What We're Reading: New Bill Would Cap Out-of-Pocket Spending for Medicare
September 22nd 2016What we're reading, September 22, 2016: a new bill would cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries; world leaders agreed to a global effort to curb the spread of superbugs; and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, MD, will donate $3 billion over 10 years to cure disease.
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What We're Reading: Law Implementing Late Fees in Missouri Medicaid in Limbo
September 21st 2016What we're reading, September 21, 2016: Missouri law to charge Medicaid patients for missed doctor's appointments is in limbo; generic drugs' potential to bring down costs; fitness trackers cause people to lose less weight.
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What We're Reading: CDC Reports Rising Use of Powerful Antibiotics
September 20th 2016What we're reading, September 20, 2016: CDC reports widespread use of powerful antibiotics in hospitals; Gilead Sciences is backing advocates who want states to pay for expensive drugs; and Zika travel advisory lifted in 1 Florida zone.
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What We're Reading: Government Wants Clinical Trial Findings More Widely Available
September 19th 2016What we're reading, September 19, 2016: the government update rules on reporting clinical trial findings; hospitals say they aren't receiving discounts for Valeant's heart drugs; and the FDA approved the first treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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What We're Reading: Trump Would Expand Insurance Coverage Through Medicaid
September 16th 2016What we're reading, September 16, 2016: Donald Trump mentions using Medicaid to expand coverage and making birth control available without a prescription; medical marijuana could curb the opioid epidemic; and how rare diseases are becoming more common.
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What We're Reading: Free Market Approach to Drug R&D Doesn't Work, Says UN
September 15th 2016What we're reading, September 15, 2016: A United Nations panel challenges the market-based approach to drug research and development; an FDA panel recommends removing a serious health warning from Chantix's label; and older patients may want to wait to get their flu shot.
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What We're Reading: CMS Denies Ohio's Medicaid Fee Proposal
September 14th 2016What we're reading, September 14, 2016: CMS denies Ohio's proposal to charge Medicaid fees; steep costs of healthcare continue to push Americans into poverty; and Canada approves prescription heroin to treat severe addiction.
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What We're Reading: Republicans Push for Expanded Exemptions for ACA Penalties
September 13th 2016What we're reading, September 13, 2016: GOP bill would exempt people who live in areas with 1 Obamacare plan or none from penalties for not having coverage; hepatitis C drugs threaten to bust prison budgets; and school challenges for children with mental illness.
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What We're Reading: Clinton Has Pneumonia, Raising New Speculation About Her Health
September 12th 2016What we're reading, September 12, 2016: Hillary Clinton's health is being called into question as her campaign confirms she has pneumonia; responders who helped during the 9/11 terrorist attacks may be sick and not know it; and Sanofi and Google team up for a diabetes venture.
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What We're Reading: Walgreens Prepares to Ease Antitrust Concerns Over Rite Aid Deal
September 9th 2016What we're reading, September 9, 2016: Walgreens believes it may need to unload more stores to ease antitrust concerns over its Rite Aid purchase; the Senate may be nearing a Zika funding agreement; and American dissatisfaction with their healthcare system.
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What We're Reading: County at Risk of Having No ACA Plans in 2017 Gets an Insurer
September 8th 2016What we're reading, September 8, 2016: An Arizona county at risk of having no Affordable Care Act plans in 2017 gains an insurer; the difficulty of obtaining medical records; and Ohio county offers immunity for anyone turning in deadly drugs.
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What We're Reading: Allergan Will Limit Price Hikes on Its Drugs
September 7th 2016What we're reading, September 7, 2016: Allergan vows to limit drug price hikes; Senate votes again to block Zika funding bill; and CMS will institute a new process to screen people signing up for Obamacare coverage during special enrollment periods.
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What We're Reading: State Prescription Databases Fight the Opioid Epidemic
September 6th 2016What we're reading, September 6, 2016: state prescription databases play a role in fighting the opioid epidemic; experimenting with transition models to reduce gaps in care; and how electronic health records slow down doctors.
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What We're Reading: Zika Remains a Global Emergency
September 2nd 2016What we're reading, September 5, 2016: Zika virus remains a global health emergency and worsens in Asia; the government provides "simple choice plan" options for 2017's open enrollment season; and how hospitals are improving the workplace.
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What We're Reading: Taxpayers Cover 70% of California's Healthcare Costs
September 2nd 2016What we're reading, September 2, 2016: California taxpayers will cover 70% of the state's healthcare costs in 2016; President Barack Obama supports recommendations to reform the Veterans Affairs healthcare system; and California is close to criminalizing undercover stings against Planned Parenthood.
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What We're Reading: Americans Have a Mostly Negative View of Pharma Industry
August 31st 2016What we're reading, August 31, 2016: 51% of Americans have a negative view of the pharmaceutical industry; the CDC is running out of funds to fight the Zika virus; and Pennsylvania chooses 3 private companies to manage Medicaid plans.
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What We're Reading: DOJ Investigating Police Treatment of the Mentally Ill
August 30th 2016What We're Reading, August 30, 2016: the Justice Department is investigating police treatment of the mentally ill; researchers identify overtreatment based on imaging procedures; and 2 drug compounds may prevent the Zika virus from replicating in the body.
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What We're Reading: Investigation Finds Overcharging by Medicare Advantage Plans
August 29th 2016What we're reading, August 29, 2016: Audit finds Medicare Advantage plans overcharged the government; enrollment on the Affordable Care Act's exchanges less than half of initial prediction; and California bill to protect consumers from surprise medical bills divides physicians.
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What We're Reading: The Middle Class Faces Increasing Burden of Healthcare Costs
August 26th 2016What we're reading, August 26, 2016: the middle class is burdened with increasing healthcare costs; how much do voters need to know about presidential candidates' health; and honoring the end-of-life wishes of patients with dementia.
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What We're Reading: Clinton Proposes Emergency Fund for Public Health Crises
August 25th 2016What we're reading, August 25, 2016: Hillary Clinton proposes fund for public health crises; hospitals that treated victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting will not bill survivors; and 1 in 4 people admit to using leftover antibiotics.
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What We're Reading: Tennessee's ACA Exchange Near Collapse
August 24th 2016What we're reading, August 24, 2016: Tennessee signed off on high premium hikes as its exchange is close to collapse; 5 states sue the Obama administration over a transgender healthcare policy; and a new non—travel-related Zika case is identified in Tampa Bay.
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What We're Reading: GOP May Work to Fix, Not Repeal, ACA Under New President
August 23rd 2016What we're reading, August 23, 2016: Republicans in Congress indicate they may be willing to fix the Affordable Care Act instead of repeal it once President Obama is out of office; an Alzheimer's drug receives fast-track designation from the FDA; and Pfizer to acquire Medivation.
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