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Federal appeals court agrees to expedite Florida suit against health law

A federal appeals court has agreed to act swiftly in considering a Florida judge's ruling that President Obama's health care overhaul is unconstitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta said Friday that it had agreed to expedite the appeal, setting a faster timetable than even the federal government had requested.

14 Mar 2011

Depression: Get a second opinion, 69% of initial diagnoses are incorrect

As he struggled for decades with a depression that often left him despondent, Eric Wilson never thought to get a second opinion.

11 Mar 2011

Premier endorses GHX Procurement Suite

The Premier healthcare alliance and GHX are partnering to help Premier alliance members gain better control over the purchase of medical-surgical supplies that are not in their item master or on contract, and to automate their accounts payable processes.

11 Mar 2011

Food for healthy teeth and gums

For years, dentists have told patients to avoid foods that can harm their oral health. However, researchers are also looking at how including beneficial foods and beverages can improve your teeth and gums. Experts from Western Dental Services, Inc., suggest including the following foods in your diet to help maintain your smile's health and beauty.

11 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Health law's individual mandate, fighting the deficit by pinching health care pennies

Like anyone who writes regularly about what passes for economic and fiscal debate in American politics, I've developed a strong tolerance for nonsense. After all, if I got upset every time powerful people were illogical and/or dishonest, I'd spend every waking hour in a state of raging despair. ... if you're serious about deficits, you shouldn't be pinching pennies now; you should be looking for ways to rein in health spending over the long term.

11 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

Research Roundup: Mass. medical bankruptcies; Palliative care teams work; Innovative health IT

The theme for the current issue of Health Affairs Is "Profiles of Innovation in Health Care Delivery."

11 Mar 2011

Polyglot Systems, CCNC offer Meducation technology to North Carolina residents

Polyglot Systems, Inc. recently partnered with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), a Raleigh based health network operated by physicians, hospitals, health departments, and departments of social services, to offer Meducation® technology to support North Carolina residents who are considered low-health literate.

11 Mar 2011

Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

Every Thursday, KHN's Jessica Marcy compiles this selection of interesting perspectives, from a variety of publications, on health care in America.

11 Mar 2011

GOP budget choices: Offer politically risky cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or 'play it safe'?

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan signals that he is "ready to take on health programs" as Capitol Hill continues to struggle with long-term spending concerns. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue talks regarding the current year spending measure still under consideration. A new continuing resolution that would fund government operations until April 8 has emerged.

11 Mar 2011

Health care experts, lawmakers discuss the overhaul's future

News outlets offer various perspectives on how the health law will hold up in the face of its current and future legislative, economic and judicial challenges.

11 Mar 2011

CBO deficit-reduction options include billions in Medicare, Medicaid cuts

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released a list of deficit-cutting options Thursday that includes hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. The two programs account for 38 percent of mandatory spending — more than Social Security — and face a visit to the chopping block as Americans across the political spectrum clamor for the government to keep its spending under control.

11 Mar 2011

Abortion wars continue: Funding and insurance coverage issues are among key battlegrounds

News outlets report on the latest developments related to congressional Republican efforts to cut Planned Parenthood funding and state efforts to prohibit health insurance plans sold in their new marketplaces from covering abortion services.

11 Mar 2011

Without fix, docs face 30% Medicare pay cut in 2012

This new figure, updated yesterday by Medicare officials from the previous 28.3 percent "cliff," means the president's plan to keep physician payments flat for the next two years will exceed — by as much as a billion dollars — the funding requested in his 2012 budget proposal.

11 Mar 2011

HHS unveils proposed waiver regs for states

The guidance is designed to help implement the health law's waiver provision for state innovation, which would allow some states flexibility as long as they meet key conditions related to coverage, benefits and cost.

11 Mar 2011

ACO regs out soon, says Berwick

ACOs are the subject of great debate, and many in the health policy world are eagerly following Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Don Berwick's every move, waiting for the moment he'll announce the rules defining what an ACO actually is.

11 Mar 2011

Doctors now wise to ruse of false representation by medical associations

"Internal medical politics is considered 'inside baseball' to most observers, but America's patients should know the real score of how this game is playing out in their towns," says Doctor Adam Dorin. In the aftermath of Obamacare, doctors across the United States have become wise to the ruse of representation falsely promised by their medical associations.

11 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 11, 2011

In today's headlines, news about short- and long-term budget challenges and what could become of funding for health programs.

11 Mar 2011

Insurance influences final choice of seniors shopping for physician specialists

A February 2011 survey of 344 seniors 65 and older revealed that 71%1 have shopped for physicians, and 77% of those who do shop end up choosing a physician based on whether he or she accepts their insurance. The survey also revealed that the number one reason seniors shop for a physician, chosen by 63% of respondents, is to choose a specialist.

11 Mar 2011

Two Dems sign on to bill to undo health law's independent payment Advisory Board

Two House Democrats have signed onto a Republican bill to repeal a health reform provision that the Obama administration has touted as a central tool to keep health costs under control. Rep. Shelley Berkley became a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal the Medicare payment board on Wednesday, one week after Rep. Michael Capuano.

11 Mar 2011