Tuesday, March 31, 2015

U.S. Kids Getting Fewer Daily Calories From Fast Food

U.S. Kids Getting Fewer Daily Calories From Fast Food

E-Cigs Tied to Drinking, Other Risky Teen Behaviors

E-Cigs Tied to Drinking, Other Risky Teen Behaviors

Scientists Find More Evidence of Breast Milk's Goodness

Scientists Find More Evidence of Breast Milk's Goodness

Supreme Court sides with Idaho in Medicaid pay dispute - Yahoo News

Supreme Court sides with Idaho in Medicaid pay dispute - Yahoo News

Policy Shift By Nation’s Largest Insurer Could Leave Some With Unexpected Bills | Kaiser Health News

Policy Shift By Nation’s Largest Insurer Could Leave Some With Unexpected Bills | Kaiser Health News

How many kids exposed to lead go untested? | Georgia Health News Editor’s Note. Robert Geller, MD, chair of the Georgia AAP Committee on Injury & Poison Prevention is quoted in this story.

How many kids exposed to lead go untested? | Georgia Health News

Grady, Blue Cross reach deal after long deadlock | Georgia Health News

Grady, Blue Cross reach deal after long deadlock | Georgia Health News

Monday, March 30, 2015

What are the adult health consequences of childhood bullying? Medical News Today

What are the adult health consequences of childhood bullying? Medical News Today

Synthetic Pot Linked to Kidney Injury

Synthetic Pot Linked to Kidney Injury

Gestational Diabetes Drug Might Raise Babies' Complication Risk

Gestational Diabetes Drug Might Raise Babies' Complication Risk

How many kids exposed to lead go untested? | Georgia Health News

How many kids exposed to lead go untested? | Georgia Health News

How Boehner, Pelosi surprised everyone with a $200 billion deal | TheHill

How Boehner, Pelosi surprised everyone with a $200 billion deal | TheHill

Boehner Reflects on Bipartisan Support for Medicare Bill - First Draft. Political News, Now. - NYTimes.com

Boehner Reflects on Bipartisan Support for Medicare Bill - First Draft. Political News, Now. - NYTimes.com

Motivational Interviewing and Dietary Counseling for Obesity in Primary Care: An RCT

Motivational Interviewing and Dietary Counseling for Obesity in Primary Care: An RCT

Milliliter-Only Dosing Recommended for Kids' Meds

Milliliter-Only Dosing Recommended for Kids' Meds

U.S. Pediatricians Remain Opposed to Random Drug Tests in Schools

U.S. Pediatricians Remain Opposed to Random Drug Tests in Schools

CDC Launches New Round of Graphic Anti-Smoking Ads

CDC Launches New Round of Graphic Anti-Smoking Ads

Free School Breakfasts Appear to Boost Kids' Grades

Free School Breakfasts Appear to Boost Kids' Grades

E-Cigarettes May Pose a Risk in Pregnancy and to Children

E-Cigarettes May Pose a Risk in Pregnancy and to Children

Young People At Risk of Second Injury After Knee Surgery

Young People At Risk of Second Injury After Knee Surgery

House Approves Permanent Fix For Medicare Doctor Payments | Kaiser Health News

House Approves Permanent Fix For Medicare Doctor Payments | Kaiser Health News

Opinion: Keep fireworks at bay | www.ajc.com

Opinion: Keep fireworks at bay | www.ajc.com

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Distracted Driving A Factor In 60 Percent Of Teen Crashes | WABE 90.1 FM

Distracted Driving A Factor In 60 Percent Of Teen Crashes | WABE 90.1 FM

Is Capitol Hill Ready To Rest Its Near-Annual 'Doc Fix' Exercise? : It's All Politics : NPR

Is Capitol Hill Ready To Rest Its Near-Annual 'Doc Fix' Exercise? : It's All Politics : NPR

Senate Panels In Florida, Tenn. Move Medicaid Expansion Bills | Kaiser Health News

Senate Panels In Florida, Tenn. Move Medicaid Expansion Bills | Kaiser Health News

Obamacare Cash Helps Pay Texas’ Medicaid Bill | Kaiser Health News

Obamacare Cash Helps Pay Texas’ Medicaid Bill | Kaiser Health News

High-Deductible Plans Bring Lower Costs Now, But Will They Bring Pricey Problems? | Kaiser Health News

High-Deductible Plans Bring Lower Costs Now, But Will They Bring Pricey Problems? | Kaiser Health News

