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Feinstein Institute to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia

The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has been approved for a $9.3+ million federal grant to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia.

26 Jun 2012

Enrollment and disenrollment in hospice linked to race

Although use of hospice services is increasing dramatically, a study led by Regenstrief Institute investigator Kathleen T. Unroe, M.D., MHA, an assistant research professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, has found that nonwhite Medicare patients with heart failure are 20 percent less likely to enroll in hospice than their white counterparts.

25 Jun 2012

Afirma gene expression test can reduce unnecessary thyroid cancer surgeries

Veracyte, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company that is pioneering the emerging field of molecular cytology, today announced results from a large, prospective, multicenter study, which demonstrated the potential for the Afirma® Gene Expression Classifier, a gene expression test, to reduce the large number of unnecessary surgeries in thyroid cancer diagnosis by more than half.

25 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 25, 2012

Today's headlines are focused on analysis and speculation surrounding the Supreme Court's health law ruling, which could come as early as today.

25 Jun 2012

New analysis finds increase in per-patient operating costs in PCMHs

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a concept at the heart of many health care reform models that aim to both improve the quality of care and reduce wasteful spending. But a new analysis of federally qualified health centers finds that clinics with higher scores as medical homes also had higher per-patient operating costs.

25 Jun 2012

U.S. District Court rules in favor of Teva in COPAXONE patent infringement case

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has found in favor of Teva in the Company's patent infringement lawsuit against Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc./Sandoz Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Inc./Natco Pharmaceuticals regarding Teva's relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) product, COPAXONE.

23 Jun 2012

Inova, Aetna partner to establish Innovation Health Plans in Northern Virginia

Inova Health System and Aetna today announced an exclusive partnership to establish Innovation Health Plans, a jointly owned health plan serving Northern Virginia, including more than 1.1 million residents currently served by Inova.

23 Jun 2012

Planned spending cuts would hit some discretionary health programs

While programs like Medicare and Medicaid are virtually untouched by the cuts designed to reduce the deficit, other scheduled trims to the budget will have significant reach. Meanwhile, Democrats find an unlikely ally in their opposition to the GOP Medicare plan.

23 Jun 2012

Medicaid highlights: Calif. readies expansion to foster youths

State Medicaid news includes discussions around the expansion of Medicaid in California both for the general public who need assistance and for youth in foster care. Additionally, Oregon is close to finalizing its waiver request with the federal government to move forward with its own reforms in the program.

23 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Helping the homeless transition out of the hospital

Transitioning from a hospital visit can be challenge for many patients, but the homeless face particular difficulties as they move to a shelter, or even back to the streets. Researchers in this study surveyed 98 homeless individuals in New Haven, Conn., as well as interviewed them about their experiences leaving the hospital. More than half said that their providers did not address housing or transportation, and 11 percent reported living on the streets on the night of their discharge. The authors recommend "improved assessment of housing status, communication between hospital and shelter providers, and arrangement of safe transportation" for homeless individuals.

23 Jun 2012

CMMI to honor MultiCultural IPA with healthcare innovation award

MultiCultural IPA announced today that it is one of four project sites selected to receive a healthcare innovation award by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and will partner with Rutgers State University of New Jersey to create a "sustainable high-utilization team model" for the nation's "super users" of hospital care in an effort to decrease hospital inpatient and emergency department use.

23 Jun 2012

AIO first in the Pittsburgh area to offer laser surgery for cataract removal

Associates in Ophthalmology (AIO), an eye care and surgery practice with seven locations in the Tri-State Area, has become the region's first medical group to offer bladeless, computer-controlled laser surgery for cataract removal.

23 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Berwick says health law puts system 'on the right track;' Mandate's effect overstated; Questions about Axelrod's ties

Obamacare is helping our nation achieve health care that is excellent, accessible to all and affordable. In the 17 months that I led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), I saw how this law is helping tens of millions of families and is finally putting our health-care system on the right track.

23 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 22, 2012

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Roni Caryn Rabin writes: "They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the problem of the uninsured is no exception. The Houston metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in America, and a health safety net imploding under the demands of too many people and too few resources.

22 Jun 2012

Some Republicans shy away from prevailing GOP view on Medicare, budget

The Los Angeles Times reports that some Republican lawmakers have "economic visions" that are different from the budget plan advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and embraced by GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.

22 Jun 2012

Using Medicare data to curb Medicaid fraud

Projects are underway to make Medicare data more useful to states in an effort to keep fraudulent providers out of their respective Medicaid programs.

22 Jun 2012

Janssen receives FDA complete response letter for XARELTO sNDA

Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen R&D) announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XARELTO (rivaroxaban) for the reduction of the risk of secondary cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

22 Jun 2012

U.S. Department of Justice, Harden Healthcare reach settlement agreement

Harden Healthcare, a leading senior healthcare services provider and owner of Voyager HospiceCare and Hospice Care of Kansas, announced today that a settlement agreement has been reached with the U.S. Department of Justice.

22 Jun 2012

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN receives UnitedHealthcare donation to help eradicate hunger

UnitedHealthcare has donated $100,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to aid in the fight against hunger. The donation is expected to help feed more than 10,000 hungry children, families and seniors by funding 40 Mobile Pantry deliveries throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Each Mobile Pantry will be coordinated with a local community organization, such as a church, senior center or help center.

22 Jun 2012

Teva launches Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Capsules for treatment of depression

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today the launch of Olanzapine and Fluoxetine Capsules USP 6 mg/25 mg, 12 mg/25 mg, 6 mg/50 mg, and 12 mg/50 mg, the Company's generic equivalent of Symbyax.

22 Jun 2012