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Medicare reimbursements high for digital mammography — though test may be no more effective than less expensive ones

High-tech, digital mammography may not be any better at detecting breast cancer in women over 65 than older film-based systems, but Medicare is spending millions of taxpayer dollars reimbursing the procedure at a far higher rate. A new study comparing digital mammography with less expensive film mammography found that the two types of breast cancer screens are equally effective at detecting cancers in most women. ... The study was performed by the National Cancer Institute-funded Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium.

19 Oct 2011

With clock ticking, super committee weighs suggestions, battles doubts

Last week the deficit-reduction panel received a slew of recommendations from across Capitol Hill on how to tame the nation's deficit problems. The input evidenced partisan differences and intra-party fissures. All the while, questions persist about the committee's ability to actually reach a deal.

18 Oct 2011

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated third quarter revenues increase 7% to $25.3B

UnitedHealth Group today reported third quarter results, highlighted by strong enrollment growth in each of UnitedHealthcare's benefits businesses and strong revenue growth at all Optum business units. Third quarter 2011 net earnings were $1.17 per share, with strong performance on all key financial and operational measures.

18 Oct 2011

Speedy reinstatements undermine Medicare anti-fraud efforts

An AP review shows that regulators frequently suspend Medicare providers but then quickly reinstate them - which often leads to a missed chance to stop the flow of dollars to "bogus" companies.

18 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Class Act's effect on health law; new prescriptions for Medicare; food marketing to kids

Now that one of ObamaCare's major new benefit programs has been scrapped, liberals are trying to make stone soup by claiming that the Obama Administration merely committed an act of "good government." They claim that when this long-term care insurance program proved to be unworkable, the Administration conceded as much, and now it's gone. So let's review the evidence, not least because it so perfectly illustrates the recklessness that produced the Affordable Care Act.

18 Oct 2011

Roundup: Many who swarmed LA free clinic last year are still without health care; Texas Planned Parenthood clinic struggles

They came with rotting teeth, shattered glasses and broken bodies. In the predawn darkness outside the Los Angeles Sports Arena, they lined up last year by the thousands, waiting as the sun burned their backs for healthcare they could not afford. Many needed more than the volunteer doctors and dentists at the Remote Area Medical clinic could give. When the glasses ran out, they settled for eye exams. Instead of root canals, they got teeth pulled. They pointed to the holes in their smiles with relief. At least the pain had stopped.

18 Oct 2011

State news: Texas pharmacies fear lower Medicaid fees

In Rio Grande City, Rene Martinez's Starr Pharmacy has one line for Medicaid patients and another for non-Medicaid patients. On some days, most of his clients can be found waiting on the Medicaid line, a testament to the importance of that federal-state health insurance program in this poor city along the Texas-Mexico border - and to Mr. Martinez's bottom line.

15 Oct 2011

Watson confirms patent challenge of generic Daytrana

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Methylphenidate Transdermal System, 10 mg/9 hrs, 15 mg/9 hrs, 20 mg/9 hrs, and 30 mg/9 hrs.

15 Oct 2011

Teva acquires Cephalon

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Cephalon, Inc. The combined company will have a significant presence in over 60 countries and generated approximately $20 billion in revenues on a pro-forma basis for the twelve months ended June 2011.

15 Oct 2011

Research roundup: Racial disparities in colon cancer survival; Options to cut health spending; Covering teenagers

Survival Disparities In African American And White Colo-Rectal Cancer Patients -- Researchers analyzed results from 12 controlled clinical trials to understand disparities between black and white survivors of colorectal cancer.

14 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 14, 2011

In today's headlines, more status report on the super committee's deficit-reduction deliberations.

14 Oct 2011

'Doc fix' dilemma makes debt panel's job more difficult

According to Reuters, sources indicate panel members are interested in taking on this Medicare issue, but doing so would cost hundreds of billions of dollars and complicate their efforts to find federal budget savings. Meanwhile, in related news, AHIP - America's Health Insurance Plans - is lobbying the committee regarding an approach to debt reduction that involves coordinating care for dual eligibles.

