Health News E-Clips

An electronic healthcare news link service provided by UHA,

Utah Hospitals and Health Systems Association

 

Tuesday, October 21, 2008  

 

Utah Healthcare Headlines

Legislature should stop playing politics with health care (Opinion, Salt Lake Tribune, October 18, 2008) Praises were lavished on the efficiency and resolve with which policymakers dispatched their duties to balance the budget during the special legislative session, and yet in the process five "optional" Medicaid services (physical and occupational therapy, eyeglasses, audiology and chiropractic) were eliminated along with reimbursement to hospitals and other providers. http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_10755289

 

Prescription drugs: Grim Reaper resides in your medicine cabinet (Editorial, Salt Lake Tribune, October 20, 2008) We wrote this piece on Wednesday. By the time it lands in your driveway, the odds are that five Utahns will have perished, that five families will be grieving, children will be orphaned, spouses will be widowed, and parents will be preparing to bury a child, all because of prescription drugs. http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_10766978

 

One of Utah's oldest mental health organizations closes for lack of funds (Salt Lake Tribune, October 19, 2008) After more than 50 years, one of Utah's oldest mental health organizations has shut its doors, citing financial difficulties. http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10759606

 

U. testing a new heart pump (Deseret News, October 20, 2008) University Hospital is one of a handful of centers nationwide testing a new-generation heart pump as a permanent alternative to heart transplants for patients with congestive heart failure. http://deseretnews.com/article/0,5143,700264824,00.html

 

Utah work advancing on major health poll (Deseret News, October 21, 2008) Workers this summer counted every house in 15 preselected neighborhoods that will be Salt Lake County's part of the National Children's Study. And study coordinators have enlisted support from civic leaders in the represented towns — all a ramp-up to early 2009 when teams start enrolling women of child-bearing age in a gigantic, long-term children's health study. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705256835,00.html

 

Bennett touts health care reform plan (Deseret News, October 21, 2008) The presidential candidates may still be stumping for their health care reform plan, but a bipartisan health care renovation they both want could already be in the wings. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705256748,00.html

 

Officials hope for another light flu season (Daily Herald, October 21, 2008) Flu season is rapidly approaching, and health officials are recommending that you get your shots now. http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/285183/17/

 

Questions Continue About Using Beta Blockers Before Surgery (Washington Post, October 21, 2008) A new study adds to doubts about using beta blockers to reduce the risks of surgery. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/20/AR2008102002169.html

  • Beta-blockers linked to heart attacks after surgery (Boston Globe White Coat Notes, October 21, 2008) Patients who were taking drugs to lower their blood pressure before, during, and after operations unrelated to their hearts had higher rates of heart attacks and death than similar patients who were not taking the drugs, a study shows. The new findings add to an already complex picture of the best way to protect patients from heart complications after non-cardiac surgery.

 

Patients Seek Financial Aid to Buy Medicine (Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2008) As the slowing economy swells the ranks of the unemployed -- and uninsured -- more people are getting help from prescription-drug assistance programs normally aimed at providing medications to the poorest Americans. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122455105078452609.html

 

Drug Giants Post Mixed Results (Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2008) Drug makers Pfizer Inc. and Schering-Plough Corp. posted mixed third-quarter results as both companies cut costs and tried to overcome weakness in the market for cholesterol drugs. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122456947803753399.html

 

Treating Neuropathy With Some Vitamin B (Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2008) Peripheral neuropathy, or damage to nerves in hands and feet, can cause tingling, pain and numbness. A high-dose vitamin B supplement to treat neuropathy can alleviate pain and improve sensation, says a company that sells it. A few scientific studies show improvement in symptoms, but many physicians remain skeptical. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122453878192251677.html

 

A New Approach to Treating Intractable Cases of Depression (Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2008) You sit in what looks like a dentist's chair and a psychiatrist places a metal coil against your head. Rapid magnetic pulses penetrate your scalp and skull and produce a mild electrical current in the left prefrontal cortex of your brain. You feel a tickling sensation and hear a loud tapping sound. The treatment, known as TMS, for transcranial magnetic stimulation, lasts about 40 minutes and is done daily for four to six weeks. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122453439458151327.html

 

Troops reportedly popping more painkillers (USA Today, October 21, 2008) Narcotic pain-relief prescriptions for injured U.S. troops have jumped from 30,000 a month to 50,000 since the Iraq war began, raising concerns about the drugs' potential abuse and addiction, says a leading Army pain expert. http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-10-20-paindrugs_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

