Friday, September 30, 2016

A Doctor's Words Key to Whether Child Gets HPV Vaccine

A Doctor's Words Key to Whether Child Gets HPV Vaccine

The Need To Replace EpiPens Regularly Adds To Concerns About Cost | Kaiser Health News

The Need To Replace EpiPens Regularly Adds To Concerns About Cost | Kaiser Health News

‘Water lady’ on front lines in campaign against arsenic in Georgia wells | Georgia Health News

‘Water lady’ on front lines in campaign against arsenic in Georgia wells | Georgia Health News

Pencils, pens and EpiPens: How a medical device became standard in hundreds of Georgia schools | Georgia Health News

Pencils, pens and EpiPens: How a medical device became standard in hundreds of Georgia schools | Georgia Health News

Pencils, pens and EpiPens: How a medical device became standard in hundreds of Georgia schools | Georgia Health News

Pencils, pens and EpiPens: How a medical device became standard in hundreds of Georgia schools | Georgia Health News

UnitedHealth subsidiary ditches ACA exchange after posting losses - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

UnitedHealth subsidiary ditches ACA exchange after posting losses - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

UnitedHealth subsidiary ditches ACA exchange after posting losses - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

UnitedHealth subsidiary ditches ACA exchange after posting losses - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

CMS awards $347 million to healthcare groups to improve patient safety - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

CMS awards $347 million to healthcare groups to improve patient safety - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Monday, September 26, 2016

Eliminate Sweetened Drinks, Cut Kids' Sugar Intake

Eliminate Sweetened Drinks, Cut Kids' Sugar Intake

Kaiser continues winning streak in ratings of health plans | Georgia Health News

Kaiser continues winning streak in ratings of health plans | Georgia Health News

It’s In The Water: The Debate Over Fluoridation Lives On | Kaiser Health News

It’s In The Water: The Debate Over Fluoridation Lives On | Kaiser Health News

Anti-vaxxer mom changes mind when 3 kids fall ill | www.ajc.com

Anti-vaxxer mom changes mind when 3 kids fall ill | www.ajc.com

Highly Anticipated MACRA Rule At OMB; In Final Stage Of Review

Highly Anticipated MACRA Rule At OMB; In Final Stage Of Review
September 21, 2016 | InsideHealthPolicy | John Wilkerson

CMS on Wednesday (Sept. 14) sent the final rule for the highly anticipated MACRA physician pay system to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Although the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act is separate from the Affordable Care Act, the success of much of ACA's delivery and payment reforms, including accountable care organizations, depend on CMS' ability to implement a new physician pay system that gets physicians to become more efficient.

Many lobbyists and consultants thought it would take CMS longer to send the rule to OMB. Agency officials have said they expect to publish the regulation by early fall, and no one knows whether OMB will review it faster than that.
The agency has been struggling to get the balance right on the new pay system. It wants to get physicians to accept the risk of penalties for poor performance while not alienating them with standards that penalize many doctors without much hope of receiving bonuses.

"MACRA has the potential to shape the delivery system of the future by incenting creation of the advanced risk bearing organizations that will provide care to future generations of medicare beneficiaries," CAPG Vice President of Federal Affairs Mara McDermott said. "To fulfill that potential, CMS has to ensure that there are appropriate incentives for risk-bearing physician groups."

MACRA creates a two-part pay system in which providers either qualify as alternative payment models or they are subject to Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Physicians must start reporting to the Quality Payment Program next January, and payment will be adjusted in later years based on that performance.

As part of the balancing act, Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt last week said CMS will give physicians longer to prepare for the new pay system. Physicians may avoid pay cuts in the first year by merely reporting information next year, and they have other options for participating in MIPS with less risk.

Most physician groups praised Slavitt for going easy, but some physicians who prepared for the new system are bothered that they will now get smaller bonuses in the first year.

CMS is implementing MACRA at a critical time. After years of slow growth, health care spending appears to be speeding back up. The Obama administration is relying on accountable care organizations to curb Medicare spending growth, but so far results have been mediocre; the most recent CMS figures show that Medicare spent $217 million more in bonuses to accountable care organizations than the ACO program saved. And ACOs don't include drug spending, which is growing faster than other segments of Medicare, according to the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Prices. --

Alabama Medicaid Agency restores payment rates for doctors | AL.com

Alabama Medicaid Agency restores payment rates for doctors | AL.com

Gardening May Give Kids' Diets a Boost

Gardening May Give Kids' Diets a Boost

Healthy Diet as Teen, Less Weight Gain as Adult

Healthy Diet as Teen, Less Weight Gain as Adult

9 of 10 U.S. Teens Don't Get Enough Exercise

9 of 10 U.S. Teens Don't Get Enough Exercise

Piedmont’s expanded presence to change care in Athens area | Georgia Health News

Piedmont’s expanded presence to change care in Athens area | Georgia Health News

Senate Democrats Again Question Aetna's Exchange Withdrawal - Morning Consult

Senate Democrats Again Question Aetna's Exchange Withdrawal - Morning Consult

Thursday, September 22, 2016

U.S. Lawmakers Blast Mylan CEO Over 'Sickening' EpiPen Price Hikes - The New York Times

