Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
mahjong
Popular Articles

Cincinnati Enquirer Looks At Effects Of Antiretrovirals On The Lives Of People With HIV, Larger Epidemic
The Cincinnati Enquirer examined how the "success stories" of people living longer with HIV - such as that of former National Basketball Association player Earvin "Magic" Johnson - can "illustrate how well anti-HIV medications work and might be part of the reason the epidemic still rages." The article discussed the efficacy of antiretrovirals, their side effects and the consequences of not taking the medications (O"Farrell [1], Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/5). The Enquirer also featured an overview of the history and science of HIV (O"Farrell [2], Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/5).
buy gauloises online
Imaging The Hypnotized Brain: Neural Mechanisms Of Suggested Paralysis
Although there is no doubt that hypnosis can impact the mind and behavior, the underlying brain mechanisms are not well understood. Now, new research provides fascinating insight into the specific neural effect of the power of suggestion. The study, published by Cell Press in the June 25 issue of the journal Neuron, uncovers the influence of hypnotic paralysis on brain networks involved in internal representations and self imagery.
News of the day
Prescription Drug Use Dropped In 2008, Though Spending Increased, Medco Research Indicates
Use of prescription drugs in the U.S. declined in 2008 -- the first such decrease in a decade -- but total spending on such treatments increased by 3.3%, according to a report released on Wednesday by Medco Health Solutions, the AP/Washington Post reports. The report attributed the decline in sales to fewer new drugs being introduced in 2008, popular medications becoming available as non-prescriptions and concerns about certain drugs" safety. Total spending increased largely because of increased use of "specialty" medications for chronic and complicated illnesses, which often are more costly and sometimes require special considerations for storage or delivery to patients, according to the AP/Post. Profits on specialty drugs in 2008 increased by about 16%. The average costs for other brand-name drugs increased by more than 8% in 2008, the largest increase in five years. According to the report, spending on prescription drugs would have been higher but less costly generic medications accounted for 64% of all prescriptions in 2008.The report predicted that prescription drug use in the U.S. will increase by no more than 1% in 2009 and 2010. However, price increases are expected to contribute to an increase in total spending of 3% to 5% in 2009 and 4% to 6% in 2010 (Seaman, AP/Washington Post, 5/13).
Health Insurance

Lawmakers Seek Compromise On Health Overhaul Proposals

Democrats and Republicans are saying that they will need to compromise on a government-run public plan if they are to meet the deadline of having a bill on the Senate floor by the August recess, The Associated Press reports. ""We"ll get this done because we"re doing it in a bipartisan way," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. "If we can reach a compromise, we can get this done by Aug. 8 or at least get it out of committee by Aug. 8." Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also a committee member, said compromise is possible but that senators can"t "take things off the table altogether," a reference to the Democrats" desire to include a government insurance option. That is a sticking point for Republicans. They see a public or government insurance plan as unfair to the private insurance industry and the first step to nationalized health care. Obama and most fellow Democrats argue that a government plan would keep costs down and give consumers another option." Ohio Rep. John Boehner, the House GOP leader, is a voice for the opposition. The AP reports he said "the public option and the employer mandate were "deal-breakers" for his colleagues .... [meanwhile] House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., compared requiring all Americans to have health insurance with mandating that drivers carry auto insurance. "We want everybody in the system," Hoyer said. "That will bring costs down."" Boehner and Hoyer appeared on Fox News Sunday (Daniel, 7/5). Grassley and Schumer butted heads on CBS" Face the Nation: "Schumer said he does not care what you call the alternative to private health insurance companies, as long as they provide competition and are national. Grassley charged that Schumer "doesn"t want to go too far on pushing the federal government" because it is a "political problem"" (Levi 6/5). The Washington Post: "In the days to come, Democrats will make critical decisions that will begin to define the bill"s winners and losers. One moving target: who receives insurance subsidies. The Senate Finance Committee is considering an income threshold of 300 percent of the poverty level, or $54,930 in gross annual income for a family of three, to keep the legislation"s 10-year cost at $1 trillion. For example, a single person earning $35,000 per year who does not have coverage today would be required to buy it under the legislation but would probably not receive help in offsetting a policy"s cost, which averaged $4,704 in 2008. The committee also is considering provisions that could lead to higher insurance rates for adults in the 55-to-64 age category and higher out-of-pocket costs for certain people who buy their own insurance" (Murray and Montgomery, 7/6). The timeline to get a bill done, however, is looking increasingly difficult to keep, Roll Call reports: "Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), managing the health care bill in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, signaled late last week that Democratic leaders do not expect a bill to clear the Senate in the next five weeks. Rather, Dodd indicated, the goal is to complete the tricky merger of the HELP and Finance Committee bills, with the floor fracas over a final bill put off until after Labor Day. ò€¦ Senate Democratic leaders" official timeline still calls for a bill to clear the chamber by Aug. 7, according to a senior Democratic aide" (Drucker, 7/6). Politico reports that Democrats still have some convincing to do on reform to Americans: "But they need to make a more visceral case for overhauling the system, said Jim Kessler, the vice president for policy at Third Way, who co-authored [a seven-page strategy] memo with Anne Kim, director of the group"s economic program. "Most of the current words used to describe and sell reform are computational words - cost, access, quality," Kessler said. "They are Mr. Spock words, not Dr. Spock words. ò€¦ You need to use terms that are warm, evocative and emotional"" (Brown, 7/6). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009