Health Headlines- week of March 7th

Lawsuit claims that fish oil supplements contain toxins
Sugary drinks could lead to an early grave
American Cancer Society releases new prostate cancer screening guidelines
Having a sense of purpose could prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Is too much small talk making you unhappy?

Day 6 of 206- reading the Senate Health Care Bill

Pressing on…
Today’s health care “summit” did not seem to alter the course of things, and it looks like Congress is going to push this bill through, so I am motivated to continue reading since this may indeed become a reality.

Pages 77-88
Continues to outline how the government will collect fees and penalties from insurance plans that [...]

Health Headlines- week of Feb 22nd

Cholesterol drugs’ heart benefits outweigh diabetes risk
New blood test may revolutionize cancer care
Researchers say placebos could be used to treat some illnesses
“Flat-headed” babies may have cognitive delays
Daily aspirin reduces risk of death after breast cancer
Like cigarettes, pipes and cigars hurt lungs

Health Headlines- week of Feb 15th

Ending statin drugs may not end muscle pains
Oxytocin spray shows promise in autism
Breast MRI no better than traditional surveillance
Female plasma may be better for transfusions
Many frozen embryos go unused when couples choose IVF

Day 5 of 206- reading the Senate Health Care Bill

Ok, I am back on the saddle.  I’d explain why I couldn’t get to this for a week but it would be too boring.

Pages 65-76
Begins to outline the rules for implementing the plan.
The part I find funny… “The Secretary shall adopt operating rules under this subsection… having ensured consultation with providers.” Does this mean that [...]

Health Headlines- Week of Feb 8th

Diabetics and Their Doctors Not Concerned About the Same Thing
Parents Often Make Errors in Dosing Their Kids
Many Adults Not Getting Recommended Vaccinations
Shingles-Associated Pain Relieved with Botox
New Scan May Allow Communication with Patients in “Vegetative” State

Health Headlines- Week of Feb 1

Over 70?  A few extra pounds may help you live longer
Mortality in diabetes may increase when sugar control is “too good”
For some, overeating is as addicting as smoking, cocaine use
Bill Gates pledges $10 billion to a vital global health need
UK panel discredits doctor who linked measles vaccine to autism

Day 4 of 206- reading the Senate Health Care Bill

Pages 52-64
Section 1102 Reinsurance for Early Retirees
Gives federal money to insurance plans to cover part of the cost of insuring people who retire early from their job.

In other words, people who stop working at age 55 can receive Medicare-type coverage, but not exactly.  You must have a job that provides health insurance, and then if [...]

Day 3 of 206- reading the Senate Health Care Bill

Pages 41-52
Section 2794 Ensuring that Consumers Get Value for Their Dollars
Lets HHS establish a process to review insurance plans “unreasonable increases in premiums for health insurance coverage”.
Requires States who participate in the “Federal Exchange” (first time mentioned in the bill?) to report on premium increases in the State, and allows HHS to determine if the [...]

The Best Article on Health Care Reform I Have Read So Far

This week’s New York Review of Books features an article by Jerome Groopman, MD, author of one of my favorite books on the practice of medicine, How Doctors Think.  In the article, Dr. Groopman explores the idea of “comparative effectiveness research” and the role it might play in our health care system if a reform [...]

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