U.S. Lawmakers Blast Mylan CEO Over 'Sickening' EpiPen Price Hikes - The New York Times

Daily Baths Not a Must for Kids

Daily Baths Not a Must for Kids

Smoking Losing Its Cool With Kids, CDC Says

Smoking Losing Its Cool With Kids, CDC Says

Flavorings Boost Toxicity of E-Cigarettes in Lab Study

Flavorings Boost Toxicity of E-Cigarettes in Lab Study

DNA-Based Vaccine Guards Against Zika in Monkey Study

DNA-Based Vaccine Guards Against Zika in Monkey Study

Why the Teen Years May Not Be Lean Years

Why the Teen Years May Not Be Lean Years

Frightening new drug surfaces in Georgia - Story | WAGA

Frightening new drug surfaces in Georgia - Story | WAGA

Editor's Corner: Fury over EpiPen pricing could fuel Medicaid rebate investigations | FierceHealthcare

Editor's Corner: Fury over EpiPen pricing could fuel Medicaid rebate investigations | FierceHealthcare

Cigna disputes DOJ's claim that Anthem deal will harm competition, innovation | FierceHealthcare

Cigna disputes DOJ's claim that Anthem deal will harm competition, innovation | FierceHealthcare

Quality of care doesn't improve at hospitals that employ physicians - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Quality of care doesn't improve at hospitals that employ physicians - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Mylan CEO defends EpiPen cost to angry lawmakers - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Mylan CEO defends EpiPen cost to angry lawmakers - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

FDA protects kids from illegal sales of e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cigars - Medical News Today

FDA protects kids from illegal sales of e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cigars - Medical News Today

Medicaid expansion enrollment tops 300K in Louisiana | State Politics | theadvocate.com

Medicaid expansion enrollment tops 300K in Louisiana | State Politics | theadvocate.com

Healthy Diet May Be Key to Kids' Reading Skills

Healthy Diet May Be Key to Kids' Reading Skills

CDC: Too Many Antibiotics Still Being Prescribed in U.S.

CDC: Too Many Antibiotics Still Being Prescribed in U.S.

Close Bond Between Kids, Parents Has Long-Term Health Benefits

Close Bond Between Kids, Parents Has Long-Term Health Benefits

Monday, September 19, 2016

Overweight Kids Often Shunned, Bullied

Overweight Kids Often Shunned, Bullied

Parents' Use of Outdated Advice May Slow Concussion Recovery

Parents' Use of Outdated Advice May Slow Concussion Recovery

'Baby-Led' Weaning Doesn't Raise Choking Risk: Study

'Baby-Led' Weaning Doesn't Raise Choking Risk: Study

Codeine Not Safe for Kids, Pediatricians Warn

Codeine Not Safe for Kids, Pediatricians Warn

Suicide Can Strike Children as Young as 5: Study

Suicide Can Strike Children as Young as 5: Study

In Battle Against Zika, Researchers Seek Foolproof Test For Infection | Kaiser Health News

In Battle Against Zika, Researchers Seek Foolproof Test For Infection | Kaiser Health News

Pharma lobbying held deep influence over opioid policies | Center for Public Integrity

Pharma lobbying held deep influence over opioid policies | Center for Public Integrity

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Children exposed to potentially toxic chemicals daily in household dust - Medical News Today

Children exposed to potentially toxic chemicals daily in household dust - Medical News Today

Study details sugar industry attempt to shape science | Online Athens

Study details sugar industry attempt to shape science | Online Athens

How Can Parents, Pediatricians Discuss Guns In The House? | Kaiser Health News

How Can Parents, Pediatricians Discuss Guns In The House? | Kaiser Health News

The striking difference between states that expanded Medicaid and the ones that didn’t - The Washington Post

The striking difference between states that expanded Medicaid and the ones that didn’t - The Washington Post

Slavitt says high premium increases are result of one-time effects - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Slavitt says high premium increases are result of one-time effects - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Mylan CEO to testify in hearing on EpiPen price increases - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Mylan CEO to testify in hearing on EpiPen price increases - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Diabetes During Pregnancy Could Pose Harm to Baby

Diabetes During Pregnancy Could Pose Harm to Baby

New Approach Helps Ease Teens' Stubborn Concussion Symptoms

New Approach Helps Ease Teens' Stubborn Concussion Symptoms

DeKalb County schools to test lead levels in drinking water | www.ajc.com

DeKalb County schools to test lead levels in drinking water | www.ajc.com

Georgia again ranks high in rate of uninsured | Georgia Health News

Georgia again ranks high in rate of uninsured | Georgia Health News

Report: Hungry Teens Often Feel Responsibility To Help Feed The Family | Kaiser Health News

