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Capsules: IRS ruling on same-sex couples has implications for health law; HHS will allow ‘unbanked’ people to use prepaid debit cards on exchanges; Americans have low health insurance literacy; covered California launches $80 million ad campaign

"The decision from the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service means that the income of legally married same-sex couples will be considered in determining eligibility for enrollment in the health law's Medicaid expansion and for subsidies to purchase coverage in the law's online marketplaces, or exchanges" (Carey, 8/30).

31 Aug 2013

Those in gay marriages set to receive new federal benefits

The federal government on Thursday issued rules on the federal benefits that gay Americans and their same-sex spouses can expect to receive. HHS said Medicare will allow all beneficiaries access to care in a nursing home where their spouse lives.

31 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 30, 2013

Today's headlines include the latest news on congressional efforts to avert a financial crisis as well as coverage of the news from the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department and Department of Health and Human Services about how same-sex marriage will be recognized.

30 Aug 2013

Report sheds light on adolescents using illegal substances on an average day

On an average day, 881,684 teenagers aged 12 to 17 smoked cigarettes, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The report also says that on an average day 646,707 adolescents smoked marijuana and 457,672 drank alcohol.

30 Aug 2013

HHS releases first rule about health benefits for same-sex couples; IRS issues guidance on tax filing

In what the department described as its "first guidance" in the wake of the Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, HHS said that all Medicare Advantage enrollees, including same-sex couples, will have equal access to coverage in a nursing home.

30 Aug 2013

New health law rules aimed at protecting insurance marketplace funds, consumers

The regulations are designed to safeguard how federal funds will be used in online insurance marketplaces and to provide protections to consumers. News outlets also detail a number of health law implementation issues, including a study about how rate shock warnings might be "overblown."

30 Aug 2013

Engaging in physical activity not going to put at greater risk of knee osteoarthritis

Adults age 45 and older who engaged in moderate physical activity up to two and a half hours a week did not increase their risk of developing knee osteoarthritis over a 6-year follow-up period, a new study finds.

29 Aug 2013

Synar program made remarkable strides in lowering levels of illegal tobacco sales to minors

A new report on the Synar Amendment program - a federal and state partnership aimed at ending illegal tobacco sales to minors - shows that all the states and the District of Columbia have continued to meet their goals of curtailing sales of tobacco to underage youth (those under 18).

29 Aug 2013

Deadline reportedly delayed for finalizing details with insurance plans on federal exchanges

Reuters reports these agreements are not likely to be signed until mid-September. Also in the news, the race is on to train navigators while, in Washington state, Group Health makes a decision about abortion coverage in exchange plans. And Republicans on Capitol Hill offer a new plan for insuring government officials.

29 Aug 2013

Obama administration releases final rules for individual mandate

The rules codify the penalties under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, as well as who will be exempt from them.

29 Aug 2013

Research findings may help scientists develop anthrax treatments for humans

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, both part of the National Institutes of Health, have identified the cells in two distinct areas of the body that are simultaneously targeted for damage by anthrax toxins, eventually causing illness and sometimes death. Their findings, which appeared online today in Nature, are based on testing in mice.

29 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 28, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the vote by Michigan lawmakers to expand Medicaid.

28 Aug 2013

Fluoride added to water supplies reduces tooth decay in children

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water and many foods. In addition, fluoride is intentionally added to the public water supplies, because it has been demonstrated that communities with fluoride added to their water supplies have significantly reduced incidence of tooth decay in children.

28 Aug 2013

Obama administration ties health law to civil rights

When President Barack Obama met with African-American religious leaders just before the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, he asked for their help in the final push to carry out the health law. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also noted the connection between access to health care and other opportunities.

28 Aug 2013

Even with access to health care, racial variances in HPV vaccine initiation still exist

Even with access to health care, African-American women are less likely to receive the vaccine for human papillomavirus, which reduces the risk for cervical cancer, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

28 Aug 2013

State highlights: Iowa asks for federal waiver for state health coverage plan

Gov. Terry Branstad filed a waiver request with federal officials on Friday, seeking expedited approval for a statewide program to expand access to health care for thousands of lower-income Iowans.

27 Aug 2013

Medicare: Docs not leaving program; Sen. Baldwin pushes to protect rural hospital funds

In Medicare news, doctors may not be leaving the Medicare program in droves as some think. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is pushing back against Medicare cuts to rural hospital reimbursement, and some hospitals are making follow-up care changes to lower readmission rates.

27 Aug 2013

BARDA Awards Novan $7.8M To Develop Thermal Burns Treatment

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26 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 26, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the ongoing battles between those who support the implementation of the health law, and those who oppose it.

26 Aug 2013

Study reveals elegant circuit in visual system helps dictate how eyes connect to brain

A study in mice reveals an elegant circuit within the developing visual system that helps dictate how the eyes connect to the brain. The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, has implications for treating amblyopia, a vision disorder that occurs when the brain ignores one eye in favor of the other.

26 Aug 2013

Health and Human Services News and Research

Capsules: IRS ruling on same-sex couples has implications for health law; HHS will allow ‘unbanked’ people to use prepaid debit cards on exchanges; Americans have low health insurance literacy; covered California launches $80 million ad campaign

Those in gay marriages set to receive new federal benefits

First Edition: August 30, 2013

Report sheds light on adolescents using illegal substances on an average day

HHS releases first rule about health benefits for same-sex couples; IRS issues guidance on tax filing

New health law rules aimed at protecting insurance marketplace funds, consumers

Engaging in physical activity not going to put at greater risk of knee osteoarthritis

Synar program made remarkable strides in lowering levels of illegal tobacco sales to minors

Deadline reportedly delayed for finalizing details with insurance plans on federal exchanges

Obama administration releases final rules for individual mandate

Research findings may help scientists develop anthrax treatments for humans

First Edition: August 28, 2013

Fluoride added to water supplies reduces tooth decay in children

Obama administration ties health law to civil rights

Even with access to health care, racial variances in HPV vaccine initiation still exist

State highlights: Iowa asks for federal waiver for state health coverage plan

Medicare: Docs not leaving program; Sen. Baldwin pushes to protect rural hospital funds

BARDA Awards Novan $7.8M To Develop Thermal Burns Treatment

First Edition: August 26, 2013

Study reveals elegant circuit in visual system helps dictate how eyes connect to brain

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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