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Duke Institute for Health Innovation to be launched on September

On Sept. 8 and 9, Duke University and Duke Medicine will launch the Duke Institute for Health Innovation (DIHI) and host an inaugural "Summit on Transformative Innovation in Health Care."

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

After voting to cut payments to dialysis clinics, many lawmakers seek a reversal

On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers are rethinking the Medicare policy for kidney patients because clinics argue they may have to close or cut services. Elsewhere, the president of the American Medical Association is optimistic Congress will change Medicare's payment formula and a Republican senator wants all congressional staff to get coverage in Obamacare's exchanges.

30 Aug 2013

As deficit talks resume, health law funding fight escalates

News outlets report little optimism that talks between a group of Republican senators and the White House will resolve the impasse. Meanwhile, House Republicans are expected to use the battle over raising the debt limit as leverage to block the health law -- either by stripping away its funds, or delaying implementation.

30 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 29, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about ongoing fiscal fights surrounding efforts to raise the nation's debt limit and to defund the health law. Also, the White House enlists former President Bill Clinton to help spread the word about the overhaul.

29 Aug 2013

Study suggests evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider patient utilization of clinical, economic benefits

Payment incentives implemented with a commercial accountable care organization (ACO) initiative in Massachusetts -Blue Cross Blue Shield's Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) - were associated with lower spending for Medicare enrollees served by the provider groups participating in the AQC, findings that suggest that evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider the implications for other patient populations to assess their full clinical and economic benefits, according to a study in the August 28 issue of JAMA.

29 Aug 2013

European Commission approves EYLEA for treatment of visual impairment due to macular edema following CRVO

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of visual impairment due to Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO).

29 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Upton says GOP health ideas overlooked; tying insurance to jobs is a bad idea

In a troubling denial of reality, President Obama now claims that Republicans have no ideas when it comes to health care, saying "they don't have an agenda to provide health insurance to people at affordable rates." But Republicans do have answers – a lot of them (Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., 8/27).

29 Aug 2013

New models for care coordination and accountability cut costs, study finds

The study, published in Tuesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, examined how some approaches that lower spending and improve quality could spill over and benefit other patients.

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

Viewpoints: Sen. Cruz's strategy and a looming deadline; Michigan republicans face key test

Mr. Cruz also acknowledged that he does "not have the votes right now" to force a shutdown. At least 41 Senators need to play along, and, so far, only 13 have signaled their commitment to the cause. But the senator would only go so far in accepting reality.

28 Aug 2013

Use of radiologic examination of ducts during gallbladder surgery not linked with reduced risk of common duct injury

In an analysis of a procedure used to help prevent common duct injury during gallbladder removal surgery, use of intraoperative cholangiography (radiologic examination of the ducts during gallbladder surgery) was not associated with a reduced risk of common duct injury, according to a study in the August 28 issue of JAMA.

28 Aug 2013

State Highlights: N.H. pushes back at health care costs ahead of Obamacare

Health care spending has increased faster and reached higher levels in New Hampshire than in most other states, but hospitals, insurers and others have been trying to tackle the problem long before the Affordable Care Act. The New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative, which promotes affordable, effective and accessible health care, has overseen several of the largest efforts, including a medical home pilot project in 2011 and an accountable care organization model (8/26).

28 Aug 2013

Health law in cross hairs as debt-limit deadline approaches

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said Monday the nation will hit its debt limit in mid-October, setting up a potential clash between the White House and some House Republicans who say they will tie their votes on raising the debt ceiling to defunding the health law. Also in the news, a survey of business economists cites future deficits as the nation's most pressing problem, which will be exacerbated by aging baby boomers reliant on Social Security and Medicare.

28 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 27, 2013

Today's headlines include reports regarding the gathering storm as the White House and GOP lawmakers continue to hold firm in their positions regarding the looming debt limit. President Barack Obama says he won't negotiate while some Republicans are pushing for to defund, or at least delay, the health law's implementation.

27 Aug 2013

California residents to reap benefits of CHI and xG partnership

Residents of California's Central Coast will soon reap the benefits of a newly formed healthcare partnership that aims to advance quality while driving down costs thanks to an innovative healthcare delivery model known as the patient-centered medical home.

27 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: 'Mixed signals' on employee benefits; Michigan debates Medicaid expansion; malpractice awards drive safety

It is hard to know whether to rejoice or lament two striking if somewhat conflicting messages last week about the costs of employer-sponsored health insurance. An authoritative survey found that premiums for family and individual coverage at work - including both the company's and the worker's share - have gone up only moderately for the second year in a row.

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

Lobbying efforts to alter Obamacare take on urgency

Reuters reports how businesses, unions and advocacy groups continue to seek changes in the law, but lobbyists face uphill battles. Kaiser Health News reports on how bare-bones health plans are expected to survive the law, albeit in modified form, and also looks at the government's efforts to inform seniors they shouldn't seek coverage from new online insurance marketplaces.

27 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

Medicare News and Research

Duke Institute for Health Innovation to be launched on September

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

After voting to cut payments to dialysis clinics, many lawmakers seek a reversal

As deficit talks resume, health law funding fight escalates

First Edition: August 29, 2013

Study suggests evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider patient utilization of clinical, economic benefits

European Commission approves EYLEA for treatment of visual impairment due to macular edema following CRVO

Viewpoints: Upton says GOP health ideas overlooked; tying insurance to jobs is a bad idea

New models for care coordination and accountability cut costs, study finds

First Edition: August 28, 2013

Viewpoints: Sen. Cruz's strategy and a looming deadline; Michigan republicans face key test

Use of radiologic examination of ducts during gallbladder surgery not linked with reduced risk of common duct injury

State Highlights: N.H. pushes back at health care costs ahead of Obamacare

Health law in cross hairs as debt-limit deadline approaches

First Edition: August 27, 2013

California residents to reap benefits of CHI and xG partnership

Viewpoints: 'Mixed signals' on employee benefits; Michigan debates Medicaid expansion; malpractice awards drive safety

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

Lobbying efforts to alter Obamacare take on urgency

First Edition: August 26, 2013

Industry Focus eBook - Analytical Chemistry (2nd Edition) 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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