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First Edition: November 27, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about how increasing the Medicare eligibility age and making other entitlement program changes are a part of the ongoing "fiscal cliff" discourse.

27 Nov 2012

MetroStar to collect new unwrapped toys for Hurricane Sandy-affected children

In continuing their efforts to assist New Yorkers return to normalcy after the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, MetroStar Home Health Products, a privately owned Home Health Products company located at http://www.MetroStarDME.com, will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to distribute to children throughout those areas most impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

27 Nov 2012

New recommendations on screening mammography may lead to missed cancers

Researchers assessing the impact of revised guidelines for screening mammography issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found evidence that the new recommendations may lead to missed cancers and a decline in screening, according to two studies presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

27 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Sen. Corker's plan to avoid the 'fiscal cliff'; Romney's brave attempt to deal with health entitlements; Fixing the drug shortage

I have shared with House and Senate leaders as well as the White House a 242-page bill that, along with other agreed-upon cuts that are to be enacted, would produce $4.5 trillion in fiscal reforms and replace sequestration.

27 Nov 2012

Roundup: Abortion opponents see openings in Ark., Wis.; Dems look to upend Maine GOP health law; Rural health care issues in Texas, Kansas

Abortion opponents in Arkansas see an opportunity to enact new restrictions, including a ban on the use of telemedicine to make the abortion pill available, with Republicans controlling both sides of the Legislature in next year's session. Fresh off an election where Republicans won control of the state House and Senate for the first time in 138 years, GOP lawmakers and anti-abortion groups are now focusing on a handful of bills they believe have a better chance.

26 Nov 2012

Lawmakers return to Washington to face the 'fiscal cliff'

As interest groups ranging from business lobbies to AARP mobilize to protect their constituencies, some Democrats acknowledge that Medicare and Medicaid need to be part of the conversation.

26 Nov 2012

Plan to pay less for certain diagnostic tests draws fire

Neurologists in Boston and nationwide are objecting to a plan that would pay them less for certain diagnostic tests, a change meant to cut Medicare costs and direct more money to primary care physicians whose pay is widely seen as inadequate even before they take on more work under the national health care overhaul.

26 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 26, 2012

Today's headlines include a range of stories regarding the future of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations as well as reports about the strategies that might now be used by health law opponents.

26 Nov 2012

Fiscal cliff talks moving slowly; Boehner wants health law on the table

The Congressional leaders had said that aides would provide concrete ideas by Wednesday on deficit reduction targets through revenue increases and changes to social programs, especially Medicare. White House and Congressional staff members did meet early this week, but no such ideas were produced. Democrats want Republicans to first define what they mean by "structural changes" to Medicare and Medicaid.

26 Nov 2012

Guarded optimism about fiscal cliff deal, could include Medicare changes

As Congress prepares to return this week, the Sunday talk shows included talk of compromise, though there are fears of even more partisan fighting in the next Congress.

26 Nov 2012

Tumors 'not always greatest mortality risk in RCC patients'

Patients with localized solid kidney tumors may be at greater risk for death from non-cancer-related causes before that from disease progression and cancer-related mortality, say US researchers who developed a comorbidity-based risk prediction model.

22 Nov 2012

Fiscal cliff: Lame duck budget talks begin

News sources report on the beginnings of negotiations among White House and congressional staff.

22 Nov 2012

'Doc fix' cost: $25 billion for one year, CBO says

The Hill reports that delaying a scheduled pay cut for one year to doctors who treat Medicare patients would cost $25 billion.

22 Nov 2012

Online access to Colorado docs linked to more office visits

The assumption had always been that offering patients email access to their doctors and records would reduce office visits, but a new study from Kaiser Permanente of Colorado showed the opposite.

22 Nov 2012

Meningitis outbreak could prompt call for executive jail time

A tough prosecutor and high public scrutiny could mean jail time for executives of the New England Compounding Center -- the pharmacy at the center of the deadly meningitis outbreak. In the meantime, the pharmacy's lawyers counter that the executives had no direct hand in the illnesses.

22 Nov 2012

New rules for 'Obamacare' implementation released - scrutinized by insurers, employers, states, consumers

The Obama administration released new health care regulations Tuesday that preclude insurers from adjusting premiums based on pre-existing or chronic health conditions, tell states what benefits must be included in health exchange plans, and allow employers to reward employees who work to remain healthy.

22 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Protecting us from counterfeit medicines; Governors making excuses on insurance exchanges?; Simpson-Bowles and the health law

HHS has made it clear that after federally operated exchanges are up and running, states may eventually take over operations. This seems like wasted effort. States have the information they need to move on insurance exchanges. Governors who care about fiscal responsibility, strong state government and the basic welfare of their residents would do well to get with the program.

21 Nov 2012