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Blue Cross Blue Shield facing Justice Dept. questions on hospital agreements

The U.S. Justice Department is widening a probe into whether Blue Cross Blue Shield health-insurance plans are artificially raising premiums in several states by striking agreements with hospitals that stifle competition from rival insurers. Federal investigators and some state attorneys general have sent civil subpoenas to "Blue" health plans in Missouri, Ohio, Kansas, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the District of Columbia, according to people familiar with the matter.

28 Mar 2011

Researchers discover LRRK2 gene mutation may cause Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a way that mutations in a gene called LRRK2 may cause the most common inherited form of Parkinson's disease.

28 Mar 2011

Researchers identify genetic conspirators underlying acute myeloid leukaemia

Researchers have described how the most common gene mutation found in acute myeloid leukaemia starts the process of cancer development and how it can cooperate with a well-defined group of other mutations to cause full-blown leukaemia.

28 Mar 2011

People living at high altitudes have lower chance of dying from heart disease

In one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in partnership with the Harvard School of Global Health have found that people living at higher altitudes have a lower chance of dying from ischemic heart disease and tend to live longer than others.

28 Mar 2011

GOP looks to reshape Medicaid; Democrats question HHS stance on cuts

Republicans are gearing up to make suggested changes to the Medicaid system, one GOP lawmaker reports. At the same time, some congressional Democrats are unhappy with the administration's efforts to help states find trims in the program.

28 Mar 2011

Scientists discover how odors are detected and processed by brain

Researchers seeking to unravel the most ancient yet least understood of the five senses - smell - have discovered a previously unknown step in how odors are detected and processed by the brain.

28 Mar 2011

Researchers identify enzyme biomarker that can diagnose early colon cancer

A research team at the University of Colorado Cancer Center has identified an enzyme that could be used to diagnose colon cancer earlier. It is possible that this enzyme also could be a key to stopping the cancer.

28 Mar 2011

HIV uses base excision repair pathway to insert DNA into host-cell genome

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, makes use of the base excision repair pathway when inserting its DNA into the host-cell genome, according to a new study led by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Crippling the repair pathway prevents the virus from completing this critical step in the retrovirus's life cycle.

25 Mar 2011

Longer Looks: Behind the hospital money curtain; Medical data breaches

Think you would stick to a diet if someone paid you for it? Would you be more likely to exercise if you were fined each time you bailed on your scheduled workout? Research in recent years suggests—and a handful of new businesses are betting—that you might.

25 Mar 2011

'Dispense as written' prescriptions cost the health care system $7.7 billion annually

Approximately five percent of prescriptions submitted by CVS Caremark Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) members in a 30-day period during 2009 included a "dispense as written" (DAW) designation.

25 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Deconstructing a $65,515 bill; 'Puzzling' health reform; Good news on America's health

Susan Kovinsky underwent outpatient surgery recently at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The procedure, a hysterectomy, began at 10:40 a.m. By 3 p.m., she was on her way home.

25 Mar 2011

State News: Study highlights problems in Mass. Connector

Los Angeles officials Thursday unveiled what Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa termed a landmark tentative labor agreement that would greatly increase healthcare and pension contributions for thousands of municipal workers and put an end to some furloughs caused by the city's budget crisis.

25 Mar 2011

FDA approves humanitarian device exemption for Elana Surgical Kit in cerebral bypass

Dutch medical device manufacturer, Elana bv, announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a humanitarian device exemption (HDE), enabling a lifesaving cerebral bypass. Elana bv is a corporate spin-off from the University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands.

25 Mar 2011

N.Y., Fla. lawmakers consider Med-Mal damage caps

In New York, the issue is among the most contentious and is tied to the state's budget, which must be completed by April 1. In Florida, the measure approved by the state's appropriation's panel is matched by a similar version moving in the Senate. Both are part of an effort to overhaul Florida's Medicaid program.

25 Mar 2011

Aetna sues N.J. doctors, pricing central issue

Aetna Inc. (AET) is suing six New Jersey doctors over medical bills it calls "unconscionable," including $56,980 for a bedside consultation and $59,490 for an ultrasound that typically costs $74. The

25 Mar 2011

Study explains how genetic mutations lead to development of Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a way that mutations in a gene called LRRK2 may cause the most common inherited form of Parkinson's disease. The study, published online this month in the journal Public Library of Science, shows that upon specific modification called phosphorylation, LRRK2 protein binds to a family of proteins called 14-3-3, which has a regulatory function inside cells.

25 Mar 2011

Swallowed button battery can generate electrical current and cause serious tissue damage

To mark National Poison Prevention week, Trauma specialists at The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre are urging parents to seek immediate medical attention if their child has swallowed a button battery. Parents should not assume the tiny battery will harmlessly pass through their child's system.

25 Mar 2011

Tengion 2010 adjusted net loss decreases to $25.8 million

Tengion, Inc. today provided a business update and reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010.

25 Mar 2011

Emory plays key role in bringing advanced proton cancer therapy to Georgia

Emory Healthcare is a key player in plans to bring the world's most advanced radiation treatment for cancer patients to Georgia. In furtherance of that role, Emory Healthcare has signed a letter of intent with Advanced Particle Therapy, LLC, of Minden, Nevada, opening the door to a final exploratory phase for development of The Georgia Proton Treatment Center - Georgia's first proton therapy facility.

25 Mar 2011

New Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has established a Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, led by Dr. Heakyung Kim. In this role, Dr. Kim will provide specialized care for children with neuromuscular disorders and other special needs at the Hospital's two major centers for pediatric care: Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and the Komansky Center for Children's Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

25 Mar 2011