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Roundup: Ga. 'provider fee' defeat could mean $430M less for Medicaid; Minn. health programs in line for $37M cut over fiscal cliff; Calif. stem cell board criticized

Just weeks before the 2013 General Assembly convenes, the state's provider fee, called a "bed tax" by some, remains a high-profile wild card -- one that could deal Georgia's hospital industry a crippling blow. If the fee is not renewed -- and anti-tax forces will oppose it -- the Medicaid system may lose $430 million-plus that the assessment now generates. That loss would swell the state's Medicaid financial shortfall, which is already about $400 million (Miller, 12/6).

7 Dec 2012

Results of Halaven Phase III study in metastatic breast cancer presented at 2012 CTRC-AACR SABCS

Results from the first large, global Phase III study of Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection in patients with early-stage metastatic breast cancer were presented today during the 2012 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

7 Dec 2012

Women's Health: Advocates seek new Plan B consideration; Texas lawmakers find Planned Parenthood decision is costly

NPR notes that some backers of the "morning after" pill hope to get HHS Secretary Sebelius to review age restrictions on the drug. And, The Texas Tribune examines the costs to the state because of the lack of subsidized birth control.

7 Dec 2012

More compounding pharmacies closed as new infections are reported

Massachusetts orders the closing of three more pharmacies, while health officials in at least two states report additional infections from contaminated steroids, although the latest cases are not life-threatening.

7 Dec 2012

Over three million American workers diagnosed with cancer each year, reports study

Each year, more than three million American workers are diagnosed with cancer, leading to high productivity losses that mainly affect smaller companies, reports a study in the December Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

7 Dec 2012

Minn. review finds HMOs working in Medicaid and state health programs are 'generally sound'

A state review finds Minnesota HMOs providing services to public programs such as Medicaid and MinnesotaCare have generally sound financial practices. But the report did raise concerns about the plans' charitable donations and other uses of public dollars.

7 Dec 2012

Viewpoints: Considering baby boomers' future burden on Medicare; Holtz-Eakin endorses state exchanges; The value (or not) of mammograms

The Congressional Budget Office projects that if current policies continue, total federal spending will rise to 24 percent of gross domestic product in 2022. [Republicans and Washington deficit hawks'] proposed solution is a cap on government spending.

7 Dec 2012

Ultra-shortened, accelerated breast irradiation treatment logistically achievable and tolerable

Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that an ultra-shortened, accelerated breast irradiation treatment using a balloon device is both logistically achievable and tolerable. The work will be offered during a poster presentation at the 35th Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium this week. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS).

7 Dec 2012

Research Roundup: Medicare Advantage Plan beneficiaries may get more appropriate use of services; CHIP participation grows; College students' flu vaccination rates weak

Analysis Of Medicare Advantage HMOs Compared With Traditional Medicare Shows Lower Use of Many Services During 2003-09 – Researchers compared the utilization rates of Medicare Advantage health maintenance organizations (HMOs) with those of traditional Medicare beneficiaries, 2003-09, "to ascertain whether the HMO enrollees demonstrated different levels of use of services, which can be a hallmark of more integrated care."

7 Dec 2012

Medicare advisory group recommends 1% increase in hospital rates

The head of the group that advises Congress on Medicare issued the draft recommendation, which will be voted on by the full board in January.

7 Dec 2012

Novel sensor measures individual particles in blood samples

Norwegian researchers have developed the world's first sensor capable of measuring individual particles in a blood sample. This new innovation could cause a sensation in the medical world.

7 Dec 2012

Conservative lawyers offer new argument against health law's mandate

The lawyers who helped bring the first challenge against the health law's individual mandate think they've figured out another way to kill it using the Supreme Court's own argument that it's a tax. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama's Justice Department files to dismiss an Oklahoma lawsuit challenging the law's implementation.

7 Dec 2012

VA to offer new rules for veterans with brain injuries

The new regulations will make it easier for veterans with traumatic brain injuries to get health care. And, an agreement between the VA and the Indian Health Service will allow some vets to get care closer to home.

7 Dec 2012

LSUHSC to advance research on social, genetic, environmental and behavioral determinants of future obesity

Melinda Sothern, PhD, CEP, Professor and Director of the Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Program at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Public Health, has been awarded $675,000 in grant funding to advance her research on the role of social, genetic, environmental and behavioral determinants of future obesity.

7 Dec 2012

Raising Medicare's eligibility age would bring trade-offs

The Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press examine the implications of one option being considered in the federal deficit talks and discover some surprising consequences, including higher premiums for those already covered by Medicare.

7 Dec 2012

Marijuana legalization in 2 states comes under microscope

The New York Times reports the Justice Department and senior White House officials are debating legal action against Colorado and Washington, which could undermine voter-approved initiatives. Meanwhile, a USA Today/Gallup Poll shows Americans are divided on decriminalization efforts but believe the federal government should not intervene after states vote to take that step.

7 Dec 2012

Novel antidepressant targets brain receptors responsible for learning and memory

A first-of-its-kind antidepressant drug discovered by a Northwestern University professor and now tested on adults who have failed other antidepressant therapies has been shown to alleviate symptoms within hours, have good safety and produce positive effects that last for about seven days from a single dose.

7 Dec 2012

Christie rejects state-run health insurance exchange

The New Jersey governor said he didn't have enough information about the alternatives.

7 Dec 2012

Boehner, Obama move to direct talks on budget

As the negotiations shift to the president and House speaker, some Republicans appear to be encouraging their colleagues to abandon staunch opposition to any tax rate hike, The Washington Post reports. But several outlets note that little movement is apparent from either side.

7 Dec 2012

Restaurant chain owner backs down, won't cut employee hours over health law

The owner of Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants backed off threats to cut employee hours to part time, which would have allowed the company to avoid offering health insurance to workers.

7 Dec 2012

Medical News

Roundup: Ga. 'provider fee' defeat could mean $430M less for Medicaid; Minn. health programs in line for $37M cut over fiscal cliff; Calif. stem cell board criticized

Results of Halaven Phase III study in metastatic breast cancer presented at 2012 CTRC-AACR SABCS

Women's Health: Advocates seek new Plan B consideration; Texas lawmakers find Planned Parenthood decision is costly

More compounding pharmacies closed as new infections are reported

Over three million American workers diagnosed with cancer each year, reports study

Minn. review finds HMOs working in Medicaid and state health programs are 'generally sound'

Viewpoints: Considering baby boomers' future burden on Medicare; Holtz-Eakin endorses state exchanges; The value (or not) of mammograms

Ultra-shortened, accelerated breast irradiation treatment logistically achievable and tolerable

Research Roundup: Medicare Advantage Plan beneficiaries may get more appropriate use of services; CHIP participation grows; College students' flu vaccination rates weak

Medicare advisory group recommends 1% increase in hospital rates

Novel sensor measures individual particles in blood samples

Conservative lawyers offer new argument against health law's mandate

VA to offer new rules for veterans with brain injuries

LSUHSC to advance research on social, genetic, environmental and behavioral determinants of future obesity

Raising Medicare's eligibility age would bring trade-offs

Marijuana legalization in 2 states comes under microscope

Novel antidepressant targets brain receptors responsible for learning and memory

Christie rejects state-run health insurance exchange

Boehner, Obama move to direct talks on budget

Restaurant chain owner backs down, won't cut employee hours over health law

Voltammetry and machine learning for real-time neurotransmitter detection

How real-time off-gas analysis improves fermentation process control

Advancing Drug Safety Assessment With AI, Predictive Modeling, and Human-Relevant Data

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