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First Edition: July 5, 2012

Early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including articles on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's statement that the health law individual mandate is a tax.

5 Jul 2012

Live zoster vaccine associated with reduced risk of HZ in patients with immune-mediated diseases

Although some have suggested that patients receiving medication for immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis may be at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) shortly after receipt of the vaccine, an analysis that included nearly 20,000 vaccinated Medicare beneficiaries finds that the live zoster vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of HZ shortly after vaccination in patients currently treated with biologics, and that it is associated with a significantly reduced longer-term risk of HZ in patients with an immune-mediated disease, according to a study in the July 4 issue of JAMA.

4 Jul 2012

For Republicans, undoing the health law could be complicated

GOP leaders face various challenges in their strategy to repeal the health law.

4 Jul 2012

Antidepressant use among seniors: Falling through Medicare's doughnut hole?

A new study links the gap in Medicare Part D coverage and cutbacks by seniors in using this and other medications.

4 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Coherent GOP plan for health care; Dems need better 'sales pitch' for health law

Hostility toward the Supreme Court has risen sharply since Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. upheld the Obama health care law. People are apparently angry that the court didn't rid them of a law they detest. But that's silly. If Americans want to replace this thing, they should do it themselves. ... Moreover, there are alternatives. Despite what you've read, there is a coherent Republican plan.

4 Jul 2012

Shingles vaccine may not increase risk of varicella in people with auto-immune diseases

New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham casts doubt on the long-standing belief that the vaccine for shingles should not be given to patients taking biologics for auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

4 Jul 2012

Dems say it is time to change the subject, but GOP has different plan

Republicans already are demonstrating their strategy to use the health law decision in the upcoming campaign season. Meanwhile, both parties are raising money on the issue.

3 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Pressure on states to move on exchanges; Roberts' decision holds off new calls for public option

Now that the health care reform law has been ruled constitutional, it is imperative that as many states as possible move aggressively to establish a centerpiece of the reform structure: new insurance policy exchanges for people who lack affordable coverage through an employer. Federal subsidies will be available for those with low or moderate incomes.

3 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Both parties swinging for the fences on health law decision; GOP once supported universal care; Sarah Palin's latest 'whopper'

The ruling by the Supreme Court to uphold most of the health law has put the controversy squarely back on the parties' agendas for the November elections.

2 Jul 2012

State roundup: Bumpy managed care transition in Calif.

A selection of health policy stories from California, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Minnesota.

2 Jul 2012

Study reinforces CT colonography as a viable option for Medicare-aged patients

A new study of 1,400 Medicare-aged patients reinforces CT colonography as a screening tool for colon cancer, adding to the continued debate over Medicare coverage of the procedure.

2 Jul 2012

Clinical results for Teva's biologic oncology candidates presented at MASCC/ISOO 2012

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today the presentation of clinical results for its biologic oncology candidates, lipegfilgrastim and balugrastim, at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO) 2012 International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer being held in New York June 28-30.

2 Jul 2012

CMMI awards Altarum Institute $8.4 million to curb unnecessary medical imaging

Altarum Institute has received an award of $8.4 million from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to curb unnecessary medical imaging in Southeast Michigan.

2 Jul 2012

Rutgers explains significance of Supreme Court upholding the health care law

The Supreme Court upheld the core of President Obama's health care overhaul, ruling that the government can require all Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty.

2 Jul 2012

Most health care firms expect to benefit from health law

The court's decision to uphold the law is expected to help nearly every corner of the health care industry, The Associated Press reports. But other outlets also note that insurers are concerned about new rules.

30 Jun 2012

Obama's presidential legacy linked to Supreme Court's health law verdict

Overhauling the nation's health system has been the president's most significant legislative achievement. As a result, the Court's decision will also reflect on his effectiveness as a leader. Meanwhile, news outlets report on the White House's preparations for the decision.

29 Jun 2012

GOP leaders react to ruling by renewing pledges to repeal the health law

From Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to key House and Senate leaders, the call to repeal the sweeping health overhaul came loud and clear in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision largely upholding it.

29 Jun 2012

Stanford Medical School comment on Supreme Court ruling on health-care reform law

Today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 advances the broad effort to extend health-care coverage and control medical costs, though it raises questions about how certain provisions of the policy will be implemented, Stanford University School of Medicine experts said. Here are some initial comments on the court’s landmark decision.

29 Jun 2012

Home care association responds to Supreme Court’s decision on Affordable Care Act

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. The following is the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s (NAHC) official statement, from President Val J. Halamandaris:

29 Jun 2012

Upholding PPACA will have positive impact on development, adoption of telehealth: ATA

According to the American Telemedicine Association, today's Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will have a positive impact on the development and adoption of telehealth. The ruling will further accelerate the deployment rate for telemedicine, mHealth and other remote healthcare technologies.

29 Jun 2012

Medicare News and Research

First Edition: July 5, 2012

Live zoster vaccine associated with reduced risk of HZ in patients with immune-mediated diseases

For Republicans, undoing the health law could be complicated

Antidepressant use among seniors: Falling through Medicare's doughnut hole?

Viewpoints: Coherent GOP plan for health care; Dems need better 'sales pitch' for health law

Shingles vaccine may not increase risk of varicella in people with auto-immune diseases

Dems say it is time to change the subject, but GOP has different plan

Viewpoints: Pressure on states to move on exchanges; Roberts' decision holds off new calls for public option

Viewpoints: Both parties swinging for the fences on health law decision; GOP once supported universal care; Sarah Palin's latest 'whopper'

State roundup: Bumpy managed care transition in Calif.

Study reinforces CT colonography as a viable option for Medicare-aged patients

Clinical results for Teva's biologic oncology candidates presented at MASCC/ISOO 2012

CMMI awards Altarum Institute $8.4 million to curb unnecessary medical imaging

Rutgers explains significance of Supreme Court upholding the health care law

Most health care firms expect to benefit from health law

Obama's presidential legacy linked to Supreme Court's health law verdict

GOP leaders react to ruling by renewing pledges to repeal the health law

Stanford Medical School comment on Supreme Court ruling on health-care reform law

Home care association responds to Supreme Court’s decision on Affordable Care Act

Upholding PPACA will have positive impact on development, adoption of telehealth: ATA

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