MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'congress'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:51:32 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181771&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOQfxnCT1GtU%2F By Michael F. CannonHere are a few takeaways from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s most recent monthly poll. 1. Nearly Two Thirds of ObamaCare’s Supposed Beneficiaries Think It Won’t Help Them. ObamaCare‘s actual beneficiaries are politicians, government bureaucrats, insurance companies, drug manufacturers, etc.—but that’s another blog post for another time. The law’s supposed beneficiaries are the uninsured. Yet 61 percent of them think the law will either not help them or will hurt them (see pie chart below). The main takeaway: Congress can repeal ObamaCare and its supposed beneficiaries won’t even care.   2. Some of the Uninsured Who Think ObamaCare Will Help Them Are Wrong. One respondent said that under ObamaCare, you “can go to ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181771 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:56:48 +0100 5181771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139696&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FySYnjbBACN4%2F By Trevor BurrusOn Friday, when the 11th Circuit struck down the individual mandate portion of ObamaCare, a trip to the Supreme Court became all but assured. Previously, although Supreme Court review was highly probable even if a circuit split didn’t develop, there was still an outside chance that the Court would deny review if all circuit courts upheld the law. Now, the Court is essentially obliged to take the case. This is reason enough to be happy about the decision. As I work my way through the opinion, I become even happier. The opinion is not only exhaustive, it is convincing. If Congress oversteps the outer limits of its power, the court explains, then “the Constitution requires judicial engagement, not judicial abdication.” Thus, we are given over 200 pages of “judicial en... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139696 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:00:57 +0100 5139696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130748&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-pros-and-cons-of-ipab-and-why-it-shouldnt-be-repealed%2F2011.08.15 In recent weeks, several Democrats and some health reform advocates including the AMA have joined Republicans in calling for a repeal of provisions in the new health law that create the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). For these people, IPAB represents the worst aspects of the new law–an unelected, centralized planning authority empowered by government to make decisions about the peoples’ health care. Arbitrary cuts to providers, short-sighted decisions that stifle innovation and rationing of care are sure to follow, they claim. While it’s true that the rules governing IPAB are flawed and should be fixed, eliminating IPAB altogether would be a mistake. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Pizaazz* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130748 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:00:44 +0100 5130748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125829&cid=t_101651_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fthere-law-diminishing-returns-policymaking How far should government go to make good things happen? It being a Friday in August, and confident that readers are just aching for a question of political philosophy to ponder until they can get back to the office on Monday, we thought we’d offer the above, which, truth be told, is what we keep coming back to after reviewing some recent news and observations. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125829 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:09:48 +0100 5125829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107480&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FIiCmhrGO5qA%2F At first blush, Washington’s tough talk about fiscal austerity doesn’t look good for drug makers. Government programs including Medicare and Medicaid spend $99 billion each year on prescription medicines, according to Washington consulting firm Avalere Health, making for a ripe cost-cutting target. Not surprisingly, drug stocks have dropped with the rest of the market recently. As the WSJ reports, pharma companies have ramped up their lobbying, warning that cuts to the drug prices paid by Medicare’s drug benefit, for example, could mean loss of some of the industry’s 675,000 jobs and investment in new lifesaving treatments. Yet pharma’s prospects aren’t necessarily so dire, say experts like Avalere’s CEO Dan Mendelson, a former Clinton administrati... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107480 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:37:40 +0100 5107480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103328&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9Vuhjuw4Qh8%2F By Jim HarperThat was my inner conversation when I heard that the “Super Congress”* (or “Super Committee”) created by the debt ceiling deal might operate behind closed doors. Congress is free to create any committee it wants, of course. Congress determines the rules of its proceedings. But ordinary committees and subcommittees are too opaque. A “Super Committee” should lead—not lag—in transparent operations. In a forthcoming report on government transparency, we’ll be looking at the kinds of things committees should be publishing in computer-useable formats, and in real time or near-real-time: meeting notices, transcripts, written testimonies, live video, original bills, amendments to bills, motions, and votes. There are ways that many ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103328 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:39:23 +0100 5103328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096194&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ama-assn.org%2Fama1%2Fpub%2Fupload%2Fmm%2F399%2Fmedicare-survey-results-0510.pdf By Mary Grealy. I wonder how long it will take before people who should know better stop implying, or even saying outright, that payment cuts to Medicare providers don’t affect beneficiaries. This weekend, I was among those following the cable news shows to see if Congress would finally reach agreement on a debt ceiling package.  It appears now that, even though it may be a “sugar-coated Satan sandwich” to some, a legislative approach has been crafted that will raise the debt ceiling and establish a process for achieving approximately $2.5 trillion in budget cuts over 10 years.  In this process, a congressional super-committee will be charged with identifying $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions by Thanksgiving.  If they fail to do so, automatic cuts will occur and fall most heavil... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096194 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:24:24 +0100 5096194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086257&cid=t_101651_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F01%2Flove-suicide-and-well-being-international-positive-psychology-associations-second-congress%2F We live in a world that needs our help. – James Pawelski, Director of Education and Senior Scholar at the Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, just before asking for a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist act in Norway. From July 23rd through July 26th, the International Positive Psychology Association’s second congress took place in Philadelphia.  Two years ago, during a particularly miserable time in my life, my best friend, Professor Joel Morgovsky, suggested we go to the first congress together. I wasn’t in the mood. But I went, and I was sitting in talk after talk and workshop after workshop; mostly they were interesting, but please, when do we get to go home? Then I heard Barbara Fredrickson speak.  There are a few transformative lect... