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Coronary artery bypass grafting safe for dialysis patients

Among the two available procedures for opening blocked arteries surrounding the heart, one appears to be safer than the other for dialysis patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

30 Nov 2012

Diabetes education critical for uncontrolled high blood sugar people with cancer

When people with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with cancer -- a disease for which they are at higher risk -- they ignore their diabetes care to focus on cancer treatment, according to new Northwestern Medicine- research. But uncontrolled high blood sugar is more likely to kill them and impairs their immune system's ability to fight cancer.

30 Nov 2012

Several health law provisions take effect in New Year

While health exchanges and the Medicaid expansion grab most of the headlines, media outlets explore other, lesser-known provisions soon to take effect.

30 Nov 2012

Medicare, other entitlement programs key to 'fiscal cliff' deal

Politico reports that "inside the talks," a framework for addressing the "fiscal cliff" is taking shape that includes both tax increases and entitlement cuts. Other news outlets note that publicly, President Barack Obama is playing down spending cuts, while GOP leaders demand entitlement reductions but offer few specifics.

30 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 30, 2012

Today's headlines include news about the continuing partisan back and forth regarding "fiscal cliff" negotiations as well as reports on the health law's implementation.

30 Nov 2012

Republican top docs take helm of House Energy and Commerce oversight panel

In other news from the Hill, lawmakers called for stepping up the fight against Medicare fraud during a Wednesday Capitol Hill hearing.

30 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: GOP attack on Medicare, Medicaid could hurt critical programs; Will says Obama is repeating his overreach on health care

Congressional Republicans are insisting that big cuts to Medicare and Medicaid be on the table in the negotiations over the so-called fiscal cliff and deficit reduction. That stance is largely a political move against two programs, which have been critical to the public welfare for the past half-century.

30 Nov 2012

EHS reports addition of 78,000 new members to Central Valley operations

EHS Medical Group reported today the addition of 78,000 new members to their Central Valley operations. The growth makes Central Valley the company's single largest region by membership outside of Los Angeles County.

30 Nov 2012

Aetna announced participation in New York State's managed long-term care program

Aetna Better Health of New York today announced its participation in New York State's managed long-term care (MLTC) program. Aetna Better Health of New York, an Aetna Medicaid company, will serve people eligible for the state program in three New York City boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens—as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island.

30 Nov 2012

Longer looks: Are 'pods' the solution to our long-term care crisis?; A Liver transplant in the nick of time; Pro-life activists and the abortion drop

In November 2006, when Clara Marshall began suffering from the effects of dementia, her family moved her into ... an assisted living home in Vancouver, Wash. ... just five months into her stay, Ms. Marshall, 81, was found dead in her room apparently strangled after getting her neck caught in side rails used to prevent her from rolling out of bed.

29 Nov 2012

States confront menu of Medicaid changes

A two-year payment hike for primary care doctors who treat Medicaid patients, called for by the health care law, might not happen without a struggle in Florida. Meanwhile, Kansas waits to hear back from the feds on its proposal to change Medicaid, and New Hampshire officials seek more money for their program.

29 Nov 2012

Party lines on entitlement programs play role in 'fiscal cliff' negotiations

Congressional leaders signal they are making progress in "fiscal cliff" talks. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., urged his party to back an immediate extension of Bush-era tax cuts for households earning less than $250,000 and focus on tax breaks for higher-income people later. Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill, said that Medicare and other federal health care programs should be part of long-term solutions, but not a short-term deal.

29 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Republicans offer 'nonconcessions' in fiscal talks; Obama must lead Democrats to entitlement cuts

Congressional Republicans seem to think they are being flexible on taxes simply because a few of them have grudgingly admitted that some new revenues can be part of the current fiscal negotiations. We're unimpressed. … In exchange for these nonconcessions, Republicans want vast cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and other programs that benefit the middle class and the poor.

29 Nov 2012

Report finds decline in overall number and rate of healthcare-associated infections in Pennsylvania

The overall number and rate of healthcare-associated infections obtained while receiving medical care decreased more than 3 percent, according to an annual report released today by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

29 Nov 2012

Roundup: Big insurance premium hikes sought in Calif., Conn.; Lawsuit alleges state regulators pad nursing home profits

California's largest for-profit health insurer, Anthem Blue Cross, is seeking to raise rates an average of 18 percent for more than 630,000 individual policyholders, drawing scrutiny from regulators and the ire of consumers already struggling with soaring premiums. Some Anthem customers may see rates rise as much as 25 percent in February under the company's proposal at a time when medical inflation is running at historic lows nationwide.

29 Nov 2012

Critics look to House panels to restrain health law; Big policy issues remain

Questions remain on implementing the health law -- both politically and in settling policy matters -- as opponents look to House committees to police the Obama administration's activities to get the law up and running.

28 Nov 2012

Democrats resist significant changes to Medicare, other entitlement programs

Efforts to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" have revived talk of raising Medicare's eligibility age. Some Republicans also suggest that spending to carry out the health law should be viewed as a source for savings. Meanwhile, an important meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

28 Nov 2012

State roundup: Conn. official says bulk buying prescription drugs could help budget

The state's chief fiscal watchdog is asking legislators and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration to take a second look at how government purchases prescription medication -- and a proposal he believes could save more than $65 million over the next fiscal year.

28 Nov 2012

GPs fitting more into patient consultations

GPs are fitting much more into patient consultations than they were a decade ago but the average length of the consultation has stayed the same, research led by the University of Sydney shows.

27 Nov 2012

New coverage decisions by private payers and Medicare for OAB and urge incontinence

Uroplasty, Inc., a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products to treat voiding dysfunctions, today announced significant new coverage decisions by private payers and Medicare.

27 Nov 2012

Medicare News and Research

Coronary artery bypass grafting safe for dialysis patients

Diabetes education critical for uncontrolled high blood sugar people with cancer

Several health law provisions take effect in New Year

Medicare, other entitlement programs key to 'fiscal cliff' deal

First Edition: November 30, 2012

Republican top docs take helm of House Energy and Commerce oversight panel

Viewpoints: GOP attack on Medicare, Medicaid could hurt critical programs; Will says Obama is repeating his overreach on health care

EHS reports addition of 78,000 new members to Central Valley operations

Aetna announced participation in New York State's managed long-term care program

Longer looks: Are 'pods' the solution to our long-term care crisis?; A Liver transplant in the nick of time; Pro-life activists and the abortion drop

States confront menu of Medicaid changes

Party lines on entitlement programs play role in 'fiscal cliff' negotiations

Viewpoints: Republicans offer 'nonconcessions' in fiscal talks; Obama must lead Democrats to entitlement cuts

Report finds decline in overall number and rate of healthcare-associated infections in Pennsylvania

Roundup: Big insurance premium hikes sought in Calif., Conn.; Lawsuit alleges state regulators pad nursing home profits

Critics look to House panels to restrain health law; Big policy issues remain

Democrats resist significant changes to Medicare, other entitlement programs

State roundup: Conn. official says bulk buying prescription drugs could help budget

GPs fitting more into patient consultations

New coverage decisions by private payers and Medicare for OAB and urge incontinence

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