OCT News and Research

RSS

5.2M won't get coverage in states rejecting Medicaid expansion; Wis. governor race heats up over expansion plans

A new report projects that 5.2 million adults will not get health coverage next year because their states aren't expanding Medicaid under the health law. In Wisconsin, expanding the program becomes an issue in the gubernatorial race, while in North Carolina, county commissioners ask state officials to reconsider their decision not to expand and in Virginia, supporters of expansion outnumber opponents in a hearing.

17 Oct 2013

State highlights: Calif. Gov. Vetoes 'biosimilars' bill; health data gateway opens in Calif.; L.A. health workers required to get flu shots

A selection of health policy stories from California. A bill that would have allowed "biosimilar" drugs to be substituted for biologic drugs was vetoed over the weekend by Gov. Jerry Brown (D), who said it was premature to pass the law until the Federal Drug Administration has worked out standards for the new drugs.

17 Oct 2013

Where seniors live affects their health care and the medications they get

The Associated Press examines how geography can make a key difference in the treatments that Medicare beneficiaries receive. Other outlets look at the annual open enrollment period for Medicare prescription drug plans. USA Today reports that thousands who rely on nursing home trust funds have had their savings mismanaged or stolen.

17 Oct 2013

Federal exchange: Initial expectations were rosy, but consumer frustration now taking root

The Washington Post reports that visits to healthcare.gov dropped 88 percent between Oct. 1 and Oct. 13. In an interview, President Barack Obama said the glitches consumers have experienced must be addressed.

17 Oct 2013

Scientists uncover faulty brain mechanism that may underlie schizophrenia in humans

Working with mice genetically engineered to display symptoms of schizophrenia, neuroscientists at the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT have uncovered a faulty brain mechanism that may underlie schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders in humans.

17 Oct 2013

Scientists identify 127 mutated genes that appear to drive development of tumors in the body

Examining 12 major types of cancer, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified 127 repeatedly mutated genes that appear to drive the development and progression of a range of tumors in the body. The discovery sets the stage for devising new diagnostic tools and more personalized cancer treatments.

17 Oct 2013

Discovery of neural firing-rate set point opens door to possible treatment for devastating disorders

As we learn and develop, our neurons change. They make new pathways and connections as our brain processes new information. In order to do this, individual neurons use an internal gauge to maintain a delicate balance that keeps our brains from becoming too excitable.

17 Oct 2013

Biotech CEO Faces Felony Charge Of Computer Trespass

...

16 Oct 2013

CEO Faces Felony Charge Of Computer Trespass

...

16 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 16, 2013

Today's headlines including stories detailing how certain health law provisions are factoring in to the continuing congressional budget stalemate.

16 Oct 2013

Proper sleep helps maintain a healthy lifestyle

Three new studies show just how critical it is for adults to seek treatment for a sleep illness and aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

16 Oct 2013

Detroit Lions, Josephine Ford Cancer Institute to raise $15M for cancer research in metro Detroit

The Detroit Lions and Josephine Ford Cancer Institute, Michigan's largest provider of adult cancer care, have created a unique partnership with the goal to raise $15 million during the next three years for cancer research in metro Detroit.

16 Oct 2013

Data suggest state-run online insurance marketplaces making progress -- 38,000 people have signed up; 100,000 have completed applications

Meanwhile, headlines across the country offer updates on specific state exchanges in California, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and Colorado.

16 Oct 2013

Genetics professor turns accidental discovery into a way to study TBI

Faced with news of suicides and brain damage in former professional football players, geneticist Barry Ganetzky bemoaned the lack of model systems for studying the insidious and often delayed consequences linked to head injuries.

16 Oct 2013

Ohio board readies decision on state's Medicaid expansion

A seven-member state committee holds the fate of Ohio's Medicaid expansion in its hands as it prepares to vote on the proposal, and no one is talking about how they plan to vote.

16 Oct 2013

Ghrelin hormone released during chronic stress may predispose people to PTSD

About a dozen years ago, scientists discovered that a hormone called ghrelin enhances appetite. Dubbed the "hunger hormone," ghrelin was quickly targeted by drug companies seeking treatments for obesity - none of which have yet panned out.

16 Oct 2013

Forms not ready for those seeking exemption from health law mandate

News outlets also report that e-brokers cannot offer exchange plans right away, and that some people may try to use the online marketplaces to mislead consumers.

16 Oct 2013

New method may pave way to effective, targeted cancer treatments

Researchers from the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and University of Toronto have successfully shown that a new method for targeting mutated cells could create a major breakthrough in a personalized medicine approach to treat cancer.

16 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 15, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how the budget deal taking shape in the Senate would not derail the health law, but would include some tweaks.

15 Oct 2013

Viewpoints: Marketplaces' 'technical foibles' may keep young people from coming back; health law may be ushering in era of narrow networks

The encouraging view is that the overwhelming number of visitors to the site indicates high demand for insurance in the new system. That's critical, because the more people who participate, the better the system works. The danger is that the technical foibles since Oct. 1 will discourage people from coming back, particularly the young and healthy customers the system needs to keep rates reasonable. With some big deadlines approaching, the Obama administration needs to fix the bugs, and fast. People who need insurance from the federal marketplace have until mid-December to buy coverage that begins Jan. 1. If enrollment figures aren't robust by then, the new health-care system will have a problem even bigger than a frustrating Web (10/11).

15 Oct 2013

OCT News and Research

5.2M won't get coverage in states rejecting Medicaid expansion; Wis. governor race heats up over expansion plans

State highlights: Calif. Gov. Vetoes 'biosimilars' bill; health data gateway opens in Calif.; L.A. health workers required to get flu shots

Where seniors live affects their health care and the medications they get

Federal exchange: Initial expectations were rosy, but consumer frustration now taking root

Scientists uncover faulty brain mechanism that may underlie schizophrenia in humans

Scientists identify 127 mutated genes that appear to drive development of tumors in the body

Discovery of neural firing-rate set point opens door to possible treatment for devastating disorders

Biotech CEO Faces Felony Charge Of Computer Trespass

CEO Faces Felony Charge Of Computer Trespass

First Edition: October 16, 2013

Proper sleep helps maintain a healthy lifestyle

Detroit Lions, Josephine Ford Cancer Institute to raise $15M for cancer research in metro Detroit

Data suggest state-run online insurance marketplaces making progress -- 38,000 people have signed up; 100,000 have completed applications

Genetics professor turns accidental discovery into a way to study TBI

Ohio board readies decision on state's Medicaid expansion

Ghrelin hormone released during chronic stress may predispose people to PTSD

Forms not ready for those seeking exemption from health law mandate

New method may pave way to effective, targeted cancer treatments

First Edition: October 15, 2013

Viewpoints: Marketplaces' 'technical foibles' may keep young people from coming back; health law may be ushering in era of narrow networks

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

Latest News