Suburban counties rank highest in health | Georgia Health News

Suburban counties rank highest in health | Georgia Health News

Grady eyes $20M women's and infants' center renovations - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Grady eyes $20M women's and infants' center renovations - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Harms of maternal smoking may be reflected in facial movements of fetuses Medical News Today

Harms of maternal smoking may be reflected in facial movements of fetuses Medical News Today

Report warns of 'serious health risks' associated with online breast milk Medical News Today

Report warns of 'serious health risks' associated with online breast milk Medical News Today

Autism Tied to Higher Risk for Gut Troubles in Children

Autism Tied to Higher Risk for Gut Troubles in Children

Counseling Beats School Suspension at Curbing Pot Use: Study

Counseling Beats School Suspension at Curbing Pot Use: Study

Scientists Spot Gene Tied to Severe Autism in Girls

Scientists Spot Gene Tied to Severe Autism in Girls

Doctors hit hospitals for fast-food partnerships - FierceHealthcare

Doctors hit hospitals for fast-food partnerships - FierceHealthcare

Medical cannabis proposal nears the finish line | Georgia Health News

Medical cannabis proposal nears the finish line | Georgia Health News

Hospitals bless 'doc fix' deal, but approval still fraught - Modern Healthcare

Hospitals bless 'doc fix' deal, but approval still fraught - Modern Healthcare

Pediatricians join push for paid family leave | TheHill

Pediatricians join push for paid family leave | TheHill

Permanent 'Doc Fix' Could Shift K Street Business

Permanent 'Doc Fix' Could Shift K Street Business

By Kate Ackley, CQ Roll Call

Some health care lobbyists pushing for a permanent “doc fix” say privately they are beginning to fret about what a long-term solution would mean for their own business.

Though lawmakers’ negotiations on a deal to replace the sustainable growth rate formula could ultimately fizzle, lobbyists said the possibility of a bipartisan bargain is enough to get them looking at their own long-term business plans.

It’s not just that the annual business of securing the “doc fix” itself could disappear, these sources say, but that a long-term solution would remove what has become a must-pass Medicare vehicle in a Congress that doesn’t pass a lot of bills.

Congress also searches for “payfors” in patching the payment formula to doctors so they don’t see cuts to their reimbursement rates. And since no industry or company wants to be a pay-for, that also generates business for lobbyists too.

“It would be a significant blow to the health care lobbying sector,” said one veteran health care consultant, who would only speak anonymously to avoid conflicts with client interests.

Another health care lobbyist, also speaking on background, agreed. “In such a dysfunctional Congress, the doc fix is a sure thing. It gets done,” the lobbyist said. “From that standpoint, it’s absolutely true” that it could change the annual dynamic of health care lobbying.

The current payment patch expires March 31, and lawmakers are trying to permanently resolve the issue to avoid passing what would be the 18th temporary “doc fix” since 2003.

The issue generates work for lobbyists across the health continuum. More than 350 clients reported working on SGR or “doc fix” issues in the final three months of last year, according to the most recently available Lobbying Disclosure Act filings with Congress.

Big health-care-focused groups such as the American Medical Association and the senior lobby AARP want a permanent resolution. An AMA spokeswoman said her group had numerous other priorities on its lobbying agenda, including regulatory efforts, electronic health records and disease prevention programs.

AARP’s Andrew Scholnick, a senior legislative representative for the group, said that even without the SGR, “AARP has many health care priorities for which we will continue to advocate.”

And some lobbyists, despite the worries of their colleagues around town, said that without the annual “doc fix” drama, perhaps Congress might have more time to consider the sector’s other legislative priorities.

“Congress has never been so close to eliminating this failed formula,” said Miranda Franco, a health care adviser at Holland & Knight. “Permanently repealing the SGR would remove a great source of distraction in the health policy community to focus on other health priorities like 21st Century Cures.”

Diabetes study shows benefits of expanded Medicaid under Obamacare - LA Times

Diabetes study shows benefits of expanded Medicaid under Obamacare - LA Times

Congress to Weigh a Plan to Protect Medicare Fees and Children’s Insurance - NYTimes.com

Congress to Weigh a Plan to Protect Medicare Fees and Children’s Insurance - NYTimes.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Pediatricians Play an Important Role in Addressing Tobacco Use

Pediatricians Play an Important Role in Addressing Tobacco Use

What effect does music TV have on the sexual behavior of teenage boys and girls? Medical News Today

What effect does music TV have on the sexual behavior of teenage boys and girls? Medical News Today

