Thursday, January 29, 2015

Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids - Medical News Today

Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids - Medical News Today

Eye Tracking May Help to Spot Concussions Quickly

Eye Tracking May Help to Spot Concussions Quickly

Acne Gel Linked to Rare Side Effect, Doctors Warn

Acne Gel Linked to Rare Side Effect, Doctors Warn

Flu's Grip on U.S. Starting to Weaken: CDC

Flu's Grip on U.S. Starting to Weaken: CDC

Genes May Not Explain Autism That Runs in Families

Genes May Not Explain Autism That Runs in Families

Anthem Raises Dividend Almost 43 Pct, Tops 4Q Forecasts - NYTimes.com

Anthem Raises Dividend Almost 43 Pct, Tops 4Q Forecasts - NYTimes.com

With Half of California’s Kids On Medicaid, Advocates Worry About Service | Kaiser Health News

With Half of California’s Kids On Medicaid, Advocates Worry About Service | Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

ADHD Linked to Earlier Use of Illicit Drugs in Teens: Study

ADHD Linked to Earlier Use of Illicit Drugs in Teens: Study

Some Kids With Autism Show Improvement by Age 6: Study

Some Kids With Autism Show Improvement by Age 6: Study

Group blasts hospital over in-house McDonald's | The Augusta Chronicle

Group blasts hospital over in-house McDonald's | The Augusta Chronicle

Autism Treatment Coverage Bill Advances To Senate | WABE 90.1 FM

Autism Treatment Coverage Bill Advances To Senate | WABE 90.1 FM

Lead-tainted toys seized at Port of Savannah | www.wsbtv.com

Lead-tainted toys seized at Port of Savannah | www.wsbtv.com

Medicaid Expansion Supporters Lobby At Georgia's Capitol | WABE 90.1 FM

Medicaid Expansion Supporters Lobby At Georgia's Capitol | WABE 90.1 FM

Study: Decline in deaths for some preterm babies | Georgia Health News

Study: Decline in deaths for some preterm babies | Georgia Health News

Indiana Will Allow Entry to Medicaid for a Price - NYTimes.com

Indiana Will Allow Entry to Medicaid for a Price - NYTimes.com

Indiana Medicaid Expansion May Tempt Other GOP-Led States | Kaiser Health News

Indiana Medicaid Expansion May Tempt Other GOP-Led States | Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Soda Habit May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls, Study Suggests

Soda Habit May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls, Study Suggests

Shipping proposal outlined on medical cannabis | Georgia Health News

Shipping proposal outlined on medical cannabis | Georgia Health News

Pediatric inpatient area at Midtown Medical Center set to open Feb. 2 | Health | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Pediatric inpatient area at Midtown Medical Center set to open Feb. 2 | Health | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Autism Treatment Coverage Bill Advances To Senate | WABE 90.1 FM

Autism Treatment Coverage Bill Advances To Senate | WABE 90.1 FM

Latest snapshot of Georgia exchange enrollees | Georgia Health News

Latest snapshot of Georgia exchange enrollees | Georgia Health News

Extra funding sought to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria - The Washington Post

Extra funding sought to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria - The Washington Post

Sunday, January 25, 2015

CDC: low awareness among women of birth defect risk from opioids - Medical News Today

CDC: low awareness among women of birth defect risk from opioids - Medical News Today

Video-based treatment may improve autism-related behavior in at-risk infants - Medical News Today

Video-based treatment may improve autism-related behavior in at-risk infants - Medical News Today

Many Parents Too Quick to Switch Child Car Seats, Study Finds

Many Parents Too Quick to Switch Child Car Seats, Study Finds

Many U.S. Girls Aren't Getting HPV Vaccine, Study Finds

Many U.S. Girls Aren't Getting HPV Vaccine, Study Finds

HHS chief hails exchange success in Georgia | Georgia Health News

HHS chief hails exchange success in Georgia | Georgia Health News

What Does The California Measles Outbreak Mean For Georgia? | WABE 90.1 FM

What Does The California Measles Outbreak Mean For Georgia? | WABE 90.1 FM

Georgia Health News - Providing Non-Profit Health Journalism

Georgia Health News - Providing Non-Profit Health Journalism

Many Factors Play a Role in Cognitive Outcomes in Kindergarten

Many Factors Play a Role in Cognitive Outcomes in Kindergarten

Friday, January 23, 2015

What will 'precision medicine' mean for providers? - FierceHealthcare

What will 'precision medicine' mean for providers? - FierceHealthcare

The Disneyland measles outbreak and the disgraced doctor who whipped up vaccination fear - The Washington Post

