Health and Human Services News and Research

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Few CE studies compare medications with nonpharmacologic interventions, and examine safety or cost-effectiveness

An analysis of comparative effectiveness studies finds that few compare medications with nonpharmacologic interventions, and few examine safety or cost-effectiveness, according to a study in the March 10 issue of JAMA.

10 Mar 2010

Strong, local leadership is the key for success of health departments and activities

The surge of funds for bioterrorism preparedness over the past decade does not appear to be improving local public health resources in general, according to research from Purdue University.

10 Mar 2010

Medicare False Claims Act allegations: Rush University Medical Center to pay over $1.5M

Rush University Medical Center has agreed to pay $1,547,200 plus interest to resolve allegations that the facility violated the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today. Rush is alleged to have submitted false claims to Medicare during the period 2000 through 2007 by entering into certain leasing arrangements for office space with two individual physicians and three physician practice groups that violated the Stark Law.

10 Mar 2010

States struggle with strapped budgets, cuts to health programs

The Dallas Morning News: "Lawmakers have been thinking ahead to a massive shortfall, topping $10 billion, that's probably coming when they write the next budget in 2011. But state officials told them Monday that they'll have to fix a hole in the current budget, too.

10 Mar 2010

March of Dimes to receive 2010 Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award

March of Dimes will receive Research!America's 2010 Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award. The award recognizes March of Dimes' decades of successful advocacy for maternal and child health research and services.

10 Mar 2010

Senate test vote today on bill to extend COBRA subsidy, doc fix and state Medicaid funding

The Senate is poised to consider a measure today that would include extending subsidies for COBRA benefits and unemployment insurance, prevent the Medicare payment cut for doctors and provide additional funding to state Medicaid programs.

9 Mar 2010

Gaps in lupus research and understanding have profound effect on people living with disease

On March 16, 2010, an anticipated 1,000 advocates will band together for lupus in person and virtually by phone, email, and through social media networks, to share their personal stories with Members of Congress during the Lupus Foundation of America’s Twelfth Annual Advocacy Day.

9 Mar 2010

AMGA applauds Representative Pomeroy for assuring fairness in EMR incentive payment under ARRA

The American Medical Group Association applauds Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND, At-Large) for his efforts to assure fairness in payment of electronic medical record (EMR) incentive payments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

9 Mar 2010

HHS Secretary calls for health insurance companies to publicly justify proposed premium increases

In a letter to the CEOs of UnitedHealth Group Inc., WellPoint Inc., Aetna Inc., Health Care Service Corporation and CIGNA HealthCare Inc., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called on the executives to publicly justify proposed health insurance premium increases. Sebelius’ letter comes after a meeting last week with these executives at the White House.

9 Mar 2010

Consumer Watchdog calls for national freeze on health insurance rates and rate regulation

Consumer Watchdog called on President Obama to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates before health reform takes effect to protect consumers from premium hikes like the 39% increase recently announced by Anthem Blue Cross in California. The rate freeze is one of five tools Consumer Watchdog urged the president to include as part of his proposed fixes to the Senate health care bill.

9 Mar 2010

IEEE, AMA to host conference: Overcoming challenges in individualized healthcare, technological innovations

IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, and the American Medical Association, are joining together to host the First Conference on Medical Technology and Individualized Healthcare.

9 Mar 2010

States trying to keep health care systems afloat

States are having to make budgetary decisions about their health care systems as federal legislation and funding continue to be tied up in Congress.

9 Mar 2010

Sebelius reiterates call for insurer transparency

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Monday "called on managed-care companies to publicly justify rate increases." Meanwhile, President Obama "cited a recent Wall Street conference call as evidence that the industry is willing and able to price out some customers." Sebelius' action came on the heels of last week's White House meeting with the executives of a number of major health insurance companies.

9 Mar 2010

Fact check: Do 15,000 people lose insurance every day?

CNN's Political Ticker blog fact checks a statement made by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday. Sebelius said that "15,000 people a day lose their insurance."

8 Mar 2010

Democrats pressure Stupak on abortion; Split threatening health bill

A split among Democrats on abortion is threatening to derail efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system.

8 Mar 2010

Medicare payment issues raise questions, concerns

Medicare payment issues including rising costs, caps on physical therapy and other outpatient services for some patients are in the news.

8 Mar 2010

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder.

8 Mar 2010

Community prevention and wellness initiatives: HHS announces availability of $10M ARRA funds

National organizations will have a key role in building a healthier nation as part of the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

6 Mar 2010

Legislation requires hospitals to disclose prices in Wisconsin

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The frustration of finding out what hospitals and doctors charge for common services -- from routine office visits to diagnostic tests and surgical procedures -- could soon get a lot easier in Wisconsin. The state Senate and Assembly have passed legislation that will require hospitals to disclose average prices for the 75 most common inpatient services and 75 most common outpatient services based on their contracts with commercial health plans.

6 Mar 2010

In White House meeting, Sebelius urges insurers to release all details on rate hikes

Insurance companies should disclose more information about how they spend money to justify their rate hikes, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a group of insurance executives during a White House meeting Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

6 Mar 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

Few CE studies compare medications with nonpharmacologic interventions, and examine safety or cost-effectiveness

Strong, local leadership is the key for success of health departments and activities

Medicare False Claims Act allegations: Rush University Medical Center to pay over $1.5M

States struggle with strapped budgets, cuts to health programs

March of Dimes to receive 2010 Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award

Senate test vote today on bill to extend COBRA subsidy, doc fix and state Medicaid funding

Gaps in lupus research and understanding have profound effect on people living with disease

AMGA applauds Representative Pomeroy for assuring fairness in EMR incentive payment under ARRA

HHS Secretary calls for health insurance companies to publicly justify proposed premium increases

Consumer Watchdog calls for national freeze on health insurance rates and rate regulation

IEEE, AMA to host conference: Overcoming challenges in individualized healthcare, technological innovations

States trying to keep health care systems afloat

Sebelius reiterates call for insurer transparency

Fact check: Do 15,000 people lose insurance every day?

Democrats pressure Stupak on abortion; Split threatening health bill

Medicare payment issues raise questions, concerns

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Community prevention and wellness initiatives: HHS announces availability of $10M ARRA funds

Legislation requires hospitals to disclose prices in Wisconsin

In White House meeting, Sebelius urges insurers to release all details on rate hikes

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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