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CBO: Ballooning health care costs will continue as a key driver in nation's debt

A new Congressional Budget Office report offers a bleak view of the future if current tax and spending policies are not adjusted.

7 Jun 2012

New data supports clinical role of Cambridge Heart’s MTWA test in managing patients at risk of SCA

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced that results of a prospective, 155-patient trial reinforce the value of the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) test as a predictor of life-threatening heart rhythms and Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).

7 Jun 2012

Hand-wringing continues regarding the Supreme Court's much-awaited health law decision

Elected officials, policy-makers and advocates discuss the possible twists and turns that could result from a high court ruling. News outlets also report on how the decision could impact a variety of health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and disease prevention efforts.

7 Jun 2012

Roundup: Calif. cigarette tax hike too close to call; Mass. insurance mandate not as contentious; Sept. 11 health fund cancer coverage ruling delayed

Tobacco companies poured nearly $47 million into defeating Proposition 29, a $1-a-pack tax hike on cigarettes, but the measure was narrowly leading in early returns Tuesday despite the hard-fought campaign. The tax increase would raise $810 million a year for cancer research and smoking cessation programs, and it would give California -- which currently has a lower tobacco tax than 32 other states -- the 16th-highest cigarette tax in the nation. … The vote would be a huge win for the public health groups that sponsored the measure, including the American Cancer Society.

6 Jun 2012

CMS raises questions about N.H. Medicaid reimbursement rates

The federal agency requests state data and analysis about cuts in payments to hospitals in recent years.

6 Jun 2012

Study finds dramatic increase in hospital 'observation care' for Medicare patients

Although patients don't often know the difference between observation and inpatient care, observation care leaves them on the hook for a much larger bill. A study published in Health Affairs finds this circumstance becoming more common.

6 Jun 2012

Hospital at home program provides good outcomes and patient satisfaction, study finds

The program in Albuquerque also lowered costs while providing some patients acute care at home.

6 Jun 2012

Ways to improve care and reduce the high cost for Medicare beneficiaries highlighted by Hopkins study

It’s well known that a relatively small percentage of chronically ill patients account for a disproportionate amount of health care dollars. Now, a multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins researcher Bruce Leff, M.D., might provide insights into how to cut Medicare costs while improving health care for older adults suffering from chronic health conditions.

5 Jun 2012

$25 million grant announced to improve states' care for frail elderly; Calif. seeks changes for those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

Stateline reports on a new HHS grant to help low-income adults with mental and physical disabilities remain in their communities. Meanwhile, California submits a plan to federal officials for the transition of dual eligibles to managed care.

5 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 4, 2012

Today's headlines include the latest news on implementation of the health law, on the pending Capitol Hill effort to repeal the medical device tax and reports from the states.

4 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Changing unhealthy diets with mobile tech; ACOs for Medicaid

Multiple Behavior Changes In Diet And Activity -- Mobile technologies have been touted for their potential benefits to health and wellness. Researchers in this study gave 204 individuals a dieting and exercise regimen. They also gave each person a handheld device to record adherence and receive remote coaching.

2 Jun 2012

Majority of patients undergoing CTAP in ED are classified as clinically complex

The overwhelming majority (93.8 percent) of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) in the emergency department (ED) setting are classified as clinically complex, according to a study in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Clinically complex is used to describe patients who are, based on documentation of their ED physician, much sicker than others.

2 Jun 2012

New $25M HHS funding to support Aging and Disability Resource Centers in all states

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a new $25 million funding opportunity made possible by the Affordable Care Act to help states strengthen and expand their ability to help seniors and people with disabilities access home and community-based long-term services and supports. Over the next one to three years, funding will support Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) in nearly every state.

2 Jun 2012

End-of-life care in the US can be better

As Americans live longer, more generations are being impacted by advanced illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer and heart disease. The nation's healthcare system, specifically Medicare, is being used like never before. Many families are enduring unbearable stress and strained relationships as they try to guess what kind of care their loved one wants. The country needs solutions.

1 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 1, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the latest health policy developments on Capitol Hill and news on the health insurance marketplace.

1 Jun 2012

Medicare official sees Medicare Advantage enrollment continuing to grow

A top Medicare official predicted Wednesday that the private Medicare Advantage program will continue to grow at double-digit rates, although payment reductions in the program are included in the health care overhaul law.

1 Jun 2012

Feds announce effort to slash inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes

An estimated 40 percent of nursing home residents with dementia receive the drugs, which are approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

1 Jun 2012

Tentative deals forged in ill., Providence, R.I., to save money on retiree pensions, health care

Officials report accords with public employees restricting pension increases in order to keep the programs solvent. Both deals also involve changes to retiree health care programs..

1 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Bishops' request for contraception exemption may push legal precedent; Maine's experiment on health care

43 Roman Catholic organizations have filed lawsuits challenging a ... regulation that requires employers or their health insurers to offer birth control coverage to workers. The plaintiffs say that complying with the regulation would violate their religious freedom.

1 Jun 2012

Ventas agrees to sell 5,200,000 shares of common stock to Citigroup

Ventas, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to sell 5,200,000 shares of its common stock to Citigroup, as sole underwriter, in an underwritten public offering.

1 Jun 2012

Medicare News and Research

CBO: Ballooning health care costs will continue as a key driver in nation's debt

New data supports clinical role of Cambridge Heart’s MTWA test in managing patients at risk of SCA

Hand-wringing continues regarding the Supreme Court's much-awaited health law decision

Roundup: Calif. cigarette tax hike too close to call; Mass. insurance mandate not as contentious; Sept. 11 health fund cancer coverage ruling delayed

CMS raises questions about N.H. Medicaid reimbursement rates

Study finds dramatic increase in hospital 'observation care' for Medicare patients

Hospital at home program provides good outcomes and patient satisfaction, study finds

Ways to improve care and reduce the high cost for Medicare beneficiaries highlighted by Hopkins study

$25 million grant announced to improve states' care for frail elderly; Calif. seeks changes for those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

First Edition: June 4, 2012

Research roundup: Changing unhealthy diets with mobile tech; ACOs for Medicaid

Majority of patients undergoing CTAP in ED are classified as clinically complex

New $25M HHS funding to support Aging and Disability Resource Centers in all states

End-of-life care in the US can be better

First Edition: June 1, 2012

Medicare official sees Medicare Advantage enrollment continuing to grow

Feds announce effort to slash inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes

Tentative deals forged in ill., Providence, R.I., to save money on retiree pensions, health care

Viewpoints: Bishops' request for contraception exemption may push legal precedent; Maine's experiment on health care

Ventas agrees to sell 5,200,000 shares of common stock to Citigroup

Event guide: 4th Extra-Hepatic Lipid-Based Nanoparticles Delivery Summit eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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