The Disneyland measles outbreak and the disgraced doctor who whipped up vaccination fear - The Washington Post

Hospitals get financial rewards . . . or do they? | Georgia Health News

Hospitals get financial rewards . . . or do they? | Georgia Health News

Ark. Gov. Calls For Keeping Medicaid Expansion For Two Years, Then Rethinking Approach | Kaiser Health News

Ark. Gov. Calls For Keeping Medicaid Expansion For Two Years, Then Rethinking Approach | Kaiser Health News

Judge Orders California To Make Timely Decisions On Medicaid Coverage | Kaiser Health News

Judge Orders California To Make Timely Decisions On Medicaid Coverage | Kaiser Health News

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Medicaid Pay Hike Opened Doors For Patients, Study Finds | Kaiser Health News

Medicaid Pay Hike Opened Doors For Patients, Study Finds | Kaiser Health News

Evidence at cellular level for connection between childhood adversity and psychiatric disorders - Medical News Today

Evidence at cellular level for connection between childhood adversity and psychiatric disorders - Medical News Today

High Levels of Cancer-Linked Chemical in E-Cigarette Vapor, Study Finds

High Levels of Cancer-Linked Chemical in E-Cigarette Vapor, Study Finds

More Extreme Preemies Are Surviving, Study Finds

More Extreme Preemies Are Surviving, Study Finds

California Measles Outbreak Shows How Quickly Disease Can Resurface in U.S.

California Measles Outbreak Shows How Quickly Disease Can Resurface in U.S.

High Court Considers If Providers Can Sue States For Higher Medicaid Pay | Kaiser Health News

High Court Considers If Providers Can Sue States For Higher Medicaid Pay | Kaiser Health News

Citizens urge legislative committee to expand Medicaid | WINK NEWS

Citizens urge legislative committee to expand Medicaid | WINK NEWS

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case with Major Medicaid Implications

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case with Major Medicaid Implications
The case could halt private lawsuits against state Medicaid agencies over doctor pay.
BY CHRIS KARDISH | JANUARY 21, 2014 / GOVERNING