ADHD Children May Gain More From Family-Centered Care

ADHD Children May Gain More From Family-Centered Care

Secondhand Smoke May Put Kids at Risk for Heart Disease as Adults

Secondhand Smoke May Put Kids at Risk for Heart Disease as Adults

Medicaid expansion leads to more diabetes diagnoses - FierceHealthcare

Medicaid expansion leads to more diabetes diagnoses - FierceHealthcare

Autism bill appears stalled in Georgia House | Georgia Health News

Autism bill appears stalled in Georgia House | Georgia Health News

Congress to Weigh a Plan to Protect Medicare Fees and Children’s Insurance - NYTimes.com

Congress to Weigh a Plan to Protect Medicare Fees and Children’s Insurance - NYTimes.com

Monday, March 23, 2015

Georgia Senate antes up on 2016 budget - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Georgia Senate antes up on 2016 budget - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Medical cannabis bill scores major victory | Georgia Health News

Medical cannabis bill scores major victory | Georgia Health News

Is Arkansas’ ‘Private Option’ Medicaid Expansion A Solution For Other Red States? | Kaiser Health News

Is Arkansas’ ‘Private Option’ Medicaid Expansion A Solution For Other Red States? | Kaiser Health News

Waiting for the Children’s Health Insurance Program

Waiting for the Children’s Health Insurance Program

House, Senate Panels OK Budget With Cuts To Medicaid, Changes To Medicare, And ACA Repeal | Kaiser Health News

House, Senate Panels OK Budget With Cuts To Medicaid, Changes To Medicare, And ACA Repeal | Kaiser Health News

FAQ: What’s In The House’s Proposal To Fix Medicare’s Payments To Doctors | Kaiser Health News

FAQ: What’s In The House’s Proposal To Fix Medicare’s Payments To Doctors | Kaiser Health News

Needs of undocumented children tops AAP resolution list

Needs of undocumented children tops AAP resolution list

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Understaffing among Georgia’s school nurses: A quiet crisis | Georgia Health News

Understaffing among Georgia’s school nurses: A quiet crisis | Georgia Health News

Key panel gives doctors a pay raise for Medicaid | Georgia Health News

Key panel gives doctors a pay raise for Medicaid | Georgia Health News

GOP Senate budget offers few Medicaid, Medicare details - Modern Healthcare

GOP Senate budget offers few Medicaid, Medicare details - Modern Healthcare

Dr. Shelley Appointed Interim Dean of Mercer School of Medicine Savannah Campus - Savannah CEO

Dr. Shelley Appointed Interim Dean of Mercer School of Medicine Savannah Campus - Savannah CEO

More Americans Support Vaccines: HealthDay/Harris Poll

More Americans Support Vaccines: <i>HealthDay/Harris Poll</i>

Dad's Depression Affects Toddler's Behavior, Too

Dad's Depression Affects Toddler's Behavior, Too

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Breastfeeding for longer leads to smarter adults Medical News Today

Breastfeeding for longer leads to smarter adults Medical News Today

Kids' Bad Diets May Mean Worse Health as Adults

Kids' Bad Diets May Mean Worse Health as Adults

Recess: An Essential Part of the School Day

Recess: An Essential Part of the School Day

Ga. exchange rates hold the line, beat U.S. average | Georgia Health News

Ga. exchange rates hold the line, beat U.S. average | Georgia Health News

Georgia Schools Encouraged By Senate To Buy 'Safer' Football Helmets | WABE 90.1 FM

Georgia Schools Encouraged By Senate To Buy 'Safer' Football Helmets | WABE 90.1 FM

House Republicans Propose Budget With Deep Cuts - NYTimes.com

House Republicans Propose Budget With Deep Cuts - NYTimes.com

Missouri Medicaid Turns To Wellness Incentives | Kaiser Health News

Missouri Medicaid Turns To Wellness Incentives | Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Child Sex Trafficking Victims Easily Missed by Doctors, Social Workers: Study

Child Sex Trafficking Victims Easily Missed by Doctors, Social Workers: Study

A Simple Flashcard Test to Detect Concussions - NYTimes.com

A Simple Flashcard Test to Detect Concussions - NYTimes.com

House Republican Budget Overhauls Medicare and Repeals the Health Law - NYTimes.com

House Republican Budget Overhauls Medicare and Repeals the Health Law - NYTimes.com

TV habit could lead to lifetime as couch potato, warn experts  | Daily Mail Online

TV habit could lead to lifetime as couch potato, warn experts  | Daily Mail Online