14 Oct 2011

Legislation news: Obama promises to veto anti-abortion bill

The House is expected to pass an abortion-related bill today, but like other similar legislation, it is not likely to make progress in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Meanwhile, a number of other health-related measures and subjects are moving on both sides of the Capitol, including a rural health proposal and another related to a health tax credit aimed at easing the contractor tax compliance burden. Lastly, two Senate Democrats expressed concerns about the Prevention Trust Fund's advisory panel.

14 Oct 2011

Reuters: Medicare Part B premiums going up, cuts into Social Security COLA

After two years without an inflation adjustment, the Social Security Administration is expected to announce a 2012 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of more than 3 percent next week. That would be a sizable raise in this economy, and very welcome news to seniors hit hard by rising costs, slumping home equity and very low returns on fixed-income investments. But the good COLA news will come with a nasty kicker.

14 Oct 2011

Detailing how Romney's health law waivers would work

Politico reports on how GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's health law waiver plan would work - states could skirt some of the measure's biggest requirements, but it's still not a complete repeal. Meanwhile, news from the campaign trail indicates that Romney is facing attacks from GOP rival Texas Gov. Rick Perry as well as from the White House. And, as Herman Cain, another GOP candidate, picks up momentum, details of his 9-9-9 economic plan are emerging -- including the fact that it would eliminate payroll taxes that pay for Medicare and Social Security.

14 Oct 2011

Conrad: Efforts to repeal health law via budget procedures would be 'misusing' the rules

Also in the news, media outlets report on a range of issues related to the health law's implementation, including accountable care organizations, essential benefits and an HHS warning about a fake website related to the measure's pre-existing condition insurance plan.

14 Oct 2011

Medicaid waivers, enrollment problems plaguing states

More than a dozen House Democrats from California met recently with Medicaid boss Donald Berwick to warn him that Gov. Jerry Brown's request for deep cuts to the state/federal program would devastate healthcare providers and their patients, The Hill has learned. Brown, a Democrat, has put the Obama administration in a tough spot with his request to cut the state's Medicaid program by $1.4 billion to help plug a $26.6 billion budget gap.

14 Oct 2011

Continued access to hospital pharmacists increases patient safety and care

Making sure patients and their primary caregivers are ready for the return home is critical in the recovery process. So Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, part of Loyola University Health System, is adding an extra measure of patient safety and care by offering increased communication with inpatient pharmacists.

14 Oct 2011

Bonuses tied to Medicare Advantage's star system reward insurers on quality marks

For the first time, a government-backed quality rating will have a financial meaning to health insurance companies looking to attract millions of older Americans to privately run Medicare coverage next year.

14 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: 'Moneyball' and health care; Daschle on diabetes treatment; Elton John and Sen. Nelson on paying for AIDS drugs

Billy Beane's data-driven strategies made him the talk of baseball, the king of the current box office and a highly visible advocate for evidence-based medicine. But Beane's teams have faded since their "Moneyball" heyday - and evidence-based medicine might not be the home run that some reformers hope it will be.

14 Oct 2011

Medicare News and Research

Medicare reimbursements high for digital mammography — though test may be no more effective than less expensive ones

With clock ticking, super committee weighs suggestions, battles doubts

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated third quarter revenues increase 7% to $25.3B

Speedy reinstatements undermine Medicare anti-fraud efforts

Viewpoints: Class Act's effect on health law; new prescriptions for Medicare; food marketing to kids

Roundup: Many who swarmed LA free clinic last year are still without health care; Texas Planned Parenthood clinic struggles

State news: Texas pharmacies fear lower Medicaid fees

Watson confirms patent challenge of generic Daytrana

Teva acquires Cephalon

Research roundup: Racial disparities in colon cancer survival; Options to cut health spending; Covering teenagers

First Edition: October 14, 2011

'Doc fix' dilemma makes debt panel's job more difficult

Legislation news: Obama promises to veto anti-abortion bill

Reuters: Medicare Part B premiums going up, cuts into Social Security COLA

Detailing how Romney's health law waivers would work

Conrad: Efforts to repeal health law via budget procedures would be 'misusing' the rules

Medicaid waivers, enrollment problems plaguing states

Continued access to hospital pharmacists increases patient safety and care

Bonuses tied to Medicare Advantage's star system reward insurers on quality marks

Viewpoints: 'Moneyball' and health care; Daschle on diabetes treatment; Elton John and Sen. Nelson on paying for AIDS drugs

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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