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Overhaul's effect on health spending minimal, government study says

The health overhaul and other recent legislative and regulatory changes will only modestly increase the nation's health tab through 2019, according to a government study published today, Kaiser Health News reports.

10 Sep 2010

Assessing the needs of disabled Medicare beneficiaries

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jessica Marcy reports in this KHN short take: "Policy makers need more concrete information about the characteristics of the disabled community and its unique challenges, a senior White House adviser said today at a forum about Medicare disability and health care reform" (Marcy, 9/9).

10 Sep 2010

KHN column - Tomorrow's Medicare: The efficient hybrid?

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Austin Frakt writes: "Since the inception of Medicare, policymakers have wrestled with the problem of how the program can best pay for beneficiaries' medical services. The result of this decades-long struggle has been increasing costs and a Byzantine set of payment methods.

10 Sep 2010

Today's OpEds: Medicare's long-term liabilities; Reforming and funding native health care; Frustrations surrounding stem cell research

Under ObamaCare it will get much worse. Hospitals also will shut down or stop serving Medicare patients. … Everyone should know by now that Medicare suffers dramatic long-term deficits and unfunded liabilities, and is in need of fundamental, structural reforms. But effectively refusing to pay the doctors and hospitals that provide the medical care the program promises to seniors is no way to solve that problem (Peter Ferrara and Larry Hunter, 9/9).

10 Sep 2010

Democrats position for November fight using health care while GOP leader draws line in the sand

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is defending his party's accomplishments on health care as he paints Democrats as underdogs in November's elections, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "Kaine, a former governor of Virginia, blasted the Republicans as obstacles to progress for seven decades, warning supporters gathered at the University of Pennsylvania that President Obama's agenda was at risk with less than two months before the Nov. 2 election.

10 Sep 2010

VAP Cholesterol Test can evaluate Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, known as PCOS, is a silent and often mysterious disease that plays havoc with a woman's body and increases the risk of serious illness. There is no single test for diagnosing the illness, but a detailed cholesterol profile called the VAP Cholesterol Test, along with diet, exercise and the right medication, is changing how doctors approach PCOS and is dramatically altering patients' lives for the better.

10 Sep 2010

Affinity Health System selects GE Centricity EMR for patient care network

Northeast Wisconsin's nationally recognized Affinity Health System is the latest to choose GE Centricity® EMR for its patient care network. The Catholic, mission-oriented, regional health network is a collaboration between the Fox Valley's Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and plans to implement Centricity EMR across its 22 multi-specialty clinics in 14 communities to help care for an average of 21,000 patients each year.

9 Sep 2010

Continucare fourth-quarter total revenue increases 5% to $79.3 million

Continucare Corporation today reported strong financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

9 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 9, 2010

Today's headlines highlight a government study that finds the new health law won't fuel significant increases in spending.

9 Sep 2010

CVS Caremark offers $5 million in free flu shots for uninsured patients

CVS Caremark announced today that it will partner with Direct Relief USA to offer up to $5 million in free flu shots to community clinic and health center patients who lack health insurance.

9 Sep 2010

Insurers raise rates, cancel plans in response to overhaul

The Wall Street Journal: "Aetna Inc., some BlueCross BlueShield plans and other smaller carriers have asked for premium increases of between 1% and 9% to pay for extra benefits required under the law, according to filings with state regulators." The requests undermine "Democrats' efforts to trumpet their signature achievement before the midterm elections."

9 Sep 2010

Health reform myths debunked

The Associated Press examines political ads on health reform. "With the country sharply divided over the sweeping new insurance law, Republicans and their allies are taking to the airwaves to attack it as elections near, often resorting to exaggeration and omissions to make their points."

9 Sep 2010

Conservative group forecasts Medicare doctor access problem

Writing for Kaiser Health News, Marilyn Werber Serafini reports in a KHN short take: "Getting a doctor's appointment may become increasingly difficult for seniors and the disabled over the next decade unless Congress changes the new health law, according to a report that the conservative National Center for Policy Analysis plans to release today.

9 Sep 2010

Liberator Medical Holdings' subsidiary receives 2010 Governor's Business Diversification Award

Liberator Medical Holdings, Inc. today announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Liberator Medical Supply, has received the 2010 Governor's Business Diversification Award in the Business Expansion category.

8 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 8, 2010

In today's headlines, reports about how health reform is playing on the campaign trail and the latest on health insurance premium hikes.

8 Sep 2010

PPTA supports CMS' proposal for hospital outpatient reimbursement for plasma protein therapies

The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalize its Proposed Rule regarding reimbursement to better ensure patient access to vital medicines in the hospital outpatient setting.

8 Sep 2010

Personalized reminders effective in encouraging seniors to get annual flu shots

Personalized post cards or phone calls can be effective in encouraging more seniors to get their annual flu shots, according to a new review of evidence. Professional facilitators are also successful at urging providers to perform a suite of preventive services, including flu shots for seniors.

8 Sep 2010

A Republican win in November could put health law in center of political tug-of-war

The Associated Press looks at whether a Republican takeover of Congress would lead to an impasse with the White House over funding for implementation of the health law. "Republicans could still fall back on the congressional power of the purse, denying the administration billions of dollars to carry out the most far-reaching social legislation since Medicare and Medicaid.

8 Sep 2010

Health law rollout effects: Delivering 'accountable' care, device tax, nursing mothers

Today's updates on the continuing implementation of the health law include Medicare chief Don Berwick's behind the scenes push for 'accountable care organizations,' tax anxiety in the medical device industry, and the promise of new help for pregnant women.

8 Sep 2010

Hospitals hire to keep up with growing diversity, tech challenges

"As more immigrants crowd its waiting rooms, Elmhurst Hospital is joining a growing number of hospitals in New York and across the country that are going beyond hiring interpreters and offering translated paperwork and are adopting practices intended to improve care for an increasingly diverse patient population," The New York Times reports.

8 Sep 2010