The U.S. Supreme Court heard from both sides Tuesday in a case that could upend the ability of doctors and patient advocacy groups to sue state Medicaid agencies for higher payment rates to health care providers.
At issue in Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center is the ability of private individuals and groups to challenge state Medicaid laws under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which holds federal law above state law. If the court decides the constitution doesn’t give that right, then a method doctors and patient advocates have used for decades to change benefit and reimbursement laws will no longer be available.
Doctors and many groups that advocate for low-income people argue they’d effectively lose their best tool for addressing Medicaid reimbursement, which is lower than private insurance and is commonly blamed for issues of patient access. State officials, on the other hand, argue a decision upholding the right to sue will only encourage more suits and make it harder to apply cuts that are sometimes necessary to avoid more harmful reductions to patient care.
Twenty-seven states and the National Governors Association filed briefs in support of Idaho, which refused to implement a higher rate plan it finalized with the federal government in 2009 despite studies recommending the legislature boost pay by $4 million. Multiple groups of providers who care for developmentally disabled Medicaid patients sued and won in a lower federal court in 2011.
Federal Medicaid law includes a provision requiring states to set payment models “sufficient to enlist enough providers” to meet patient demand. Providers and others argue when a state doesn’t follow its payment model it’s violating federal law, raising Supremacy Clause issues. Similar cases have reached federal courts in states ranging from California to Florida, where a federal judge recently ruled in favor of doctors and patient advocate groups.
Idaho’s deputy attorney general and the U.S. deputy solicitor general argued the Supremacy Clause shouldn’t apply, though, because unlike instances where states pass laws that clearly conflict with existing federal statutes, Medicaid is a “cooperative” program between the two, with the federal Department of Health and Human Services acting as an enforcer -- not the courts.
“We don’t have two sovereigns acting independently,” said Carl Withroe, Idaho’s deputy attorney general.
People defending the providers, which included former Department of Health and Human Services officials, argued in briefs that the Supremacy Clause has long been used by private parties in Medicaid and other federal programs, and the Armstrong case is no different.
The former HHS officials went as far as to say the entire Medicaid law is dependent on private parties for enforcement because HHS doesn’t have the resources. “Not only has HHS historically understood and accepted that the Medicaid Act is privately enforceable, it has come to rely on that fact,” the former officials wrote.
Additionally, the attorney for the doctors argued before the justices that there was no way for his clients to formally challenge the state, absent federal courts. “When the state receives approval [for a payment plan from HHS] but doesn’t implement it, there is no remedy,” said James Piotrowski.
The biggest challenges to Piotrowski’s arguments came from conservative justices, including John Roberts, Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito -- all of whom have previously written that private groups can’t sue over Medicaid rates. That decision came in 2012’s Douglas v. Independent Living Center of Southern California, a similar case justices ruled 5-4 to send back to a lower court, avoiding the constitutional question.
The majority in that case consisted of the court’s liberal wing and Anthony Kennedy, who’s often served as a “swing” vote. Some legal observers have argued that majority’s opinion wasn’t a strong endorsement of a Supremacy Clause right, but others argue the court quickly dispatched the case after HHS accepted the contested payment model, making the point moot.  “Once they took the action to approve the very issue that was for it, my read was they quickly pivoted to that issue and saw the landscape factually had changed so much,” said Jane Perkins, legal director for the National Health Law Program, which advocates for patients.
Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer struck empathetic tones with doctors at times in arguments Tuesday. Kennedy at times showed support for the medical groups “on merits.” But court observers generally shy away from reading into oral arguments too much.
States are already raising concerns that a decision in favor of the doctors in this case will inevitably lead to more suits that will effectively make rate reductions of any kind impossible, said Matt Salo, the director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. Experiences from now-defunct Medicaid policies that did provide an express right to sue led to floods of litigation and bad policy, Salo argues.
“No one wants to lower reimbursement rates, but during a recession reimbursement rates can often be the least bad option of a whole lot of really awful options,” he said.
Perkins, however, argues that without a strong process for private groups to challenge methodologies, the federal government has few options but to withhold funding from states, which ultimately hurts everyone.  “There would be no way for an individual to enforce compliance other than begging the fed government to take an action against the state,” she said. “The problem there is the fed government’s ability to act is limited to withholding funding -- the nuclear option.”

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

American kids are eating a lot of pizza - what are the health implications? - Medical News Today

American kids are eating a lot of pizza - what are the health implications? - Medical News Today

Long-term childhood outcomes improved by early parental program - Medical News Today

Long-term childhood outcomes improved by early parental program - Medical News Today

Iodine deficiency in pregnant women impairs embryonic brain development - Medical News Today

Iodine deficiency in pregnant women impairs embryonic brain development - Medical News Today

Flu Cases Back Up In Georgia | WABE 90.1 FM

Flu Cases Back Up In Georgia | WABE 90.1 FM

Disturbing news for a group of school workers | Georgia Health News

Disturbing news for a group of school workers | Georgia Health News

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

'High-intensity' disruptive behavior may indicate future problems for children - Medical News Today

'High-intensity' disruptive behavior may indicate future problems for children - Medical News Today

Exposure to alcohol ads on TV linked with underage drinking - Medical News Today

Exposure to alcohol ads on TV linked with underage drinking - Medical News Today

Exposure to alcohol ads on TV linked with underage drinking - Medical News Today

Exposure to alcohol ads on TV linked with underage drinking - Medical News Today

Researchers Rethink Inner-City Asthma Theory

Researchers Rethink Inner-City Asthma Theory

Education, healthcare on lawmakers’ radar at General Assembly - Rome News-Tribune: Local

Education, healthcare on lawmakers’ radar at General Assembly - Rome News-Tribune: Local

