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Health law tests include controlling premium costs, religious groups' objections to covering birth control

Meanwhile, Texas and Michigan are seeking waivers from the law's medical-loss ratio rule and the Department of Health and Human Services posts information about patients' appeals rights.

9 Aug 2011

K-V sells assets of Nesher to Zydus and Zynesher Pharmaceuticals

K-V Pharmaceutical Company today announced the completion and closing of the previously announced sale of assets of Nesher Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Company's wholly-owned generic subsidiary, and the Company's generic business and assets to Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc and Zynesher Pharmaceuticals (USA) LLC.

9 Aug 2011

Provider groups weigh in with Supreme Court on Calif. Medicaid case; Fla. docs oppose Medicaid revamp

In other Medicaid news, Texas switches its Medicaid recipients to cards instead of using monthly proof-of-coverage letters to save cash while some advocates worry that children's health could be at risk.

9 Aug 2011

Male breast cancer patients denied Medicaid coverage

The American Cancer society's pages on breast cancer in men lay out the facts. About 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, which makes it rare: about 100 times more women get the disease. It is known that men, like women, are more likely to develop cancer if they have certain mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Family history and age contribute to a man's likelihood of developing the disease as well.

9 Aug 2011

Medicare prescriptions premiums expected to decrease for seniors

According to an Obama administration announcement last Thursday as the health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year. This is expected to offer some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

8 Aug 2011

Medicaid changes rile advocacy groups in Calif., N.C. and Fla.

As states seek to find ways to curb costs in their Medicaid programs, many are getting opposition from patients and providers.

6 Aug 2011

Congressional heavy-hitters back Michigan's MLR waiver request

Michigan Republican lawmakers Dave Camp and Fred Upton endorsed their home state's request for a temporary waiver from the health law's medical-loss ratio requirement. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald asks if ACOs will be the next health care revolution.

6 Aug 2011

Sebelius, Berwick tout drop in Medicare Rx costs

Even as health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year, the Obama administration announced Thursday, offering some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

6 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 5, 2011

In the news today... The cost of premiums for Medicare's prescription drug program won't rise in 2012. Meanwhile, Medicare data reveal a gap in hospital performance and perception.

5 Aug 2011

States seek Medicaid waivers, wrestle with funding cuts

Oregon and Utah have waiver requests pending. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, steep Medicaid cuts are leading to the sale of some hospitals. And, in Arizona, a judge will soon decide whether health coverage should be restored for some low-income state residents whose health insurance ceased as a result of budget cuts.

5 Aug 2011

Speculation about essential benefits package takes spotlight

As the Department of Health and Human Services works toward setting the specifics of an essential health benefits package — the minimum coverage that would be offered by plans participating in the exchanges — stakeholders are offering actuarial models and suggestions of what they think would be the best approach.

5 Aug 2011

BioCryst second quarter total revenues decrease to $3.7 million

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011.

4 Aug 2011

Survey finds employers expanding coverage under reform

A new survey finds that employers are providing benefits to a growing number of people, particularly as employee benefits are extended to cover workers' adult children — a provision of the health law.

4 Aug 2011

ASCO's statement identifies specific measures to help eliminate cancer care disparities

To help address serious racial and economic disparities in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the United States, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today released a policy statement that outlines specific provisions of 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that have the potential to reduce these disparities.

4 Aug 2011

New leadership at HHS insurance exchange office

Steve Larson, who oversees the office at the Department of Health and Human Services that includes planning for the exchanges, will join forces with another HHS official to take on this effort. Meanwhile, KHN's Julie Appleby provides an exchanges primer and from Minnesota, an update on the state's progress.

4 Aug 2011

Avaxia receives BARDA contract to develop new radiation mitigation drug

Avaxia Biologics, Inc., a privately-held biotech company developing oral antibody drugs that act locally within the gastrointestinal tract, announced today it was awarded a contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), for the research and development of an oral antibody therapy to mitigate the gastrointestinal damage that follows radiation exposure that might occur after a nuclear incident.

4 Aug 2011

Researchers discover new tick-borne bacterium that causes ehrlichiosis in Wis., Minn.

A new tick-borne bacterium infecting humans with ehrlichiosis has been discovered in Wisconsin and Minnesota. It was identified as a new strain of bacteria through DNA testing conducted at Mayo Clinic.

4 Aug 2011

AMIA expresses concerns about HHS proposed rule

AMIA, the association for informatics professionals in biomedicine and health care, expressed its concerns to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about a proposed rule that would modify the HIPAA Privacy Rules for accounting of disclosures.

4 Aug 2011

Insurance rate reviews pick up momentum

Regulators in 38 states last year reviewed all health insurance companies' planned increases in premiums before the rates took effect, according to a Government Accountability Office survey that also found the reviews ranged from detailed examinations to a cursory glance at rate justifications.

4 Aug 2011

Instituto Bioclon receives FDA approval for Anascorp to treat Centruroides scorpion sting

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Anascorp, the first specific treatment for a scorpion sting by Centruroides scorpions in the United States.

4 Aug 2011