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Study finds inconsistent surveillance method for CA-BSI infections

A new study looking at how hospitals account for the number of pediatric patients who develop catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) found substantial inconsistencies in the methods used to report the number of patients who develop these infections.

27 Sep 2010

Dual eligible patients more likely to be hospitalized than Medicare beneficiaries: AHRQ

Americans who were eligible for coverage under both Medicare and Medicaid in 2008 were hospitalized for bed sores, asthma and diabetes at more than twice the rate of other Medicare beneficiaries, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

27 Sep 2010

The House approves six health-related measures, including legislation related to the disposal of unused prescription drugs

The Hill's Healthwatch Blog: "The House passed six health-related bills Wednesday evening, including efforts to combat Medicare fraud and dispose of unused prescription drugs." The measures were approved under suspension of the rules, "an expedited procedure that only allows for 40 minutes of debate followed by a voice vote."

24 Sep 2010

GOP 'pledge' to create jobs, control spending, repeal health law draws mixed reaction

The New York Times: "In the legislative blueprint that Republicans hope will serve as a roadmap to winning control of the House, they declared their two highest priorities to be creating jobs and stopping 'out-of-control spending' by the federal government." It includes a call to repeal the health law, while retaining "popular provisions."

24 Sep 2010

Premium rates may skyrocket for many Medicare drug plans

The Associated Press: "A new analysis of government data finds that premiums will go up an average of 10 percent among the top plans that have signed up some 70 percent of seniors. That's according to Avalere Health, a private research firm that crunched the numbers. Marketing for next year's drug plans gets under way Oct. 1, and seniors will see some of the biggest changes since the Medicare prescription benefit became available in 2006. More than 17 million are enrolled in private drug plans offered through Medicare."

24 Sep 2010

Research Roundup: Medical homes; Drug samples and prescribing; The health law and disparities; Women's health; CBO projections

Institute of Medicine: Women's Health Research: Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise -"Substantial progress has been made since the expansion of investment in women's health research. Research findings have changed the practice of medicine and public-health recommendations in several prominent contexts, including changes in standards of care for women. There have also been decreases in mortality in women from breast cancer, heart disease, and cervical cancer. In other contexts, however, there has been less progress..."

24 Sep 2010

25% of all Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans

As the annual open enrollment period approaches Medicare Advantage plan enrollment continues to inch upwards, with nearly 11.8 million people enrolled as of August 2010, almost 25% of all Medicare beneficiaries. Despite conservative growth strategies, stricter marketing regulations and legislation which reined in popular Private-Fee-For-Service plans, Medicare Advantage companies are still experiencing single digit growth rates, according to a new report by Mark Farrah Associates, a leading provider of market data and intelligence solutions.

24 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 24, 2010

In today's news, more reports regarding the health reform provisions that took effect yesterday and more details on the GOP's "Pledge To America."

24 Sep 2010

New opportunity for hospitals to improve CA-BSI surveillance

A new study looking at how hospitals account for the number of pediatric patients who develop catheter associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) found substantial inconsistencies in the methods used to report the number of patients who develop these infections.

24 Sep 2010

UNC's bariatric surgery center receives BSCN accreditation

The program has been accredited as a Level 1b facility by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This designation means that UNC Hospitals has met the essential criteria that ensure it is fully capable of supporting a bariatric surgery care program and that its institutional performance meets the requirements outlined by the ACS BSCN Accreditation Program.

24 Sep 2010

Disenrollment from hospice increases costs of care for cancer patients

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that the costs of care for patients with cancer who disenrolled from hospice were nearly five times higher than for patients who remained with hospice. Patients who disenroll from hospice are far more likely to use emergency department care and be hospitalized. The results are published in the October 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

24 Sep 2010

Pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs

Vice President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the nation's pharmaceutical manufacturers will provide 50 percent discounts on the cost of covered brand-name prescription drugs for beneficiaries in the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or donut hole, starting in 2011.

24 Sep 2010

House passes fraud bill to keep executives associated with wrongdoing from future Medicare business

The Hill's Healthwatch Blog: The House Wednesday passed a bill that would ban executives from "doing business with Medicare if their companies were convicted of fraud, even if the conviction takes place after their departure. The bill was introduced by the Ways and Means health panel's chairman and ranking member, Reps. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) and Wally Herger (R-Calif.)."

24 Sep 2010

New federal funds to create first national patient registry for pulmonary fibrosis

During the 8th annual National Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Week, Sept. 11 to 18, the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) met with over 45 legislators, both Representatives and Senators, and as of this date there are 139 House co-sponsors for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA) to fund research on this deadly disease.

24 Sep 2010

GOP lawmakers formally 'pledge' to repeal health law, and more

In their just-released campaign manifesto, "A Pledge to America," Republican lawmakers say repealing the health overhaul law would be among their goals if they retake Congress, The New York Times reports. Repeal comes alongside goals like the permanent extension of Bush tax cuts, spending caps, and the recouping of unspent money from President Obama's stimulus last year.

24 Sep 2010

Today's Opinions: The health law's 'Semi-Versary'

Six months after its enactment, there are two totally different stories to tell about the health-reform law. The public remains split on the law largely along traditional partisan lines

24 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 23, 2010

A flurry of news coverage today highlights the health law's six-month anniversary and the specific provisions that take effect today, as well as the GOP's scheduled release of their "Pledge To America," which includes a repeal of the health overhaul among its priorities.

23 Sep 2010

Use of CYPHER stent in diabetic patients can result in significant cost savings

New analysis presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting (TCT 2010) in Washington, DC, indicates that the broad use of CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting coronary stent in patients with diabetes would result in substantial cost savings, as compared to the use of everolimus-eluting stents (EES), paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), or zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES).

23 Sep 2010

Congress examines health care payment issues and high costs

Congress is preparing to tackle health care issues including reforming the payment system and addressing the high costs of Alzheimer's care, Medicare fraud and long-term disability.

23 Sep 2010

Seredor acquires United Sleep Diagnostics to expand sleep diagnostic activities

Continucare Corporation announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Seredor Corporation has further expanded its sleep diagnostic activities through the acquisition of United Sleep Diagnostics, Inc., an operator of sleep diagnostic centers. The acquired business currently operates three independent testing facilities and manages sleep centers at six hospitals located in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida.

22 Sep 2010

Medicare News and Research

Study finds inconsistent surveillance method for CA-BSI infections

Dual eligible patients more likely to be hospitalized than Medicare beneficiaries: AHRQ

The House approves six health-related measures, including legislation related to the disposal of unused prescription drugs

GOP 'pledge' to create jobs, control spending, repeal health law draws mixed reaction

Premium rates may skyrocket for many Medicare drug plans

Research Roundup: Medical homes; Drug samples and prescribing; The health law and disparities; Women's health; CBO projections

25% of all Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans

First Edition: September 24, 2010

New opportunity for hospitals to improve CA-BSI surveillance

UNC's bariatric surgery center receives BSCN accreditation

Disenrollment from hospice increases costs of care for cancer patients

Pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs

House passes fraud bill to keep executives associated with wrongdoing from future Medicare business

New federal funds to create first national patient registry for pulmonary fibrosis

GOP lawmakers formally 'pledge' to repeal health law, and more

Today's Opinions: The health law's 'Semi-Versary'

First Edition: September 23, 2010

Use of CYPHER stent in diabetic patients can result in significant cost savings

Congress examines health care payment issues and high costs

Seredor acquires United Sleep Diagnostics to expand sleep diagnostic activities

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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