Report: Hungry Teens Often Feel Responsibility To Help Feed The Family | Kaiser Health News

Parents Often Battle To Get Their Children Mental Health Services At School | Kaiser Health News

Parents Often Battle To Get Their Children Mental Health Services At School | Kaiser Health News

Dayton Children's Hospital starts screening families for social needs - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Dayton Children's Hospital starts screening families for social needs - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Clues in microbiome of infants point to future allergies and asthma - Medical News Today

Clues in microbiome of infants point to future allergies and asthma - Medical News Today

Spike in teen obesity explained by decreased calorie burn in puberty - Medical News Today

Spike in teen obesity explained by decreased calorie burn in puberty - Medical News Today

Heart Docs: Never Expose Kids to Cigarette Smoke

Heart Docs: Never Expose Kids to Cigarette Smoke

Feds reject Ohio plan to charge fees to Medicaid beneficiaries | cleveland.com

Feds reject Ohio plan to charge fees to Medicaid beneficiaries | cleveland.com

Obama meets with remaining insurers on ACA exchanges - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Obama meets with remaining insurers on ACA exchanges - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Friday, September 9, 2016

Feds say Bevin's Medicaid waiver proposal clears first step | Lexington Herald-Leader

Feds say Bevin's Medicaid waiver proposal clears first step | Lexington Herald-Leader

3 Zika cases ID’d in Northwest Georgia - Rome News-Tribune: Local

3 Zika cases ID’d in Northwest Georgia - Rome News-Tribune: Local

AMA, consumers urge N.Y. regulators to reject Anthem-Cigna merger - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

AMA, consumers urge N.Y. regulators to reject Anthem-Cigna merger - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

CMS will give providers flexibility on MACRA requirements - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

CMS will give providers flexibility on MACRA requirements - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Thursday, September 8, 2016

EpiPen Controversy Continues | Medpage Today

EpiPen Controversy Continues | Medpage Today

AAP Issues Flu Vaccine Recommendations for 2016-17 Season

AAP Issues Flu Vaccine Recommendations for 2016-17 Season

Congress Can't Agree on Additional Funding to Fight Zika

Congress Can't Agree on Additional Funding to Fight Zika

TV Booze Ads a Lubricant for Teen Drinking: Study

TV Booze Ads a Lubricant for Teen Drinking: Study

Georgia still has major problem with obesity, report shows | Georgia Health News

Georgia still has major problem with obesity, report shows | Georgia Health News

Hospital ownership of medical practices grows by 86% in three years - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Hospital ownership of medical practices grows by 86% in three years - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Doctors' Decision-Making Tool Could Cut Unnecessary Antibiotic Use

Doctors' Decision-Making Tool Could Cut Unnecessary Antibiotic Use

Experts Say Stepped-Up Monitoring Is Crucial As Zika’s Threat Lasts Beyond A Baby’s Birth | Kaiser Health News

Experts Say Stepped-Up Monitoring Is Crucial As Zika’s Threat Lasts Beyond A Baby’s Birth | Kaiser Health News

A Lobbyist Wrote the Bill. Will the Tobacco Industry Win Its E-Cigarette Fight? - The New York Times

A Lobbyist Wrote the Bill. Will the Tobacco Industry Win Its E-Cigarette Fight? - The New York Times

EpiPen Price Rises Could Mean More Riches for Mylan Executives - The New York Times

EpiPen Price Rises Could Mean More Riches for Mylan Executives - The New York Times

EpiPen Controversy Fuels Concerns Over Generic Drug Approval Backlog | Kaiser Health News

EpiPen Controversy Fuels Concerns Over Generic Drug Approval Backlog | Kaiser Health News

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Laser Pointers Can Cause Serious Eye Damage in Kids

Laser Pointers Can Cause Serious Eye Damage in Kids

Most Americans Don't Want Tobacco on Drug Store Shelves

Most Americans Don't Want Tobacco on Drug Store Shelves

Funds to Fight Zika Nearly Exhausted: CDC

Funds to Fight Zika Nearly Exhausted: CDC

CMS remains at odds with Tennessee over Medicaid waiver - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

CMS remains at odds with Tennessee over Medicaid waiver - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

As Obamacare choices dwindle, feds face consumer, political backlash

As Obamacare choices dwindle, feds face consumer, political backlash

Mylan’s Generic EpiPen — A Price Break Or Marketing Maneuver? | Kaiser Health News

Mylan’s Generic EpiPen — A Price Break Or Marketing Maneuver? | Kaiser Health News

Task force unveils options to cover uninsured in Georgia | Georgia Health News

Task force unveils options to cover uninsured in Georgia | Georgia Health News

Shepherd Center to open concussion clinic - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Shepherd Center to open concussion clinic - Atlanta Business Chronicle