Much at stake for Georgia in upcoming high court ruling | Georgia Health News

Much at stake for Georgia in upcoming high court ruling | Georgia Health News

Official Who Led Medicare Through Insurance Shakeup Is Resigning - NYTimes.com

Official Who Led Medicare Through Insurance Shakeup Is Resigning - NYTimes.com

Monday, January 19, 2015

U.S. Birth Rate Continues Decline, CDC Reports

U.S. Birth Rate Continues Decline, CDC Reports

Smoking, Obesity: Weighing the Financial Toll

Smoking, Obesity: Weighing the Financial Toll

Vaccine Opponents Often Cluster in Communities

Vaccine Opponents Often Cluster in Communities

Pizza Takes a Slice Out of Kids' Health, Study Finds

Pizza Takes a Slice Out of Kids' Health, Study Finds

Georgia infant mortality rate higher than national average

Georgia infant mortality rate higher than national average

Cannabis oil advocates upset by change in Georgia bill

Cannabis oil advocates upset by change in Georgia bill

Deal proposes $45B Georgia budget as economy improves | www.wsbtv.com

Deal proposes $45B Georgia budget as economy improves | www.wsbtv.com

Legislator: Medicaid expansion may get a look | Georgia Health News

Legislator: Medicaid expansion may get a look | Georgia Health News

Applying For Pa. Medicaid Expansion? Wait In Line | Kaiser Health News

Applying For Pa. Medicaid Expansion? Wait In Line | Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Vaccination Can Cut Rates of Common Infection in Infants

Vaccination Can Cut Rates of Common Infection in Infants

Tuning In to Music May Ease Kids' Post-Op Pain, Study Finds

Tuning In to Music May Ease Kids' Post-Op Pain, Study Finds

Child Medicaid Recipients Become Healthy, Productive Adults: Study

Child Medicaid Recipients Become Healthy, Productive Adults: Study

Recess Promotes Healthy Eating by School Kids: Study

Recess Promotes Healthy Eating by School Kids: Study

Cigarette tax, med cannabis, autism grab attention | Georgia Health News

Cigarette tax, med cannabis, autism grab attention | Georgia Health News

Skipped Care A Side Effect Of High-Deductible Health Plans | Kaiser Health News

Skipped Care A Side Effect Of High-Deductible Health Plans | Kaiser Health News

Medicaid expansion may contract - Sarah Wheaton - POLITICO

Medicaid expansion may contract - Sarah Wheaton - POLITICO

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics - Study Validates Value of Pediatric Genome Testing

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics - Study Validates Value of Pediatric Genome Testing

Psychosocial experiences in childhood may influence later-life cardiovascular health - Medical News Today

Psychosocial experiences in childhood may influence later-life cardiovascular health - Medical News Today

Many Teens Think 'Light Smoking' Is Safe, Study Finds

Many Teens Think 'Light Smoking' Is Safe, Study Finds

Busy session for Georgia Legislature begins Monday | The Augusta Chronicle

Busy session for Georgia Legislature begins Monday | The Augusta Chronicle

Report: Medicaid Expansion In Missouri Would Yield Up to $100M In Annual Savings | KCUR

Report: Medicaid Expansion In Missouri Would Yield Up to $100M In Annual Savings | KCUR

