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Today's Opinions and Editorials: Implementation of reform, questions of constitutionality and more on the individual mandate

The wisest course now is to replace the new health care law with immediate insurance reforms and step-by-step reductions in health care costs so that more Americans can afford to buy insurance (Sen. Lamar Alexander, 4/3).

5 Apr 2010

Few veterans seek review of disability rating, panel finds

"Only a small fraction of wounded veterans who could get better benefits have applied in the two years since Congress, acting on concerns the military was cutting costs by downplaying injuries, ordered the Pentagon to review disputed claims," The Associated Press reports.

5 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 5, 2010

Both the politics and policies of health reform continue to grab headlines, with reports highlighting how lawmakers are faring in their districts during this congressional recess. News outlets also are exploring how specific provisions of the new law will work.

5 Apr 2010

66 newly-minted pharmacists to get diplomas at ETSU

When 66 newly-minted pharmacists at East Tennessee State University -- the first graduating class of the Gatton College of Pharmacy -- get their diplomas in a few weeks, it will be not only a personal triumph but also a victory of community spirit.

5 Apr 2010

Sebelius: High risk health insurance pools to begin soon

In one of the first moves the Obama administration has taken under the new health care reform law, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Friday sent a letter to state governors and insurance commissioners intended to gauge interest in a new insurance high-risk pool program.

5 Apr 2010

NHS cancer patients to receive latest and best treatments available

Cancer patients on the National Health Service may soon be offered expensive life extending drugs which are currently denied to them. David Cameron has proposed on behalf of the Conservatives that the drugs that are licensed and prescribed by the health consultant of the patient should be made available to the cancer patient, irrespective of the NHS rationing.

5 Apr 2010

Sebelius' comments on potential role of state high risk pools in health reform: NASCHIP pleased

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today issued a letter to governors and independent insurance commissioners asking each state to express their interest in participating in the temporary high-risk pool program established by the new health insurance reform law. States were provided a number of options for participation including building upon existing state high-risk pools.

3 Apr 2010

CAP offers new value-added insurance benefits for members

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. (CAP) announced that beginning today it will automatically provide enhanced group disability insurance and add term life insurance as benefits of CAP membership. These products will be made available through the organization's wholly owned subsidiary, CAP Physicians Insurance Agency, Inc.

3 Apr 2010

Nationwide Better Health adds group disability plans to workplace benefits offering

Nationwide Better Health recently enhanced its workplace benefits offering by adding group short-term and long-term disability plans with flexible features and benefit levels. The company's workplace benefits portfolio, which also include group term life insurance, group dental plans, medical stop loss insurance, business travel accident, and accident/hospital Ca$hBack plans, allow employers to provide benefits that help safeguard their employees' physical and fiscal health.

3 Apr 2010

Temporary high risk health insurance pool program: HHS requests expression of states' interest in participation

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today issued a letter to governors and independent insurance commissioners asking each state to express their interest in participating in the temporary high risk pool program established by the new health insurance reform law. The temporary high risk pool program was created to help provide coverage to people who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions. States may choose whether and how they participate in the program.

3 Apr 2010

Colo. gets federal approval for new patient fees to help fund Medicaid; Ga. Senate passes hospital tax

Denver Business Journal: "A federal agency has approved Colorado's plan to charge a per-patient fee to hospitals in order to expand Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus eligibility and insure more state residents. Gov. Bill Ritter's office said Thursday that it had received notice from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services that it had given its OK to the hospital provider fee. Receiving that approval means that the state can match each dollar collected by the fee with one from the federal government and double the amount it raises through the plan."

3 Apr 2010

NEDA and Alliance panel explore ways to reduce negative effects of obesity and eating disorders

The television news and entertainment media are missing the mark when it comes to communicating realistic and helpful information about health and weight to Americans, according to an expert media panel assembled today at Pace University in New York City.

3 Apr 2010

Aetna HealthFund study shows sustained cost savings for Aetna members

Aetna today announced the results of a study of health care claims and utilization for members in its Aetna HealthFund® consumer-directed plans. The study of two million Aetna members shows sustained savings over time and increased member engagement in their health.

3 Apr 2010

Kaiser Permanente ranked highest in 2010 Member Health Insurance Plan Study

Kaiser Permanente announced today that its members in four geographic regions rated the organization's health plans highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Member Health Insurance Plan Study.

3 Apr 2010

Arizona approves bill to join health reform lawsuit, Colorado Democrats push back against their AG

After Arizona lawmakers give the go-ahead, the governor signed a measure into law Thursday that allows the state to join a lawsuit with other states challenging the constitutionality of the health reform overhaul passed by Congress.

3 Apr 2010

Obama promotes health bill, asks people to give it time to work

Los Angeles Times: Ihe president said "it would take four years for the overhaul to be fully implemented but that some provisions would kick in quickly. Those include ending insurance company practices of using preexisting conditions as an excuse to curb benefits and lifting annual caps on payments. ... The president also stressed the advantages for small-business owners.

3 Apr 2010

Dems tout savings from Medicare fraud crackdown, swindlers exploit health bill confusion

The Hill: "Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee are trying to make the case that the healthcare bill will strengthen Medicare and Medicaid by finding major savings through a crack down on fraud, waste and abuse."

3 Apr 2010

Insurance protection for adult children won't come fast enough for some parents

Writing for Kaiser Health News, Michelle Andrews explores an important provision of the new health care law. "When Allison McMaster Young heard that the new health overhaul law would allow her and her husband to keep their 21-year-old son on their family health insurance policy until age 26, she breathed a sigh of relief.

3 Apr 2010

Mass. rejects insurers' rate hikes

Massachusetts regulators denied 235 of 274 requests by health insurance plans to raise premiums because officials view the hikes as excessive, The Boston Globe reports. "The rulings, following a review process set in motion by emergency regulations [Gov. Deval] Patrick filed in February, mark the first time the state has used its authority to turn down health premium increases."

3 Apr 2010

Young adults with hyperthyroidism face increase risk of stroke

Young adults with overactive thyroid face a 44 percent increased risk of stroke compared to those with normal thyroid function, according to a study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

3 Apr 2010

Health Insurance News and Research

Today's Opinions and Editorials: Implementation of reform, questions of constitutionality and more on the individual mandate

Few veterans seek review of disability rating, panel finds

First Edition: April 5, 2010

66 newly-minted pharmacists to get diplomas at ETSU

Sebelius: High risk health insurance pools to begin soon

NHS cancer patients to receive latest and best treatments available

Sebelius' comments on potential role of state high risk pools in health reform: NASCHIP pleased

CAP offers new value-added insurance benefits for members

Nationwide Better Health adds group disability plans to workplace benefits offering

Temporary high risk health insurance pool program: HHS requests expression of states' interest in participation

Colo. gets federal approval for new patient fees to help fund Medicaid; Ga. Senate passes hospital tax

NEDA and Alliance panel explore ways to reduce negative effects of obesity and eating disorders

Aetna HealthFund study shows sustained cost savings for Aetna members

Kaiser Permanente ranked highest in 2010 Member Health Insurance Plan Study

Arizona approves bill to join health reform lawsuit, Colorado Democrats push back against their AG

Obama promotes health bill, asks people to give it time to work

Dems tout savings from Medicare fraud crackdown, swindlers exploit health bill confusion

Insurance protection for adult children won't come fast enough for some parents

Mass. rejects insurers' rate hikes

Young adults with hyperthyroidism face increase risk of stroke

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Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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