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Research roundup: Racial disparities in cancer and other care, nursing home closures, extending drugmakers' exclusivity

Journal of the National Cancer Institute: Projections Of The Cost Of Cancer Care In The United States: 2010-2020 - "By combining cancer prevalence with average annual costs of cancer care by phase of care and tumor site for 13 cancers in men and 16 cancers in women" and "all cancer sites combined," the authors project there will be just over 18 million cancer survivors in 2020 compared to 13.8 million survivors in 2010.

14 Jan 2011

House GOP poised to restart health law repeal effort; Vote set for Wednesday

Republican leaders in the House have scheduled debate to begin on Tuesday. And, although the vote — which will follow a day later — is largely considered symbolic, it will kick off the GOP push to defund the bill and undo some of its more unpopular provisions.

14 Jan 2011

Health care budgets at risk in states' fiscal squeeze

News outlets report on the various funding difficulties health programs and facilities are facing in the current budget climate.

14 Jan 2011

Federal advisers hold forum to begin determining health exchanges' 'essential benefits'

The Institute of Medicine held a forum this week in which advocates could offer input regarding what types of medical services should be included in the insurance plans that are offered on the exchanges created by the new health law.

14 Jan 2011

Detroit hospital system to spend $30 million on facility improvements

In other hospital-related news, Bloomberg reports that the hospital where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is being treated has sued the federal government over Medicare payments and medical residency slots. KHN has a story on efforts to curb hospital ER crowding.

14 Jan 2011

California insurance commissioner puts insurers in the hot seat

News outlets detail how California's new insurance commissioner has taken a strong stance against insurers who propose increases for rates on individual policies.

14 Jan 2011

Medicare advisory panel urges co-pay for home health visits

The Medicare Payment Advisory Panel recommended this policy as a means to discourage overuse of home health services, which are estimated to cost taxpayers nearly $20 billion a year and are also a source of health care fraud. Meanwhile, another story, this one from WBUR, offers tips for Medicare "wellness" visits.

14 Jan 2011

Poll shows public view evenly divided on health overhaul

Politico reports that nearly identical percentages of respondents say the health law is either the best or the worst thing President Barack Obama has done since taking office. Meanwhile, in a separate story, a Blue Cross Exec defends the health law's individual mandate, saying that dropping it would "create a dangerous set of conditions."

14 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Ariz. shooting and mental health care; Republicans' reform agenda; Calif. insurance hikes

Democrats can do their part by resolving not to thwart everything that the Republican majority wants to accomplish, but rather by looking for opportunities to work with the opposing party for the good of the country. ... Republicans can reciprocate by not repeating a costly mistake that Obama made when he first took office and rushing into the health care debate when the country wanted him to focus on jobs, jobs and jobs (Ruben Navarrette Jr., 1/13).

14 Jan 2011

Roundup: Texas insurance exchange proposal; Ill. safety net hole; Iowa abortion decision

A key House GOP health policy writer has filed legislation to create a state-run health insurance exchange in Texas. A bill by Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, would create a Texas Health Insurance Connector, or simplified insurance market.

14 Jan 2011

Lifetime tool for families created through sperm donation

Starting a family the "old-fashioned way" is becoming less common. Only 25% of American households are made up of a husband, wife, and a child. The fertility field is continually growing with advances in scientific technology, and infertile patients have more options for conceiving -- including the use of donor sperm. Along with the medical advances comes the continual need for emotional support for both the parent and children.

14 Jan 2011

Pennsylvania announces bulletin on Procedures for Surrogate Healthcare Decision Making

The commonwealth has issued a bulletin intended to strengthen and clarify the roles of families and other parties in making healthcare choices for adults with special needs, acting Secretary of Public Welfare Michael Nardone announced today.

14 Jan 2011

UT Southwestern to register intent to achieve 'meaningful use' of EHRs

As the first major medical center in North Texas to implement electronic medical records in all its clinical practice groups, UT Southwestern Medical Center today applauded the government's initiative to get hospitals and health care providers across the nation to embrace new health care technology. The medical center said it will achieve the goal of "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHR) and register for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

14 Jan 2011

Everyday Health to become exclusive health destination for AOL Network

Everyday Health, Inc., a leading provider of health solutions, today announced that AOL Inc. will make Everyday Health the exclusive health destination for AOL Network, replacing AOL Health. Beginning April 1, 2011, AOL's nearly 14 million daily users seeking health content will be directed to Everyday Health's award-winning health content.

14 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 14, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that House GOP leaders are poised to return to work on repealing the health law. A vote has been scheduled for next week.

14 Jan 2011

Unintended direct conflict between pharmaceutical marketing and public health

Drugs that pharmaceutical companies market most aggressively to physicians and patients tend to offer less benefit and more harm to most patients - a phenomenon described as the "inverse benefit law" in a paper from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

14 Jan 2011

Baylor Health Care System to implement standardized, certified EHR

Baylor Health Care System is today announcing its intent to continue to improve the quality of patient care in North Texas through the implementation of the electronic health record (EHR) across the health care system. It is one of thousands of hospitals and eligible professionals across the country officially registering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to demonstrate its commitment to achieve "meaningful use" of EHRs.

14 Jan 2011

U.S. Marshals seize Rite-Dent's dental devices

U.S. Marshals, acting under a court order sought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on Jan. 5 and 6, seized all dental devices from Rite-Dent Manufacturing Corporation, located in Hialeah, Fla.

14 Jan 2011

Skanska awarded healthcare projects totaling $282M in California

Skanska has been awarded two major healthcare projects in California. The total contract amount is USD 282 M, approximately SEK 1.9 billion, which will be included in order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2010.

14 Jan 2011

USDA revises corn, soybean crop estimates driving up prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday "reported that last year's corn and soybean crop was smaller than its earlier estimates," Minnesota Public Radio reports. "As a result, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are rising quickly, sparking concern about higher food prices" (Steil, 1/13).

14 Jan 2011