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First Edition: January 25, 2012

Kaiser Health News listened to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address with an ear out for health policy references. He made just one explicit mention of the 2010 health law, and KHN has a transcript of the few parts of his speech that mentioned health care issues.

25 Jan 2012

Medicare Part D: A flashpoint in Florida GOP primary debate

Medicare is a testy subject in Florida, home to 3.3 million seniors. Romney charged that Gingrich lobbied lawmakers to approve legislation creating a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Gingrich denied lobbying, but - aware of his audience - Gingrich expressed pride in having supported Medicare Part D. "It has saved lives," Gingrich said. "It's run on a free enterprise model."

25 Jan 2012

Targeted repeal votes part of House GOP health agenda

Some specific provisions the Republican leadership plans to hold repeal votes on include the Medicare advisory panel and the CLASS Act. Meanwhile, the AMA is pointing to "war savings" as a possible way to pay for the fix to the Medicare physician payment formula.

25 Jan 2012

Medicare math and the GOP candidates

News outlets report on some of the specific health policy positions being advanced by the GOP presidential primary field.

25 Jan 2012

Some states' hesitancy on health law implementation could delay insurance exchange development

At issue is what some see as the law's uncertain future -- which many link to the outcome of the upcoming election and the Supreme Court's decision. The Minneapolis Star Tribune offers a case study.

25 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Obama and liberal Catholics; Growing 'charity care'; Cutting costs on physician referrals

A Health and Human Services mandate that forces every employer to provide employees with health coverage that not only covers birth control and sterilization, but makes them free ... has drawn fire from the Catholic bishops. Less predictable - and far more interesting - has been the heat from the Catholic left, including many who have in the past given the president vital cover. In a post for the left-leaning National Catholic Reporter, Michael Sean Winter minces few words. Under the headline "J'ACCUSE," he rightly takes the president to the woodshed for the politics of the decision.

25 Jan 2012

Aquilent awarded new IT contracts by the HHS

Aquilent, the recognized leading provider of Web-based solutions shaping the next generation of technology for the federal government, today announced it has been awarded more than a dozen new contracts within the past several months supporting numerous operating divisions and programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

24 Jan 2012

Accompanying older adults to physician offices can improve care

Family companions who routinely accompany older adults to physician office visits could be helpful to health care quality improvement efforts, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

24 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 24, 2012

In today's news, a new survey shows that the percentage of Americans lacking health insurance coverage rose for the fourth straight year in 2011.

24 Jan 2012

States, health industry moving ahead on implementing health law

New York and New Jersey are both moving forward with plans to comply with the national health care law, which would extend coverage to the uninsured by 2014. ... They are among 17 states making headway.

24 Jan 2012

A delay in signing up for Medicare can lead to big penalties

Reuters reports on how seniors who wait too long to sign up for Medicare Part B could face costly penalties. Meanwhile, CQ HealthBeat reports on the political implications of Medicare's monthly premiums.

24 Jan 2012

Virtual network of experts to work together to prevent preterm birth

The March of Dimes, along with its partners, are giving experts in the field of preterm birth prevention an opportunity to learn from each other and to work together to bring the nation's preterm birth rate under 10 percent and give more babies a healthy start.

24 Jan 2012

Medical groups maintain pressure for 'doc fix'

The medical lobby continues to push for a longer-term solution as the current temporary patch to the Medicare physician payment formula is set to expire March 1. Also, what's to become of the IPAB in the upcoming congressional session?

24 Jan 2012

HealthGrades releases list of America's Top Cities for Hospital Care

HealthGrades, the leading provider of information to help consumers make an informed decision about a physician or hospital, today released a list of America's Top Cities for Hospital Care.

24 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Opposing views of HHS' contraception rule; Health care costs and the liberal agenda

The administration's rule leaves the decision in the hands of patients, where it belongs, while respecting the rights of religions. It holds true to the original and wise idea that access to preventive medicine is a good idea for the nation's physical and financial well-being.

24 Jan 2012

3 of 4 Americans live in states still flummoxed by how to deliver the health law's promise of affordable care

News outlets report on a variety of health law implementation issues, including an Associated Press report detailing how the overhaul is lagging in the states. Other reports examine questions about ACOs, essential benefits and other specific provisions.

23 Jan 2012

ClearCollar cervical collar receives Premier Technology Breakthroughs award

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced that Clear Advantage Collar of Charlotte, N.C. has been awarded a Premier Technology Breakthroughs award for its ClearCollar cervical collar.

23 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 23, 2012

Today's health policy headlines include reports looking ahead to President Barak Obama's State-of-the-Union address and others examining the health law.

23 Jan 2012

Study provides valuable information on which cancer patients might need help to quit smoking

A new analysis has found that a substantial number of lung and colorectal cancer patients continue to smoke after being diagnosed. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study provides valuable information on which cancer patients might need help to quit smoking.

23 Jan 2012

Ryan says House GOP will again seek to revamp Medicare

Republicans in the House of Representatives will put forward a budget plan this year that will seek substantial reforms to health benefits for the elderly and make aggressive strides toward reducing deficits, a senior lawmaker said on Friday. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said he wanted his budget plan to offer voters an alternative vision to the "cradle-to-grave welfare state" that he says Democratic President Barack Obama is promoting.

23 Jan 2012