Vaccine refusal helped fuel Disneyland measles outbreak, study says - LA Times

Vaccine refusal helped fuel Disneyland measles outbreak, study says - LA Times

New quality measures approved for childhood sleep apnea Medical News Today

New quality measures approved for childhood sleep apnea Medical News Today

E-Cigarette Ads Linked to Tobacco Cravings

E-Cigarette Ads Linked to Tobacco Cravings

Monday, March 16, 2015

Pediatricians Play an Important Role in Addressing Tobacco Use

Pediatricians Play an Important Role in Addressing Tobacco Use

Will Nixon’s new strategy to expand Medicaid in Missouri work? | St. Louis Public Radio

Will Nixon’s new strategy to expand Medicaid in Missouri work? | St. Louis Public Radio

World of hurt: Senators who voted no on Insure Tennessee feel activists' wrath | Local News | Times Free Press

World of hurt: Senators who voted no on Insure Tennessee feel activists' wrath | Local News | Times Free Press

Babies' body mass index may predict childhood obesity Medical News Today

Babies' body mass index may predict childhood obesity Medical News Today

Researchers use imaging as a tool to predict outcomes for therapy in cerebral palsy Medical News Today

Researchers use imaging as a tool to predict outcomes for therapy in cerebral palsy Medical News Today

More Americans Support Vaccines: HealthDay/Harris Poll

More Americans Support Vaccines: <i>HealthDay/Harris Poll</i>

Gwinnett families enter final push for medical cannabis in 2015 | Gwinnett Daily Post

Gwinnett families enter final push for medical cannabis in 2015 | Gwinnett Daily Post

Health IT is big, and Georgia is its epicenter | Georgia Health News

Health IT is big, and Georgia is its epicenter | Georgia Health News

Health bills make the cut on Crossover Day | Georgia Health News

Health bills make the cut on Crossover Day | Georgia Health News

Hospitals Could Be Hurt If Supreme Court Rules Against Subsidies | Kaiser Health News

Hospitals Could Be Hurt If Supreme Court Rules Against Subsidies | Kaiser Health News

Thursday, March 12, 2015

ICD-10 proponents seek to stave off doc fix linked delay - Modern Healthcare

ICD-10 proponents seek to stave off doc fix linked delay - Modern Healthcare

Teens' Heavy Pot Smoking Tied to Memory Problems

Teens' Heavy Pot Smoking Tied to Memory Problems

More Americans Support Vaccines: HealthDay/Harris Poll

More Americans Support Vaccines: <i>HealthDay/Harris Poll</i>

Mandl named to top posts at Emory Healthcare | Georgia Health News

Mandl named to top posts at Emory Healthcare | Georgia Health News

Efforts To Instill Empathy Among Doctors Is Paying Dividends | Kaiser Health News

Efforts To Instill Empathy Among Doctors Is Paying Dividends | Kaiser Health News

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Irregular sleeping pattern may affect how teens eat Medical News Today

Irregular sleeping pattern may affect how teens eat Medical News Today

Fast food commercials to kids 'deceptive' by industry self-regulation standards Medical News Today

Fast food commercials to kids 'deceptive' by industry self-regulation standards Medical News Today

Black Children May Fare Worse With Crohn's Disease

Black Children May Fare Worse With Crohn's Disease

Deal: February revenues up 12.6 percent | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

Deal: February revenues up 12.6 percent | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

1 teaspoon of caffeine powder equals 25 cups of coffee

1 teaspoon of caffeine powder equals 25 cups of coffee

Long-term effects of obesity surgery on adolescent skeleton are favorable Medical News Today

Long-term effects of obesity surgery on adolescent skeleton are favorable Medical News Today

Overindulgent Parents May Breed Narcissistic Children

Overindulgent Parents May Breed Narcissistic Children

Nebraska latest state to expand nurse practitioners' role - FierceHealthcare

Nebraska latest state to expand nurse practitioners' role - FierceHealthcare

For Young People In Rural Areas, Suicide Poses A Growing Threat : Shots - Health News : NPR

For Young People In Rural Areas, Suicide Poses A Growing Threat : Shots - Health News : NPR

Senate Starts Medicaid Expansion Talks With Two...Maybe Three Plans Already On The Table | Health News Florida

Senate Starts Medicaid Expansion Talks With Two...Maybe Three Plans Already On The Table | Health News Florida

Monday, March 9, 2015

Expanding sports concussion laws may help ensure safety of all teenage athletes Medical News Today

Expanding sports concussion laws may help ensure safety of all teenage athletes Medical News Today

Mom's Age at Childbirth Tied to Son's Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Mom's Age at Childbirth Tied to Son's Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Study Suggests Link Between Adult Diabetes, Exposure to Smoke in Womb

