Medicare News and Research

RSS

House Republicans face heat at home over proposed Medicare cuts

During the congressional recess, constituents have grilled some House Republicans on how deficit reduction proposals will affect Medicare. Meanwhile, Don Berwick says GOP plans deserve the "rationing" label more than the health law does.

25 Apr 2011

Nausea and vomiting are most feared of all chemotherapy-related side effects

PediatRx, Inc. today commented on studies which reveal that chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is one of the most feared of all chemotherapy-related side effects. The fear of nausea and subsequent vomiting is many times so significant that patients can develop a condition known as 'anticipatory' nausea, where the patient becomes nauseous primarily as a result of the fear of becoming nauseous.

25 Apr 2011

Analysis of the health law's effects continues

Reports look at the diverse effects of the health law — from Medicare and Medicaid to the accountable care organizations.

25 Apr 2011

Cambridge Heart releases new MTWA software

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced the release of its redesigned Microvolt T-Wave Alternans software for its HearTwave II and CH2000 platforms.

25 Apr 2011

Epic Imaging receives 100% Mammography Quality Standards Act score

Epic Imaging recently received a 100 percent score on its yearly American College of Radiology Mammography Quality Standards Act inspection.

25 Apr 2011

Parties sparring over Medicare as Sen. Collins vows 'no' vote on Ryan budget

News outlets are covering the increasing politicization of Medicare.

25 Apr 2011

UNH takes immediate action to assist tornado victims in Southern states

UnitedHealth Group and its benefits and services businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, are taking immediate action to assist people in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia affected by the recent tornadoes.

25 Apr 2011

LABJ honors SCAN Health Plan for community outreach programs

SCAN Health Plan, the country's fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan, was among the healthcare organizations honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) for its outstanding efforts in serving the community. The prestigious Healthcare Leadership Award ceremonies are conducted annually by the LABJ to recognize locally based companies whose community outreach programs help make the city a better place to live.

22 Apr 2011

Enrollment in managed Medicaid plans on the rise

Tough economic times are driving people both in and out of Medicaid programs. Medicaid enrollment climbs as individuals deal with loss of insurance through employment channels. Then, state legislators challenged with making budget cuts, are forced to reduce Medicaid rosters to balance budgets. Many states are increasing their use of care management strategies to help rein in costly Medicaid programs.

22 Apr 2011

Roswell Park Cancer Institute named Blue Distinction Center for Transplants

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Transplants® by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York for demonstrating better overall quality of care and patient results in bone marrow/stem cell (autologous and allogeneic) procedures.

22 Apr 2011

U.S. healthcare costs continue to increase at a declining rate

Data released today by S&P Indices for the S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index indicate that the average per capita cost of healthcare services covered by commercial insurance and Medicare programs increased by 6.19% over the 12-months ending February 2011. This is a drop from the 6.31% increase in annual growth rate posted in January 2011 for this index.

22 Apr 2011

Now campaigning, Obama to ask voters to give health law a chance

Meanwhile, The Hill reports that health lobbying has dropped off compared to the level a year ago when Congress was in the midst of the health reform debate.

22 Apr 2011

Politics swirl around plans for Medicare's future, the deficit

At home in their districts, Republicans are taking positions — and heat — on the Ryan budget plan, which would make significant changes to the Medicare program. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is taking his message — and his budget framework — on the road.

22 Apr 2011

Research roundup: New hips, Medicare & hospital stays; Medicaid update

JAMA: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Medicare Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty, 1991-2008 - "Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure but little is known about longitudinal trends," according to this study which found that "Between 1991 and 2008, the mean age for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty increased from 74.1 to 75.1 years and for revision total hip arthroplasty from 75.8 to 77.3 years (P < .001)."

22 Apr 2011

Screening for home health care is subject of new Medicare rules

When Congress passed the federal health care law, it included a provision designed to cut down on Medicare fraud and improve care for patients.

22 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Gov. Walker on 'obsolete' Medicaid; Are patients consumers?; The Onion pokes fun at Romney

What does Medicaid have in common with "I Dream of Jeannie," "Lost in Space" and "Get Smart"? They all made their debut in 1965. ... the television networks have updated their programming.

22 Apr 2011

Federal judge in N.J. dismisses health overhaul challenge

According to press reports, U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson ruled that Nicholas Purpura and Donald R. Laster Jr., who filed their lawsuit without a lawyer, lack legal standing to challenge the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

22 Apr 2011

State news: Calif. report faults screening of in-home care providers

Two of the state's largest private medical practices are in talks to merge into a giant doctor-run group that would care for nearly a million Massachusetts patients and significantly escalate the pace of health care consolidation throughout the state. Atrius Health, which runs the Harvard Vanguard system and four other doctors practices, is in advanced talks with Fallon Clinic, the Worcester-based medical group.

22 Apr 2011

HHS unveils new national patient safety initiative

Health and Human Services Regional Director Marguerite Salazar unveiled today a new national patient safety initiative, Partnership for Patients, on behalf of the Obama Administration at The Children's Hospital. Partnership for Patients will help save 60,000 lives across the country by stopping millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years.

22 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 22, 2011

Today's headlines include a variety of reports about the political reactions to the Democratic and Republican deficit proposals as well as plans for Medicare.

22 Apr 2011