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Hospitalists shape the future of American healthcare system

On March 21, 2010, Congress passed the most comprehensive healthcare reform bill since the formation of Medicare. While a monumental achievement, the bill leaves much of the critical work of healthcare reform unfinished, according to a new editorial by Dr. Robert Wachter, Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, and past president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, in the April issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

9 Apr 2010

BIBA Research's TAVI report to be released

BIBA Research, the UK-based market research specialists for the medical technology industry, announced today that the latest findings from their Transcatheter Heart Valve report will be released on 26 April. The report covers the data period January-March 2010 and is part of BIBA Research's long-established European Cardiovascular Monitor.

9 Apr 2010

Increase in delaying retirement likely to gain speed: RAND study

An unprecedented upturn in the number of older Americans who delay retirement is likely to continue and even accelerate over the next two decades, a trend that should help ease the financial challenges facing both Social Security and Medicare, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

9 Apr 2010

Nurses for Medicare expresses disappointment against implementation of user fees for medical visits

Nurses for Medicare expressed its disappointment at the Quebec government's decision to implement user fees for medical visits. In addition to a new health tax that does not vary according to income, the recent Quebec budget calls for patients to pay a $25 fee for each visit.

9 Apr 2010

Ten loopholes and problem areas in new federal health reform law

Consumer Watchdog called on President Obama and Congress in a letter sent today to fix ten problem areas in the new federal health reform law that, if not addressed, will be exploited by health insurers and drug companies looking to charge more for less health care.

9 Apr 2010

AmericanEHR Partners Program introduced to help medical practitioners compare EHR systems

A collaboration developing a new Web site to help medical practitioners compare electronic health records systems was announced today by its founding partners, the American College of Physicians and Cientis Technologies.

9 Apr 2010

New CMS web site shines light on Medicare spending

A new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site is making more claims data available to the public, Modern Healthcare reports. The so-called "CMS Dashboard" reveals Medicare spending for the top 25 conditions in hospitals, and allows users to compare spending by state, conditions by spending and to review the top-10-spending states for each condition. Medicare Advantage patients are not included in the data set (Evans, 4/7).

9 Apr 2010

Miami Medicare case spotlights federal probes into HIV therapy fraud

A new Miami Medicare fraud case spotlights federal investigations of massive scams using HIV therapies.

9 Apr 2010

Democrats, Republicans using health reform votes to plot November strategies

The Associated Press: Vulnerable Democrats around the country are "tiptoeing" during the recess as they prepare for midterm elections. "Tough votes for Obama's health care plan have further complicated the re-election prospects of dozens of already vulnerable freshman and second-term Democrats. There's even a chance the party could lose control of one or both houses in the midterm elections."

9 Apr 2010

QuadraMed introduces Quantim ICD-10 Coding Simulator

QuadraMed® Corporation, a leading provider of healthcare technologies and services that help turn quality care into positive financial outcomes, today announced the general availability of the industry's first ICD-10 Simulator developed to help coders prepare for the transition to ICD-10. The Quantim ICD-10 Coding Simulator, which is available today as a component of the ICD-10 Countdown Program, is a unique solution that duplicates the ICD-10 coding environment for accelerated training and practice purposes.

9 Apr 2010

Bernanke warns: Trouble ahead for Medicare and Social Security

"Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned Wednesday that Americans may have to accept higher taxes or changes in cherished entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security if the nation is to avoid staggering budget deficits that threaten to choke off economic growth," The Washington Post reports. "'These choices are difficult, and it always seems easier to put them off -- until the day they cannot be put off anymore,' Bernanke said..."

9 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 8, 2010

Today's health policy news coverage explores the political and policy implications of the new health reform law.

8 Apr 2010

Obese patients may receive higher rate of recommended care than normal-weight patients, but not lower

Despite a concern that obese or overweight patients may receive lower quality of health care, an analysis of eight common outpatient quality measures from a sample of nearly 70,000 patients finds no evidence that obese or overweight patients receive inferior care when compared with normal-weight patients, and in fact may receive a higher rate of recommended care on several measures, according to a study in the April 7 issue of JAMA.

8 Apr 2010

Health Affairs report shows value of patient-centered IT at Group Health

Hopes are high that health information technology will support care between office visits, boost efficiency and convenience, and help patients lead healthier lives. An evaluation in the April Health Affairs suggests how to make the most of this new approach: Routinely ask patients how they like it and what they want.

8 Apr 2010

Investment report on CardioNet from StockPreacher.com

StockPreacher.com announces an investment report featuring CardioNet, Inc. The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

8 Apr 2010

Survey reveals retiree confidence in Medicare eroding

A March 2010 independent survey of 1,472 retirees covered by Medicare revealed that while 59% are "very" or "somewhat" confident Medicare will be available the rest of their lives, just 20% have the same confidence it will be here for the succeeding generation. In fact, 62% of respondents are not confident that Medicare will be here for their children.

8 Apr 2010

Individuals should act now to prepare for major tax hikes: Kahler Financial Group

The ink is barely dry on the health care bill but individuals should act now to prepare for major tax hikes and possibly higher interest rates, which could increase borrowing costs and require the need to reallocate some investment assets. That's the call from fee-only financial planner Rick Kahler, president of the largest financial planning firm in the seven-state Midwest region, Kahler Financial Group.

8 Apr 2010

Saint Mary's and Sierra Neurosurgery Group partner to create Nevada's first Brain Tumor Center

Saint Mary's and Sierra Neurosurgery Group have partnered to create the region's first Brain Tumor Center in an effort to speed up the time between diagnosis and treatment.

8 Apr 2010

Consumer engagement program for diagnostic imaging services

More consumers than ever before are seeking additional knowledge to make more informed decisions, especially when it comes to their health care.

8 Apr 2010

Debiopharm Group, Biocartis sign investment agreement

Debiopharm Group, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of innovative prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, and which has embarked in the field of companion diagnostics with a view to progressing in the area of personalized medicine, today announced the signature of an investment agreement with Biocartis.

8 Apr 2010