Experts predict next epidemic will start in animals (USA Today, October 21, 2008) Bonnie Henry calls it the most surreal episode of her life. A deadly microbe from China infected a hotel guest in Hong Kong, hitchhiked on a jumbo jet to Toronto and turned a local hospital from a sanctuary for the sick into the incubator of an epidemic. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-21-next-epidemic_N.htm

 

Plague emerges in Grand Canyon, kills biologist (USA Today, October 21, 2008) One day last October, Eric York lugged the carcass of an adult mountain lion from his truck and laid it carefully on a tarp on the floor of his garage. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-21-plague-grand-canyon_N.htm

 

Suicide on the rise for middle-aged whites (USA Today, October 21, 2008) Suicide rates in the USA are up after more than a decade of dropping, and middle-aged whites primarily account for the increase, a report says. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-21-suicide-rates-middle-age_N.htm

 

Safety a problem for new generation drugs, too (Salt Lake Tribune, October 21, 2008) Nearly a fourth of widely used new-generation biological drugs that treat several common diseases produce serious side effects that lead to safety warnings soon after they go on the market, the first major study of its kind found. http://www.sltrib.com/health/ci_10775105?source=rss

 

 

National Healthcare Headlines

Watch For New Expenses (Wall Street Journal, October 20, 2008) As open-enrollment season begins, employers are requiring financially strapped workers to share even more of the burden of health-insurance costs. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122437996829547881.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

U.S. Predicts Rapid Rise of Medicaid Spending (Wall Street Journal Health Blog, October 20, 2008) Washington released a report late on Friday that was another reminder of the daunting cost of the U.S. health-care system. It estimated that Medicaid benefits spending would grow at an average annual rate of 7.9% over the next 10 years, reaching $674 billion a year by 2017. http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/10/20/us-predicts-rapid-rise-of-medicaid-spending/

  • Medicaid spending outpaces growth in the U.S. economy (Salt Lake Tribune, October 21, 2008) The first actuarial report on Medicaid spending since the program began in 1966 projects the public health insurance program's spending will soar past the rate of growth in the U.S. economy. http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10772881

 

Prescription for Change (Wall Street Journal, October 20, 2008) The health-care industry is about to undergo a global revolution driven by a force it can no longer resist: information technology. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122426733527345133.html

 

Navigating a Path Around Medicare's 'Doughnut Hole' (Wall Street Journal, October 20, 2008) Carol Adams, age 67, a retired insurance underwriter, takes 10 prescription drugs for a bad heart and other ailments. Or at least she's supposed to. At times, she skips taking some of her medicine in order to avoid falling into the "doughnut hole," the gap in coverage in Medicare's drug plans. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122401047291233285.html

 

Healthcare shouldn't be linked to employment (Opinion, Boston Globe, October 19, 2008) The choice you'll have," said Barack Obama during last week's debate, as he told voters what to expect if John McCain's health-insurance proposal becomes law, "is having your employer no longer provide you healthcare. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/10/19/healthcare_shouldnt_be_linked_to_employment/

 

State tweaks health insurance rules (Boston Globe, October 19, 2008) Starting Jan. 1, residents who do not have health insurance that meets minimum standards set by state regulators could face a hefty tax penalty. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/10/18/state_tweaks_health_insurance_rules/

 

A Plan to Improve Health Care and Limit Costs (New York Times, October 18, 2008) THE issue of health care costs usually comes up for discussion right after the economy as costs for businesses and consumers continue to climb. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association insures 102 million Americans — one in three people — and has networks that include 90 percent of the nation’s providers and 80 percent of its hospitals. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/business/18interview.html?ref=business

 

29th on Infant Mortality (Editorial, New York Times, October 18, 2008) After five years of stagnation, the United States has managed to cut its infant mortality a bit. That is no great cause for celebration, especially since this country’s rates remain far too high and so many other countries are doing so much better on this important measure of a nation’s health and the quality of its medical system. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/opinion/19sun3.html?th&emc=th

 

Beijing Plans Health Care For Everyone (Wall Street Journal, October 20, 2008) China has unveiled an ambitious plan to achieve universal health care. The plan, released for public debate last week, lays out in broad strokes plans to introduce greater health-care funding and control prices. The current system leaves out much of the population and forces the rest to pay heavy out-of-pocket expenses. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122445443885248287.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

