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First Edition: September 6, 2012

Now on Kaiser Health News' blog, Ankita Rao reports: "While policymakers debate whether doctors should be paid by the number of services they provide or the outcomes of their treatment, shared decision could have an impact on the ground by reducing demand for medical procedures.

6 Sep 2012

Convention news: Dems embrace health law

In speeches from the podium and in the buzz from the convention floor, it was apparent on the first day of the Democratic National Convention that delegates and speakers aimed to reclaim the health law as an important accomplishment of the Obama administration.

6 Sep 2012

Ways and Means panel to review IRS mission in health law

A prominent House committee will continue its case against the healthcare law just one day after the conclusion of August recess. On Sept. 11, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight will look at how the law's implementation could strain the Internal Revenue Service.

6 Sep 2012

Uncertainty in Kansas over essential health benefits ruling

Gov. Brownback has not said whether his administration will make a recommendation on what basic health benefits should be available to Kansans who seek health insurance through the new marketplaces to be set up under the health care law.

5 Sep 2012

Roundup: Texas probes Xerox in Medicaid overbilling; Miss. abortion clinic fights to stay open

Texas authorities are investigating whether Xerox Corp. played a role in allowing dentists to allegedly overbill the state's Medicaid system by millions of dollars.

5 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: President Obama's Charlotte challenge; Action on vets' mental health; The Aetna arms race

Mr. Obama needs to explain how his actions eased the economic crisis and took on long-standing challenges such as extending health-care coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. ... Specifically, what would Mr. Obama do to restrain health care costs and entitlement spending? (9/3).

5 Sep 2012

Presidential election could have major impact on Medicaid

The New York Times reports that though Medicare reforms get the headlines, Medicaid is more likely to be immediately affected by the presidential election.

5 Sep 2012

Medicare at center of tug-of-war between campaigns

Both parties are casting themselves as protectors of the program, leaving voters to decide which of their plans will best slow the program's cost growth while also protecting seniors.

5 Sep 2012

Democrats to spotlight health care, abortion rights support at convention

Party leaders will be touting the health overhaul passed two years ago, as well as efforts to expand contraception coverage. In addition, the platform looks ahead at issues such as health disparities, public health and HIV, Politico Pro reports.

5 Sep 2012

CAD risk no higher in head and neck cancer

Researchers have shown that people with head or neck cancer are not necessarily at any greater risk for developing coronary artery disease than the general population.

4 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 4, 2012

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of the Democratic convention and a New York Times analysis of how the Obama and Romney campaigns vary on Medicaid policy.

4 Sep 2012

New health insurance product from ICICI Lombard

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., the country's largest private sector general insurance company, announced the launch of a unique health insurance product called "ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance".

4 Sep 2012

Obama defends health law, saying Romney would end its consumer protections

President Barack Obama slapped a "Romney doesn't care" label on his rival's health-care views Sunday and said Republicans want to repeal new protections for millions without offering a plan of their own. ... "Gov. Romney promised that on his first day in office he's gonna sit right down, grab a pen and repeal Obamacare," the president said.

4 Sep 2012

Health insurance schemes can help achieve universal coverage of health services

Health insurance schemes hold untapped potential for achieving universal coverage of health services, according to a study of countries in Asia and Africa published this month in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

3 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Who should fear changes to Medicare; Ryan not a 'Serious, Honest Conservative'

For those of us who like to believe that human beings are rational, trying to explain what happens in politics is a challenge. For example, that segment of the population that has the least to fear from a reform of Medicare or Social Security is the most fearful -- namely, those already receiving Medicare or Social Security benefits.

1 Sep 2012

Utah Gov. sees slowdown in talks between states and HHS on health law implementation

Gov. Gary Herbert tells Politico Pro that efforts likely won't pick up until after the election. Meanwhile, a battle in Missouri appears finished on a health exchange ballot issue and Pennsylvania and Georgia also deal with implementation issues.

1 Sep 2012

Roundup: Flurry of health bills as Calif. legislature winds down; Kansas City health data exchange opens up

The window to save the Healthy Families program is narrowing to a small slit, with just a single day left to pass bills. ... Today -- until midnight tonight -- is the last day for legislation to be passed this year. The governor has until the end of September to veto or approve bills.

1 Sep 2012

Research roundup: Readmission risks after surgery; Assessing Medicaid applicants' eligibility; Satisfaction among health plan types

General Surgeons Identify Postoperative Complications Posing Strongest Readmission Risks -- Researchers found that about 11 percent of patients in a study of 1,442 individuals who underwent general surgery were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.

31 Aug 2012

Medicare issue reverberates during convention

As both parties press their views about revamping the program, a National Journal poll says both sides think they can win on the issue. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that even as the Romney-Ryan ticket seems to be holding its own against Democratic attacks on the issue, some Republicans down the ballot are concerned.

31 Aug 2012

Census Bureau releases new data on local uninsurance rates

Some local news outlets report on their rankings in a new federal report. In the meantime, Minnesota researchers examine the insurance status of children.

31 Aug 2012