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Polls offer windows into campaign challenges, dynamics

A new round of polls indicates that, with seven weeks left of campaigning, President Barack Obama appears to be edging out GOP candidate Mitt Romney. However, the findings also highlight the political forces that could work for and against each candidate.

20 Sep 2012

Are electronic medical records leading to higher medical bills?

Electronic medical records, long touted by government officials as a critical tool for cutting health care costs, appear to be prompting some doctors and hospitals to bill higher fees to Medicare for treating seniors.

20 Sep 2012

Wis. officials say Medicaid funding will need to rise $650M over two years

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services in a request to Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that the increase was needed because of rising health care costs, higher program enrollment and lower federal funding.

20 Sep 2012

Romney's '47 percent' comments fuel analyses of who gets tax breaks, aid

Some news outlets report how the remarks underscore different views of the role of government by President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Romney attempts to deflect criticism by going on the offensive, saying his comments help define the choice before voters.

20 Sep 2012

Hip implants are more likely to fail in obese people due to thigh size

University of Iowa researchers have determined that thigh size in obese people is a reason their hip implants are more likely to fail.

20 Sep 2012

Roundup: Ore. insurance CO-OP readies coverage; N.J. Medicaid liabilities hurt state's fiscal outlook; Wis. AG appeals collective bargaining ruling

Independent workers -- artists, journalists, information technology professionals, craftsmen and even those who earn their living buying and selling on eBay -- will soon have the ability to buy health coverage without having to dicker with a privately-run insurance company such as Regence BlueCross BlueShield. ... people can sign up when enrollment opens for the health insurance exchange in October 2013.

20 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Romney says citizens 'do need help from government;' One Retiree suggests sacrifices on Medicare, entitlements would be used to prop up rich

Government benefits are heavily skewed towards seniors, nearly all of whom paid Social Security and Medicare taxes for decades to earn them. Judging by the polls, both they and low-income workers are likely to give Romney respectable levels of support in November, unless they feel he is insulting them or cannot relate to their situation.

20 Sep 2012

Health interest groups strategize to stop automatic cuts

Industry lobbyists hope the "shock value" of last week's White House report detailing the reach of the cuts will add momentum to efforts to persuade Congress to repeal the legislation before reductions start in January.

20 Sep 2012

The number of physicians in Congress could grow by 50 percent

In other congressional-election news, The New York Times reports on a New Jersey race in which Medicare is a key issue.

19 Sep 2012

Devon Medical Products receives PDAC approval for extriCARE 2400 system

Devon Medical Products, a global medical device manufacturer and distributor, today announced it has received approval from the Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding (PDAC) contractor for its extriCARE 2400 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) pump and associated bandages and disposable canister.

19 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 19, 2012

Today's headlines include a series of reports detailing who makes up Romney's so-called "47 percent" who get tax breaks and what federal assistance they receive -- whether it is Medicare, Medicaid or another entitlement program.

19 Sep 2012

Medicaid primary care pay raise 'coming soon,' according to CMS official

Details on increasing Medicaid payments to primary care providers starting next year will soon be announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency said Thursday. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid rates for pediatricians, general internists, family physicians, and those who work under their supervision are to be set at Medicare's December 2009 levels beginning in Jan. 2013 and going through 2014.

18 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Dragging the 'C word' -- cost -- out of hiding; Elton John on discrimination against state prisoners with HIV

We need death panels. Well, maybe not death panels, exactly, but unless we start allocating health care resources more prudently -- rationing, by its proper name -- the exploding cost of Medicare will swamp the federal budget.

18 Sep 2012

Roundup: Mont. settlement money to pay for uninsured's prescription drugs; Physician assistants' role in Mass.; Atlanta to cut worker premiums

The Montana attorney general's office says nearly $1 million collected in drug company settlements will be used to help pay for prescription medicine for people who are uninsured and underinsured. Attorney General Steve Bullock said in a statement Thursday the money came from settlements dating back to 2010 with four drug companies accused of inflating the wholesale prices of drugs paid by Medicare and Medicaid.

18 Sep 2012

HSS recognizes Kaiser Permanente Colorado as a 2012 Hypertension Control Champion

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recognized Kaiser Permanente Colorado as a 2012 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion. Million Hearts is a national public-private initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

18 Sep 2012

Healthcare costs could total more than household assets for elderly at end of life

For more than 25% of elderly US citizens, healthcare costs incurred during the last 5 years of life will amount to more than their total household assets, show data reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

17 Sep 2012

Medicare upcoding could be adding to health care costs

The Center for Public Integrity reports on a trend in which many physicians and other medical professionals are billing Medicare for complicated and costly care. Some say this pattern signals an increase in medical billing abuse while others maintain it reflects seniors' need for more complex care.

17 Sep 2012

Health law complexities create challenges for Va. Senate candidates

The Washington Post reports on how the challenges surrounding the implementation of the overhaul are leading Senate candidates in Virginia to some nuanced positions. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News tracked weekend news coverage of statement by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on why she thinks the GOP position on Medicare will help Democrats take back the House.

17 Sep 2012

Medicare, health overhaul playing key role on the campaign trail

The Associated Press offers an issue breakdown regarding the health law positions taken by President Barack Obama and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney while The Washington Post examines new studies that detail how Romney's Medicare proposals might impact seniors.

17 Sep 2012