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ACR urges parents not to forego needed medical imaging care for children

The American College of Radiology urges parents not to delay or forego needed medical imaging care for their children based solely on a study (Miglioretti et al) on radiation risk from pediatric computed tomography scans to be published online in JAMA Pediatrics.

11 Jun 2013

Sequester's budget cuts slowing Alzheimer's, other research

nd the bite on non-discretionary spending could be even bigger in 2014. Also, the urgency surrounding a budget deal may have faded.

11 Jun 2013

Grassley continues focus on Medicare decision trading probe

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, says that hundreds of people had access to information about a Medicare decision before it was announced, which triggered a spike in Wall Street trading. Also on Capitol Hill, compounding pharmacies are lobbying against pending legislation and a draft proposal on Medicare's 'doc fix' draws criticism.

11 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 10, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about President Barack Obama's efforts last week to urge uninsured people to sign up for the coverage that will soon become unavailable as a result of the health law.

10 Jun 2013

IDG's CIO magazine names Meridian Health Plan as 2013 CIO 100 award recipient

Meridian Health Plan was named a 2013 CIO 100 award recipient by IDG's CIO magazine. This annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.

10 Jun 2013

Prominent Republican leaves immigration overhaul talks over immigrant health care

On Capitol Hill, Rep. Raul Labrador says he disagreed with others in the talks about health provisions for immigrants who are here illegally now but would gain legal status under the bill. Also, CMS announces that it cannot stop sequestration cuts to Medicare's reimbursement for cancer drugs.

10 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Will 'rate shock' grow?; Krugman says GOP spite is driving opposition to Medicaid expansion; Determining who owns genes

Any plausible health care reform, the various conservative alternatives to Obamacare included, would necessarily have losers as well as winners, and as far as potential losers go single young men with above-average incomes are not precisely the country's most disadvantaged demographic. If you think the current system is flawless, then I suppose any rate increase anywhere is a strike against health care reform.

10 Jun 2013

Research roundup: Health spending on kids with special needs

Between 2008 and 2010, the rate of growth for health care spending declined. The recession, many researchers believe, was a key contributor to this decline. In this study, researchers explored whether the recession also had an impact on health care spending for children, especially those with special health care needs.

10 Jun 2013

Poll finds health law's support sliding

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC survey concludes that more Americans than ever before view the health law as a bad idea. Just as these numbers are rolling out, the White House is launching its own messaging effort -- reaching out to Democrats and Republicans, high-ranking officials and lawmakers -- to get people to sign up for coverage through the overhaul's new online health insurance exchanges.

7 Jun 2013

Feds step up Medicare anti-fraud efforts

The government has revoked the ability of 14,663 providers and suppliers to bill Medicare over the past two years.

7 Jun 2013

Reports highlight impacts of proposed entitlement changes, reduced health care spending

The Washington Post highlights a new report that finds elderly Americans are "economically vulnerable" to even modest changes in Medicare and other entitlement programs. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare notes another report analyzing "the great debate" over health spending.

6 Jun 2013

GOP eyes Medicare 'doc fix' bill for summer, Obamacare replacement

House Republicans move forward on replacing Medicare's payment system for doctors with an eye on moving the measure this summer. In the meantime, a Republican readies an Obamacare replacement bill.

6 Jun 2013

Instillation of chemotherapy can minimize recurrence and progression of bladder cancer

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center led by Dr. Karim Chamie have found that more intense surveillance and treatment of bladder cancer in the first two years after diagnosis could reduce the number of patients whose cancer returns after treatment and lower the disease's death rate. The study was published online ahead of press today in the journal Cancer.

6 Jun 2013

Beacon Health Partners, Empire BlueCross BlueShield sign Patient Centered Primary Care agreement

Beacon Health Partners, an independent physician network and Accountable Care Organization consisting of almost 300 healthcare practitioners, announced that it has signed a Patient Centered Primary Care agreement with Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 6, 2013

Today's headlines include a report about a new poll showing public uneasiness is increasing in regard to the health law. At the same time, the White House is stepping up its efforts encourage people to enroll in the health coverage the will be available as a result of the overhaul.

6 Jun 2013

ACR urges Americans not to forego recommended screening for colorectal cancer

The American College of Radiology strongly urges Americans ages 50-and-older, particularly those with a family history of colorectal cancer, not to delay or forego recommended screening due to concerns raised by a June 1, New York Times article titled, "The $2.7 Trillion Medical Bill."

6 Jun 2013

Sebelius defends phone calls to urge outreach support

At a House hearing Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she did not seek funds from companies, but did ask them to support the outreach efforts of Enroll America, a nonprofit group. She told panel members she made five calls on behalf of the organization.

6 Jun 2013