Sep 14 These new heart failure treatments show promise, but at a huge price By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News Two new treatments for congestive heart failure cost too much in the short term and would drive up spending by insurers and government programs, a nonprofit group said in an analysis released Friday, just days after the same researchers took… Continue reading
Sep 11 Watch 4:29 Study: Lower targets for blood pressure can prevent heart attacks and strokes By PBS News Hour For patients over 50, having blood pressure below the commonly recommended targets can drastically reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. That’s according to a major blood pressure study from the National Institutes of Health, which called the information… Continue watching
Sep 10 When the hospital is boss, that’s where doctors’ patients go By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Why did hospitals binge-buy doctor practices in recent years? To improve care coordination, lower costs and upgrade patient experiences, say hospitals. To raise costs, gain pricing power and steer patient referrals, say skeptics. Researchers at Stanford University tested those opposing… Continue reading
Sep 10 New federal food safety rules issued after deadly outbreaks By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Food manufacturers must be more vigilant about keeping their operations clean, according to new safety rules released Thursday by the government in the wake of deadly foodborne illness outbreaks linked to ice cream, caramel apples, cantaloupes and peanuts. Continue reading
Sep 08 Obama administration on track for 2015 health insurance sign-ups By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press About 9.9 million people have signed up and paid for health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, the administration said Tuesday, a slight dip from a previous count but on track toward the administration's year-end goal of 9.1… Continue reading
Sep 07 West Nile virus cases hit record numbers in California last year By Barbara Feder Ostrov, Kaiser Health News The number of these serious California cases was 83 percent higher than the previous record number reported in the state in 2005, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue reading
Sep 04 From eggs to trees, USDA’s promotional programs have courted controversy By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The slogans are familiar: "The Incredible Edible Egg," ''Pork: The Other White Meat," and "Got Milk?" They've all been part of promotional campaigns overseen by the Agriculture Department and paid for by the industries that vote to organize… Continue reading
Sep 03 Obama administration plan protects transgender community’s access to healthcare By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Mirroring a shift in society, the Obama administration proposed Thursday to ban discrimination against transgender people throughout the health care system. Continue reading
Sep 02 Watch 8:06 Why doctors are prescribing legal aid for patients in need By PBS News Hour Though lawyers are often the last people doctors want to see involved in patient care, across the country, many medical systems have begun establishing special legal partnerships. Lawyers become allies for disadvantaged patients who need help navigating problems with landlords… Continue watching
Sep 02 First polio outbreak since 2010 reported in Europe, WHO says By Michelle Harven The World Health Organization reports two children in southwestern Ukraine have been diagnosed with polio for the first time in Europe since 2010. Continue reading