Archive for October, 2009
Shocked By Re-Emergence Of Public Option, Business Groups Push Back
Business leaders who thought they had dodged a bullet when the Senate Finance Committee decided against offering a government-run public option as part of their health bill are pushing back after the plan’s re-emergence. The Wall Street Journal reports that several groups, including the Business Roundtable and the U.S.
Lawmakers Try To Weed Out Fraud And Waste
Lawmakers target Medicare and Medicaid fraud to generate greater savings in health care reform while doctors worry about efforts to cut waste. The Wall Street Journal reports: “The federal government needs to further step up efforts to fight Medicare and Medicaid fraud to generate more savings to help pay for a health-care overhaul, lawmakers said Wednesday. …
Grey’s Anatomy Star Chandra Wilson Joins Leading OTC Medicine Makers To Educate Parents On The Safe Use Of Children’s Cough And Cold Medicines
Chandra Wilson, a mother of three and star of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Grey’s Anatomy, and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) are pleased to unveil today a series of public service announcements (PSAs) on the safe use of children’s over-the-counter (OTC) oral cough and cold medicines. These PSAs provide parents and caregivers with important tips that they should always follow when using OTC oral cough and cold medicines for children.
Could Vaccination For Children Against Seasonal Flu Stop Immunity Developing Against Pandemic Strains?
Infection with “seasonal” influenza A could actually benefit children by giving them improved immunity against pandemic strains such as the swine flu H1N1 strain now circulating. Thus, vaccinating children aged 6 months to 5 years against seasonal flu, as is recommended in some countries, could be disadvantageous to these children.
Unsedated Colonoscopy For Colorectal Cancer Screening Well Accepted By Patients, Study Shows
Researchers from Taiwan report in a new study that unsedated colonoscopy for primary colorectal cancer screening is well accepted in a majority of patients. Sedation is typically used for colonoscopy to make the patient feel comfortable during the procedure. In Taiwan, colonoscopy is performed less frequently than sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening due to concerns over cost and availability. Researchers compared unsedated colonoscopy with sigmoidoscopy to analyze factors associated with acceptance of the procedures and need for sedation.
Early Treatment Of Fibromyalgia More Effective, Research Suggests
People suffering from fibromyalgia have reduced activity in the parts of the brain that inhibit the experience of pain. Drugs that affect the CNS can be effective against the disease, and are thought to be even more so if administered early in its course, according to a Swedish researcher.
Coverage Details Hits Taken By Medicaid Programs In State Budget Cuts
State Medicaid and other health programs have fallen under the axe or been moved onto the chopping block this week. Associated Press: “Gov. Jay Nixon cut an additional $204 million from Missouri’s budget Wednesday and eliminated nearly 700 jobs in attempt to offset a continued decline in state tax revenues.” The cuts include lowering Medicaid payments (Lieb, 10/18).
New Model May Help Scientists Better Predict And Prevent Influenza Outbreaks
Each year, the influenza virus evolves. And each year, public health officials try to predict what the new strain will be and how it will affect the population in order to best combat it. A new study by an international team of researchers, led by assistant professor Andrew W. Park, who holds a joint appointment in the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology and in the College of Veterinary Medicine, may make their task a little easier.
Senators Who Support The Public Option Hope Resistant Moderates Will ‘Come Around’
“Democratic Senators in favor of including a public insurance option in health care reform expect resistant moderates … to come around once they see the details of the final legislation,” Roll Call reports. Centrists such as Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., have suggested that they may not support reform with a public option. “Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.
Biofield Therapies: Helpful Or Full Of Hype? Review Looks At Reiki, Therapeutic Touch And Healing Touch
Biofield therapies — Reiki, therapeutic touch and healing touch — are promising complementary interventions for reducing the intensity of pain in diverse conditions, anxiety for hospitalized patients and agitated behaviors in dementia. A review of the science behind biofield therapies has now been published.
You are currently browsing the Rx Medicare blog archives for October, 2009.
Rx Drug Compare
Translator
By N2H