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Many advanced breast cancer patients do not receive postmastectomy radiation therapy

Forty-five percent of women with advanced breast cancer in the U.S. did not receive postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) despite the publication of evidence-based guidelines outlining PMRT as a potentially lifesaving treatment, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

28 Jun 2011

Sebelius comes to IPAB's defense as others line up against it

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius penned an op-ed last week offering a strong defense of the health law's Independent Payment Advisory Board. Meanwhile, however, the American Medical Association has taken an official position against the panel, and 270 other health care organizations sent a letter to members of Congress expressing their opposition too.

28 Jun 2011

Care for 'dual eligibles' proves ultra-expensive, plagued with problems

As the U.S. wrestles with rising health expenses, one group of patients stands out for government-paid care that is both ultra-costly and plagued with problems.

28 Jun 2011

Health care providers brace for new round of Medicaid cuts

But the one Medicaid cost that states have usually been able to cut without worrying too much about the federal government is reimbursement to the providers themselves. And that is what most of them are doing this year. At least 33 states have reduced provider fees for the fiscal year that starts July 1, according to a report by the National Association of Budget Officers.

28 Jun 2011

RL Solutions, 3M to offer new software for minimizing risk of healthcare-acquired infections

3M Infection Prevention and RL Solutions today announced a joint feasibility program to provide healthcare facilities data on the rate of infection in real-time and the costs associated with those infections.

28 Jun 2011

Health law headlines: PR challenges and overhaul tell-alls

Although Democrats are having some success with attacks on the GOP Medicare plan, they are still playing defense on the health law, according to Politico. Meanwhile, former Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag writes a "tell-all" for the magazine Foreign Affairs about the health overhaul.

28 Jun 2011

With the clock ticking, Obama enters deficit negotiations

Even though the threat of default looms, Democrats and Republicans remain split over the possibility of tax increases and cuts to programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

27 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Supreme Court drug decisions; Medicaid's burden; Concierge medicine questioned

The image of Justice blindfolded, holding her scales, is familiar from courthouses all over the United States and the world. Sadly, in its Thursday ruling in the case of PLIVA v Mensing, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that makes one wonder if that blindfold made the court unable to see the right thing to do.

27 Jun 2011

NovaSom completes $35M equity financing led by Safeguard Scientifics

NovaSom, Inc., the market leader in technology-driven, payer-aligned cost-saving solutions for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) management, today announced it has closed $35 million in equity financing.

27 Jun 2011

Metropolitan enters definitive merger agreement to acquire Continucare

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. and Continucare Corporation announced jointly today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Metropolitan will acquire Continucare in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $416 million at the time of announcement.

27 Jun 2011

Teleflex, Premier sign new three-year agreement for laryngoscopes

Teleflex Incorporated, a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced a new three-year agreement with Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P., the group purchasing unit of the Premier healthcare alliance.

27 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 27, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the status of ongoing deficit negotiations and details about a "stealth" survey on access to doctors.

27 Jun 2011

Many women with advanced breast cancer do not receive radiation after mastectomy

Radiation after a mastectomy for women with advanced breast cancer saves lives, but almost half of these patients do not receive it. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. =

27 Jun 2011

Policy leaders to identify targeted strategies for creating national breastfeeding agenda

One hundred invited health and policy leaders will meet again in Washington, D.C. on June 29-30 to identify targeted strategies for establishing a national breastfeeding agenda as part of our nation's Health Reform, building on the essential recommendations and positive outcomes of the Second Annual Summit held last June.

27 Jun 2011

Research roundup: Revamping public health law; Pay-for-performance

New Cardiac Surgery Programs Established From 1993 To 2004 Led To Little Increased Access, Substantial Duplication Of Services -- This study, using Medicare data from 1993-2004, finds that although the number of coronary artery bypass surgeries declined, 301 new cardiac surgery units opened.

24 Jun 2011

Ryan budget plan proves divisive point in Senate primary election campaigns

Democrats, and now also Republicans, view members' support for the plan's Medicare changes, which would signficiantly alter the program's current shape, as a theme in campaigns.

24 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius defends IPAB; Wash Post on debt talks and entitlements

A key part of the president's plan, the Independent Payment Advisory Board, has recently been the subject of inaccurate claims. Critics say it will ration care and put bureaucrats in charge of the health care system.

24 Jun 2011

Health law implementation progress, issues continue to draw attention

For starters, reports say the proposed rule for the measure's health exchanges is due out July 7. In addition, indications are that many public health provisions remain unfunded and movement toward electronic health records is still slow.

24 Jun 2011

Debt-ceiling negotiations stall

A top Republican walks away from the bargaining table -- leaving the debate unresolved regarding Democratic demands for higher taxes and spending reductions at the Pentagon, and GOP calls for significant cuts to health and retirement programs.

24 Jun 2011

Medical residents should work no more than 16 hours without sleep

A group of 26 of the nation's leaders in medicine, health care, patient safety, and research today called for sweeping changes in the design, supervision and financing of U.S. hospital residency care programs to protect patients from serious, preventable medical errors, and end dangerously long work hours for physicians in training.

24 Jun 2011