Medicine & Health articles from May 2008

Medicine & Health archives from May 2008

Healthcare near the top of Americans' money worries: 37 percent say they've had financial trouble in the past 5 years due to medical bills.(Medicine and the Economy)
May 2, 2008... Americans rank the cost of healthcare as their third biggest economic problem, following the price of gas and concerns about jobs, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. The poll, which had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus...

Study says U.S. faces shortage of generalist physicians: increasing and aging population puts strain on supply.(Medicine and Demographics)
May 2, 2008... As the population of the United States increases and ages, the country faces a physician shortage that will affect adults' primary care, says a study published in Health Affairs. Family physicians and general internists will see their...

Physician hospitals of America condemns 'farm bill' plan: PHA says provisions will benefit big agribusiness and big healthcare monopolies.(Congress and Medicare)
May 2, 2008... Physician Hospitals of America on April 17 strongly criticized efforts by opponents of physician-owned hospitals to sneak provisions into a national farm bill, according to a press release published on the Web site www.physicianhospitals.org....

Coalition wants Senate to disallow blues' attempt to expand advantage: group says it is troubled by an unfair, unlevel playing field.(Healthcare Insurance)
May 2, 2008... The Blue Cross and Accident Fund Expansion bills enable Blue Cross Blue Shield to expand its unfair advantage into a monopoly rather than benefiting consumers by lowering rates, according to the Coalition For A Fair & Competitive Insurance...

Bipartisan policy project to address challenges in nation's healthcare system: group aims to encourage political collaboration.(Former Senate Leaders)
May 2, 2008... To produce politically viable health policy recommendations, former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell announced the launch of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Leaders Project on the State of...

AAHSA takes caregiver support recommendations to lawmakers: examining workforce issues is critical to meet the needs of an older society.(Congressional Testimony)
May 2, 2008... To improve the quality of care for elders, the federal government must support issues that influence caregivers, said Larry Minnix, president and CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, at the Senate Special Committee on...

Primary care collaborative introduces new guidelines for healthcare purchasers: includes strategies to save money, build coalitions and engage consumers.(Patient-Centered Medical Homes)
May 2, 2008... A framework for healthcare purchasers to buy healthcare that reflects the patient-centered medical home was introduced April 16 by The Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative, a coalition representing the country's business leaders,...

Reducing the Medicare waiting period for disabled workers helps the uninsured: 16 percent of Americans alive at age 55 are on Medicare before age 65, report finds.(National Policy)
May 2, 2008... About one-quarter of disabled workers under age 65 who start receiving Social Security disability income are uninsured during the two years they must wait to obtain Medicare benefits, according to a recent study published on the Health Affairs...

Iraq war saps cancer funds, say cancer researchers: federal money for research into early diagnosis, treatment and cures is plummeting.(Medicine and Government)(Disease/Disorder overview)
May 2, 2008... The war in Iraq is leaving less money for cancer research and could result in a slowdown in the progress made in finding cures, a recent article says. "Many scientists believe the cost of the Iraq war is largely responsible for a drop in...

'Freedom to Breathe Act' decreases cancer risk in hospitality employees: comprehensive smoking ban in bars, restaurants reduces physical exposure to a powerful chemical.(Legislation)
May 2, 2008... Minnesota hospitality workers have significantly reduced exposure to a tobacco-specific cancer-causing chemical since the Freedom to Breathe Act went into effect on Oct. 1, 2007, according to a new study released by the University of Minnesota...

HHS leader: Medicare is facing disaster, implosion: program needs urgent changes now, secretary says.(Federal Government)(Health & Human Services)
May 9, 2008... Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has issued a strong warning about Medicare: It's heading toward disaster, and time is running out to fix it. If the government fails to act, the system will be broke in 11 years, failing in...

Workers' health insurance costs taxpayers $45 billion a year, study says: public programs have grown 11.3 percent from 1999 to 2004.(National Survey)
May 9, 2008... When U.S. employers don't pay for their employees' health insurance, the expense shifts to public insurance and uncompensated care, which cost taxpayers $45 billion a year, says a new Commonwealth Fund study. The study, "Who Pays For...

