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Va. governor examining ways to expand Medicaid by executive action

In related news, The Oklahoman reports that Mercy health system is blaming states' decisions to not expand the low-income health care program as the reason it is planning layoffs, and KHN details Michigan's expansion efforts.

12 Jun 2014

Cantor's primary loss creates uncertainty within House GOP leadership

It's also unclear how the primary defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., could impact efforts by some Republican lawmakers to advance an alternative to Obamacare.

12 Jun 2014

8.5 million on Medicare get opioids

The number of senior citizens getting narcotic painkillers and anti-anxiety medications under Medicare's prescription drug program is climbing sharply, and those older patients are being put on the drugs for longer periods of time, a USA TODAY examination of federal data shows.

12 Jun 2014

Leading experts from key sectors discuss challenges in 340B Drug Discount Program

Leading health care policy experts from community health centers, patient and clinician specialty groups, industry organizations and academic institutions convened yesterday to discuss challenges in the federal 340B Drug Discount Program, and the importance of preserving aspects that truly serve vulnerable, uninsured and underinsured patients.

12 Jun 2014

Coordinated intervention focused on long-term care facilities reduces CRE cases

A new study found a nationwide effort to control carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in Israel reduced CRE cases by improving compliance of infection control standards and using a coordinated intervention focused on long-term care facilities.

12 Jun 2014

Risk factors for hospital readmissions identified in stroke patients

Hospital readmission, an important measure of quality care, costs the United States an estimated $17 billion each year. And according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about half of those readmissions could be avoided.

11 Jun 2014

GOP warns health law change could use taxpayer money to 'bail out' insurers

In the meantime, insurers say they want government money to help people that buy catastrophic plans to keep premiums for them low. Also, the employer mandate comes under further attack and one insurer calls members to manage their health.

11 Jun 2014

UTMB surgeon awarded prestigious Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick Burn Prize

Dr. David Herndon of the University of Texas Medical Branch will receive an international award for his contributions to the field of burn care research and innovations in improving the care of burn survivors.

11 Jun 2014

Infection prevention and control guidance prioritizes strategies to combat MRSA

New guidelines aim to reduce the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), improve patient safety and prioritize current prevention efforts underway in hospitals. This drug resistant bacterium is a common source of patient morbidity and mortality in U.S. hospitals, causing nearly twice the number of deaths, significantly longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs than other forms of the bacteria.

11 Jun 2014

New educational programs aim to integrate genetics and genomics into medicine

The American Society of Human Genetics and The Jackson Laboratory announced today a formal collaboration under which the two organizations will produce and deliver high-quality educational programs to integrate genetic and genomic advances into healthcare.

11 Jun 2014

Taking a closer look at Medicare Advantage money, lobbying

The Center for Public Integrity looks at Medicare Advantage plans -- the money surrounding them including for reimbursement and what they spend on lobbying Congress.

11 Jun 2014

House unanimously passes bill to revamp VA care

The measure would allow vets to seek private care if they couldn't be seen quickly by the VA and requires an evaluation of the VA health system.

11 Jun 2014

Health tips for global travellers

Nothing ruins a summer vacation faster than getting sick. "Remember that most diseases are transmitted by food, water and insects," says John A. Sellick, Jr., DO, University at Buffalo associate professor of medicine and hospital epidemiologist at Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. "So get vaccinated, keep insects off you as much as possible and be careful with what you put in your mouth."

11 Jun 2014

AHF welcomes passage of new HIV transmission bill

Marking the first change in state health code regarding HIV transmission in nearly a decade, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad signed a landmark bill on May 30 that will curb rampant convictions of people living with HIV for transmitting the virus by redefining the law to ensure only those who intend to spread HIV or behave with "reckless disregard" are penalized.

11 Jun 2014

Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center offers immuno-therapy clinical trial for lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women and the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2014, it is estimated that 224,210 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer.

11 Jun 2014

Healthcare Corporate Access Day to be held on June 24, 2014

ROTH Capital Partners, a full-service investment bank focused on serving emerging growth companies and their investors, today announced that it will host its Healthcare Corporate Access Day on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at the Dorchester Hotel in London, U.K.

11 Jun 2014

Adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiation recommended for R1 resected cancer patients

A landmark survey of more than 700 specialists provides crucial real-world insight into the treatments most oncologists choose for lung cancer patients whose tumour has been incompletely resected, an expert from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) says.

11 Jun 2014

Henry Schein Business of Dentistry Conference to be held in Las Vegas on August 7, 2014

Henry Schein, Inc., the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced today that its third annual Henry Schein Business of Dentistry Conference will kick off at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on August 7, 2014.

11 Jun 2014

PSPA welcomes FDA’s new advice on fish consumption

The Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA), a leading nonprofit seafood industry trade association, is thrilled to see new advice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encouraging pregnant women and small children to eat more seafood.

11 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 11, 2014

Today's headlines include a range of stories about the upset of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor -- a Virginia primary election shocker -- as well as continuing coverage of health law implementation issues and congressional responses to the VA's health care troubles.

11 Jun 2014