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Viewpoints: GOP excuse for 'doing nothing;' Sen. Rubio: No taxpayer-funded bailout of the insurance industry

As the people's representatives, the U.S. Congress should completely eliminate the possibility of a bailout of insurance companies. On Tuesday I am introducing legislation that would eliminate the risk corridor provision, ensuring that no taxpayer-funded bailout of the health insurance industry will ever occur under ObamaCare. If this disaster of a law cannot survive without a bailout rescue valve, it is yet another reason why it should be repealed (Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., 11/18).

20 Nov 2013

Patients at highest risk for suffering full-blown ischemic attack less likely to receive optimal care

Among thousands of hospital patients treated for a "mini stroke," those who were at highest risk for suffering a full-blown ischemic attack were less likely to received optimal care, according to a study led by researchers at Duke Medicine.

20 Nov 2013

HIPAA-secure social network launched solely for Autism community

Autism Spectrum Disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, affecting 1 in 88 children, according to the CDC. As more families struggle to find answers and make sense of a diagnosis, National Autism Network announces the launch of an innovative, HIPAA-secure social network designed specifically and solely for the Autism community. This fully integrated social network offers features not currently found on any social network and was created to fill a void in the community.

20 Nov 2013

Report issued early warnings about HealthCare.gov risks

An analysis done in late March by McKinsey & Co. called attention to a number of trouble spots. Meanwhile, Politico details a "Red Team" report done by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that also sounded alarms.

20 Nov 2013

Non-specialist health workers provide treatment for people with MNS problems in developing countries

Non-specialist health workers are beneficial in providing treatment for people with mental, neurological and substance-abuse (MNS) problems in developing countries - where there is often a lack of mental health professionals - according to a new Cochrane review.

20 Nov 2013

Some states see health plan enrollment surge

While the balky federal website has made enrollment difficult for residents of 36 states, tens of thousands of consumers are signing up for coverage in places like California, Connecticut and Kentucky, which have functional websites, reports the Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, states and advocacy groups are tweaking their marketing. In Maryland, for instance, radio and TV ads encourage residents to call 211, rather than go to a website, to get coverage.

20 Nov 2013

ProPublica: Medicare could save billions with generic drugs

The nonprofit news service analyzed millions of prescriptions. Also, a CMS official says "the Medicare program is stronger today than in recent memory."

20 Nov 2013

Nonin Medical to exhibit noninvasive medical monitoring tools at MEDICA 2013

Nonin Medical, Inc., a global leader in noninvasive medical monitoring, today announced that the company's Nonin Labs division will be demonstrating the world's smallest regional oximetry system and the first Apple iPhone/iPod-enabled regional oximeter at Hall 11, Stand D42, at MEDICA, Nov. 20-24, at the Messe in Dusseldorf, Germany. The technologies are investigational and do not have a time-table for commercialization.

20 Nov 2013

GOP candidates hope to use botched health law startup to their advantage

Some veteran Democratic lawmakers are being called to the carpet as a result of the difficulties with healthcare.gov and news of health policy cancellations. Meanwhile, also in the news, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also offers a bleak prediction of the health law's future.

20 Nov 2013

Obama tells insurers his 'fix' may cost them

President Barack Obama acknowledged to insurance executives that reinstating millions of insurance policies might cost them, according to Politico. Other media outlets report that brokers are worried about their role in the insurance marketplace and how one company is forecasting that a failure to enroll the uninsured could cut prescription drug sales by 30 percent in 2017.

20 Nov 2013

Stroke may be associated with smoking synthetic marijuana

Add stroke to the list of severe health hazards that may be associated with smoking synthetic marijuana, popularly known as spice or K2, a University of South Florida neurology team reports.

20 Nov 2013

UC San Diego study suggests racial inequality leads to higher mortality in cancer patients

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say metastatic colorectal cancer patients of African-American descent are less likely to be seen by cancer specialists or receive cancer treatments. This difference in treatment explains a large part of the 15 percent higher mortality experienced by African-American patients than non-Hispanic white patients.

20 Nov 2013

Jousting over Medicaid expansion

In Alaska, Gov. Sean Parnell said Friday his state will not expand Medicaid under the health law, while reports from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Maine assess the decisions -- and, in some cases, continued lobbying -- in those states.

20 Nov 2013

Overall contribution from New Jersey hospitals to Garden State economy surpasses $20 billion

New Jersey hospitals contributed $20.4 billion to the Garden State economy in 2012, according to the 2013 N.J. Hospitals Economic Impact Report released today by the New Jersey Hospital Association. This is the first time in the six years NJHA has published this report that the overall contribution from hospitals surpassed $20 billion.

20 Nov 2013

Watertree Health, Make-A-Wish Arizona partner to support children with life-threatening conditions

Nonprofit organizations should never have to decrease their services due to the economy. That is why Watertree Health, a leading provider of FREE prescription discount cards, is partnering with Make-A-Wish Arizona to provide financial support for the work they do for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

20 Nov 2013

Health law travails drag down Obama approval rating

A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds President Barack Obama's disapproval reaches an all-time high. The fallout from the beleaguered rollout of healthcare.gov also seems to be shaping voters' thoughts about upcoming congressional races.

20 Nov 2013

MICS CABG procedure safe and feasible, confirms new study

A new study published by The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery confirms MICS CABG (minimally invasive cardiac surgery/coronary artery bypass grafting) is a safe and feasible procedure that ensures positive outcomes. Published on Nov 1st, the article brings light to the open-heart surgery alternative pioneered by Medical Director and cardiothoracic surgeon, Joseph T. McGinn of The Heart Institute at Staten Island University Hospital.

20 Nov 2013