Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Commonwealth Fund president to step down at end of 2012

Karen Davis will retire as president of the Commonwealth Fund, a health care research foundation, at the end of 2012. The foundation, based in New York, has hired an executive search firm to find Davis' successor. In a news release announcing her retirement, Davis said she would spend her final year helping with the leadership transition and "pursuing opportunities for contributing toward the work that is so important to ensuring that every American receives the best possible care and the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives."

23 Nov 2011

Pre-existing depression may not delay diagnostic resolution of abnormal cancer screening

In what is believed to be the first study of its kind to examine the relationship between pre-existing depression and the amount of time to diagnostically resolve an abnormal mammogram and/or Pap test, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found suffering from depression was not associated with a prolonged time to diagnostic resolution in a vulnerable population of urban women.

23 Nov 2011

Health spending still in jeopardy despite end of super committee

Although Medicare and Medicaid were largely protected when the panel broke up, budget cutters will continue to eye them, and other health programs will likely have funding reduced.

23 Nov 2011

Recession cuts into health spending; High-deductible plans spread

The economic slump has put the brakes on health spending, which may bolster a conservative truism: When consumers become more sensitive to the cost of health care, they cut back. Or maybe it supports a progressive one: Forcing consumers to have more "skin in the game" means they will cut back on needed care, not just elective or unnecessary care. And neither side can tell for sure yet whether people have changed spending patterns for good or just postponed seeing doctors or getting tests or treatment.

23 Nov 2011

Obama administration calls on Pa. insurer to lower rate hike

The Obama administration on Monday called on a Pennsylvania insurer to lower its proposed 12 percent rate increase for a small business health insurance plan. It's the first time the administration has used such new powers given it in the health reform law.

23 Nov 2011

Insurers fear consequences of individual mandate being struck down

The Hill writes that letting the 2010 health law stand without the individual mandate is the worst possible outcome for insurers. Meanwhile, CQ looks into the Medicaid expansion issue and demands for Kagan and Thomas to recuse themselves.

23 Nov 2011

University of Liverpool introduces HEP i-chart for HCV patients

The University of Liverpool has launched an iphone app, HEP i-chart, that provides Hepatitis C (HCV) patients with quick and easy access to the latest information about drug interactions.

23 Nov 2011

California providers sue over Medicaid rates; Texas weighs steep cuts for Medicaid rehab

The federal law extends Medicaid coverage to millions of Americans in 2014, including childless adults. But with permission – and dollars – from the federal government, California started the expansion early. ... Surprisingly though, the roll-out of what conservatives derisively call "Obamacare" has largely gone unnoticed in Bakersfield.

23 Nov 2011

State roundup: Calif. retirees to retain health benefits; Emory, MinuteClinic partner in Ga.; Free services in Md.

Health benefits for government retirees may not be eliminated if state and local governments had clearly promised workers those benefits, the California Supreme Court ruled in an Orange County case Monday. The unanimous ruling is expected to make it more difficult for state and local governments to shave costs by cutting health benefits to retirees if elected officials in previous years made it clear that those benefits would last a lifetime.

23 Nov 2011

FDA approves Medtronic's iPro2 Professional continuous glucose monitoring system

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of iPro2, a next generation Professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system and the latest in a series of recent diabetes technology approvals and innovations from the company.

From Medtronic 22 Nov 2011

Number of annual polio cases in Nigeria quadruples; WHO, government working to vaccinate millions of children

Nigeria has reported 43 cases of polio so far this year, up from 11 cases in 2010, and the disease has spread to Niger, Mali, and Cote d'Ivoire, according to a WHO official, BBC News reports.

22 Nov 2011

TRIGOcare, Systagenix partner to deliver wound care products

In a pressed economic climate, the estimated 3 million chronic wounds treated every year costs the German health care system several billion Euros, a situation fuelled by an annual prevalence of 650,000 new patients. This creates an immense cost pressure on everyone involved in wound care, in a market already characterised by tough competition, ever changing political framework and an expectation of innovation and improved quality of care.

22 Nov 2011

Essence Healthcare, CompCare sign new multi-service agreement

Comprehensive Care Corporation announced today it has signed a new multi-service agreement with Essence Healthcare to provide managed behavioral health and pharmacy management services to the Medicare Advantage population serviced by Essence Healthcare in Missouri, Washington and Illinois.

22 Nov 2011

EC launches new project to improve health research and education in Africa

The European Commission has launched a project to improve health research and education in Africa by setting up excellence centres supported by advanced information and communications technologies.

22 Nov 2011

CHRI third quarter revenues increase 219% to $9.3 million

China Health Resource, Inc., a producer and supplier of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products, announced robust record breaking quarterly earnings for September 2011.

22 Nov 2011

Calif. high risk pool may overflow; seniors and long-term care costs

In California, the PCIP exceeds expected costs and small businesses are struggling. Minnesota insurers are worried about long-term care policies and a Michigan pay-to-play probe is opened.

22 Nov 2011

Supreme Court names lawyers to participate in health law case

The high court named two lawyers to argue specific elements of the health law case - both of which are related to the individual mandate. Meanwhile, Republicans step up questions on Justice Elena Kagan's level of involvement regarding the health law in her prior position when she was the Obama administration's solicitor general. In addition, Democrats continue to push on Justice Clarence Thomas' possible conflicts of interest.

22 Nov 2011

Medicare will still cover Avastin for breast cancer, despite revocation of FDA approval

The FDA announced that Avastin, while still approved for other cancers, is more harmful than helpful to breast cancer patients.

22 Nov 2011

MIT, Pfizer announce new location for CVMED and Neuroscience research units

Pfizer Inc. and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) today held the official groundbreaking of the new location of Pfizer's Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases (CVMED) and Neuroscience research units at 610 Main Street, Cambridge, MA.

22 Nov 2011

'WHPA Prague Call to Action' fights against falsified medicines

In a first for the Central European region, national health professions organisations have discussed and endorsed the WHPA Prague Call to Action, to reduce the harmful impact of falsified medical products on patients and the public.

22 Nov 2011