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More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

Courtroom action: June 8 will mark important date for health law

That's the day when oral arguments will be held regarding the Obama administration's 11th Circuit appeal of the ruling in the multi-state challenge to the health overhaul.

2 Apr 2011

USAID Administrator testifies before State, Foreign Ops subcommittee about FY12 budget, expresses concerns about FY11 budget cuts

In a hearing regarding the FY12 budget before the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations subcommittee earlier this week, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah highlighted the possible impact of the FY11 budget cuts currently being debated in Congress, Foreign Policy's "The Cable" blog reports.

1 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

In hearings Friday, some of my former congressional colleagues are due to explore the operations of the AARP, the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Americans age 50 and older. Specifically, the hearing is to examine the group's tax status, evaluating it in view of its management structure and funding.

1 Apr 2011

CBO Director on health law: New estimates indicate net deficit decrease of $210 billion

Previously, the Congressional Budget Office had estimated a 10-year deficit reduction figure of $124 billion. The update reflects a change in the time period on which the projection is based.

1 Apr 2011

Scientists to develop new techniques for autism detection and treatment

To parents, learning that a child has been diagnosed with autism can be overwhelming. Children with the disorder can seem trapped in a world of their own, without friends or even a conception of friendship. Many prefer to play alone. Some lose the ability to speak more than a few words.

1 Apr 2011

HHS secretary Sebelius testifies before Senate appropriations panel

During her testimony, the Health and Human Services secretary took questions on the health law and pointed out — according to Modern Healthcare — funding concerns related to rural critical access hospitals and anti-fraud and abuse efforts.

1 Apr 2011

AARP under attack in GOP efforts against health law

House Republicans issued a report Wednesday and plan to hold a hearing Friday to investigate AARP's support for the health law as well as the organization's business interests.

1 Apr 2011

Roundup: Minn. and Fla. weigh changes in programs for disabled, poor; Iowa lawmakers consider new abortion restrictions

Due to a shockingly large deficit, Gov. Rick Scott is planning to invoke his emergency powers and make deep cuts to the rates charged by group homes and case workers who help the developmentally disabled. Scott could announce a 15 percent rate cut as early as Thursday to close the $170 million budget gap in the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, according to lawmakers who were briefed Wednesday.

1 Apr 2011

First Edition: March 31, 2011

In today's news, reports on continuing congressional efforts to reach a deal on the current-year budget and on a move by Medicare to cover Provenge, a prostate cancer drug.

31 Mar 2011

Revenues grow, but states wrestle with shortfalls in Medicaid needs

A new Census Bureau report find revenues for local and state governments are growing but many states are still having difficulty funding Medicaid programs. In Conn., the governor says he has reservations about a proposal to create a new entity to oversee state health care. California and New Jersey officials are having trouble finding cuts to balance the budget. And hospital officials in Texas are urging lawmakers to not trim health care.

31 Mar 2011

HRI to host healthy hearing teen initiative at DGA Theatre in NYC

The House Research Institute announced that it will host "Sound Rules! A Sound & Hearing Celebration" for teens at the Director's Guild of America Theatre in New York City on May 4.

31 Mar 2011

State roundup: Md. Blue Cross probed; Mass. nonprofit hospitals may be sold

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Maryland's largest insurer, confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that it received a civil investigative demand from the Justice Department but declined to comment further.

31 Mar 2011

Tips on neurobiology of learning

Everyone would like MDs to have the best education - and to absorb what they are taught. The lead article in the April 4 issue of the journal Academic Medicine connects research on how the brain learns to how to incorporate this understanding into real world education, particularly the education of doctors.

31 Mar 2011

Radiation oncologists head to Capitol Hill to promote critical initiatives

More than 100 radiation oncology treatment team members and resident physicians convened in Washington Monday and Tuesday to represent radiation oncology on Capitol Hill at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) eighth annual Advocacy Day. Participants spent Monday hearing from members of Congress and key congressional staff on the latest legislative activity and ASTRO'’s legislative agenda. On Tuesday, the group headed to House and Senate office buildings to meet with senators, congressmen and staffers from their home states to promote agenda items important to the safety and well-being of cancer patients.

30 Mar 2011

House Subcommittee to investigate AARP 'financial conflicts'

House GOP lawmakers are scrutinizing how the AARP's interests may have played into the positions the organization took during the health debate.

28 Mar 2011

MediConnect CEO to discuss on risk adjustment health services at HCC conference

MediConnect Global today announced that Amy Rees Anderson, the company's CEO, is among a renowned group of healthcare professionals speaking at the 5th annual HCC Management Summit in Nashville, Tennessee.

28 Mar 2011

New discovery may improve cochlear implants for deafness

University of Utah scientists used invisible infrared light to make rat heart cells contract and toadfish inner-ear cells send signals to the brain.

28 Mar 2011

Blue Cross Blue Shield facing Justice Dept. questions on hospital agreements

The U.S. Justice Department is widening a probe into whether Blue Cross Blue Shield health-insurance plans are artificially raising premiums in several states by striking agreements with hospitals that stifle competition from rival insurers. Federal investigators and some state attorneys general have sent civil subpoenas to "Blue" health plans in Missouri, Ohio, Kansas, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the District of Columbia, according to people familiar with the matter.

28 Mar 2011

Scientists discover how odors are detected and processed by brain

Researchers seeking to unravel the most ancient yet least understood of the five senses - smell - have discovered a previously unknown step in how odors are detected and processed by the brain.

28 Mar 2011