Study says Insure Tennessee could bring $1.14B to state | CharlotteObserver.com

Study says Insure Tennessee could bring $1.14B to state | CharlotteObserver.com

Monday, January 12, 2015

Middle School Football Doesn't Seem to Cause Short-Term Brain Damage: Study

Middle School Football Doesn't Seem to Cause Short-Term Brain Damage: Study

Study Suggests Link Between E-Cigarettes, Respiratory Infections

Study Suggests Link Between E-Cigarettes, Respiratory Infections

Bad Flu Season Continues to Take Toll, Especially Among the Young and Old

Bad Flu Season Continues to Take Toll, Especially Among the Young and Old

Head Start Program Might Help Fight Childhood Obesity: Study

Head Start Program Might Help Fight Childhood Obesity: Study

Autism Signs May Be Missed in Short Checkups

Autism Signs May Be Missed in Short Checkups

Poll: Most Ga. voters back legalizing medical marijuana | savannahnow.com

Poll: Most Ga. voters back legalizing medical marijuana | savannahnow.com

Busy session for Georgia Legislature begins Monday | The Augusta Chronicle

Busy session for Georgia Legislature begins Monday | The Augusta Chronicle

Will Ga. hospital group go to bat for expansion? | Georgia Health News

Will Ga. hospital group go to bat for expansion? | Georgia Health News

Supreme Court Battle Brewing Over Medicaid Fees | Kaiser Health News

Supreme Court Battle Brewing Over Medicaid Fees | Kaiser Health News

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Exercise during pregnancy confers blood pressure benefits to kids - Medical News Today

Exercise during pregnancy confers blood pressure benefits to kids - Medical News Today

Teens influenced by misconceptions of their peers - Medical News Today

Teens influenced by misconceptions of their peers - Medical News Today

Cancer Groups Urge More Regulation of E-Cigarettes

Cancer Groups Urge More Regulation of E-Cigarettes

Workers face increased burden on health costs | Georgia Health News

Workers face increased burden on health costs | Georgia Health News

Feds: Utah will not get Medicaid work requirement - Washington Times

Feds: Utah will not get Medicaid work requirement - Washington Times

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Risk factors identified that link low birthweight to diabetes - Medical News Today

Risk factors identified that link low birthweight to diabetes - Medical News Today

Respiratory syncytial virus infection may be associated with higher risk for bacterial pneumonia - Medical News Today

Respiratory syncytial virus infection may be associated with higher risk for bacterial pneumonia - Medical News Today

Long-Term Study Finds Measles Vaccines Safe

Long-Term Study Finds Measles Vaccines Safe

Battle to find docs may be a regional--not national--problem - FierceHealthcare

Battle to find docs may be a regional--not national--problem - FierceHealthcare

CDC: Flu activity ‘at highest level’ in Georgia | www.wsbtv.com

CDC: Flu activity ‘at highest level’ in Georgia | www.wsbtv.com

Nine diagnoses to appear in Peake’s cannabis bill | State Legislature | Macon.com

Nine diagnoses to appear in Peake’s cannabis bill | State Legislature | Macon.com

Emory Healthcare chief jumps to Michigan system | Georgia Health News

Emory Healthcare chief jumps to Michigan system | Georgia Health News

Medicaid physicians back in same spot after long-awaited raise expires | Georgia Health News

Medicaid physicians back in same spot after long-awaited raise expires | Georgia Health News

Hutchinson stays quiet on Medicaid private option

Hutchinson stays quiet on Medicaid private option

Monday, January 5, 2015

High IV doses of the antibiotic vancomycin increase the risk of kidney damage in children - Medical News Today

High IV doses of the antibiotic vancomycin increase the risk of kidney damage in children - Medical News Today

Brain Damage Rare When Newborn Jaundice Is Treated, Study Finds

Brain Damage Rare When Newborn Jaundice Is Treated, Study Finds

Extra Bed Rest May Not Be Best for Kids With Concussions

Extra Bed Rest May Not Be Best for Kids With Concussions

Bad Flu Season Getting Worse, CDC Says

Bad Flu Season Getting Worse, CDC Says

Florida illegally deprived needy kids of healthcare, judge rules | The Miami Herald

Florida illegally deprived needy kids of healthcare, judge rules | The Miami Herald

Cannabidiol trials begin at Georgia Regents University - Medical News Today

Cannabidiol trials begin at Georgia Regents University - Medical News Today

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Living with pets linked to stronger social skills in children with autism - Medical News Today

Living with pets linked to stronger social skills in children with autism - Medical News Today

Parent's Suicide Attempt Makes Child's Much More Likely: Study

Parent's Suicide Attempt Makes Child's Much More Likely: Study

Defective Hormone Linked to Chronic Obesity in Baby

Defective Hormone Linked to Chronic Obesity in Baby

Use of Electronic Health Record Systems by Office-Based Pediatricians

Use of Electronic Health Record Systems by Office-Based Pediatricians

Two cups of milk may be ideal for preschoolers | Reuters

Two cups of milk may be ideal for preschoolers | Reuters

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals