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Research roundup: Gender differences in health spending; How the states could fare under the new law; Increased Medicare premiums

Health Affairs: Pronounced Gender And Age Differences Are Evident In Personal Health Care Spending Per Person - This paper examines health care spending by men and women in 2004, including comparisons "by age group, goods and services consumed, and payers, and an analysis of some of the most frequently cited health conditions and treatments associated with that spending."

20 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Cucinelli argues for quickly moving Va. case to the Supreme Court; Unraveling Medicaid leaves a big gap; Taking away a cancer treatment

It's hard not to laugh at the cries over the "injustice" of forcing people to buy coverage. Working Americans are already forced to buy health coverage - but for others. They can't choose not to pay the Medicare payroll tax. They can't even make a deal with the government, promising, "I will forgo all future Medicare benefits if I can be freed from the Medicare payroll tax" (Froma Harrop, 12/16).

17 Dec 2010

GE Healthcare announces expiration of initial offering period for Clarient stock

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company today announced the expiration of the initial offering period of the previously announced tender offer by GE's wholly owned subsidiary, Crane Merger Sub, Inc., for all outstanding shares of common and preferred stock of Clarient, Inc. at a price of $5.00 in cash per common share and $20.00 in cash per preferred share.

17 Dec 2010

Home health, hospice patients need to have face-to-face encounter with physician: New Medicare rule

A new federal regulation issued by Medicare in November will create a crisis for approximately 4.5 million home health and hospice service patients. Starting on January 1, homebound elderly and disabled patients as well as hospice patients will now need to have a "face-to-face encounter" with a physician or nurse practitioner if they want to receive care under Medicare.

17 Dec 2010

ACP and AARP develop consumer-friendly guide about health care law in English and Spanish

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today made a guide to help inform consumers about the health care law available free for ordering and distribution. Consumer Guide to Understanding Health System Reform is an educational guide written in English and Spanish and organized in a way that clearly explains what the law has changed, why these changes were made and when the changes will take effect. It was developed by ACP and AARP, the country's largest consumer-representative organization.

17 Dec 2010

Study highlights death or rehospitalization rates for Medicare beneficiaries with ischemic stroke

Nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from hospitals after ischemic stroke die or are readmitted within one year, researchers report in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

17 Dec 2010

Ischemic stroke patients at substantial risk once leaving the hospital: Study

A UCLA-led has study found that after leaving the hospital, nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke either died or were rehospitalized within a year.

17 Dec 2010

Antidepressants may have adverse effect on elders when prescribed for the first time

More than half of older Americans who were prescribed antidepressants for the first time were already taking a medication that could adversely interact with the antidepressant, according to a new study from Thomson Reuters.

17 Dec 2010

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota praises fix of orphan drug discount under 340B program

Families who were facing the prospect of huge increases in the cost of life-saving drugs for their children can breath easier thanks to a new law that will preserve discounts on specialized, so-called "orphan drugs."

17 Dec 2010

President signs one-year 'pay-fix'; Medicare tests competitive bidding for common medical equipment

The Kansas City Star reports on a new Medicare program that will apply competitive bidding to common medical equipment and supplies. Meanwhile, President Obama signed into law yesterday a one-year delay in Medicare payment cuts for physicians.

17 Dec 2010

Reuters rates hospitals' cardiovascular program

Loyola University Hospital's mortality rate from heart-bypass surgery is 74 percent lower than the mortality rate at peer hospitals, according to Thomson Reuters Cardiovascular Benchmarks Report.

17 Dec 2010

White House to hold meetings with stakeholders on overhaul implementation

News outlets offer reports about action on the implementation front, including White House stakeholder meetings and a vote by state insurance officials regarding the information health plans should provide consumers.

17 Dec 2010

Collaboration seeks to uncover the best strategies to improve health care, lower costs

A group of health care organizations are joining forces to compile evidence on the strategies the work best to address a variety of common, and usually expensive, medical conditions. Meanwhile, the nation's new Medicare chief is hitting the road to hear ideas about improving the health care system.

17 Dec 2010

Positive economic signs evident in health sector

News outlets report that the health care sector has recently been posting more jobs and been the focus of more private equity investment interest.

17 Dec 2010

Health law challenges shift to Florida courtroom

Today marks a "new day in court" as oral arguments will be heard in a Florida courtroom regarding the 20-state legal challenge. This lawsuit includes issues surrounding the health law's individual mandate and Medicaid expansions. Meanwhile, analysis continues regarding Monday's decision by a federal court judge in Virginia and a new round of debate regarding whether the health overhaul lawsuits bring to light issues of judicial bias.

16 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 16, 2010

In today's headlines, continuing analysis of how the health law is faring in the courts and what the sweeping measure's future might look like.

16 Dec 2010

Centene anticipates premium and service revenue in the range of $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion for fiscal 2011

Centene Corporation announced today its 2011 financial guidance. The discussions below are in the context of continuing operations and all financial ratios exclude premium taxes.

16 Dec 2010

AMA commends President Obama for commitment to one-year delay of Medicare cut into law

"Today, President Obama signed into law a one-year delay of the looming Medicare physician payment cut that would have hurt seniors' health care. The AMA commends President Obama and bipartisan leaders in the Senate and House for their commitment to a year-long delay of the 25 percent cut. The AMA strongly advocated for this one-year delay to create a stable environment for seniors and their physicians.

16 Dec 2010

Watson, PregLem enter licensing agreement to develop, market Esmya in the U.S. and Canada

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Gedeon Richter Plc today announced that Watson's subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with PregLem, S.A., ("Preglem") the wholly owned subsidiary of Richter, to develop and market Esmya™ (ulipristal acetate) in the U.S. and Canada.

16 Dec 2010

New study records show dementia residents seek hospice benefit

A new study of nursing home records shows more residents with dementia are seeking a hospice benefit and using it longer. The study also estimates that 40 percent of nursing home residents die with some degree of dementia.

16 Dec 2010

Medicare News and Research

Research roundup: Gender differences in health spending; How the states could fare under the new law; Increased Medicare premiums

Today's Opinions: Cucinelli argues for quickly moving Va. case to the Supreme Court; Unraveling Medicaid leaves a big gap; Taking away a cancer treatment

GE Healthcare announces expiration of initial offering period for Clarient stock

Home health, hospice patients need to have face-to-face encounter with physician: New Medicare rule

ACP and AARP develop consumer-friendly guide about health care law in English and Spanish

Study highlights death or rehospitalization rates for Medicare beneficiaries with ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke patients at substantial risk once leaving the hospital: Study

Antidepressants may have adverse effect on elders when prescribed for the first time

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota praises fix of orphan drug discount under 340B program

President signs one-year 'pay-fix'; Medicare tests competitive bidding for common medical equipment

Reuters rates hospitals' cardiovascular program

White House to hold meetings with stakeholders on overhaul implementation

Collaboration seeks to uncover the best strategies to improve health care, lower costs

Positive economic signs evident in health sector

Health law challenges shift to Florida courtroom

First Edition: December 16, 2010

Centene anticipates premium and service revenue in the range of $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion for fiscal 2011

AMA commends President Obama for commitment to one-year delay of Medicare cut into law

Watson, PregLem enter licensing agreement to develop, market Esmya in the U.S. and Canada

New study records show dementia residents seek hospice benefit

Industry Focus eBook - Forensics & toxicology (2nd edition) eBook

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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