Health Spending Rose in ’09, but at a Low Rate
Total national health spending grew by 4 percent in 2009, the slowest rate of increase in 50 years, as people lost their jobs, lost health insurance and deferred medical care.
Chasing Unicorns: The Future of ACOs
“The accountable care organization is like a unicorn, a fantastic creature that is vested with mythical powers. But no one has actually seen one.” Ian Morrison argues that ACOs are vaguely defined, conceptually fuzzy and badly constructed, and are unpopular with doctors and patients. But they may be our best hope to have an organized health care system that is accountable for our care.
Spike in Kidney Patients: Eastern Health
Eastern Canada sees considerable growth in dialysis patients in 2010. The rise is likely connected to a spike in health conditions that contribute to kidney problems, like diabetes and heart disease.
Greater Risk of Nephropathy in Hypertensive Diabetes Reported
The lifetime risk of nephropathy among hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes may be greater than previously reported, and the repercussions are somewhat surprising.
CROWNWeb 2.0 Tentative for April 2011
CMS recently announced that the start of CROWNWeb 2.0 (Phase III) is tentatively scheduled for April 2011, providing CMS with an opportunity to fine-tune security requirements and participating facilities with additional time to gain access to the system.
House Sets Jan. 12 Vote on Repeal of Health-Care Law
House Republicans have set Jan. 12 as their day to vote on a repeal of President Obama’s health-care law, after a midterm election in which they campaigned against the landmark legislation as a government takeover of the health industry.
Democrats Defend Law, Prepare to Fight Back as House Minority
With the countdown on until the Jan. 12 House repeal vote, the Obama administration and Democratic officials “hit back” at the GOP push to the undo the health law by detailing the negative repercussions it would have for consumers.
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