save the health care system a substantial amount of money, suggests an economic analysis from Children's Hospital Boston and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2 Aug 2011

Roundup: Calif.'s health-budget cuts; new med school for rural docs; community health centers packed

Faced with years of recession-driven budget shortfalls, state lawmakers have made deep cuts to health and social services. The reductions, including a round that took effect this month, translate into sizable state savings but are sharply scaling back the safety net for California's most vulnerable residents: the elderly, the disabled and the poor.

2 Aug 2011

More opinions: Berwick, Deparle, Rep. Pitts and others on health costs; public health transparency guidelines

Unfortunately, there are too many examples that show how our system can fail to meet patients' needs. These problems are not a reflection on the many doctors, nurses and other professionals who work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality care they can.

2 Aug 2011

Cutting foreign aid is shortsighted solution to U.S. budget woes

"Haggling in Congress over bills to fund the state department and foreign operations in 2012 are worrying for those of us seeking to address global poverty and climate change, and respond to famine and other disasters," Samuel Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction, writes in the Guardian's "Poverty Matters Blog."

1 Aug 2011

WHO recognizes World Breastfeeding Week

The WHO "is pleased to join the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and many other partners in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August 2011," according to a statement from WHO Assistant Director-General Flavia Bustreo.

1 Aug 2011

Wall Street Journal examines India's public health infrastructure

The Wall Street Journal and the newspaper's "India Real Time" blog published stories on Saturday examining India's health care system. "Indian government officials say the country's public health infrastructure is sorely deficient, but they argue it is improving because of several initiatives underway," the blog reports.

1 Aug 2011

Preventive health services at no additional cost for women: HHS

Historic new guidelines that will ensure women receive preventive health services at no additional cost were announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

1 Aug 2011

Viewpoints on debt-ceiling debate center on Medicare

For weeks, ever since House Republicans said they would not raise the nation's debt ceiling without huge spending cuts, Democrats have held out for a few basic principles.

1 Aug 2011

Disparities persist despite insurance

A pair of studies highlights how health disparities continue to take shape and unravels some of the factors that are involved in differences in health outcomes.

1 Aug 2011

HT, B.Braun partner to launch Adenocaine Hiberplegia syringe pump delivery system

Hibernation Therapeutics USA, LLC has partnered with B. Braun Medical Inc. to introduce an innovative, low-cost syringe pump delivery system for the administration of its patented Adenocaine Hiberplegia solution, the world's first non-depolarizing cardioplegia.

From B. Braun Melsungen AG 1 Aug 2011

Bipartisan support for NIH funding eroding

Voting to boost funding for the National Institutes Health has long been a source of pride for Democrats and Republicans alike. But the drive to shrink the federal government is now eroding bipartisan backing for an agency that supports scientific research to prevent illnesses such as strokes, heart attacks and cancer.

1 Aug 2011

Medical device review system called into question

An advisory group offered criticism of the Food and Drug Administration's review system for medical devices. But the FDA's reaction appears dismissive.

1 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 1, 2011

In today's headlines, the early details regarding how the politics and policies involved of the debt-ceiling deal are taking shape.

1 Aug 2011

Fischer retains TransMedia to launch Israel's most popular sunscreen in the U.S.

Fischer Pharmaceutical Ltd., a multi-national company specializing in R&D and manufacture of a wide variety of skin and health care products, has retained TransMedia Group to introduce Israel's most popular sunscreen, Dr. Fischer ULTRASOL, in the United States.

1 Aug 2011

'NOT ME' diabetes initiative in Columbus and around Ohio

The City of Columbus is joining communities across the country to say "NOT ME" to diabetes, offering city workers access to programs proven to prevent and control type 2 diabetes.

1 Aug 2011

Nursing homes attack Medicare's payment cuts

"Medicare says it will cut payments to nursing homes to correct for an unintended windfall this year, and the industry is warning that quality will be compromised. Officials announced the 11 percent cut Friday, along with other changes meant to tamp down on physical therapy costs".

1 Aug 2011

Gundersen Lutheran staff develop comprehensive CT radiation dose reduction program

In an effort to reduce the radiation dose delivered by computed tomography (CT) scans, staff at a community-based hospital developed a comprehensive CT radiation dose reduction program which has allowed them to reduce the radiation dose delivered by CT scans at their facility, according to an article in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

1 Aug 2011