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Antidepressants can increase risk of C. difficile infection in depressed patients

Adults with depression and who receive certain types of anti-depressants have an increased risk of developing Clostridium difficile, a costly and serious hospital-associated infection, according to a new University of Michigan Health System study.

8 May 2013

First Edition: May 8, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about government data showing the wide variation in what hospitals charge Medicare patients for common inpatient procedures.

8 May 2013

UCLA research: Subway not much healthier alternative than McDonald's for adolescents

Subway may promote itself as the "healthy" fast food restaurant, but it might not be a much healthier alternative than McDonald's for adolescents, according to new UCLA research.

8 May 2013

Medicare studies: Payment cuts don't mean insurers pay more

Medicare payment cuts to hospitals don't necessarily mean private insurers end up paying more, one study finds. Another reports that unifying Medicare's benefits into a single plan could save the program $180 billion over 10 years, while lowering seniors' out-of-pocket costs.

8 May 2013

Despite outreach efforts, many eligible seniors are turning down health subsidy program

The Low Income Subsidy for Medicare Part D is a rare beast in economics research. The subsidy provides prescription drug coverage essentially free for low-income adults. That means it is what economists call a dominant option.

7 May 2013

Hospital leaders urge support for protecting health care providers from Medi-Cal cuts

Citing the real impact cutting the safety net would have on the most vulnerable residents, San Diego County Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob joined with local hospital leaders today to call on the California Legislature and Governor Brown to spare hospital-based skilled-nursing facilities and other health care providers from devastating Medi-Cal cuts.

5 May 2013

Experts gather to lay out agenda to end childhood poverty

Pediatricians, economists, social scientists and policy experts will come together on Saturday, May 4, to address one of the greatest threats to child health - poverty.

4 May 2013

First Edition: May 3, 2013

Today's headlines include a variety of stories about the health law's implementation, including reports about the Medicaid expansion's red state prospects.

3 May 2013

MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program to continue for fourth year

The MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program - responsible for nearly 200 news stories by 48 alumni to date - will continue for a fourth year thanks to a grant renewal from the MetLife Foundation.

3 May 2013

Roundup: Calif. regulator says insurer's proposed rate hikes are 'unreasonable'; Iowa lawmakers push to deny abortion funding in Medicaid

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said the nation's largest health insurer, UnitedHealth Group Inc., is imposing unreasonable rate hikes on about 5,000 small businesses. Jones said Wednesday that UnitedHealth couldn't justify the average annual increase of nearly 8 percent, which reflects both higher premiums and a reduction in benefits (Terhune, 5/1).

3 May 2013

UAB study evaluates crash risk for elderly drivers who always drive with pets

Senior drivers who always take a pet in the car are at increased risk for being involved in a motor vehicle collision, said University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.

3 May 2013

New study shows that exercise does not worsen pain associated with fibromyalgia

For many people who have fibromyalgia, even the thought of exercising is painful. Yet a new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that exercise does not worsen the pain associated with the disorder and may even lessen it over time.

3 May 2013

Playing video games slows mental decay in older people, study finds

There may be a way for older people to prevent natural aging of their minds, and it could be as simple as playing a video game.

2 May 2013

Receiving general anesthesia not associated with dementia in elderly patients, research finds

Elderly patients who receive anesthesia are no more likely to develop long-term dementia or Alzheimer's disease than other seniors, according to new Mayo Clinic research.

2 May 2013

Viewpoints: Bowles, Simpson renew push for 'grand bargain;' The debate on FDA oversight of pharmacies; Kasich and feds work to find formula for Medicaid expansion

To be sure, some progress has been made the past two years. Policymakers have enacted about $2.7 trillion in deficit reduction, primarily through cuts in discretionary spending and higher taxes on wealthy individuals. Yet what we have achieved so far is insufficient.

30 Apr 2013

UCSF study focuses on vexing problems of handling skin cancers among elderly patients

Surgery is often recommended for skin cancers, but older, sicker patients can endure complications as a result and may not live long enough to benefit from the treatment.

30 Apr 2013

Raising eligibility age and reforming some Medicare practices can increase sustainability, say experts

Raising the age of eligibility and reforming some Medicare practices can go a long way to making it sustainable, according to three Arizona State University healthcare policy experts.

26 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: GOP rebranding effort spurs revolt; will health law help or hurt Democrats in next campaign?

When even a key architect of Obamacare says the law's implementation will resemble a "train wreck," it is clear that its biggest remaining supporters need to finally level with the American people about what's in store - starting with President Barack Obama.

26 Apr 2013

Molina Healthcare reports strong quarterly results for 2013

Molina Healthcare, Inc. today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

26 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: Time to confirm Tavenner; 'Self-defeating' GOP plan for prevention fund; Parents need insurance too

The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a long-overdue vote on Tuesday on President Obama's nominee to lead the embattled agency responsible for overseeing Medicare, Medicaid and the implementation of health care reforms.

24 Apr 2013

Seniors News and Research

Antidepressants can increase risk of C. difficile infection in depressed patients

First Edition: May 8, 2013

UCLA research: Subway not much healthier alternative than McDonald's for adolescents

Medicare studies: Payment cuts don't mean insurers pay more

Despite outreach efforts, many eligible seniors are turning down health subsidy program

Hospital leaders urge support for protecting health care providers from Medi-Cal cuts

Experts gather to lay out agenda to end childhood poverty

First Edition: May 3, 2013

MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program to continue for fourth year

Roundup: Calif. regulator says insurer's proposed rate hikes are 'unreasonable'; Iowa lawmakers push to deny abortion funding in Medicaid

UAB study evaluates crash risk for elderly drivers who always drive with pets

New study shows that exercise does not worsen pain associated with fibromyalgia

Playing video games slows mental decay in older people, study finds

Receiving general anesthesia not associated with dementia in elderly patients, research finds

Viewpoints: Bowles, Simpson renew push for 'grand bargain;' The debate on FDA oversight of pharmacies; Kasich and feds work to find formula for Medicaid expansion

UCSF study focuses on vexing problems of handling skin cancers among elderly patients

Raising eligibility age and reforming some Medicare practices can increase sustainability, say experts

Viewpoints: GOP rebranding effort spurs revolt; will health law help or hurt Democrats in next campaign?

Molina Healthcare reports strong quarterly results for 2013

Viewpoints: Time to confirm Tavenner; 'Self-defeating' GOP plan for prevention fund; Parents need insurance too

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