Changes to 'Family and Medical Leave Act' explain employer responsibilities: companies should dedicate a section of their employee handbook to address the new FMLA rules.(Workplace Legislation)
May 9, 2008... A recent change and several proposed amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act have expanded the program to military families and will clarify application of the Act in both civilian and military situations, according to a recent press...

Physicians face racial and ethnic health disparities, study reveals: primary-care doctors who treat many minority patients have problems providing high-quality care.(Medical Care and Demographics)(Report)
May 9, 2008... A national study shows that primary-care physicians treating black and Latino patients face distinct problems, says a press release published on the Health Affairs Web site. These physicians typically earn less, see more patients, provide more...

Home Safety Council endorses enactment of 'Safety of Seniors Act': more resources are needed for older adults to adopt programs that are working, group says.(National Legislation)
May 9, 2008... The Home Safety Council, a national nonprofit organization promoting prevention of unintentional home injuries, has voiced its support for the enactment of the Safety of Seniors Act, according to an April 24 release from the organization. ...

Diabetes advocates want Congress to increase federal research dollars: group seeks legislation to protect patients from discrimination.(Lobbying for Healthcare)
May 9, 2008... More than 200 volunteer advocates from the American Diabetes Association recently met with members of Congress to lobby for increased federal money for diabetes prevention and research, says an April 28 press release from the ADA. ...

Insurers urge lawmakers to extend special-needs program: AHIP wants removal of existing moratorium on new SNPs and service areas.(Medicare)
May 9, 2008... Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNP) provide value to the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries, America's Health Insurance Plans says in an April 24 press release. AHIP aims to convince Congress to remove the existing cessation on new...

GINA to set a minimum standard of protection for all Americans: American College of Medical Genetics lauds the Genetic Information and Non-Discrimination Act.(Science and Medicine)
May 9, 2008... The American College of Medical Genetics supports the recent passage of HR 493, the Genetic Information and Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 (GINA), which provides vital federal protections against the misuse of genetic information in employment...

CMS emphasizes NPI deadline: agency will hold 2 Q&A roundtables in May.(Medicare)
May 9, 2008... Medicare is now receiving more than 98 percent of claims with a National Provider Identifier, CMS says in a message to providers. But providers need to focus on the next step--NPI-only claims, which CMS will require on May 23. CMS will...

CMS to tighten protections for Medicare Advantage, prescription drug programs: agency proposes $25,000 penalty per enrollee for plans that violate standards.(Federal Government and Healthcare)
May 16, 2008... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is on the move to stamp out marketing abuse in Medicare Advantage health plans and Medicare prescription drug plans. In a May 8 press release, CMS says it is considering converting current guidelines...

CMS clarifies SCHIP policies for states: previous message was unclear, officials say.(Children's Healthcare)
May 16, 2008... Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Kerry Weems has a message for state health officials regarding the State Children's Health Insurance Program: SCHIP is for those children who need it most, and we're sorry about the...

Working families could struggle under McCain's health plan, group says: proposal fails to address the problems of rising healthcare costs and declining coverage.(Presidential Politics)
May 16, 2008... Sen. John McCain's healthcare plan would dismantle the employer-provided system that covers more than 60 percent of nonelderly Americans and increase healthcare costs, says an April 29 press release from the Campaign for America's Future. ...

Coalitions: new Medicare rule undermines high-acuity care: federal government should help skilled nursing facilities cater to the needs of post-acute beneficiaries, lobbyists claim.(CMS Regulations)
May 16, 2008... A key component of a newly issued rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other changes announced on May 1 will significantly hinder skilled nursing facilities' ability to care for the higher-acuity patient population...

Health IT reform hinges on e-prescribing legislation: paper prescriptions are outdated and should be replaced with new technology, advocates say.(Medicine in the Digital Age)
May 16, 2008... A broad group of consumers, employers, unions and medical professionals has signed a letter to congressional leaders urging passage of legislation that would require electronic prescribing in Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Care Management...

