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Senate Dems push for Medicare drug savings

During a hearing this week, Senate Democrats, including Aging Committee Chairman Herb Kohl, D-Wis., advanced the causes of certain policies to control drug costs and reduce deficit spending.

22 Jul 2011

Research roundup: Restricting Medigap coverage; Hospital-acquired infections

Increases In Mortality, Length Of Stay, And Cost Associated With Hospital-Acquired Infections In Trauma Patients -- This study explores the clinical and economic burden of hospital-acquired infections, the most common complication in hospitalized patients, for trauma patients.

22 Jul 2011

Metabolic syndrome increases risk of developing HCC and ICC primary liver cancers

Incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have increased in the U.S. This population-based study publishing in the August issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, found that metabolic syndrome significantly increases risk of developing these primary liver cancers.

22 Jul 2011

Deficit-reduction talks: Progress or stalemate?

As President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner continue trying to move toward an ambitious $4 trillion grand bargain, reports indicate that wide differences remain. Still in the mix are cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs that would be combined with revenue increases resulting from a tax code revamp.

22 Jul 2011

Premier healthcare alliance awards new agreements for talent management solutions

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced that new agreements for talent management solutions have been awarded to Astron Solutions of New York, a small business enterprise; and TEDS Inc. of Atkins, Va., a small business enterprise.

22 Jul 2011

Analyzing the impact of default worries on Medicare, Medicaid

News outlets report on the potential impact that the possibility of debt default is having on Medicare, Medicaid and state budgets.

22 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 22, 2011

Even as the debt talks continue, some news outlets explore the impact of this uncertainty on Medicare, Medicaid and state budgets.

22 Jul 2011

Senators introduce critical legislation to increase access to podiatric care

As Congress works to bring down the cost of healthcare delivery and reduce the budget deficit, Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have introduced critical legislation that would increase access to podiatric care and save billions of dollars in the process.

22 Jul 2011

Grand bargains, fall-back plans and short-term deals — debt talk status checks

The status of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling changes daily, and news outlets report on the political and policy dynamics in play.

22 Jul 2011

Medigap policy options could lead to program savings, increased costs for enrollees, report says

Savings estimates range from $1.5 billion to $4.6 billion — depending on the proposal. Policymakers are currently eyeing some of these options to reduce Medicare costs in the ongoing deficit-reduction talks.

22 Jul 2011

Regulation of association health plans triggers questions

News outlets report on this and other issues related to implementation of the health law, including patient-centered outcomes research and how the so-called death-panel discussions are now echoing in the debate surround the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

22 Jul 2011

Medicare Part D prescription drug rebates would increase monthly premiums for seniors

Including Medicare Part D prescription drug rebates in the final debt ceiling package would increase monthly premiums by up to about 40 percent for more than 17 million seniors, according to a new analysis of government data.

22 Jul 2011

Longer looks: The effect of bedside manner; digging deep on Rick Scott's business deals; migraines and sexism

Even if your doctor doesn't have the best beside manner, you're probably willing to excuse her behavior as long as she treats your condition and makes you healthy again, right? Well, you might not want to be so forgiving. It turns out that rudeness and incivility among doctors, in particular in the operating room, can actually lead to poorer health outcomes and even higher death rates among patients.

22 Jul 2011

'Gang of Six' plan includes deep health care cuts

The plan would repeal the health law's long-term care provision and make deep reductions in Medicare and Medicaid that would impact hospital payments. But the blueprint also would permanently address Medicare's physician payment issue.

22 Jul 2011

Metabolic syndrome linked to increased risk of primary liver cancers

22 Jul 2011

Roundup: Ore. cuts insurer's rate increase; Ga.'s effort to curb TB struggles; psychiatric care hard to get in Boston

The Oregon Insurance Division will allow the state's largest health insurer to raise rates on individual premiums an average 12.8 percent, far lower than the 22.1 percent the company had requested.

22 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Will Gang of Six compromise work?; endorsing birth control recommendations; Minn. budget deal

Not surprisingly, the plan has drawn complaints from the left about cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and from the right about defense cuts and tax increases. But the senators are right about the need to simplify and broaden the tax code and to put entitlements on a sustainable footing without slashing aid to the most vulnerable.

22 Jul 2011

Sound Physicians offers Value-Based Purchasing Performance Assessment Tool to hospitals at no cost

Sound Physicians, a leading hospitalist organization focused on measurably improving the quality, satisfaction, efficiency and financial performance of healthcare delivery, today announced the availability of its Value-Based Purchasing Performance Assessment Tool to all hospitals at no cost.

21 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 21, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about some of the specific cuts included in the "Gang of Six" deficit-reduction plan.

21 Jul 2011

U.S. physicians to receive nearly $10M from Humana's Provider Quality Rewards Program

Humana Inc. has begun distributing nearly $10 million to physicians across the U.S. who participate in Humana's Provider Quality Rewards Program. Approximately 2,800 physician practices will receive payments of as much as $175,000 in recognition of performance improvements their practices made during 2010 related to improved outcomes for Humana's Medicare members.

21 Jul 2011

Medicare News and Research

Senate Dems push for Medicare drug savings

Research roundup: Restricting Medigap coverage; Hospital-acquired infections

Metabolic syndrome increases risk of developing HCC and ICC primary liver cancers

Deficit-reduction talks: Progress or stalemate?

Premier healthcare alliance awards new agreements for talent management solutions

Analyzing the impact of default worries on Medicare, Medicaid

First Edition: July 22, 2011

Senators introduce critical legislation to increase access to podiatric care

Grand bargains, fall-back plans and short-term deals — debt talk status checks

Medigap policy options could lead to program savings, increased costs for enrollees, report says

Regulation of association health plans triggers questions

Medicare Part D prescription drug rebates would increase monthly premiums for seniors

Longer looks: The effect of bedside manner; digging deep on Rick Scott's business deals; migraines and sexism

'Gang of Six' plan includes deep health care cuts

Metabolic syndrome linked to increased risk of primary liver cancers

Roundup: Ore. cuts insurer's rate increase; Ga.'s effort to curb TB struggles; psychiatric care hard to get in Boston

Viewpoints: Will Gang of Six compromise work?; endorsing birth control recommendations; Minn. budget deal

Sound Physicians offers Value-Based Purchasing Performance Assessment Tool to hospitals at no cost

First Edition: July 21, 2011

U.S. physicians to receive nearly $10M from Humana's Provider Quality Rewards Program

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

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