2,000 Is Really Enough (Editorial, New York Times, October 19, 2008) Health officials in New York City call it fast-food sticker shock. Since last May, chain restaurants in the city have been required to list the number of calories for every item on their menus. According to a recent survey, more than 80 percent of those who saw the calorie count were “surprised,” even shocked, that an innocent-looking bran muffin could contain 470 calories and a full-fledged Big Mac attack (with soda and fries, of course) more than 1,200. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/opinion/20mon3.html?th&emc=th

 

Rhode Island wants to overhaul Medicaid (Deseret News, October 19, 2008) Rhode Island is proposing an unprecedented overhaul of its Medicaid program that Gov. Don Carcieri says will save this cash-starved state millions of dollars — but could risk leaving the poor and elderly with fewer services should the plan not work. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705256454,00.html

 

More Alzheimer’s Risk for Hispanics, Studies Suggest (New York Times, October 21, 2008) Antonio Vasquez was just 60 when Alzheimer’s disease derailed him. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/us/21alzheimers.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

 

The Wonders of Blood (New York Times, October 21, 2008) You’re born with a little over a pint of it, by adulthood you’re up to four or five quarts, and if at any point you suddenly shed more than a third of your share, you must either get a transfusion or prepare to meet your mortician. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/science/21angi.html?th&emc=th

 

Three Pounds of Good Eating (Washington Post, October 21, 2008) Can learning the science behind food preparation help you eat more healthfully? (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702678.html?wpisrc=newsletter

 

Pediatrician Looks Past The Blame (Washington Post, October 21, 2008) Kathy Rivers thought she had become accustomed to the jaundiced judgments of other people. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702689.html?wpisrc=newsletter

 

Being Difficult: For Some Patients, It's a Coping Mechanism (Washington Post, October 21, 2008) It's fashionable in health care to talk about the importance of being a knowledgeable, assertive patient and of forging a working partnership with a doctor, a relationship that will speed healing or improve the process of living with a chronic, even life-threatening, illness. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702677.html?wpisrc=newsletter

 

All Together Now: 30 Minutes a Day, Five Days a Week (Washington Post, October 21, 2008) The federal government released a new set of exercise guidelines a couple of weeks ago, and the basic recommendation was straightforward: Thirty minutes a day, five days a week, at a moderate effort, for basic health; double that and/or make it more intense for more significant health and fitness benefits. You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702571.html?wpisrc=newsletter

 

The Right to Know, Then to Say ‘No’ (New York Times, October 21, 2008) Terminally ill patients in California are the first in the nation to have a legal right to information from their doctors, upon request, about end-of-life options, including hospice, palliative care, refusing or withdrawing life-prolonging treatments, and making the choice to refuse food and hydration. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/the-right-to-know-then-to-say-no/?partner=MOREOVERNEWS&ei=5040

 

 

Healthcare on the Campaign Trail

Obama Attacks McCain on Health Care and Medicare, in Some Ways Inaccurately (New York Times, October 19, 2008) In a coordinated air and ground attack, Senator Barack Obama is charging that his Republican rival for the presidency, Senator John McCain, would make $882 billion in “drastic cuts to Medicare” to pay for his health care proposal. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/us/politics/19health.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

 

New Research That Should Inspire the Candidates (New York Times, October 17, 2008) In the final presidential debate, Bob Schieffer of CBS asked whether the downturn in the economy means that the focus of health care reform should become cost control rather than expanding access. http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/new-research-that-should-inspire-the-candidates/

 

Health care: Utahns see good, bad and risky in McCain, Obama plans (Salt Lake Tribune, October 18, 2008) For Jesse Shirley, having health insurance can mean the difference between life and death. The 69-year-old Sandy man has arthritis, high blood pressure and diabetes, for which he is being treated at the Stephen D. Ratcliffe Community Center. http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10710537

 

Many Holes in Disclosure of Nominees’ Health (New York Times, October 19, 2008) Fifteen days before the election, serious gaps remain in the public’s knowledge about the health of the presidential and vice-presidential nominees. The limited information provided by the candidates is a striking departure from recent campaigns, in which many candidates and their doctors were more forthcoming. (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/us/politics/20health.html?th&emc=th

 

Taking a Peek at the Experts’ Genetic Secrets (New York Times, October 19, 2008 Is Esther Dyson, the technology venture capitalist who is training to be an astronaut, genetically predisposed to a major heart attack? (You must register to view this link—no fee) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/us/20gene.html?th&emc=th