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First Edition: April 1, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage helps fill in the details of the much-anticipated rule for accountable care organizations, which was released yesterday by the Obama administration.

1 Apr 2011

New study examines psychological, social challenges of women with breast cancer

When an aggressive form of breast cancer strikes a young woman, what kind of stress, anxiety and other psychological and social challenges does she face?

1 Apr 2011

DNA damage can lead to regulation of inflammatory responses

Researchers offer the first evidence that DNA damage can lead to the regulation of inflammatory responses, the body's reaction to injury. The proteins involved in the regulation help protect the body from infection.

1 Apr 2011

Progressive resistance training can help minimize loss of muscle mass and strength as we age

Getting older doesn't mean giving up muscle strength.

1 Apr 2011

Roundup: Minn. and Fla. weigh changes in programs for disabled, poor; Iowa lawmakers consider new abortion restrictions

Due to a shockingly large deficit, Gov. Rick Scott is planning to invoke his emergency powers and make deep cuts to the rates charged by group homes and case workers who help the developmentally disabled. Scott could announce a 15 percent rate cut as early as Thursday to close the $170 million budget gap in the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, according to lawmakers who were briefed Wednesday.

1 Apr 2011

HHS unveils ACO details

During a Thursday morning press call, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick unveiled the long-awaited federal rule on accountable care organizations.

1 Apr 2011

Master regulators of cholesterol and fat play key role in liver fibrosis development

UCLA researchers have demonstrated that a key regulator of cholesterol and fat metabolism in the liver also plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis - the build-up of collagen scar tissue that can develop into cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, in turn, is a major cause of premature death and is incurable without a liver transplant.

31 Mar 2011

Patients with CRS can benefit from balloon sinus dilation procedure

Results published in the January/February, 2011 issue of International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology demonstrate that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who receive treatment with balloon sinus dilation can experience significant improvement in work productivity.

31 Mar 2011

HRI to host healthy hearing teen initiative at DGA Theatre in NYC

The House Research Institute announced that it will host "Sound Rules! A Sound & Hearing Celebration" for teens at the Director's Guild of America Theatre in New York City on May 4.

31 Mar 2011

Electrophysiologists use new robotic system to treat cardiac arrhythmias

Cardiac experts who fix arrhythmias, which are electrical problems of the heart, must perform complex catheter procedures while the heart is still beating in order to pinpoint where an electrical malfunction is taking place.

31 Mar 2011

State roundup: Md. Blue Cross probed; Mass. nonprofit hospitals may be sold

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Maryland's largest insurer, confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that it received a civil investigative demand from the Justice Department but declined to comment further.

31 Mar 2011

States advance abortion legislation

In Arizona, legislation was signed into law to outlaw sex- or race-based abortions. In Kansas, a "fetal pain" measure has been sent to the governor for his signature.

31 Mar 2011

In Calif., nurses to take greater role in providing primary care

While the LA Times reports that nurses are poised to help meet the requirements of the health law, The Chicago Sun-Times reports that more young doctors are choosing primary care careers.

30 Mar 2011

Porter Adventist Hospital inaugurates new clinic to treat TIA

A transient ischemic attack is a form of minor stroke that can last just minutes, often without any lingering symptoms. But if left untreated, those who have one are at an estimated 25 percent greater risk of having another stroke or other complication within 90 days.

30 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: N.Y. malpractice 'solution'?; tap Texas rainy-day fund?; Ariz. transplant dilemma solution?

Almost every other product Americans encounter is subject to laws that guarantee that the producer suffers when its product is subpar. There's no reason medical guidelines should be any different. With the proper incentives, these private regulators could help President Obama carry out the health care reform he signed into law a year ago.

30 Mar 2011

New study: Many elderly men may overuse PSA testing

A new study on the use of prostate-specific antigen-based prostate cancer screening in the United States found that many elderly men may be undergoing unnecessary prostate cancer screenings.

29 Mar 2011

Interventional radiologists complete RDN human trial in patients with uncontrolled hypertension

Interventional radiologists have completed the first human randomized controlled trial of therapeutic renal denervation or RDN—a procedure that uses a catheter-based probe inserted into the renal artery that emits high-frequency energy to deactivate the nerves near the kidneys that are linked to high blood pressure.

29 Mar 2011