Health and Human Services News and Research

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One third of nursing home patients harmed by caregivers

The finding by the Health and Human Services Inspector General emphasizes the extent of medication errors, preventable infections and other care issues in skilled nursing facilities. Also, California's Sutter Health system says it has developed a program to make end of life care both more caring and more economical.

5 Mar 2014

New RAND report assesses value-based purchasing programs in health care

After a decade of experimentation with reforms that give health providers financial incentives to improve performance, relatively little is known about how to best execute such strategies or judge their success, according to a new RAND Corporation report.

5 Mar 2014

Medicare drug program falls short in tracking fraud

Medicare's massive drug program continues to be in the news, from a report finding that it fails to adequately track fraud, to continued opposition to an administration proposal that would revamp the program.

5 Mar 2014

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

In an advance for HIV vaccine research, a scientific team has discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2.

4 Mar 2014

March marks the final month of the health law's open enrollment period -- and the rush is on!

News outlets report that the White House -- facing high political stakes -- is attempting to increase the enrollment numbers with a targeted push aimed at African Americans, Latinos, young people and residents of cities with the highest uninsured rates.

4 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

About half a century ago, organized medicine and the hospital industry in this country struck a deal with Congress that in retrospect seems as audacious as it seems incredible: Congress was asked to surrender to these industries the keys to the United States Treasury. In return, the industries would allow Congress to pass a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act .... We have come to know it as Medicare.

3 Mar 2014

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, New York, and North Carolina.

3 Mar 2014

States: N.C.'s Medicaid managed care proposal; narrow provider networks; Planned Parenthood's big plan

Gov. Pat McCrory's health agency is backing away from initial proposals to fix Medicaid costs by hiring a handful of big managed care organizations to run North Carolina's $13 billion health care system. The state Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday presented its framework for revamping Medicaid to an advisory group set up by McCrory (Dalesio, 2/26).

28 Feb 2014

Viewpoints: Health law's forgotten taxes; 'lame documentation' by critics; hospital closing crisis

The Affordable Care Act contains at least two economically distinct taxes on labor market activity. Even the experts on the law have failed to recognize all of them (Casey B. Mulligan, 2/26).

27 Feb 2014

Record $4.3 billion in health care fraud recovered

Federal efforts to combat health care fraud recovered a record $4.3 billion in fiscal 2013 and have recouped more than $8 for every $1 spent on enforcement over the past three years, according to an annual report released Wednesday.

27 Feb 2014

Obamacare enrollment reaches 4 million

About 700,000 people have selected a health plan so far in February, but officials couldn't say how many of those people have paid their first month's premium. For enrollment to reach the revised goal of 6 million, more than double the number of people will have to sign up in March.

27 Feb 2014

Goal: Therapies for hearing loss and communications problems

Research scientist Christine Portfors will study how the brain chemical dopamine influences hearing with support from the National Institutes of Health. The work may ultimately lead to better therapies for people with hearing loss and communication problems.

27 Feb 2014

DiFusion gets CE Mark, European clearance to market CleanFuze antimicrobial orthobiologic polymer

DiFusion Incorporated announced today that the company has received a CE Mark and European clearance to market and implant its new CleanFuze antimicrobial orthobiologic polymer. "We are extremely gratified to announce European clearance of our CleanFuze line of antimicrobial spinal implants. This material has been in development for over five years and attaining this milestone represents significant value for our shareholders," commented DiFusion Cofounder and CEO Derrick Johns.

25 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 25, 2014

Today's headlines include stories exploring the political dynamics governors face regarding the health law's Medicaid expansion.

25 Feb 2014

Drexel University to expand nurse-managed health center

Drexel University will begin a major expansion of its nurse-managed health center which is nationally recognized as a model of integrated care.

25 Feb 2014

Regulators propose 1.9% cut to Medicare advantage payments

Federal regulators late Friday proposed cutting payments to private Medicare plans by 1.9 percent after recent lower health care spending growth. Insurers worry the cut could be much deeper than that after health law fees and other payment changes take effect, however, and say another cut could affect benefits for seniors.

25 Feb 2014

Maryland's health exchange goals revised after research error

The initial goal was reportedly based on flawed data and the newly set milepost has already been met. Still, The Baltimore Sun reports that the state has halted work on its small business marketplace, and that Maryland will charge for work related to public information requests about what went wrong with the website.

25 Feb 2014

States face extra challenges by attempting to 'customize' their Medicaid expansion plan

Stateline reports that the efforts to tailor the program take time, among other things. Meanwhile, the Washington Post examines the Obama administration claim about the number of Americans who have, for the first time, gained access to health care because of the expansion.

24 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 24, 2014

Today's headlines include continuing coverage of Medicare Advantage payment rates, as well as a range of stories about the health law's Medicaid expansion and online insurance marketplaces.

24 Feb 2014

Research roundup: Palliative care and ACOs; employers and Supreme Court case on contraception

In preparation for the new ACO environment, leaders recognized the contribution palliative care can make to health care "value," especially in the care of our sickest (and most expensive) patients ...

24 Feb 2014

Health and Human Services News and Research

One third of nursing home patients harmed by caregivers

New RAND report assesses value-based purchasing programs in health care

Medicare drug program falls short in tracking fraud

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

March marks the final month of the health law's open enrollment period -- and the rush is on!

Viewpoints: The evolution of Medicare; generic drugs and patient safety; new food labels

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

States: N.C.'s Medicaid managed care proposal; narrow provider networks; Planned Parenthood's big plan

Viewpoints: Health law's forgotten taxes; 'lame documentation' by critics; hospital closing crisis

Record $4.3 billion in health care fraud recovered

Obamacare enrollment reaches 4 million

Goal: Therapies for hearing loss and communications problems

DiFusion gets CE Mark, European clearance to market CleanFuze antimicrobial orthobiologic polymer

First Edition: February 25, 2014

Drexel University to expand nurse-managed health center

Regulators propose 1.9% cut to Medicare advantage payments

Maryland's health exchange goals revised after research error

States face extra challenges by attempting to 'customize' their Medicaid expansion plan

First Edition: February 24, 2014

Research roundup: Palliative care and ACOs; employers and Supreme Court case on contraception

Event guide: 6th Operationalize Expanded Access Programs Summit East eBook

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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