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States search for, reap benefits from programs to lower health care costs

Bloomberg explores the heavy financial toll of caring for a loved one with a disability. In the meantime, as states like Minnesota, Oklahoma and Florida see slower health care cost growth through implementing novel programs, others like -- Nevada and Wisconsin -- search for the magic tonic to lower their own costs.

30 Aug 2013

Some insurers refusing to pay for proton-beam cancer therapy

Blue Shield of California joins two other insurers who contend that other cancer treatments are just as good, and far less expensive.

30 Aug 2013

Researchers develop novel technique and device for rapid pasteurization of eggs

Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed a novel technique and device for rapidly pasteurizing eggs in the shell without damaging the delicate egg white. The process could lead to a sharp reduction in illnesses caused by egg-borne salmonella bacteria, a widespread public health concern.

30 Aug 2013

HHS releases first rule about health benefits for same-sex couples; IRS issues guidance on tax filing

In what the department described as its "first guidance" in the wake of the Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, HHS said that all Medicare Advantage enrollees, including same-sex couples, will have equal access to coverage in a nursing home.

30 Aug 2013

Poor people in at least 21 states to face Medicaid coverage gap

McClatchy reports that in most states opting against the health law's Medicaid expansion, millions will be stranded without insurance: They will make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to get subsidies to help buy coverage on the new insurance marketplaces.

30 Aug 2013

New health law rules aimed at protecting insurance marketplace funds, consumers

The regulations are designed to safeguard how federal funds will be used in online insurance marketplaces and to provide protections to consumers. News outlets also detail a number of health law implementation issues, including a study about how rate shock warnings might be "overblown."

30 Aug 2013

Poll: Americans divided on health law, but oppose defunding it

A majority of Americans don't want to defund Obamacare, even as they remain divided on liking the law. The poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation also found that 51 percent of Americans don't understand how the law will affect them. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the Foundation.)

30 Aug 2013

Five things every person should know about Parkinson's disease

Michael J. Fox is back in the spotlight this fall in a new sitcom "The Michael J. Fox Show" and spreading awareness about Parkinson's disease, a condition both he and his TV character have in common. Fox has been an outspoken advocate for Parkinson's disease research and awareness since disclosing his condition to the public in 1998.

30 Aug 2013

After voting to cut payments to dialysis clinics, many lawmakers seek a reversal

On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers are rethinking the Medicare policy for kidney patients because clinics argue they may have to close or cut services. Elsewhere, the president of the American Medical Association is optimistic Congress will change Medicare's payment formula and a Republican senator wants all congressional staff to get coverage in Obamacare's exchanges.

30 Aug 2013

Bill Clinton enlisted to promote health law

The former president will speak about the overhaul Sept. 4 at his presidential library in Little Rock, Ark. Media outlets also explore the activities of two nongovernment groups reaching out to people who will be able to shop for insurance in new online marketplaces opening Oct. 1.

30 Aug 2013

As deficit talks resume, health law funding fight escalates

News outlets report little optimism that talks between a group of Republican senators and the White House will resolve the impasse. Meanwhile, House Republicans are expected to use the battle over raising the debt limit as leverage to block the health law -- either by stripping away its funds, or delaying implementation.

30 Aug 2013

Socioeconomic status more important barrier to living kidney donation than cultural factors

Socioeconomic status is a more important barrier to living kidney donation than cultural factors, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings may be useful for determining ways to increase living kidney donation in the United States.

30 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 29, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about ongoing fiscal fights surrounding efforts to raise the nation's debt limit and to defund the health law. Also, the White House enlists former President Bill Clinton to help spread the word about the overhaul.

29 Aug 2013

Synar program made remarkable strides in lowering levels of illegal tobacco sales to minors

A new report on the Synar Amendment program - a federal and state partnership aimed at ending illegal tobacco sales to minors - shows that all the states and the District of Columbia have continued to meet their goals of curtailing sales of tobacco to underage youth (those under 18).

29 Aug 2013

Study suggests evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider patient utilization of clinical, economic benefits

Payment incentives implemented with a commercial accountable care organization (ACO) initiative in Massachusetts -Blue Cross Blue Shield's Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) - were associated with lower spending for Medicare enrollees served by the provider groups participating in the AQC, findings that suggest that evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider the implications for other patient populations to assess their full clinical and economic benefits, according to a study in the August 28 issue of JAMA.

29 Aug 2013

Opioid dependence causes greatest health burden of all illicit drugs

The first ever analysis of the global and regional prevalence of dependence upon the four major categories of illicit drugs – amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids (such as heroin) – has revealed that opioid dependence causes the greatest health burden (overall death and illness) of all the illicit drugs. The results come from new analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, and are published in The Lancet.

29 Aug 2013

Many men find prostate cancer treatment as a big challenge

After fighting off prostate cancer and beginning the road to recovery, many men are finding the expense of cancer treatment is almost as big a challenge as the disease.

29 Aug 2013

Study shows personal goals influence older adults striving for exercise

Although exercise may significantly promote healthy aging, many older adults remain sedentary. Based on a study conducted in the Gerontology Research Center at the University of Jyväskylä, one reason for this may lie behind older adults' personal goals.

29 Aug 2013

State highlights: N.Y. docs must now check drug database before prescribing painkillers; Fla. nursing homes quietly drop pediatric units; birth control at issue in Va. Gov. Race

A selection of health policy stories from New York, Florida, Virginia, California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

29 Aug 2013

Patients attending specialist nurse clinics do not get inferior treatment to that offered by rheumatologists

Patients attending clinical nurse specialist clinics do not get inferior treatment to that offered by consultant rheumatologists, the results of a major new clinical trial have revealed.

29 Aug 2013

Healthcare News

States search for, reap benefits from programs to lower health care costs

Some insurers refusing to pay for proton-beam cancer therapy

Researchers develop novel technique and device for rapid pasteurization of eggs

HHS releases first rule about health benefits for same-sex couples; IRS issues guidance on tax filing

Poor people in at least 21 states to face Medicaid coverage gap

New health law rules aimed at protecting insurance marketplace funds, consumers

Poll: Americans divided on health law, but oppose defunding it

Five things every person should know about Parkinson's disease

After voting to cut payments to dialysis clinics, many lawmakers seek a reversal

Bill Clinton enlisted to promote health law

As deficit talks resume, health law funding fight escalates

Socioeconomic status more important barrier to living kidney donation than cultural factors

First Edition: August 29, 2013

Synar program made remarkable strides in lowering levels of illegal tobacco sales to minors

Study suggests evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider patient utilization of clinical, economic benefits

Opioid dependence causes greatest health burden of all illicit drugs

Many men find prostate cancer treatment as a big challenge

Study shows personal goals influence older adults striving for exercise

State highlights: N.Y. docs must now check drug database before prescribing painkillers; Fla. nursing homes quietly drop pediatric units; birth control at issue in Va. Gov. Race

Patients attending specialist nurse clinics do not get inferior treatment to that offered by rheumatologists

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research

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