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Viewpoints: Health law's 'implausible' foundations; 4 needed health reforms; Sunlight on drugmaker payments to doctors

As the federal government moves forward to implement President Obama's Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services is slated to spend millions of dollars promoting the unpopular legislation. In the face of this publicity blitz, it is worth remembering that the law was originally sold largely on four grounds - all of which have become increasingly implausible.

2 Feb 2013

State highlights: Mayo seeks Minn. help for Rochester expansion; Texas bill on end-of-life treatment offered; Milwaukee County board considers dropping employee coverage

The Mayo Clinic is proposing more than $5 billion in investments in and around Rochester as part of an ambitious expansion plan to create what the clinic calls a "Destination Medical Center." Included in that plan is a request for more than $500 million in state taxpayer money to help fund infrastructure as the Mayo grows. Mayo claims the plan would create between 35,000 and 45,000 new jobs. Mayo is already Minnesota's largest private employer with 32,000 employees in the state.

1 Feb 2013

State roundup: Texas lawmakers ready health budget

Texas budget writers got a briefing on the state's health care programs Wednesday, and many of the biggest questions focused on how the state can reduce fraud and what to do about ever-increasing health care costs.

1 Feb 2013

Ten common notions concerning colds and flu

The cold and flu season has hit early and hard this year. As the number of people infected continues to increase, so does the number of internet searches for ways to prevent or limit the duration of viral illnesses. But, what is fact and what is fiction?

1 Feb 2013

Market demands spur more options for senior care

Millions of families are beginning to grapple with the one major health expense for which most Americans are not insured: long-term care. About 10 million seniors currently rely on others for daily care, such as help getting dressed, preparing meals or taking medication.

1 Feb 2013

Cedars-Sinai healthcare professionals to mark National Wear Red Day

Hundreds of healthcare professionals at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will wear red on Friday, Feb. 1, to mark National Wear Red Day. A few hours later, the new Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion will be lit with a projection of the red dress symbol that represents a public education program to boost women's awareness of heart disease.

1 Feb 2013

Ohio might join ranks of red states opting for Medicaid expansion

John Kasich, the state's Republican governor, hints to The Cincinnati Enquirer that he might call for this step in his two-year budget plan, expected to be released in the next few days.

1 Feb 2013

Brandeis University researchers to receive Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences

Deborah E. Wiley, Chair of The Wiley Foundation, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., announced today that the twelfth annual Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences will be awarded to Dr. Michael Young, Rockefeller University, Dr. Jeffrey Hall, Brandeis University (Emeritus), and Dr. Michael Rosbash, Brandeis University.

1 Feb 2013

Medicaid news: Minn. effort to expand program praised

Officials in Texas, Oregon, Minnesota and California consider a myriad of changes to their Medicaid programs -- including fitting maintenance or expansion of coverage for the poor into tightening budgets.

1 Feb 2013

Longer looks: Dr. Oz, deconstructed; Malpractice and apology

Oprah Winfrey first referred to Mehmet Oz as "America's doctor" in 2004, during one of his earliest appearances on her television show. The label stuck. Oz was a rare find: so eloquent and telegenic that people are often surprised to learn that he is a highly credentialled member of the medical establishment. ... "The Dr. Oz Show" frequently focusses on essential health issues: the proper ways to eat, relax, exercise, and sleep, and how to maintain a healthy heart. Much of the advice Oz offers is sensible, and is rooted solidly in scientific literature.

1 Feb 2013

Opinion pieces address Bill Gates' annual letter

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on Wednesday released his annual letter.

1 Feb 2013

United Nations Foundation Blog reflects on Bill Gates' annual letter

Noting Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, released his annual letter and report on Wednesday, Eric Porterfield, director of global health communications at the United Nations Foundation, writes in the United Nations Foundation Blog, "The report is an important reminder that the role of measurement and evaluation is a critical component in addressing global challenges effectively."

1 Feb 2013

Battles over availability and coverage of abortion move to states

States are the arena for new abortion battles -- both the fight over their availability and coverage of them by state and private insurance. In the meantime, new legislation on the procedure is winding through the Washington state and Arkansas legislatures.

1 Feb 2013

Health law drawing concern from unexpected source

Labor unions enthusiastically backed the Obama administration's health-care overhaul when it was up for debate. Now that the law is rolling out, some are turning sour. Union leaders say many of the law's requirements will drive up the costs for their health-care plans and make unionized workers less competitive.

1 Feb 2013

Current recommendations for infection control among health care providers may not be adequate

Some people with the flu emit more of the air-borne virus than others, suggesting that the current recommendations for infection control among health care providers may not be adequate, according to a new study from researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

1 Feb 2013

On FDR's birthday, international community should honor his legacy by eradicating polio

In an opinion piece in the GlobalPost's "Global Pulse" blog, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Oshinsky notes "January 30 mark[ed] the 131st birthday of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the longest-serving American president," and "reflects on the advances in the fight against polio, one of FDR's greatest legacies."

1 Feb 2013

News outlets continue coverage of Bill Gates' speech calling for 'detailed plan' to eradicate polio

Delivering the annual Richard Dimbleby lecture in London on Tuesday, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, called for a detailed plan to rid the world of polio by 2018.

1 Feb 2013

International community pledges $1.5B in aid for Syria at U.N. fundraising conference

"In the largest ever fundraising conference in U.N. history, the international community pledged [Wednesday] more than $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria," IRIN reports.

1 Feb 2013

Eligibility for health insurance subsidies narrower than many consumer groups had hoped

A final rule, released Wednesday, set out a strict definition of affordable health insurance that will prevent many families with modest incomes from obtaining federal financial assistance.

1 Feb 2013

Over half of countries struggling to prevent and manage cancer

More than half of all countries worldwide are struggling to prevent cancer and provide treatment and chronic care to cancer patients, warns a recent World Health Organization (WHO) survey for World Cancer Day. This means, currently many of these countries do not have a functional cancer control plan that includes prevention, early detection, treatment and care. There is an urgent need to help countries to reduce cancer deaths and provide appropriate long-term treatment and care to avoid human suffering and protect countries’ social and economic development.

1 Feb 2013