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Despite economic downturn, Senior Living Residences marches ahead

Boston-based Senior Living Residences (SLR), a company with a 15-year history of successful ownership, lease-up and management of senior housing communities, has further burnished its track record of robust lease-up of new assisted living facilities even as other companies in the senior housing industry are reporting the negative impact of the current economic downturn.

13 Oct 2009

Phone-based counseling can help teen smokers to quit

For the first time, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have demonstrated that it is possible to successfully recruit and retain a large number of adolescent smokers from the general population into a smoking intervention study and, through personalized, proactive telephone counseling, significantly impact rates of six-month continuous quitting.

13 Oct 2009

Five principles recommended by Iowa Committee for high-value health care

The Iowa Committee for Value in Healthcare today issued a report on five key principles for high-value, fiscally responsible health care that Congress and the Obama administration should consider as they continue discussions over national reform.

13 Oct 2009

Today's selection of opeds: Cutting health costs

Many commentators have treated the Senate Finance bill as the likely template for any final legislation because it may be more palatable to conservative Democrats, and deficit hawks, in both houses.

12 Oct 2009

Nursing homes and adult care centers deal with mental health issues

Families with mentally ill members have "mixed feelings" about a New York court decision on adult homes. Meanwhile, Illinois officials admit to errors in mixing mentally ill criminals with seniors in nursing homes.

9 Oct 2009

Senate Finance Committee plans Tuesday vote as lawmakers crunch numbers

The New York Times reports Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., that the Finance Committee will vote on a proposed health care reform bill.

9 Oct 2009

Health policy research roundup

Urban Institute: Variation in Insurance Coverage Across Congressional Districts New Estimates from 2008 -- Drawing from data from the American Community Survey, the authors of this brief explore the variation in rates of uninsurance, public and private coverage across congressional districts.

9 Oct 2009

Keep oral health in mind during Thanksgiving Day

This weekend, as your family celebrates Thanksgiving Day, it's important to keep your oral health in mind. When preparing your holiday meal, include foods that are nutritious and beneficial for your teeth and gums.

9 Oct 2009

Physician shortage affects older Americans' access to basic care

As members of Congress debate what form a national health care plan should take, older Americans continue to suffer the consequences of a physician shortage that makes accessing basic care a struggle. Barriers to care could be greatly eased, however, by legislation that lifts restrictions preventing physician assistants (PAs) from treating Medicare patients.

9 Oct 2009

Generic medicines and mail-service pharmacies are viable options for reducing health care costs

Many consumers looking for ways to reduce their health care costs are taking potentially dangerous steps such as foregoing prescription drug medications altogether or skipping necessary refills, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports.

9 Oct 2009

Clarity offers new amplified telephone at no cost for people with hearing loss

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), the non-profit distributor of specialized telecommunications equipment for people with hearing loss and speech disabilities, is offering a new amplified telephone developed by Clarity, a division of Plantronics, at no cost to seniors and others with hearing loss. The Clarity W425 Pro cordless telephone amplifies incoming sounds up to 45 dB.

9 Oct 2009

Obama, health care regain ground in public opinion polls

President Obama's approval rating climbed to 56 percent in the latest Associated Press-GfK poll, up from an August trough of 50 percent; disapproval dropped from 49 percent to 39 percent, Politico reports. Obama's handling of issues improved on every measure, including a 48 percent rating for health care, except the war in Afghanistan.

9 Oct 2009

Coburn opposes Medicare Part B premiums freeze, Mccain calls drug pact 'unsavory'

Health care news is emerging from the Senate besides the Finance Committee bill.

9 Oct 2009

Kaiser Permanente launches osteoporosis prevention campaign

Encouraging everyone to “Embrace Your Inner Strength,” Kaiser Permanente has launched a campaign throughout Southern California aimed at getting teenagers, seniors and everyone in between to get serious about building up their skeletons and preventing osteoporosis.

8 Oct 2009

States deal with hospital fees, medical industry concerns and levies on physician payments

Recent state developments include a pending tax on hospitals in California, resistance to health system change in the Missouri medical community and a proposed tax on physician fees in Michigan.

8 Oct 2009

Sebelius defends policy on insurers' politically oriented letters

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius defends a government memo telling insurers to stop sending letters to seniors about the effects of health reform legislation on Medicare Advantage programs.

8 Oct 2009

2010 Medco Medicare Prescription Plan to identify lower-cost medication options

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is helping seniors in this tough economy find smart solutions for getting the most value out of their Medicare prescription drug plan.

7 Oct 2009

Deadline for pharmacies to meet Medicare’s DMEPOS accreditation requirements extended, Senate lauded

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) commended the Senate for passing a bill extending from Sept. 30 to Dec. 31, 2009 the deadline for meeting pharmacy accreditation requirements to continue offering Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS).

7 Oct 2009

Allsup: Disabled people experience difficulty in receiveing much-needed treatment

People with disabilities have crucial healthcare needs, but often experience difficulty in receiving much-needed treatment, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

7 Oct 2009

New four-year accreditation for SCAN Health Plan's medical education program

SCAN Health Plan announced today that its continuing medical education program for physicians has received a new four-year accreditation from the Institute of Medical Quality.

6 Oct 2009