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Margaret E. O'Kane has been making lasting impacts on healthcare quality measurement for years. But when she founded the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the organization was sometimes underestimated and not taken seriously.

A review of our peer-reviewed research, in the healthcare and mainstream press.

What 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.

The FDA has several projects under its wings that can improve the regulatory aspect of drug development and healthcare overall.

Based on the results of the MINDACT trial, investigators have concluded that chemotherapy is unnecessary in women with early-stage breast cancer who have a high clinical and low genomic risk of disease recurrence.

As health insurers reduce their involvement in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s insurance exchanges and states approve sharp premium increases for 2017, HHS is trying to assuage fears that coverage under the ACA will be unaffordable for consumers next year.

Researchers found that changing cooking methods could allow people at risk of developing diabetes to reverse damage done by things like grilling and frying their food.

The study in JAMA represents the largest effort to date to integrate mental health and primary care services across a health system and measure both clinical outcomes and savings.

What 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.

Research at Massachusetts General Hospital has provided vital leads that can explain drug resistance observed in breast cancer.

For years, researchers have looked for a solution that would mean fewer injections for those with type 1 diabetes.

While Mylan has steadily increased the price of EpiPens since 2007, the uproar from consumers is more recent. This suggests that for several years, payers masked the cost of the product, but that has changed with the popularity of high deductible plans.

A majority of hospitals that may be required to participate in the new Medicare cardiac bundled payment models would not experience losses or gains over $500,000 per year, according to a recent analysis by Avalere Health.

Researchers from Italy and France have coauthored an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that blames novel diagnostic technologies, increased access to healthcare services, and increased medical surveillance for the thyroid cancer epidemic around the world

What 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.

Governor Phil Bryant's opposition to expansion contrasts with his public support for other healthcare initiatives, such as a new diabetes research center and telehealth research.

It’s a hotly debated question about healthcare reform: How does Medicaid expansion impact emergency department usage?

The recommendation comes after a review of evidence of how sugar consumption affects children's health. FDA is scheduled to add information on added sugar to food labels in 2018.

A new study by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research has substantiated that hormone replacement using estrogen and progesterone increases the risk of breast cancer, especially with longer use.

What 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.

A new report by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute recommends a bundled payment model for breast cancer screening, with the objective of improved patient care and a more efficient use of healthcare resources.

A $245 million priority review voucher is essentially wasted, not over the therapy, but the delivery device.

Researchers from Tufts Medical Center analyzed findings from 26 studies to determine how drug exclusion policies affect patients and healthcare costs.

Diabetes advocate Kelly Close of diaTribe and Close Concerns wrote in a blog post that those with diabetes can make a video to share with the FDA.

Factors such as insurance status and being married are significant determinants of survival compared with race/ethnicity, in patients with multiple myeloma who are less than 65 years of age.

What we're reading, August 22, 2016: freestanding emergency clinics come under increased scrutiny; hospitals are being more open about medical mistakes; and regulations to blame for rising generic drug prices.

Prescription drugs are a major source of US healthcare expenditures, and a new study in Health Affairs has determined just how much.

Once smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, quitting may not improve smokers’ lung function; thus, smokers should quit as early as possible to have the greatest chance of reversing lung damage.

There is a role for employers in improving employees’ health and wellbeing, and employees have a high level of satisfaction with existing health and wellbeing programs.

A new report by the American College of Physicians sheds light on the harsh truth that being underinsured is as big a challenge as being uninsured. Cost sharing, in particular deductibles, has caused patients to forgo or delay care, including medically necessary services.