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In N.J., patients who receive free AIDS meds to face stricter income limits; some W. Va. state employees will no longer receive monthly insurance subsidies

The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record: "New Jersey will no longer provide free AIDS medications for 950 people who are HIV-positive, under a little-noticed provision of the state budget enacted this month.

14 Jul 2010

Experts discuss long-term viability of cost containment measures in health care reform bill

Leading experts in health policy and the economics of health care gathered in Washington, D.C. today to discuss the long-term viability of cost containment measures in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as prevention and disease management, in an environment with increasing downward fiscal pressures.

14 Jul 2010

Evidence-based guidelines could help prevent dangerous radiation overdoses, says MedSolutions

Utilization management programs that use evidence-based guidelines to ensure appropriate use of diagnostic imaging tests could help prevent dangerous radiation overdoses like the one highlighted in a recent New England Journal of Medicine editorial, said MedSolutions, a leading provider of medical management services.

14 Jul 2010

Medicaid stalemate, pay-for-delay ban among health care items under debate

"Several states are preparing to make deep cuts to Medicaid as a federal stalemate over funding for the poor drags on—even as states face mandates to expand the program under the new health-care law." Efforts to extend provisions of the stimulus programs that provided extra federal money to state Medicaid programs remain in limbo; the enhanced funding is set to expire at the end of the year.

14 Jul 2010

Slow-starting high risk pools look for bigger wave of enrollees, other reform issues

States have seen a "slow trickle" of enrollees for new federally funded high-risk pools but are expecting more to begin enrolling as word spreads about the coverage option, Politico reports.

14 Jul 2010

K-V announces resubmission to FDA's Complete Response action letter for Gestiva

K-V Pharmaceutical Company, a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that it has been informed by Hologic, Inc. that a resubmission to the FDA's Complete Response action letter received in January 2009 has been submitted for Gestiva™ (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection), 250 mg/mL.

14 Jul 2010

Today's OpEds: The Berwick backlash; HIV screening a part of routine care; And why Congress should provide Medicaid help to states

As is well-known, Congress has a constitutional duty to examine presidential nominees like Dr. Berwick. But apparently, the prospect of giving the American people an opportunity to hear this nominee defend his past praise for government-run systems that ration healthcare was worrisome enough for the administration that it sought to ignore congressional oversight altogether (Sen. Mitch McConnell, 7/12).

14 Jul 2010

Health on the Hill – July 12, 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with KFF's Jackie Judd about President Obama's decision to use his recess appointment powers to nominate Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services continues to anger Republicans who wanted a public examination of Berwick's record (7/12).

14 Jul 2010

FDA to decide on Avandia’s fate Wednesday

Avandia, a drug used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes was approved for use in 1999. However controversies have surrounded it since 2007 when a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Steven E. Nissen published a study in the acclaimed New England Journal of Medicine that concluded that the drug significantly increased the risk for heart problems like heart attacks, heart failure and deaths.

13 Jul 2010

Combined behavioral interventions most effective way to reduce heart disease risk

Combining counseling, extended follow-up with a healthcare provider and self-monitoring of diet and exercise is the most effective way to help patients embrace lifestyle changes that can lower their risk for heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases, according to a scientific statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

13 Jul 2010

First Edition: July 13, 2010

Today's health policy headlines include a report about state preparations to cut Medicaid spending as the federal funding stalemate continues and a status check on the start up of high-risk pools.

13 Jul 2010

NavGate Technologies cooperates with Humana Points of Caregiving program

NavGate Technologies, a national leader in providing value-added, smart technologies for caregiving, wellness, healthcare and care-planning initiatives, announces its cooperation with the Humana Points of Caregiving program.

13 Jul 2010

Strategies to prevent HACs, reduce cost of care, improve patient experience discussed at QUEST National Meeting

As healthcare providers prepare for the implications of reform, the more than 200 hospitals participating in the QUEST: High Performing Hospitals collaborative are already achieving the goals of improving patient care and reducing costs.

13 Jul 2010

DST Health Solutions announces 5-I Compliance Accelerator Program

DST Health Solutions, LLC today announced its 5-I Compliance Accelerator Program, designed to help health plans successfully prepare major business systems for compliance with upcoming federal regulations. Within two years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require healthcare organizations to begin using new standards for electronic transactions and within three years new diagnostic and procedure code sets – a regulatory challenge being dubbed "healthcare's Y2K."

13 Jul 2010

Mortality rate of heart failure patients at Loyola is 24% lower than national average

The 30-day mortality rate of heart failure patients at Loyola University Hospital is 24 percent lower than the national average, according to the latest data from the federal government's Hospital Compare report card.

13 Jul 2010

Hospitals adopt advanced computer technology to prevent HAIs

Hospitals that adopt advanced computer technology to identify healthcare-associated infections are more likely to have implemented best practices to prevent such infections, according to research presented today at the 37th Annual Conference and International Meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

13 Jul 2010

Co-morbidities, socioeconomic status impact survival rates in colorectal cancer

Blacks are surviving colorectal cancer at a significantly lower rate compared to whites and Asians due to co-morbidities and their socioeconomic status, according to research by epidemiologists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

13 Jul 2010

Behavioral change programs help lower risk for cardiovascular diseases: Scientific statement

13 Jul 2010

HFA announces launch of new Hospice Information Center

Hospice Foundation of America is pleased to announce the launch of its newest educational offering, the Hospice Information Center for families, friends and professionals. This centralized resource is part of "HFA CARES: Hospice Foundation of America's Conversations, Advice, Resources and Education Series," funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and can be found at www.hospicefoundation.org/infocenter.

13 Jul 2010

Rotech Healthcare accepts 17 CMS contracts in Round 1 Rebid of Medicare Competitive Bidding Program

Rotech Healthcare Inc. today announced that it has accepted 17 contracts awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the Round 1 Rebid of the national Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. The Round 1 Rebid included nine metropolitan statistical areas. Only contracted suppliers can service Medicare patients for the competitively-bid product categories in these locations, with a few exceptions. The new contracts awarded in Round 1 have a three-year term and are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2011.

13 Jul 2010

Medicare News and Research

In N.J., patients who receive free AIDS meds to face stricter income limits; some W. Va. state employees will no longer receive monthly insurance subsidies

Experts discuss long-term viability of cost containment measures in health care reform bill

Evidence-based guidelines could help prevent dangerous radiation overdoses, says MedSolutions

Medicaid stalemate, pay-for-delay ban among health care items under debate

Slow-starting high risk pools look for bigger wave of enrollees, other reform issues

K-V announces resubmission to FDA's Complete Response action letter for Gestiva

Today's OpEds: The Berwick backlash; HIV screening a part of routine care; And why Congress should provide Medicaid help to states

Health on the Hill – July 12, 2010

FDA to decide on Avandia’s fate Wednesday

Combined behavioral interventions most effective way to reduce heart disease risk

First Edition: July 13, 2010

NavGate Technologies cooperates with Humana Points of Caregiving program

Strategies to prevent HACs, reduce cost of care, improve patient experience discussed at QUEST National Meeting

DST Health Solutions announces 5-I Compliance Accelerator Program

Mortality rate of heart failure patients at Loyola is 24% lower than national average

Hospitals adopt advanced computer technology to prevent HAIs

Co-morbidities, socioeconomic status impact survival rates in colorectal cancer

Behavioral change programs help lower risk for cardiovascular diseases: Scientific statement

HFA announces launch of new Hospice Information Center

Rotech Healthcare accepts 17 CMS contracts in Round 1 Rebid of Medicare Competitive Bidding Program

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