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Viewpoints: Sebelius' 'ethical line'; As tricky phase of health law approaches, concerns about exchanges opening on time

One of the biggest questions hanging over the health-care system is how many young Americans will sign up for coverage once the Affordable Care Act begins to phase in this October. If too few buy insurance on the markets that the government is creating, insurance companies would be stuck covering primarily the old and the sick. They would have to pay out more per customer.

21 May 2013

Employers eye limited plans to avoid health law penalties

The Wall Street Journal reports that "bare-bones" health plans may help some employers avoid the law's fines. Meanwhile, the Journal Sentinel explores how investors are assessing winning or losing stocks as a result of the law's implementation.

21 May 2013

Research shows new smartphone app improves patients' preparation for colonoscopy

The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week.

20 May 2013

EndoChoice's new Fuse system improves accuracy of colonoscopy procedure

Although colonoscopy exams prevent many colon cancer deaths and are considered the most sensitive method for detecting colorectal cancers, the procedure is not completely effective in preventing cancer cases. EndoChoice Inc. today unveiled research that shows that its new Fuse system significantly improves the accuracy of this procedure and greatly reduces the number of adenomas missed by colonoscopists.

20 May 2013

New colonoscope shows promise for colorectal cancer screening

A ground-breaking advance in colonoscopy technology signals the future of colorectal care, according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week.

20 May 2013

App could save lives by speeding treatment for heart attack

An experimental, inexpensive iPhone application transmitted diagnostic heart images faster and more reliably than emailing photo images, according to a research study presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2013.

18 May 2013

Patient and physician prescribing information a powerful aide in drug marketing

The information allows drug makers to know which drugs a doctor is prescribing and how that compares to a colleague across town.

18 May 2013

Larkin Community Hospital achieves 'A' for patient safety

Larkin Community Hospital, one of Florida's twelve statutory teaching hospitals and the largest osteopathic teaching hospital in the nation, was named one of the safest hospitals for patients by The Leapfrog Group.

17 May 2013

First Edition: May 17, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the GOP vote to repeal the health law -- for the 37th time -- as well as how the current IRS scandal is being connected to the health law's implementation.

17 May 2013

Viewpoints: When a doctor should keep quiet; 2 views of hospital pricing; Stem cell 'snake oil'

In medical school, we were taught not to withhold information from our patients or to be "paternal" in making decisions for them. We internalized the idea that fully informed patients are better equipped to make treatment decisions.

17 May 2013

Roundup: N.D. abortion clinic sues to stop new law; Health care savings close budget hole in Conn.; Calif. counties struggle to expand mental health care

The running battle over the regulation of abortions entered a North Dakota courtroom on Wednesday, as the state's sole abortion clinic sued to block a new law that it says could force it to shut down. The law, requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, was promoted by anti-abortion legislators, who argued that it would mean better care for women who suffer medical emergencies (Eckholm, 5/15).

17 May 2013

HHS to pay $1 billion for ideas to drive down health costs

The availability of a second round of grants -- funded by the health law -- was announced to support approaches to reduce costs and improve care. The initial round, announced last year, funded 107 organizations.

17 May 2013

Imaging scans do little help to detect relapse of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Imaging scans following treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma do little to help detect a relapse, a Mayo Clinic study has found.

17 May 2013

Doctors can play role in easing financial worries of cancer patients

Most cancer patients would like to talk about the cost of their care with their doctors, but often don't because they fear the discussion could compromise the quality of their treatment, researchers at Duke Cancer Institute report.

17 May 2013

Doctors transform how they practice medicine

Kaiser Health News staff writer Ankita Rao reports: "The buzz, and anxiety, in the medical profession is palpable – trade magazines tout new coping strategies, doctor groups discuss the transformation of practices. Physicians are experimenting with business models and new practice techniques, hoping to find work that is both financially and personally rewarding" (Rao, 5/15).

16 May 2013

American Association for Respiratory Care names Jefferson a Quality Respiratory Care Institution

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital was recently bestowed the title of "Quality Respiratory Care Institution" for 2013 by the American Association for Respiratory Care.

16 May 2013

Study finds broader set of concerns for improving quality of life

The majority of cancer doctors, patients, and members of the general public support cutting health care costs by refusing to pay for drugs that don't improve survival or quality of life, according to results of a new study that will be presented by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago in early June (Abstract #6518).

16 May 2013

ALK, AAFA partner to create unique online resource for people living with allergies

In the latest effort to educate and enable the allergic patient to take control of their disease, ALK, a leading company focusing on allergy treatment, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have partnered to create a unique online resource for patients.

15 May 2013

First Edition: May 15, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how the latest Congressional Budget Office projections could further stall efforts to reach a grand bargain that includes changes to Medicare and other entitlement programs.

15 May 2013

Search, Share, Spare campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer surgery options

Studies have shown nearly 70 percent of patients with breast cancer do not discuss all surgical options with their surgeon before their initial surgery and that such a discussion significantly affects a woman's treatment decision.

15 May 2013