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Key dynamics in play in long-awaited health law decision

News outlets report on the key issues and underlying statutes that might shape the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on the health law, and how stakeholders and politicians are planning their next steps.

12 Jun 2012

Presidential campaigns jockey for support from seniors, Hispanic voters

Press reports detail how both the Romney and Obama campaigns are taking steps to attract these voting blocs.

12 Jun 2012

State roundup: Md. hospital rate-setting system under scrutiny

News outlets report on a variety of health policy news in Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon and Texas.

11 Jun 2012

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle receives QUEST Award for High-value Healthcare

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle has been recognized by a national healthcare alliance for reducing harm, mortality and costs, while improving the patient experience.

11 Jun 2012

OOCE chooses eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

ClinicalWorks, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Ohio Orthopedic Center of Excellence, has chosen eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health records (EHR) solution for its 59 providers across multiple locations. Use of this technology will help improve practice speed and efficiency.

11 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 11, 2012

Today's headlines feature reports that UnitedHealthcare plans to honor some health law provisions regardless of what the Supreme Court decides.

11 Jun 2012

Majority of African-American patients with hypertension suffer from hidden heart disease

A Wayne State University School of Medicine study has found that an overwhelming majority of African-American patients with hypertension also suffered hidden heart disease caused by high blood pressure even though they displayed no symptoms.

11 Jun 2012

ACE program can help hospitals lower health care costs

Creating specialized hospital units for elderly people with acute medical illness could reduce national health care costs by as much $6 billion a year, according to a new study by UCSF researchers.

11 Jun 2012

States hold off on insurance exchanges; Medicare ACOs confront challenges

Marilyn Tavenner, the acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Thursday that about 30 states will not move forward with state-based exchanges until after the Supreme Court rules and the November elections are finished. She also said her agency is working to streamline the process for early participants in Medicare ACOs.

8 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Bipartisanship on medical device tax; 'Overreach' in contraception fight

Bipartisanship arrived in Washington on Thursday, not that many in the media will hail it. That's because the sweet harmony involved a 270-146 House vote to repeal ObamaCare's 2.3% excise tax on medical devices.

8 Jun 2012

Premier healthcare alliance awards new agrements for spinal implants

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced new agreements for spinal implants and related products

8 Jun 2012

Internists press lawmakers for Medicare formula fix

Several hundred internists and medical students were on Capitol Hill Thursday, meeting with their members of Congress to advocate for issues facing internal medicine.

8 Jun 2012

NCPA takes proactive steps against medication non-adherence

Under the leadership of its national trade association, community pharmacists are stepping up to the plate to take on the issue of medication non-adherence, a health care crisis currently adding to the nation's fiscal woes at a cost of nearly $300 billion each year.

8 Jun 2012

Bachmann calls for federal audit of Minnesota Medicaid program

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is asking for a federal audit of her state's Medicaid program after a congressional probe found a year's worth of alleged overpayments. In other news, insurers Molina and Centene have won back Medicaid contracts in Ohio after initially being rejected.

8 Jun 2012

VisionCare expands CentraSight telescope implant provider teams

VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., developer of the first FDA-approved ophthalmic telescope implant indicated to improve vision in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), announced today the expansion of its CentraSight™ provider teams nationwide.

8 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Savings from electronic health records?

Does Health Information Exchange Reduce Unnecessary Neuroimaging and Improve Quality of Headache Care in the Emergency Department?

8 Jun 2012

Atrium Medical wins Premier's Performance Award

Atrium Medical Corporation, a business unit of MAQUET Cardiovascular, today announced that it is a winner of Premier's Performance Award, presented by the Premier healthcare alliance at their seventh annual awards ceremony.

8 Jun 2012

Group rates more than 2,600 hospitals with single letter grade

News outlets report on how their local hospitals were graded by a nonprofit organization that culled patient safety ratings from a variety of sources and assigned a single letter grade to more than 2,600 hospitals in the United States.

8 Jun 2012

More federal scrutiny for Minn. Medicaid program; Colo. Medicaid reforms signed into law

Minnesota's Medicaid program faces more federal scrutiny on its rates. In the meantime, new Medicaid payment reforms are signed into law in Colorado.

8 Jun 2012

Hospitals get graded for patient safety

Hospital executives are about to find out if they make the grade under a new rating system developed by the Leapfrog Group that debuts online Wednesday - and some are not happy about it. Under Leapfrog's Hospital Safety Score initiative, hospitals are given a letter grade - A, B, C, D or F - on how safely they treat patients. The grade reflects patient injuries, infection rates and the frequency of medical and medication errors.

7 Jun 2012