Health and Human Services News and Research

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12 insurers sign contracts for California exchange - but one plan opts out

Reports also detail how health exchanges are taking shape in Maryland, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, D.C. and Connecticut.

9 Aug 2013

Drug-related emergency department visits increase among younger adults

A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that some drug-related emergency department visits increased by 300 percent -- from 5,605 visits in 2005 to 22,949 visits in 2011. These visits, made by adults aged 18 to 34, were related to the nonmedical use of central nervous system stimulants. On average, about 30 percent of these visits also involved alcohol.

9 Aug 2013

Investigational malaria vaccine offers protection against malaria infection in healthy adults

An investigational malaria vaccine has been found to be safe, to generate an immune system response, and to offer protection against malaria infection in healthy adults, according to the results of an early-stage clinical trial published Aug. 8 in the journal Science.

9 Aug 2013

MAXIMUS revenue grows 26% to $334.3 million in Q3 2013

MAXIMUS, a leading provider of government services worldwide, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended June 30, 2013.

8 Aug 2013

UA students receive grant to implement team-based approach to improve patient's quality of life

University of Alabama students are learning the value behind the "two heads are better than one" concept when addressing the health-care needs of rural communities.

8 Aug 2013

Mostashari steps down from top federal health IT post

Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the national coordinator for health information technology, announced Tuesday he will step down this fall.

8 Aug 2013

IG report: Security testing for Obamacare data hub behind schedule

News outlets report that a May review of the implementation of the health insurance exchange data hub found the contractor paid to develop security features is months behind on testing them. The Department of Health and Human Services responded that the review was several months ago, "and significant progress has been made since then."

8 Aug 2013

Some states say they won't enforce the health law's insurance reforms

Six states have taken this position, according to the Texas Tribune. Meanwhile, media outlets report on new developments regarding state activity on the health law's Medicaid expansion and health exchanges.

8 Aug 2013

Lupin acquires exclusive license to promote, distribute Romark's Alinia for Oral Suspension in US

Romark Laboratories announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Lupin Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively Lupin) designed to expand promotion and distribution efforts related to its Alinia (nitazoxanide) for Oral Suspension, 100 mg/5 mL. Under the agreement, Lupin acquired an exclusive license to promote and distribute Alinia for Oral Suspension in the United States.

7 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 7, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how deadlines have been missed regarding tests for the health cxchange privacy system.

7 Aug 2013

Sebelius disputes 'rate shock,' assures exchanges' readiness

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a call with reporters yesterday that the agency is "on target" to open new online marketplaces Oct. 1. She also spoke about personal "Obamacare" accounts which consumers can begin creating now in advance of being able to shop for plans.

7 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 6, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the readiness of the health law's insurance online marketplaces for the Oct. 1 enrollment kick-off date.

6 Aug 2013

NIH-funded study of aquaporin proteins could hold clues to cataract

Researchers have achieved dynamic, atomic-scale views of a protein needed to maintain the transparency of the lens in the human eye. The work, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, could lead to new insights and drugs for treating cataract and a variety of other health conditions.

6 Aug 2013

Study opens door to possible treatments for variety of mitochondrial diseases

By borrowing a tool from bacteria that infect plants, scientists have developed a new approach to eliminate mutated DNA inside mitochondria-the energy factories within cells. Doctors might someday use the approach to treat a variety of mitochondrial diseases, including the degenerative eye disease Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. The research, published online today in Nature Medicine, was funded by the National Eye Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

5 Aug 2013

HTR3 variants associated with effectiveness of ondansetron treatment for alcohol dependence

An experimental treatment for alcohol dependence works better in individuals who possess specific combinations of genes that regulate the function and binding of serotonin, a brain chemical affected by the treatment, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. A report of the finding appears online in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

3 Aug 2013

Health law supporters plan August strategy to counter criticism

In response to efforts by some Republican lawmakers who are threatening to shut down the government as part of their attempt to stop the health law's implementation, some progressive groups plan to organize their own town hall meetings and stage protests at GOP events, among other things, to tout the law's perks. Others will go door to door to encourage consumers to enter the insurance market.

3 Aug 2013

FDA publishes new regulation defining "gluten-free" for food labeling to protect people with celiac disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a new regulation defining the term "gluten-free" for voluntary food labeling. This will provide a uniform standard definition to help the up to 3 million Americans who have celiac disease, an autoimmune digestive condition that can be effectively managed only by eating a gluten free diet.

3 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 2, 2013

Today's headlines include details about today's health law repeal vote in the House. It comes just as lawmakers prepare to leave for the August break.

2 Aug 2013

New technique accelerate tissue repair, reduce costs for chronic wound management

In a small clinical study, researchers administered a new method for treating chronic wounds using a novel ultrasound applicator that can be worn like a band-aid. The applicator delivers low-frequency, low-intensity ultrasound directly to wounds, and was found to significantly accelerate healing in five patients with venous ulcers.

2 Aug 2013