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Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

In hearings Friday, some of my former congressional colleagues are due to explore the operations of the AARP, the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Americans age 50 and older. Specifically, the hearing is to examine the group's tax status, evaluating it in view of its management structure and funding.

1 Apr 2011

Roundup: States 'scrambling' on Medicaid budget; health costs for inmates, Ex-Cons; kids' insurance

Strapped states are scrambling to address Medicaid's ballooning costs before the federal government cuts back a critical source of funding this week. Medicaid is one of state's costliest burdens. And the weak economy swelled the rolls to record numbers. Nearly 49 million people -- or almost one in six Americans -- were covered by the safety net at the end of 2009, the latest figures available.

29 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius, Vilsack, Weiner defend reform law; pro/con on seniors' access to health care

As former governors from states with large rural populations, we cheered this new health-care law. We knew that it would give Americans more freedom in their health-care choices, lower costs and improve the quality of care, especially for those in rural communities.

25 Mar 2011

California insurers reduce, delay planned rate increases

For the second time this year, Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to cut its average increases for individual policy holders. WellPoint also has reduced its proposed increased and will delay co-pay and deductible increases until January 1, 2012.

23 Mar 2011

Illinois professor to receive 2011 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

University of Illinois entomology professor and department head May Berenbaum will receive the 2011 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, an international award that recognizes "those individuals who have contributed in an outstanding manner to scientific knowledge and public leadership to preserve and enhance the environment of the world."

22 Mar 2011

Researcher reverses ageing process in bee's brain

Norwegian researcher Gro Amdam has succeeded in reversing the ageing process in the bee brain - findings which she believes may bring hope to people with dementia.

21 Mar 2011

Roundup: Kan., Calif. budget cuts; Texas NICU costs; Katrina trial; Medco CalPERS contract 'dumped'

This list of programs cut in the California state budget includes a 10 percent reduction in what the state pays for Medi-Cal patients at all long-term care facilities $172.3 million and a 10 percent reduction in what the state pays to physicians who see people on Medi-Cal.

21 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Celebrating health law anniversary (or not); Tricare's 'modest' fee increase; Funding Planned Parenthood

Since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law a year ago this month, we've heard endless partisan bickering about repeal efforts, legal challenges and fairness. But we've heard little about how the law is already helping secure the future of all Americans (Donna E. Shalala, 3/19).

21 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Too many CT scans; single payer is 'best solution'; WSJ on Wash. state 'overregulation'

Studies indicate patients are receiving more CT scans than ever before in emergency rooms, hospitals and outpatient settings. This burgeoning application of CT scanning has important implications for patients, diagnostically and in terms of radiation exposure, as well as consequences for the country's overall medical budget.

19 Mar 2011

Blue Shield of California withdraws planned rate hike

Part of the reason for the decision may have been the result of political and public pressure, but an unexpected development may have made the retreat easier for the company to accept — it's paying out less than expected for claims.

18 Mar 2011

Roundup: Cuts in Calif. programs; Ga. seeks federal MLR waiver; N.J. lawmakers try to restore some health funding

State lawmakers Wednesday approved billions of dollars in cuts to welfare, medical programs for the poor and in-home care for the elderly and frail, among other services, moving forward key pieces of Gov. Jerry Brown's budget reduction package.

18 Mar 2011

RNs step up to meet need for geriatric care

The Sacramento Bee: Gerontology A New Focus For Registered Nurses.

16 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

Study finds passive smoking increases risk of still birth by 23%

Pregnant non-smokers who breathe in the second-hand smoke of other people are at an increased risk of delivering stillborn babies or babies with defects, a study led by researchers at The University of Nottingham has found.

9 Mar 2011

State roundup: Mass. effort to manage care for chronically ill; promoting organ donations

For a glimpse of the future of Massachusetts health care as Gov. Deval Patrick envisions it, consider Phyllis Minsky. At 82, Phyllis is complex. Medically, that is. ... Older patients with multiple chronic diseases are the biggest consumers of health care; some 15 percent of Medicare patients make up over 75 percent of health care spending.

8 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Medicaid costs making Ohio 'ill'?; Penn. adultbasic cuts 'bad'; Calif.'s prisoner dilemma

The president's health care overhaul has made Ohio's budget situation worse. The law prohibits states from changing eligibility requirements, cutting reimbursements or reducing benefits, which would allow our state to live within its means.

4 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Obama's 'flexibility' offer; Virginia's abortion law 'mischief'; primary care cuts

President Obama had a splendid idea this week. He challenged governors who oppose his health care reforms, most of whom are Republicans, to come up with a better alternative.

3 Mar 2011

State News: N.Y. Medicaid's compromise; Va. ups health spending; Medi-Cal ruling

One of the most familiar criticisms of the new national health care law is that it doesn't do much to contain costs. ... Cost controls are supposed to come later. "Later" has arrived now for Massachusetts' statewide plan, enacted in 2006 and similar in many ways to the federal one. Some 98 percent of all adults and nearly 100 percent of all children are covered, but costs have spiraled out of control.

28 Feb 2011

State roundup: Budget cuts to affect health care for state workers, disabled, elderly

A year after making a name for himself by slashing spending, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie presented a $29.4 billion budget on Tuesday that makes nips and tucks to programs—notably Medicaid—but puts much of the state in a holding pattern.

24 Feb 2011

Roundup: Calif. hospital's unusual Medicare billing; Tenn. gastric bypass; Mass. Acos

Redding, where the Valley meets Cascade foothills, and Victorville, in the Mojave Desert, have little in common but an unusual statistic: In each city, a hospital has reported alarming rates of a Third World nutritional disorder among its Medicare patients. Kwashiorkor - a Ghanaian word for "weaning sickness" - is a severe protein deficiency that almost exclusively afflicts impoverished children in developing countries, especially during famines, experts say.

23 Feb 2011

Bee News and Research

Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

Roundup: States 'scrambling' on Medicaid budget; health costs for inmates, Ex-Cons; kids' insurance

Viewpoints: Sebelius, Vilsack, Weiner defend reform law; pro/con on seniors' access to health care

California insurers reduce, delay planned rate increases

Illinois professor to receive 2011 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

Researcher reverses ageing process in bee's brain

Roundup: Kan., Calif. budget cuts; Texas NICU costs; Katrina trial; Medco CalPERS contract 'dumped'

Viewpoints: Celebrating health law anniversary (or not); Tricare's 'modest' fee increase; Funding Planned Parenthood

Viewpoints: Too many CT scans; single payer is 'best solution'; WSJ on Wash. state 'overregulation'

Blue Shield of California withdraws planned rate hike

Roundup: Cuts in Calif. programs; Ga. seeks federal MLR waiver; N.J. lawmakers try to restore some health funding

RNs step up to meet need for geriatric care

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

Study finds passive smoking increases risk of still birth by 23%

State roundup: Mass. effort to manage care for chronically ill; promoting organ donations

Viewpoints: Medicaid costs making Ohio 'ill'?; Penn. adultbasic cuts 'bad'; Calif.'s prisoner dilemma

Viewpoints: Obama's 'flexibility' offer; Virginia's abortion law 'mischief'; primary care cuts

State News: N.Y. Medicaid's compromise; Va. ups health spending; Medi-Cal ruling

State roundup: Budget cuts to affect health care for state workers, disabled, elderly

Roundup: Calif. hospital's unusual Medicare billing; Tenn. gastric bypass; Mass. Acos

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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