American Heart Association lobbies for fitness, research money: organization asks lawmakers to cosponsor the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act.(Prevention Programs)
May 16, 2008... Youth advocates, heart disease and stroke survivors, and researchers from across the country are urging Congress to make a commitment to save lives, says an April 29 press release from the American Heart Association. More than 600...

Baby boomers looking for special geriatric training, report shows: survey reveals increasing reliance of seniors on the Internet for healthcare advice.(Medicine and Demographics)
May 16, 2008... A new survey finds that seven out of eight baby boomers say their physicians should have geriatric training, but a majority of boomers say they cannot find such a doctor, according to a press release from the American System for Advancing...

NHIC earns contract to administer Medicare payments in 4 states: company will handle claims in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.(CMS Reform)
May 16, 2008... By winning a five-year contract worth about $148 million, National Heritage Insurance Corporation has become the administrator of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...

Suppliers of durable medical equipment besiege Congress: House of Representatives hearing puts CMS on the defensive as companies step up their campaign.(Medicare Competitive Bidding)
May 16, 2008... Durable medical equipment suppliers seem to be gaining traction in their fight against Medicare competitive bidding, but will it be enough to stave off the industry-threatening program? Durable medical equipment suppliers have been waging a...

Poll: doctors sick of political system, want more clout: as the country debates major changes to healthcare, physicians decry their lack of influence.(National Survey)
May 30, 2008... A new poll of physicians says they are frustrated with the debate about America's healthcare system and want more influence in how that system is changed. The survey by the American College of Physician Executives found that doctors think it's...

New initiative aims to create a 'sentinel' for healthcare products: electronic system will include a huge database for research, oversight and evaluation.(Health & Human Services)
May 30, 2008... The federal government has launched a joint initiative by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services that will use existing electronic claims and medical records data to improve the safety of medical...

Earlier flu shots could protect millions of children: CDC's new guidelines would extend the vaccination period into August.(Medical Research)
May 30, 2008... Research presented at the annual meeting of" the Pediatric Academic Societies shows that healthcare providers could reach an additional 10.7 million children by starting flu vaccinations in August when children are in the office for school...

Coalition says new rule undercuts ongoing improvements in eldercare: $5 billion cut could put care needs of nursing-home patients at risk.(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
May 30, 2008... A newly issued Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule, which, by regulatory means, will cut by $5 billion over five years the amount Medicare sends to nursing homes, is facing tough opposition from the Coalition to Protect Senior Care,...

50 percent of women with osteoporosis lack knowledge about the disease: advocacy group launches nationwide awareness campaign for better bone health.(National Survey)
May 30, 2008... A nationwide survey of more than 1,000 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis found that about one in three women who have the disease has not been prescribed medication, and more than half reported they do not have adequate information about...

Americans demand stricter water-quality laws: public believes that a public/private partnership should be responsible for safe drinking water.(Government Regulation)
May 30, 2008... Most Americans think that federal laws governing drinking water are not strict enough, according to a scientific opinion poll conducted for the Water Quality Association, as announced in a recent press release from WQA. These results follow a...

Congress unintentionally authorizes sharing of genetic info without patient approval: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 will be subject to HIPAA regulations.(Federal Action)
May 30, 2008... The authors of the recently passed Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (HR 493) had good intentions, but the bill actually legalizes the sharing of genetic information without patient consent, says Sue Blevins, president of the...

Neurotechnology act to accelerate research for brain-related illnesses: proposed legislation has bipartisan support in Congress.(Science and Healthcare)
May 30, 2008... The National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, introduced by a bipartisan team of prominent members of both houses of Congress, aims to promote discoveries and accelerate the development of new and safer treatments for brain-related illness,...

Chief advocacy groups set national diabetes goal: new program will offer practical advice so people with the disease can improve their lives.(Healthcare Initiative)
May 30, 2008... The National Changing Diabetes Program, along with other advocacy and business groups, has announced the National Diabetes Goal--by 2015, 45 percent of Americans, or about 59 million adults, who are at risk for type 2 diabetes will know their...