Study Suggests Link Between Adult Diabetes, Exposure to Smoke in Womb

Depression During Pregnancy Linked to Child's Asthma Risk

Depression During Pregnancy Linked to Child's Asthma Risk

New Medical Center chief buys into vision

New Medical Center chief buys into vision

Cannabis bill faces uphill battle in Senate - The Newnan Times-Herald

Cannabis bill faces uphill battle in Senate - The Newnan Times-Herald

Ga. legislative deadline looms this week | The Augusta Chronicle

Ga. legislative deadline looms this week | The Augusta Chronicle

Hospitals struggle to plan during King v. Burwell wait - Modern Healthcare

Hospitals struggle to plan during King v. Burwell wait - Modern Healthcare

States on edge about the future of health insurance markets - TwinCities.com

States on edge about the future of health insurance markets - TwinCities.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Scientists Discover Possible Link Between BPA Exposure and Autism : Health & Medicine : Science World Report

Scientists Discover Possible Link Between BPA Exposure and Autism : Health & Medicine : Science World Report

Doctors Often Skip Protocols For Antipsychotics, Study Finds - Disability Scoop

Doctors Often Skip Protocols For Antipsychotics, Study Finds - Disability Scoop

No Medicaid Expansion? No Problem For Many Safety-Net Hospital Profits | Kaiser Health News

No Medicaid Expansion? No Problem For Many Safety-Net Hospital Profits | Kaiser Health News

Majority Backs Congressional Fix If Court Nixes Obamacare Subsidies - NBC News.com

Majority Backs Congressional Fix If Court Nixes Obamacare Subsidies - NBC News.com

Supreme Court Appears Sharply Split in Case on Health Law - NYTimes.com

Supreme Court Appears Sharply Split in Case on Health Law - NYTimes.com

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Helping Student-Athletes With Mental Health Issues

Helping Student-Athletes With Mental Health Issues

In Vitro Births Continue to Rise in U.S.

In Vitro Births Continue to Rise in U.S.

About 7 Percent of Kids Worldwide Have ADHD: Study

About 7 Percent of Kids Worldwide Have ADHD: Study

Georgia Senate's marijuana bill includes more restrictions than House's

Georgia Senate's marijuana bill includes more restrictions than House's

Program for pregnant women can be a lifesaver | Georgia Health News

Program for pregnant women can be a lifesaver | Georgia Health News

What’s At Stake As Health Law Lands At Supreme Court Again | Kaiser Health News

What’s At Stake As Health Law Lands At Supreme Court Again | Kaiser Health News

Texas GOP Leaders Say They Won’t Expand Medicaid | Kaiser Health News

Texas GOP Leaders Say They Won’t Expand Medicaid | Kaiser Health News

Georgia Medicaid official picked for top job | Georgia Health News

Georgia Medicaid official picked for top job | Georgia Health News

Internists Get A Break From Controversial Efforts To Bolster Performance | Kaiser Health News

Internists Get A Break From Controversial Efforts To Bolster Performance | Kaiser Health News

Monday, March 2, 2015

Teens Can Easily Buy E-Cigarettes Online

Teens Can Easily Buy E-Cigarettes Online

Growth Checks in Children Might Spot Celiac Disease

Growth Checks in Children Might Spot Celiac Disease

Very Obese Kids May Face Higher Heart Risks Than Thought

Very Obese Kids May Face Higher Heart Risks Than Thought

Tracking Brain Blood Flow May Help Predict Concussion Outcomes

Tracking Brain Blood Flow May Help Predict Concussion Outcomes

1 in 5 U.S. Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating

1 in 5 U.S. Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating

Pediatricians Continue to Work With Parents Who Want to Space Out or Delay Vaccines

Pediatricians Continue to Work With Parents Who Want to Space Out or Delay Vaccines

AAP Recommends Whole Diet Approach to Children's Nutrition

AAP Recommends Whole Diet Approach to Children's Nutrition

1 in 5 Preemies With Lung Disease Exposed to Secondhand Smoke

1 in 5 Preemies With Lung Disease Exposed to Secondhand Smoke

Doctors Often Yield to Parents' Requests to Delay Kids' Vaccines

Doctors Often Yield to Parents' Requests to Delay Kids' Vaccines

Measles scare over with no spread | Georgia Health News

Measles scare over with no spread | Georgia Health News

5 Things To Know About The Supreme Court Case Challenging The Health Law | Kaiser Health News

5 Things To Know About The Supreme Court Case Challenging The Health Law | Kaiser Health News