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Medicare advantage plans to increase premiums for some -- but not all -- in 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz reports on the future prospects for seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. "In Miami next year, seniors once again won't have to pay any monthly premiums for a Medicare health plan sold by HMO giant Humana Inc.

3 Oct 2009

APWU adds new benefits and enhances old plans for 2010

APWU Health Plan is proud to announce our new rates and benefits for 2010. Our exceptionally rated High Option sees a four percent increase in it's rate, while the versatile Consumer Driven Option sees a zero percent increase.

3 Oct 2009

High-risk surgery patients have shorter hospital stays when their care was co-managed by hospitalists

A Loyola University Health System study has found that high-risk surgery patients experienced significantly shorter hospital stays when they were seen by general internists trained in managing medical complications in surgical patients.

3 Oct 2009

Pharmacies sue states they say underpaid them for prescription drugs

New York, California and Washington state have been sued by drug store groups who say their members were underpaid in Medicaid payments for prescription drugs.

3 Oct 2009

Obama tells Governors health reform will help in tough times

"President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he is committed to helping keep Democrats in governors' offices across the country and move their states forward, starting with changes to the health care system," The Associated Press reports. In his comments at a Democratic Governors Association fundraiser in Washington, Obama talked about the "challenging times for the states and the nation."

3 Oct 2009

Teens with chronic disease often have expensive, uncertain coverage

ABC News profiles teens living with chronic diseases, and examines their insurance coverage and the cost of such care. The article notes: "Chronic diseases affect 1 in 10 Americans and are the leading cause of disability, accounting for 70 percent of all deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also expensive."

3 Oct 2009

"The Holistic Success Show" to premiere on Web-TV

More and more people are driven beyond their limits trying to keep up with everyday life. Haunted by their desire to achieve success and happiness, they become obsessed with money, their job, and providing material possessions for their family. They strive for contentment, but find themselves exhausted and unfulfilled at the end of the day. They fail to understand what it takes to truly make them happy.

3 Oct 2009

TIME examines breastfeeding in the Philippines

TIME examines breastfeeding in the Philippines, noting that the country will be one of 18 taking part in a "global moment of breastfeeding" on Friday.

3 Oct 2009

Report highlights rural health care challenges

"Rural residents have even more cause to support a public health insurance plan than those living in cities, advocates of such a plan said Thursday," The Omaha World-Herald reports. "The Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Neb., and the Center for Community Change issued a joint report highlighting the particular health care challenges faced by those living in rural parts of the country."

3 Oct 2009

Lawmakers get contributions from industry groups and associated lobbyists

A study by the Center for Responsive Politics and the Sunlight Foundation has found that key lawmakers have received significant contributes not only from major health industry companies - who often lead in contributions to members of Congress - but also from their lobbyists, who have contributed from their personal resources, The Washington Post reports.

3 Oct 2009

New (and old) ideas for health care show possibility of savings, improvements

The search for reform models continues, with news reports exploring the Veterans Administration's "government-run health care," Washington State's "reputation for lower-cost, higher-quality health care," and Kaiser Permanente's new money-saving approach to heart attack treatment.

3 Oct 2009

VA Medical Centers, health care organizations join Planetree to focus on patient-centered health care

As the nation focuses on the future of health care in U.S. hospitals, VA Medical Centers and health care organizations around the country will join Planetree this October to spotlight patient-centered approaches to health care by commemorating the third annual Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month.

3 Oct 2009

News outlets continue to examine findings of recent U.N. report

News outlets continue to mine through the findings of the U.N.'s 2009 progress report on HIV and AIDS.

3 Oct 2009

New health care ads hit the airwaves

The onslaught of health care advertising continues, with new ads from MoveOn.org, Organizing for America, the medical industry and Americans United for Change.

3 Oct 2009

BMI training course launched by Anthem Blue Cross to tackle childhood obesity

In a continued effort to keep screening for childhood obesity at the forefront, Anthem Blue Cross' State Sponsored Business launched an innovative on-line Body Mass Index (BMI) training course featuring a virtual BMI wheel and web-based interactive practice sessions to help provide hands-on experience.

3 Oct 2009