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AP examines anticipated changes to U.S. National Security Strategy, use of health diplomacy

The Associated Press looks at some anticipated changes to the "National Security Strategy, a document that previously outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventive war." The article focuses on the prospective strategy changes, but notes that the "revisions are part of a larger effort about which the White House talks openly, one that seeks to change not just how the U.S. talks to Muslim nations, but also what it talks to them about, from health care and science to business startups and education."

8 Apr 2010

Educating individuals about healthcare costs could lead to efficient use of healthcare system

Educating individuals about the costs of healthcare could save money and lead to a more efficient use of the healthcare system, report policy researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health. The study is the first to assess the effect of knowledge and perceptions of cost-sharing levels (the percentage of cost borne by individuals out of total healthcare costs) on self-reported and actual behavior.

8 Apr 2010

L.A. Care Health Plan receives $15.6M federal grant to establish HITEC-LA

L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest public health plan, announced today that the organization has received a $15.6 million federal grant to establish the Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center, called HITEC-LA, that will help doctors in L.A. County adopt and use Electronic Health Records in a meaningful way.

8 Apr 2010

Complex back surgeries skyrocket, raising concerns about cost, complications

NPR: "Too many complex back surgeries are being done and people are suffering as a result, according to a study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The general tendency noted in the study — that many patients and doctors think more medical care is always better — has implications for the new health overhaul law.

8 Apr 2010

AMA Victoria supports Brumby opposing Rudd’s health plans

The Commonwealth had proposed health changes by taking control of health funding by withholding some GST revenue. The Victorian Government has released an alternative approach for this. This plan called ‘The Putting Patients First’ intends for increases in Commonwealth health funding to be distributed by the States.

8 Apr 2010

Sebelius promises help to confused Americans on health law, says to beware of scammers

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that Americans can expect help from her department as health reform is implemented. She also cautioned consumers to watch out for scammers using the new health bill to try to defraud people.

8 Apr 2010

UAW suing GM over $450 million for retiree health benefits

"The United Auto Workers union has sued General Motors Corp., saying the automaker owes it $450 million for retiree health care" (4/7).

8 Apr 2010

UTHealth receives $15M stimulus grant to conduct research on advanced information technology

An elderly woman suspected of having a stroke arrives confused at the emergency room. The physician uses the basic information she is able to provide to access the critical medical history that will help him treat her. In simplest terms, that's the promise of health information technology.

8 Apr 2010

FDA warns false, misleading statements over "lipodissolve" drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued warning letters to six U.S. based medical spas and a company in Brazil for making false or misleading statements on their Web sites about drugs they claim will eliminate fat in a procedure called "lipodissolve," or for otherwise misbranding lipodissolve products.

8 Apr 2010

Researchers: VA electronic health records system worth the cost

A new study in the journal Health Affairs finds that while the system, "collectively called Vista, for Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture" was expensive, it has paid off, The Wall Street Journal reports.

8 Apr 2010

Women need to be educated on osteoporosis risk factors and treatment: Study

Underscoring what researchers call a serious global public health concern, results from a new study led by Columbia University Medical Center reveal that many women at an elevated level of risk for osteoporosis-associated fractures fail to perceive the implications of the risk factors.

8 Apr 2010

Uncertainties remain about health law

McClatchy/Miami Herald: "Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them. Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors' offices, human resources departments and business groups." One insurance agent said consumers are asking, "Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?" (Taley, 4/6).

8 Apr 2010

Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, PETNET Solutions collaborate in manufacture of Florbetapir F 18

Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. and PETNET Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions, USA, Inc., marked the first dose shipped from a PETNET Solutions manufacturing facility as part of its collaboration with Avid on Florbetapir F 18 (18F-AV-45 or Florbetapir), Avid's molecular imaging agent for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of β-amyloid deposits in the brain, a key pathological component of Alzheimer's disease.

8 Apr 2010

Arizona's hospital industry decides not to push tax to help poor, Maryland health programs struggle financially

"Arizona's hospital industry has decided not to push for an income tax increase on the state's wealthy to help the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System," the Medicaid program in the state.

8 Apr 2010

Data illustrates methods for improving adherence to medication, lowering prescription drug costs

CVS Caremark presented data at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy that illustrate successful methods for improving adherence to medication and lowering prescription drug costs. The company showed results from three studies which demonstrated the positive impact of various tools available to pharmacy benefit managers – including automated telephonic messaging, fax alerts to physicians about gaps in care, and strategic co-pay waivers for generic medications.

8 Apr 2010

Health on the Hill - Early implementation challenges

Kaiser Health News staff writers Julie Appleby and Mary Agnes Carey talk with KFF's Jackie Judd about what is next for health reform.

8 Apr 2010

Health reform law raises hopes, issues for Medicaid

Changes coming because of the health reform law could affect the delivery of care for Medicaid patients.

8 Apr 2010

Arizona and Nevada Governors reject AGs' advice, join suit against new health law

The Associated Press/Boston Globe: "The governors of Arizona and Nevada say their states will join 14 others suing the federal government over health care reform. Gov. Jan Brewer announced Arizona was joining the suit Tuesday night. She signed a bill April 1 that gave her the authority to skirt the state's Democratic attorney general, Terry Goddard, who declined to sue on the state's behalf.

8 Apr 2010

Today's opinions and editorials

From an economic perspective, health reform will fail if we can't sometimes push back against the try-anything instinct (David Leonhardt, 4/6).

8 Apr 2010

$Women unaware of risk of dangerous osteoporosis fractures$

Women unaware of risk of dangerous osteoporosis fractures

Only one in three Australian women diagnosed with osteoporosis are aware they are at higher risk of sustaining debilitating bone fractures, according to a landmark international study published with input from University of Sydney researchers.

7 Apr 2010

Health Care News and Research

AP examines anticipated changes to U.S. National Security Strategy, use of health diplomacy

Educating individuals about healthcare costs could lead to efficient use of healthcare system

L.A. Care Health Plan receives $15.6M federal grant to establish HITEC-LA

Complex back surgeries skyrocket, raising concerns about cost, complications

AMA Victoria supports Brumby opposing Rudd’s health plans

Sebelius promises help to confused Americans on health law, says to beware of scammers

UAW suing GM over $450 million for retiree health benefits

UTHealth receives $15M stimulus grant to conduct research on advanced information technology

FDA warns false, misleading statements over "lipodissolve" drugs

Researchers: VA electronic health records system worth the cost

Women need to be educated on osteoporosis risk factors and treatment: Study

Uncertainties remain about health law

Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, PETNET Solutions collaborate in manufacture of Florbetapir F 18

Arizona's hospital industry decides not to push tax to help poor, Maryland health programs struggle financially

Data illustrates methods for improving adherence to medication, lowering prescription drug costs

Health on the Hill - Early implementation challenges

Health reform law raises hopes, issues for Medicaid

Arizona and Nevada Governors reject AGs' advice, join suit against new health law

Today's opinions and editorials

Women unaware of risk of dangerous osteoporosis fractures

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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