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Research proves effectiveness of computerized neurocognitive testing for concussions

Computerized neurocognitive testing for concussions is widely used in amateur and professional sports, but little research over the past decade proves its effectiveness, a paper published this month in the journal Neuropsychology Review says.

23 Dec 2013

ATS applauds NYC council for taking major step to protect public from risks linked with e-cigarettes

The American Thoracic Society, which has been based in New York City since 1905, is pleased with the city council vote yesterday prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes in indoor public areas where smoking regular cigarettes is also banned.

23 Dec 2013

Research roundup: ACA 'can survive' low enrollment; rural/urban differences in O.B. Care; teaching residents cost consciousness

The Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS) was launched in 2013 as a mechanism to obtain timely information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ... HRMS data from summer 2013 show that more than 60 percent of those targeted by the health insurance exchanges struggle with understanding key health insurance concepts.

23 Dec 2013

Viewpoints: Health announcement creates 'utter chaos;' a serious chip in the individual mandate; law's benefits aren't free

Last night, in a stunning reversal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that Americans who have had their plans canceled will be exempt from enrolling in the exchanges, "because some consumers were finding other coverage options to be more expensive than their cancelled plans or policies."

23 Dec 2013

State highlights: Calif. lawmaker seeks to re-fund mentally ill criminal program; Texas BCBS, HCA reach contract agreement

A selection of health policy stories from California and Texas.

23 Dec 2013

Smokers who want to stop smoking are more likely to succeed if they see specialist

Smokers in England who want to stop smoking are three times more likely to succeed if they see a trained advisor than if they try by themselves, according to a new study published online today in the medical journal Addiction.

23 Dec 2013

President takes blame with healthcare.gov but notes 'more than a million' new insured

News outlets highlighted health care aspects of President Barack Obama's news conference. More than one million Americans signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act during the first three weeks of December, including 500,000 through the federal exchange, President Barack Obama announced Friday.

23 Dec 2013

Poll finds very mixed views on morning-after pill; black/white breast cancer disparities widen

Several stories this morning examine tricky problems in women's health care.

23 Dec 2013

Alternative Quality Contract model improves quality of care for sickest pediatric patients

Within two years of implementation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) had a small but significant positive effect on the quality of pediatric care, according to a new study from Boston Children's Hospital. The results were published online Dec. 23 in Pediatrics.

23 Dec 2013

Special combination of yoga and nutrition helps young cancer patients manage disease

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the centuries-old practice of yoga is combined with nutrition education to help young cancer patients manage their disease today and lay the foundation for a healthy future.

23 Dec 2013

Manchin says health law could be heading toward 'meltdown'

President Barack Obama's healthcare law could have a "meltdown" and make it difficult for his Democratic Party to keep control of the U.S. Senate next year if ongoing problems with the program are not resolved, a Democratic senator said on Sunday.

23 Dec 2013

Get ready to pay more for health coverage, but it may not be just health law's fault

Although many blame the health law for all recent health care cost increases, trends that bump up the cost of care were in place before the law was enacted and are being driven up even more by routine costs, some say.

23 Dec 2013

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

During the holidays, the goal should be to set the course somewhere "between Hallmark and heartache," a Vanderbilt psychiatrist says. In other words, don't strive for the perfect (you won't achieve it), and recognize and deal head-on with some of the stressors of the season.

23 Dec 2013

Report: Examine high-billing docs' Medicare billing to root out fraud

A report from the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general to be released Friday will call for closer scrutiny of doctors' total billing. Elsewhere, ProPublica looks at how ineffective federal oversight is in looking for fraud in Medicare prescribing.

23 Dec 2013

Medicaid expansion plans in Pa., Wis. under scrutiny

Pennsylvania advocates challenge the penalties and premium costs in Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed Medicaid expansion plan. Meanwhile, more than 70,000 low-income Wisconsin adults would keep their state BadgerCare Plus coverage for three months and a larger and poorer group would wait the same 90 days to enter the program, under a GOP plan expected to become law in Wisconsin.

22 Dec 2013

States report surges in health plan sign-ups; California at the front of the pack

The increase has ranged from 30 percent to 40 percent, reports ABC News. In California, an estimated 50,000 people picked a health plan in the first week of December. News outlets also reported on the latest developments in Maryland, Oregon and Minnesota.

22 Dec 2013

People with canceled plans exempted from insurance mandate

In addition, the administration said Thursday that those with canceled plans will be able to buy bare-bones catastrophic plans, regardless of their age, under a hardship exemption.

22 Dec 2013

Monthly pharmacist appointments help patients solve medication-related problems

Patients are more likely to take chronic medications when they meet monthly with pharmacists to coordinate medication schedules and treatments, according to a Virginia Commonwealth University study.

22 Dec 2013

SLU nursing faculty, students receive special training to operate Closed Point of Dispensing

In the case of a bioterror attack, Saint Louis University will operate a medication dispensing station for students, faculty, staff and their families, offering quick access to medicines and easing the burden on local health departments so they can serve residents who lack similar access to lifesaving drugs.

22 Dec 2013

Obama's aides stay on despite exhaustion, health law woes

President Obama's aides are largely staying attached to his administration to help bolster the President's approval ratings amid the health law's considerable problems. In the meantime, the law's proponents are pushing new ways of selling the law.

22 Dec 2013

Healthcare News

Research proves effectiveness of computerized neurocognitive testing for concussions

ATS applauds NYC council for taking major step to protect public from risks linked with e-cigarettes

Research roundup: ACA 'can survive' low enrollment; rural/urban differences in O.B. Care; teaching residents cost consciousness

Viewpoints: Health announcement creates 'utter chaos;' a serious chip in the individual mandate; law's benefits aren't free

State highlights: Calif. lawmaker seeks to re-fund mentally ill criminal program; Texas BCBS, HCA reach contract agreement

Smokers who want to stop smoking are more likely to succeed if they see specialist

President takes blame with healthcare.gov but notes 'more than a million' new insured

Poll finds very mixed views on morning-after pill; black/white breast cancer disparities widen

Alternative Quality Contract model improves quality of care for sickest pediatric patients

Special combination of yoga and nutrition helps young cancer patients manage disease

Manchin says health law could be heading toward 'meltdown'

Get ready to pay more for health coverage, but it may not be just health law's fault

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

Report: Examine high-billing docs' Medicare billing to root out fraud

Medicaid expansion plans in Pa., Wis. under scrutiny

States report surges in health plan sign-ups; California at the front of the pack

People with canceled plans exempted from insurance mandate

Monthly pharmacist appointments help patients solve medication-related problems

SLU nursing faculty, students receive special training to operate Closed Point of Dispensing

Obama's aides stay on despite exhaustion, health law woes

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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