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ACLA announces full and strong support for TEST Act

The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) today announced its "full and strong support" for H.R. 6118, the Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act or TEST Act introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) in the House of Representatives.

16 Jul 2012

UnitedHealthcare to host educational seminars at Jersey City Medical Center

UnitedHealthcare will host a series of educational seminars at the Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, N.J., to help baby boomers and other Medicare beneficiaries learn more about the Medicare program so they can make confident health care coverage choices.

16 Jul 2012

Health groups brace for sequester, ask Congress to undo scheduled cuts

Hospital groups are planning lobbying efforts to convince lawmakers to cancel a 2 percent Medicare cut that would kick in next January. Meanwhile, 3,000 groups signed a 64-page letter expressing concern about the impact of non-defense discretionary spending reductions.

14 Jul 2012

Research roundup: Medication adherence, performance at community health centers

For people diagnosed with depression, it's important that they adhere to their medication regimen so that they avoid recurrent episodes. But because of Medicare's Part D coverage gap, financially burdened seniors might not take their prescriptions as recommended. This study looked at Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with depression in 2007.

14 Jul 2012

FDA approves Watson's ANDA for Next Choice ONE DOSE emergency contraceptive

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Next Choice ONE DOSE (Levonorgestrel Tablet, 1.5 mg), the generic equivalent to Teva Women's Health's Plan B One-Step. Watson plans to launch the product immediately.

13 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Rick Perry says Obama is selling a 'broken' Medicaid system; House GOP assailed for 'foolish' repeat of repeal vote

Not so meaningless, however, are recent decisions of several states to resist what ought to be some of the less controversial aspects of ObamaCare. They're refusing to set up easy-to-use exchanges that would help residents make insurance choices. And they're turning down a Medicaid expansion, which will deny insurance to millions who can't afford coverage and shift the cost of their care to people who have it (7/11).

13 Jul 2012

Republican-led House votes (again) to repeal health law

The repeal effort is a means for Republican leaders to rev up voters before November's elections. Five Democrats also voted with the majority. As with previous efforts, however, the measure is expected to languish in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

13 Jul 2012

Medicaid news: Federal officials question drop in Pa.'s rolls

In Pennsylvania, the federal government is checking into why 130,000 people were removed from the Medicaid program.

13 Jul 2012

GAO questions legality of Medicare Advantage bonuses

In a 10-page letter sent Wednesday to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the Government Accountability Office's general counsel raised questions about the $8.3 billion demonstration program, which Republicans had criticized as a ruse to mask some of the health law's cuts in seniors' benefits.

13 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 12, 2012

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in collaboration with The Philadelphia Inquirer, reports: Penn is one of a small, but growing number of hospitals taking their advertising campaigns to Facebook, Google and other websites. Fewer than 150 of the nation's 6,000 hospitals use Google and Facebook to market services, estimates Rob Grant, executive vice president of eVariant, a Simsbury, Ct.-based hospital consulting firm.

12 Jul 2012

HHS inspector general: Many Medicare anti-fraud contractors have ties to companies they investigate

The Associated Press reports that as many as two-thirds of these contractors had financial connections to claims processors.

12 Jul 2012

Feds will waive insurance mandate for low-income people in states that opt against Medicaid expansion

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged states to participate in the expansion, but said the administration would waive penalties against poor residents for not carrying insurance in states that opt out. Experts, meanwhile, urge the administration to "be flexible" with states regarding the Medicaid expansion. And Wall Street continues to view Medicaid as a growth opportunity.

12 Jul 2012

U.K. High Court rules in favor of Teva in COPAXONE patent litigation

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that the United Kingdom High Court of Justice issued a decision in favor of Teva in a patent litigation proceeding against Generics (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Mylan Laboratories Inc., on July 11, 2012.

12 Jul 2012

FDA approves Watson’s ANDA for generic ARTHROTEC

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Watson Laboratories, Inc - Florida has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Diclofenac Sodium and Misoprostol Delayed-Release Tablets, the generic equivalent to G.D. Searle's ARTHROTEC.

12 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 11, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the scheduled House vote on repealing the health law as well as how stakeholders -- whether it be certain governors or wall street investors -- are responding to the Supreme Court's decision on the Medicaid expansion.

11 Jul 2012

Officials announce 89 more ACOs caring for 1.2 million on Medicare

The addition brings to 154 the total number of ACOs giving care to 2.4 million beneficiaries of Medicare. CMS says the program could save $940 million over four years.

11 Jul 2012

Perry rejects Medicaid expansion, opts not to create state-run health exchange

Gov. Rick Perry's announcement that Texas will not pursue either of these two elements of the federal health law is drawing both national and regional headlines. But other GOP governors are delaying and mulling these decisions.

11 Jul 2012

New CBO numbers on health law expected soon, a GOP-led Senate would focus on cost control

This Capitol Hill news roundup includes reports about new health law budget numbers, and about how the GOP -- if it gained control of the Senate -- would focus on health care cost control rather than coverage expansion. Also in the news, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is proceeding with his questions about nonprofit hospitals and charity care. Finally, an ethics panel inquiry regarding a Nevada lawmaker moves forward.

11 Jul 2012

Herpes zoster vaccine recommendations questioned in patients on biologics

Administration of the live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine is not associated with an increased risk for shingles shortly after vaccination in patients receiving biologic treatments for immune-mediated diseases, researchers report in JAMA.

10 Jul 2012

Racial differences in hospice use revealed

Study results show that while hospice use by Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure increased in the USA over the period 2000 through 2008, non-White patients were less likely to enroll than their White counterparts.

10 Jul 2012