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US breast reconstruction trends highlighted

The number of women undergoing breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy has increased in recent years in the USA, with implant use being the most common approach, research shows.

17 Jan 2013

Study: Star rating system resonating with seniors

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that first-time enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans are relying on Medicare's star-rating system to make plan choices.

17 Jan 2013

EHRs: Quality care versus cost savings, next 'meaningful use' rules

Some say adoption of electronic health records are not saving money like they'd hoped, but that it does improve care. In the meantime, doctor groups want a delay in the next round of "meaningful use" rules that give doctors financial incentives for utilizing such records.

17 Jan 2013

American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, Milner-Fenwick announce partnership

Milner-Fenwick, a multi-media publisher for the healthcare community, and the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) announced a partnership which includes the AAHFN's endorsement of Milner-Fenwick's Heart Failure Patient Education Video Series.

17 Jan 2013

Partisan strife, interest group concerns emerge in spending debate

The New York Times explores how intra-GOP allegiances to the business community are changing. Meanwhile, AARP acknowleges that adjustments must be made, but argues against cutting back entitlements. Also in the news, the director of the National Institutes of Health expresses his wariness about the impact sequestration could have on biomedical research.

17 Jan 2013

State roundup: Maine hospitals fighting for timely Medicaid payments

New York police plan to distribute "bait bottles" of fake pain-killers equipped with invisible GPS devices in a drive to combat the scourge of pharmacy robberies by addicts and sellers looking for oxycodone tablets, which can fetch more than $80 per pill on the street.

17 Jan 2013

Viewpoints: N.Y. gun law could pose problems for health professionals; 'Jarring discrepancy' between medical costs and premium increases; State officials wage battle against health law

The broad gun control bill approved Tuesday by the New York Legislature substantially strengthens the state's gun control laws. ... Some sections of the law, however, were not fully vetted in the rush. One provision asks health care professionals - physicians, psychologists, registered nurses or licensed clinical social workers - to report to local health care officials when they have reason to believe that patients could harm themselves or others. ... The provision would seem to raise significant legal questions.

16 Jan 2013

Political cartoon: 'Paved Paradise?'

Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Paved Paradise?" by Chip Bok.

16 Jan 2013

First Edition: January 16, 2013

Today's headlines include reports examining how mental health issues play a role in efforts to curb gun violence and expand gun control efforts.

16 Jan 2013

Elderly rectal cancer patients at risk for stoma non-reversal

Half of elderly rectal cancer patients who undergo low anterior resection do not have stoma reversal surgery within 18 months, show US data.

16 Jan 2013

Link between infections and venous thromboembolism in surgical patients

Despite receiving blood thinners and other clot prevention treatment, some patients still develop potentially lethal blood clots in the first month after their operations anyway, especially if they developed a surgical-site infection while in the hospital, according to results of a study at Johns Hopkins.

16 Jan 2013

As debate heats up, how does Medicare fit into debt limit fight?

President Barack Obama signals an interest in "modest adjustments" to Medicare and other safety net programs -- but not in the context of debt limit discussions -- as Republicans demand spending cuts be part of a deal to raise the federal debt limit.

16 Jan 2013

DeParle reportedly exiting the White House, moving on to Brookings

Nancy-Ann DeParle, an Obama administration deputy chief of staff, played a prominent role in advancing the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

16 Jan 2013

States to get more time to set up exchanges, flexibility in Medicaid expansion

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a rule Monday detailing how states should coordinate certain elements of health exchanges and Medicaid.

16 Jan 2013

Hospital news: Nantucket's paradox; Maryland overbilling; Calif. fee complication

Nestled on an island 30 miles out to sea, Nantucket Cottage Hospital is the only rural hospital in Massachusetts, as defined by the federal government. Its weathered cedar shingles and widow's walk evoke the bygone era of its founding a century ago.

16 Jan 2013

Advocates place focus on need for 'seamless transitions' between Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance

A Medicare Rights Center report cautioned that seniors will face coverage gaps unless officials streamline enrollment for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance under the health law's state exchanges.

16 Jan 2013

Viewpoints: $4,000 a night for a 'cozy' hospital room; Texas effort to provide women's health care falls short

Call it the $55,000 cat bite. That's the rough total in medical costs (so far) for a cat bite on my hand that turned into an infection that turned into surgery that turned into a week in the hospital.

16 Jan 2013

Viewpoints: Health law's 'sticker shock;' Changing Medicare eligibility age is not a simple solution

President Obama said a fair bit during the fiscal-cliff negotiations - speaking for 45 minutes in one 50-minute meeting, for example - but today let's zero in on the claim he kept repeating: "We don't have a spending problem. We have a health-care problem." For our money - and yours - those are two of the most remarkable sentences our Orator in Chief has ever strung together.

15 Jan 2013

Viewpoints: The country's deep health problems; Anthem's Rx policy in Calif. may not be legal; Wis. Gov. Medicaid decision looming

It is now shockingly clear that poor health is a much broader and deeper problem than past studies have suggested. An authoritative report issued by the Institute of Medicine this week found that, on average, Americans experience higher rates of disease and injury and die sooner than people in other high-income countries.

15 Jan 2013

Obama taps White House chief of staff to head Treasury department

News outlets report that although Jack Lew is known as a deficit hawk, he has been a defender of Medicaid and other safety net programs.

11 Jan 2013

Medicare News and Research

US breast reconstruction trends highlighted

Study: Star rating system resonating with seniors

EHRs: Quality care versus cost savings, next 'meaningful use' rules

American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, Milner-Fenwick announce partnership

Partisan strife, interest group concerns emerge in spending debate

State roundup: Maine hospitals fighting for timely Medicaid payments

Viewpoints: N.Y. gun law could pose problems for health professionals; 'Jarring discrepancy' between medical costs and premium increases; State officials wage battle against health law

Political cartoon: 'Paved Paradise?'

First Edition: January 16, 2013

Elderly rectal cancer patients at risk for stoma non-reversal

Link between infections and venous thromboembolism in surgical patients

As debate heats up, how does Medicare fit into debt limit fight?

DeParle reportedly exiting the White House, moving on to Brookings

States to get more time to set up exchanges, flexibility in Medicaid expansion

Hospital news: Nantucket's paradox; Maryland overbilling; Calif. fee complication

Advocates place focus on need for 'seamless transitions' between Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance

Viewpoints: $4,000 a night for a 'cozy' hospital room; Texas effort to provide women's health care falls short

Viewpoints: Health law's 'sticker shock;' Changing Medicare eligibility age is not a simple solution

Viewpoints: The country's deep health problems; Anthem's Rx policy in Calif. may not be legal; Wis. Gov. Medicaid decision looming

Obama taps White House chief of staff to head Treasury department

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