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ACO regs out soon, says Berwick

ACOs are the subject of great debate, and many in the health policy world are eagerly following Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Don Berwick's every move, waiting for the moment he'll announce the rules defining what an ACO actually is.

11 Mar 2011

Understand radiology benefits and risks before undergoing scans: ACR

As part of Patient Safety Awareness Week, the American College of Radiology (ACR) reminds patients that everyone should understand radiology benefits and risks before they or a loved one receives an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan or other medical imaging exam.

11 Mar 2011

Updated NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer outline expanded treatment options

Women with metastatic breast cancer have expanded treatment options for treating the disease and in the prevention of skeletal-related events as outlined in the recently updated NCCN Guidelines™ for Breast Cancer. Robert W. Carlson, MD, of Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center and chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Breast Cancer, presented these and other notable updates to the NCCN Guidelines at the NCCN 16th Annual Conference on March 10, 2011.

11 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 11, 2011

In today's headlines, news about short- and long-term budget challenges and what could become of funding for health programs.

11 Mar 2011

American Botanical Council honors excellence in herbal medicine

The 6th Annual American Botanical Council Celebration and Awards Ceremony took place last night, honoring individuals and companies who influence the present and future of the herbal medicine movement. The ABC event is part of the annual Natural Products Expo West trade show and Nutracon scientific conference, held in Anaheim, California.

11 Mar 2011

Insurance influences final choice of seniors shopping for physician specialists

A February 2011 survey of 344 seniors 65 and older revealed that 71%1 have shopped for physicians, and 77% of those who do shop end up choosing a physician based on whether he or she accepts their insurance. The survey also revealed that the number one reason seniors shop for a physician, chosen by 63% of respondents, is to choose a specialist.

11 Mar 2011

Two Dems sign on to bill to undo health law's independent payment Advisory Board

Two House Democrats have signed onto a Republican bill to repeal a health reform provision that the Obama administration has touted as a central tool to keep health costs under control. Rep. Shelley Berkley became a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal the Medicare payment board on Wednesday, one week after Rep. Michael Capuano.

11 Mar 2011

Party differences emerge as Senate nixes current year budget plans

The development signals that some lawmakers — including Democrats and Republicans, think more changes to Medicare, Medicaid and a range of other programs should be considered. Meanwhile, abortion funding continues to be a divisive issue. And, in an examination of longer-term budget interests, The Wall Street Journal reports that deficit reduction efforts may be gaining more allies.

11 Mar 2011

U.S., aid agencies struggle to provide humanitarian aid for situation in Libya

The U.S. government and "its European allies are considering the use of naval assets to deliver humanitarian aid to Libya … even as they weigh the legality of imposing a no-fly zone without United Nations authorization, according to U.S. and European officials," the Washington Post reports.

11 Mar 2011

Increase in cancer survivors underscores need for post-treatment follow-up care

The number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007, according to a report the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released today. This is a nearly 20 percent increase in cancer survivors from 2001.

11 Mar 2011

Sebelius issues warning about impact of GOP tactics on Medicare

Her warning, which came in a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., charges that the House temporary spending measure would force the Department of Health and Human Services to stop making Medicare Payments.

11 Mar 2011

House lawmakers press Senate to take action on 1099 repeal

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has put the measure back on the Senate's calendar and hopes to move it forward after the chamber completes it work on the 2011 continuing resolution.

11 Mar 2011

Number of patients needing home health care after hospital discharge surges by 70%

The number of patients who needed home health care after being discharged from hospitals surged by about 70 percent (2.3 million to 4 million) from 1997 to 2008, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

11 Mar 2011

House bill introduced to allow individuals to apply for health law waivers

The measure, introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., would allow consumers the same exemption process being exercised by some employers and unions. Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., has raised questions about waivers granted to "mini-med" plans.

11 Mar 2011

Defunding strategy takes aim at health law's mandatory spending provisions

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing yesterday to begin the process of marking up legislation to remove certain parts of health law funding.

11 Mar 2011

Walgreens sells Pharmacy Benefits Manager to Catalyst Health Solutions

Catalyst Health Solutions Inc said it will buy Walgreen Co's pharmacy benefits management unit for about $525 million in cash, a deal that might spur more consolidation before big generic drug launches that could boost the business.

11 Mar 2011

Canadian House of Commons passes bill that could ease access to generic drugs in developing countries

Canadian lawmakers in the country's House of Commons on Wednesday "approved a bill aiming to ease the process that lets generic drug manufacturers produce patented medicines for export to poor nations at cheaper prices in a move the pharmaceutical industry says could undermine intellectual property rights," Bloomberg reports.

11 Mar 2011

Sec. Clinton launches global partnership to improve maternal, child health

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday announced the launch of a global partnership between USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the non-profit Grand Challenges Canada, the World Bank, and the government of Norway to reduce the number of deaths among mothers and infants in developing countries, the Globe and Mail reports.

11 Mar 2011

Experts ponder questions regarding law's 'essential benefits' package

When it comes to health insurance, deciding what is an essential benefit — and what isn't — is a political and medical minefield, with far-reaching consequences.

11 Mar 2011

GSK announces new NovaMin-containing dental formulation for sensitive teeth

This year, for the first time, millions of Americans will be protecting their sensitive teeth with NovaMin in everyday dental products. Co-inventor Gary Hack, DDS, couldn't be happier.

11 Mar 2011