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CBO says Senate reform bill to cost $849 billion and cut the deficit by $127 billion

Roll Call : "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) health care reform proposal will cost $849 billion over 10 years but cut the deficit by about $127 billion, leadership aides announced Wednesday afternoon.

18 Nov 2009

Also in Global Health news: Sleeping sickness; aid for Philippines; U.S., China in Africa; polio eradication in Afghanistan; Ethiopia famine

Lancet Infectious Diseases Newsdesk examines how despite evidence that a new therapy to treat sleeping sickness, called nifurtimox—eflornithine (NECT) is a step forward in treating the disease, it has yet to be implemented by countries "13 months after data from a successful trial was presented." The main issue at hand - "nifurtimox is not registered for use in sleeping sickness," the journal writes. The article also examines other factors complicating the implementation of the therapy (Morris, 12/09).

18 Nov 2009

Some small businesses are scaling back or ending health coverage

"Across the country, businesses already strapped by the economy to turn a profit are sacrificing or scaling back employee health insurance plans because of their escalating costs," The Associated Press reports. "The crunch has particularly socked smaller employers, who have become a centerpiece in the debate over how to overhaul the nation's health care system."

18 Nov 2009

$Poll shows fractured public opinion; Dems claim 'widespread' support for health bills$

Poll shows fractured public opinion; Dems claim 'widespread' support for health bills

Public opinion remains divided on one of health reform's most controversial issues, the proposal to create a new government health insurance plan, according to poll this week by The Associated Press.

18 Nov 2009

House vote on abortion amendment causes division among Democrats

The inclusion in the House health reform bill of an anti-abortion amendment sponsored by Michigan Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak is causing division and debate among Democrats. Politico reports: "House passage of a sweeping anti-abortion amendment has set off a wave of soul-searching and finger-pointing among abortion rights activists — many of whom thought they'd found a safe harbor when Democrats won the White House and big majorities in Congress last year."

18 Nov 2009

Senate approves budget for veterans programs

"The Senate on Tuesday adopted the latest in a continuing series of major budget increases to provide medical care for veterans. The move came as the Senate passed, by a rare 100-0 vote, a $134 billion spending bill for veterans programs and military construction projects" the Associated Press reports.

18 Nov 2009

Generic and brand-name drug makers face off

"Teva Pharmaceuticals, a leading manufacturer of generic drugs, has been aggressively lobbying Congress to scrap provisions in the health care bills it claims would shut it out of the biologic drug market for too long," Roll Call reports. Lobbyists for the biologics makers have charged, however, that Teva is hypocritical because it is fighting to restrict generic production of its own brand-name product.

18 Nov 2009

Study says 43 percent of Americans could be obese by 2018 — costing $344 billion annually

A study has found that, if left unchecked, 43 percent of Americans will be obese by 2018, costing the health care system $344 billion annually.

18 Nov 2009

CLASS Act, individual mandate draw new attention to health bills

Some provisions in the health bills are attracting a new wave of analyses and some criticism of the health reform bills.

18 Nov 2009

A selection of today's opinions and editorials

Rather than work with us to find a true compromise, members who support abortion rights ignored our concerns (Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., 11/18).

18 Nov 2009

Seniors struggle with drug costs while Congress debates Medicare 'doughnut hole'

Minnesota Public Radio reports: "Since 2006, senior citizens have been able to choose plans for Medicare prescription drug coverage, but that coverage contains a gap known as the 'doughnut hole,' a gap that health care reform plans being debated in Congress would address."

18 Nov 2009

White House reports billions lost in improper payments for Medicare, other government programs

The White House announced Tuesday that billions of federal dollars were spent in improper payments in 2009 and that spending in the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for more than half of that total. President Barack Obama will issue an executive order to crack down on the problem, officials said.

18 Nov 2009

States mull how Medicaid expansion might affect budgets

States consider how health legislation on Capitol Hill might affect their Medicaid programs and budgets.

18 Nov 2009

House Medicare 'doc fix' vote likely Thursday amidst disputes about cost, role in health reform

"On Thursday, the House is expected to pass a $210 billion measure — known as the 'doc fix' — that will adjust Medicare payment rates to avoid a 21 percent cut in January and continuing cuts in the years ahead," The New York Times reports, adding: "The House originally included the provision in its big health care bill. But it was dropped because its steep cost would have meant the bill would add to future federal deficits, violating one of President Obama's central requirements for the health legislation."

18 Nov 2009

Medworxx Policy & Procedure Management System implemented at Premier Health Partners

Medworxx Inc., provider of healthcare solutions for patient flow, compliance and education, is pleased to announce that Premier Health Partners has implemented the Medworxx Policy & Procedure Management System.

18 Nov 2009

Enzo Biochem to market GeneNews’ ColonSentry in New York and New Jersey

Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with GeneNews (TSX: GEN), of Toronto, Canada, for exclusive rights to market GeneNews’ ColonSentry™, a proprietary blood test for colorectal cancer, in the states of New York and New Jersey.

18 Nov 2009

New study explores consumers' choice in health remedies

Alternative health remedies are increasingly important in the health care marketplace. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research explores how consumers choose among the many available remedies.

18 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 18, 2009

Mary Agnes Carey writes about what might become of the Children's Health Insurance Program. One of it's staunchest backers, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D- W.Va., isn't ready to see it swallowed up by a new health insurance marketplace designed by Congress (Kaiser Health News).

18 Nov 2009

Homecare, an important part of the solution to nation's healthcare crisis

During November -- National Homecare Month -- the American Association for Homecare celebrates the thousands of dedicated professionals who provide cost-effective and consumer-preferred homecare.

18 Nov 2009

NBCC: Revised USPSTF guidelines will put screening and its limitations into proper perspective

For over a decade, National Breast Cancer Coalition has held the position that over-emphasis on the importance of breast cancer screening, despite a lack of strong evidence, has been elevated to such a degree that some even equate screening with prevention.

18 Nov 2009

Health Care News and Research

CBO says Senate reform bill to cost $849 billion and cut the deficit by $127 billion

Also in Global Health news: Sleeping sickness; aid for Philippines; U.S., China in Africa; polio eradication in Afghanistan; Ethiopia famine

Some small businesses are scaling back or ending health coverage

Poll shows fractured public opinion; Dems claim 'widespread' support for health bills

House vote on abortion amendment causes division among Democrats

Senate approves budget for veterans programs

Generic and brand-name drug makers face off

Study says 43 percent of Americans could be obese by 2018 — costing $344 billion annually

CLASS Act, individual mandate draw new attention to health bills

A selection of today's opinions and editorials

Seniors struggle with drug costs while Congress debates Medicare 'doughnut hole'

White House reports billions lost in improper payments for Medicare, other government programs

States mull how Medicaid expansion might affect budgets

House Medicare 'doc fix' vote likely Thursday amidst disputes about cost, role in health reform

Medworxx Policy & Procedure Management System implemented at Premier Health Partners

Enzo Biochem to market GeneNews’ ColonSentry in New York and New Jersey

New study explores consumers' choice in health remedies

First Edition: November 18, 2009

Homecare, an important part of the solution to nation's healthcare crisis

NBCC: Revised USPSTF guidelines will put screening and its limitations into proper perspective

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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