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Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery® Research Benefits From Increased Grant From NOSCAR
The Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research® (NOSCAR®), a joint effort of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), has announced Olympus" continuing commitment to funding research in an emerging minimally invasive transdisciplinary therapy known as Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery®, with a $250,000 grant to the existing Olympus Research Fund supporting NOTES® research. This grant increases Olympus" total funding to $1.25 million.

Genetically Elevated Levels Of Lipoprotein Associated With Increased Risk Of Heart Attack
A genetic analysis of data from three studies suggests that genetically elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a study in the June 10 issue of JAMA.
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Dems' Health Care Reform Plans Would Include Abortion Coverage, Washington Times Opinion Piece States
As lawmakers work to pass health reform legislation, "few are talking about" the "essential question" of whether "health reform will force taxpayers to pay for abortions for the first time in 30 years," Family Research Council President Tony Perkins writes in a Washington Times opinion piece. According to Perkins, "the short answer is yes" because there is no "explicit provision" in any Democratic health plan that would "[p]revent taxpayer funding of abortions as part of the health care benefit Congress is considering"; avert "delays in health care services that result in the death of the patient waiting for care"; or allow health care providers "to refuse to participate in health care-related action that violates their conscience." Perkins continues that the House"s reform proposal would provide federal coverage for ""family planning," the well-worn buzz word that includes abortion unless specified to the contrary." He adds that "it would be naive to assume, unless there is an explicit prohibition in the bill, that [HHS] Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will not use her discretion to fund abortions with taxpayers" money." Perkins also writes that the Democratic reform plans, "in short, ... attempt to be silent on the key question of whether or not to allow the U.S. government to fund abortions with taxpayers" money," and also give the HHS secretary "the power to allow taxpayer-funded abortions."He writes, "The Family Research Council"s answer is clear: There must be a permanent prohibition on taxpayer-funded abortions," as well as "provision to allow a right of conscience for doctors and nurses and other health care providers" to refuse to participate in treatments they oppose. He adds that "there can be no system of denial or delay or rationing of care." Perkins concludes, "Euthanasia by any other name is a poison pill in the health reform debate" (Perkins, Washington Times, 7/5)
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AARP On Medicare Trustees Report: "Medicare's Accelerating Insolvency. Will Only Be Fixed By Comprehensive Reform In 2009."

AARP Executive Vice President John Rother issued the following statement on today"s release of the Medicare Trustees report. "This year"s report by the Trustees is yet another clarion call for health care reform. "Medicare"s accelerating insolvency is largely a result of two problems-an economic recession that is increasing demand on public health programs while lowering revenues, and skyrocketing costs throughout the health care system-that will only be fixed by comprehensive reform in 2009. "Skyrocketing health care costs are squeezing individuals and employers, as well as threatening the security of Medicare-a lifeline for tens of millions of Americans. "The good news, however, is that there are health care reform solutions that can strengthen Medicare for future generations as well as those in the program today. "As the White House and Congress work together on reform legislation, we are telling them that any final package must include the creation of a Medicare follow-up care benefit, which would help people safely transition to their homes or another setting after a hospital stay, coordinate their health care needs and prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions. "A follow-up care benefit is one of many solutions that, if done right, can lower costs for individuals and improve the quality of health care, all while saving billions of dollars. "To ensure that Medicare can remain strong for future generations, we also need real health delivery system reform that eliminates waste, inefficiency, and fraud to bring down costs throughout the system. That includes cutting subsidies to private Medicare Advantage plans and improving the coordination of care in both public programs and private plans, as well as reducing drug prices through measures like creating a pathway for generic versions of biologic drugs. "There will be cynics today who only focus on a symptom-Medicare"s accelerating insolvency-instead of the much larger problem posed by skyrocketing health care costs. At this stage of the game, however, we should all be focusing on solutions. "We cannot solve the problems in Medicare without addressing the crisis that plagues our entire health care system. Congress and the White House must work together to pass comprehensive reform this year so that our children and grandchildren can count on the same security that Medicare has provided to their families for decades." For more information about AARP"s health reform campaign, please visit http://www.aarp.org/GovernmentWatch. AARP


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