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First Edition: March 25, 2010

Today's early morning highlights stories from major news organizations, including reports on the progress of the health reconciliation bill, threats against Democrats because of their votes on the new health overhaul law and questions about a highly touted reform.

25 Mar 2010

Texas and Arizona prepare for reform's effects on illegal immigrants and patients at community health centers

The Houston Chronicle: "Illegal immigrants likely would become the largest patient pool of the Harris County Hospital District as a result of health care reform unless the taxpayer-funded institution can attract more insured patients than it currently serves, according to public health experts.

25 Mar 2010

Last minute deal on Medicare highlights dilemma on curbing costs

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey reports on an example that illustrates the challenges of curbing health care costs: "A last-minute deal to win votes for the health care overhaul underscores the political dilemma for Congress as it tries to reduce health care costs" (Carey, 3/23).

25 Mar 2010

Innovation holds the key for solving healthcare's dilemmas, says Eli Lilly

In an address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany today, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company, said that innovation holds the key to solving one of healthcare's thorniest dilemmas: how to improve quality and access while controlling costs.

25 Mar 2010

New legislation mirrors 2006 Massachusetts health care reform

On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law U.S. health care reform legislation, leaving many Americans wondering how it will affect them, their families, and businesses.

25 Mar 2010

Health care reform bill includes provisions for MTM programs, says Arcadia Resources

Arcadia Resources, Inc., a leading provider of innovative consumer health care services under the Arcadia HealthCare(SM) and DailyMed Pharmacy program, today announced the healthcare reform bill advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 21st contains important provisions related to medication therapy management (MTM) including a series of grant and pilot programs.

25 Mar 2010

American CareSource Holdings reports decreased net income for fourth quarter 2009

American CareSource Holdings Inc. today reported fourth quarter 2009 net income of $1.4 million or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $.08 per diluted share reported 2008.

25 Mar 2010

Obama signs executive order affirming ban on federal funding for abortion

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25 Mar 2010

MIMA pays $12M to resolve Medicare fraud case

In a settlement concluded late yesterday, Melbourne International Medicine Associates (MIMA) of Brevard County, Florida, will pay $12 million to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit alleging hidden schemes to defraud Medicare and other federal programs in connection with radiation cancer treatment.

25 Mar 2010

Majority of Americans blame insurers and drug makers for rising health-care costs

Forty-four percent of U.S. adults are "extremely worried" or "very worried" about paying for rising health-care costs. And the top reasons cited for those rising costs are profits generated by drug companies and health insurance companies.

25 Mar 2010

Health overhaul will boost coverage for millions, but leaves gaps, too

The health legislation President Barack Obama signed into law would extend insurance to 32 million Americans by 2019, but that still leaves out 23 million, The Christian Science Monitor reports.

25 Mar 2010

Final health care package shaped by changing political landscape

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jordan Rau writes: "In the year it took Congress to write and pass a health care overhaul, turbulent political shifts — including the Democrats' loss of Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat and the rise of the Tea Party movement — forced critical compromises on the scope of legislation"

25 Mar 2010

Controversy brews on new law's provisions on health coverage for Congress members, staff

The health care reform bill signed into law by President Barack Obama Tuesday requires members of Congress and their office staffs to buy insurance through the state-run exchanges it creates - but it may exempt staffers who work for congressional committees or for party leaders in the House and Senate.

25 Mar 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. HE is a serious disorder caused by chronic liver failure, resulting in cognitive, psychiatric and motor impairments. This approval was supported by findings from the largest randomized trial of maintenance therapy in HE conducted to date, which assessed the efficacy and safety of XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of overt HE recurrence.

25 Mar 2010

Cardiologist receives grant to study impact of erectile dysfunction drugs on muscular dystrophy patients

A Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute cardiologist has been awarded a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to study whether drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction could also be used to improve muscle blood flow and reduce fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients.

25 Mar 2010

Looking back: Moments that shifted health reform conversation

Kaiser Health News reports on the "critical compromises" and events that shaped the final version of the health care reform bill, including the Democratic loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat and the rise of the Tea Party movement.

25 Mar 2010

Changing drug therapy can help breast cancer patients get full benefit of Tamoxifen

Recently published research has shown that some breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen may not be getting the full benefit of their treatment because they have also been taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), prescribed drugs that inhibit the effect of an important enzyme. Now researchers have developed a strategy for overcoming this problem, the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) in Barcelona will hear today (Wednesday).

25 Mar 2010

Health Care News and Research

First Edition: March 25, 2010

Texas and Arizona prepare for reform's effects on illegal immigrants and patients at community health centers

Last minute deal on Medicare highlights dilemma on curbing costs

Innovation holds the key for solving healthcare's dilemmas, says Eli Lilly

New legislation mirrors 2006 Massachusetts health care reform

Health care reform bill includes provisions for MTM programs, says Arcadia Resources

American CareSource Holdings reports decreased net income for fourth quarter 2009

Obama signs executive order affirming ban on federal funding for abortion

MIMA pays $12M to resolve Medicare fraud case

Majority of Americans blame insurers and drug makers for rising health-care costs

Health overhaul will boost coverage for millions, but leaves gaps, too

Final health care package shaped by changing political landscape

Controversy brews on new law's provisions on health coverage for Congress members, staff

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Cardiologist receives grant to study impact of erectile dysfunction drugs on muscular dystrophy patients

Looking back: Moments that shifted health reform conversation

Changing drug therapy can help breast cancer patients get full benefit of Tamoxifen

American Lung Association in California supports efforts for quality TB care

Obama to sign executive order on abortion funding in private ceremony

Health reform debate often misrepresents changes to Medicare

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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