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Politics and Health Reform: Democrats, Republicans trying to sway seniors

The Associated Press: Democrats, "running scared in an election year," are hopeful that a $250 check - to help seniors afford prescription drugs - will turn the tide of public opinion. "Democrats ... are trying to overcome older people's mistrust of the new health care law, which expands coverage for younger generations by cutting Medicare payments to hospitals and insurers. … Behind the hoopla, the reality is modest. The $250 check, for example, is just a fraction of what many people in the prescription coverage gap have to pay.

16 Aug 2010

State Roundup: Elderly inmates burden cash-strapped states; Drew University in LA faces financial troubles; Florida doctors opt not to break ties to AMA

The Associated Press reports on "the national surge in elderly inmates whose medical expenses are straining cash-strapped states and have officials looking for solutions, including early release, some possibly to nursing homes. ... That burden is becoming greater as the American Civil Liberties Union estimates that elderly prisoners — the fastest growing segment of the prison population, largely because of tough sentencing laws — are three times more expensive to incarcerate than younger inmates.

16 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Challenges for independent Medicare board; Lack of independent analysis of Medicare finances; Medical schools shouldn't fear restrictions on ties to industry

One of the most promising aspects of the new health-care reform is the creation of an independent board to recommend changes in federal health programs and a fast-track provision that would allow these changes to take effect automatically unless Congress comes up with alternatives that would save a similar amount (8/16).

16 Aug 2010

KHN column: Medicaid cutbacks not the same as private insurance rescission

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, done in collaboration with The New Republic, Jonathan Cohn writes: "Everywhere you look, Medicaid seems to be in jeopardy.

16 Aug 2010

PALS to host book club author reception to help seniors develop relationships

For nearly 13 years, Highmark Inc.'s People Able to Lend Support program has provided a wide array of programs and services to help seniors stay healthy and independent in their own homes, stimulate their minds and reduce isolation.

16 Aug 2010

Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities event to provide free medical, dental services in five cities

Henry Schein, Inc., the largest distributor of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, announced today that Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Communities will provide free medical and dental services to more than 5,000 children and their caregivers in five cities throughout the United States this summer and fall.

16 Aug 2010

Medforma unveils new Internet-based wellness platform

Nearly 80 percent of health care costs are spent on treating preventable diseases. And most of this burden falls on employers and employees. To help employers reduce these expenses while improving the health of their workforces, St. Paul-based Medforma Inc., today unveiled the next-generation of its Internet-based wellness platform called Health Portrait™.

16 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 16, 2010

Today's headlines reflect coverage of state health reform implementation issues as well as other emerging policy issues in the nation's health system.

16 Aug 2010

Residents use gardening as recreation tool to improve quality of life

Residents at Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Randallstown, MD, are using one of their favorite hobbies to improve the environment. The residents are taking part in programs where they plant flowers using compost from their own cafeteria and others.

16 Aug 2010

MSC Care Management announces launch of new web site

MSC Care Management, a national leader in the delivery of medical products and services to the workers' compensation industry, announced that it is launching its new web site, www.yourmsc.com, to provide more tools and resources for customers and providers. The enhanced site offers a comprehensive range of resources including company and industry information in addition to a new design.

16 Aug 2010

August is National Immunization and Cataract Awareness Month

Childhood immunizations keep our children safe from a number of serious diseases. This is a good time of year to make sure your child is up-to-date on all of his/her immunizations. Continue reading to find out which vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend for children 6 and under.

16 Aug 2010

Retirees give thumbs up to health insurance exchanges

The reviews are in, and retirees give the thumbs up to health insurance exchanges. In an independent survey of 443 retirees who use a health insurance exchange to compare and choose private individual Medicare and supplement plans, 85% of their reviews were positive.

16 Aug 2010

Kaiser Permanente uses integrated care delivery model to aid mothers understand benefits of breastfeeding

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and Kaiser Permanente believes that one of the most important choices a mother can make to promote the health of her family is to choose to breastfeed exclusively. Kaiser Permanente, with more than 90,000 births in 2009, uses its integrated care delivery model to help mothers understand the benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child and support the mother's infant feeding decision.

16 Aug 2010

8th Annual Medical Innovation Summit to highlight breakthrough technologies for treating obesity, diabetes

Cleveland Clinic has finalized the agenda for the 8th Annual Medical Innovation Summit, which will be held Nov. 1-3 on the Clinic's campus. The Summit draws 1,000 attendees each year, and includes panel discussions with some of the industry's top CEOs and thought leaders.This year's summit will highlight breakthrough technologies for diagnosing and treating obesity and diabetes. Top executives, investors, entrepreneurs, clinicians and technologists will gather to share ideas on how to combat this devastating epidemic.

16 Aug 2010

Johns Hopkins Professor develops ‘CAPABLE’ study to identify solutions on health challenges

In Baltimore City, dozens of older adults are now aging safely in their homes, thanks to the work of Assistant Professor Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, CRNP, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

16 Aug 2010

Pathology experts meet to at SESPM to update new advances in breast surgery

Over 1.500 breast pathology experts will meet between the 20th and 22nd of October in the 16th World Congress of the Senologic International Society (SIS). This meeting and the 29th Congress of the Spanish Society of Senology and Breast Diseases (SESPM) will take place in the Valencia, coinciding with the International Breast Cancer Day.

16 Aug 2010

International community must approach cancer as a global health priority

Once thought to be a problem primarily in the developed world, cancer is now a leading cause of death and disability in poorer countries. Almost two-thirds of the 7.6 million cancer deaths in the world occur in low- and middle-income countries.

16 Aug 2010

Canada's low deceased organ donation rate not due to lack of public support

While more than 4,000 Canadians are on wait lists for organ transplants - and every day-and-a-half, one patient dies waiting - Canada's low deceased organ donation rate cannot be attributed to a lack of public support.

16 Aug 2010

Phenomenon to block thoughts of cigarette unwittingly triggers a subsequent increase: Study

Blocking thoughts of cigarettes helps reduce smokers' intake at first, but means they smoke more than usual when they stop suppressing, according to new research.The study was carried out by researchers at St George's, University of London and the University of Hertfordshire.Co-author Dr James Erskine, a psychologist at St George's, says the study shows that many smokers attempting to give up - as well as people trying to quit other vices - may be thwarted by the very technique they use to stop.

16 Aug 2010

Exercise can ease arthritis pain

People with arthritis who exercise have less pain, more energy, improved sleep, and better day-to-day function, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

16 Aug 2010