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086257 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:17:53 +0100 5086257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069435&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9z_db8dIDdQ%2F By Chris EdwardsHouse Speaker John Boehner is scrambling to revise his budget plan after the CBO found that it would only cut spending by $850 billion, not the $1.2 trillion promised. However, the Boehner plan doesn’t actually cut spending at all. The chart shows the discretionary spending caps in the Boehner plan. Spending increases every year—from $1.043 trillion in 2012 to $1,234 trillion in 2021. (This category of spending excludes the costs of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). The “cuts” in the Boehner plan are only cuts from the CBO baseline, which is an imaginary path of future spending designed as a planning tool for Congress. Boehner can propose to spend any amount in any future year he wants, and in this plan he choose to have a steadily rising spending path. The Boehne... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069435 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:05:21 +0100 5069435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069442&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fce8sbIDKoeA%2F By Julian SanchezBack in May, during the debates over reauthorization of the Patriot Act, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mark Udall (D-CO) began raising a fuss about a secret interpretation of the law’s so-called “business records” authority, known to wonks as Section 215, arguing that intelligence agencies had twisted the statute to give themselves domestic surveillance powers Congress had not anticipated or intended. At the time, I marshaled a fair amount of circumstantial evidence that, I thought, suggested that the “secret authority” involved location tracking of cell phones. Wyden backed off after being promised a secret hearing to address his concerns—but indicated he’d be returning to the issue if he remained unsatisfied. The hearing occurred early ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069442 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:36:26 +0100 5069442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069448&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FL4v1dpVS2L8%2F By Tim LynchOver the weekend, the Wall Street Journal ran an excellent article about the problem of overcriminalization—the proliferation of criminal laws and how more and more people can find themselves on the wrong side the law without even realizing it. Here’s an excerpt: In 2009, Mr. Anderson loaned his son some tools to dig for arrowheads near a favorite campground of theirs. Unfortunately, they were on federal land. Authorities “notified me to get a lawyer and a damn good one,” Mr. Anderson recalls. There is no evidence the Andersons intended to break the law, or even knew the law existed, according to court records and interviews. But the law, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, doesn’t require criminal intent and makes it a felony punishab... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069448 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:39:14 +0100 5069448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050522&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxdqfWo5Zzkw%2F Yesterday Cato hosted a book forum on Joe Gibson’s new book, A Better Congress: Change the Rules, Change the Results. The author had a lot of thoughtful ideas, and the event is worth watching (its also a short book, easy read). Several of the book’s proposals move toward getting greater consensus in Congress and more agreement across the parties. Which got me thinking, if you want consensus, why don’t you start by just requiring it. Something like a 300 vote requirement in the House with a 80 vote requirement in the Senate. There’s nothing in our Constitution that requires simple majorities (or 60 for that matter), at least for routine business (yes there are rare exceptions). This would not stop every bad law, far from it, but it would require laws to have... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050522 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:18:38 +0100 5050522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050583&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-doctors-should-participate-in-the-debt-ceiling-debate%2F2011.07.20 Joe Scarborough reminds us that the divisions in American government are hardly new, paraphrasing Benjamin Franklin’s observation that “When you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble . . . all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?” (This comes from a September 17, 1787 speech by Mr. Franklin to urge ratification of the U.S. Constitution, read on his behalf because he was too ill to deliver it in person. The Constitution was ratified the same day.) I suppose we should be encouraged that Congress’s prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, local interests and selfish views are as American as apple pie,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050583 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5050583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036316&cid=t_101651_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ftrimming-medicare-save-economy-social-media-reactions President Barack Obama seems desperate for a compromise with Republicans over the debt ceiling. In a press conference on Monday, he once again agreed to consider cuts in Social Security and Medicare. The deal would cut benefits within Medicare and Social Security, in addition to raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. But as the weeks roll by, congressional Democrats are showing more displeasure on that endorsement, creating difficult choices for the administration. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036316 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:58:06 +0100 5036316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028134&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fk5W9J0x-YwM%2F Curbing HIV: Two new studies show the same drugs used to treat HIV infection can also be used to lower the risk of heterosexual transmission of the virus, the WSJ reports. The studies, conducted in Africa, showed antiretroviral drugs marketed by Gilead Sciences could help cut the risk of infection by at least 62%. Research has previously shown that one of the drugs can help reduce transmission of the virus in gay and bisexual men by 44% — 73% when taken every day, as directed. Happier Meals?: Nineteen restaurant chains say they will take steps to up the nutritional quality of their menu offerings for children as part of the National Restaurant Association’s Kids Live Well campaign, the Los Angeles Times reports. Burger King will give parents the option of swapping out fries and... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028134 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:54:44 +0100 5028134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975831&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbzPa0WW5aBI%2F By Michael F. CannonThat’s the subject of my latest Kaiser Health News column: Obamacare passes two milestones this month. It has been exactly two years since the first version of the legislation appeared in Congress. And it has now enjoyed exactly two years of solid public opposition. Yet this month has been harsher than most. It is almost enough to make you feel sorry for ObamaCare.  Almost. For ObamaCare, June Has Been a Very Cold Month is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975831 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:29:49 +0100 4975831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921381&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fo88B5L4tJGw%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLast week, the House passed a homeland security appropriations bill slashing funding for grants to states and localities. The New York Times has now noticed and unleashed an indignant editorial: House Republicans talk tough on terrorism. So we can find no explanation — other than irresponsibility — for their vote to slash financing for eight antiterrorist programs. Unless the Senate repairs the damage, New York City and other high-risk localities will find it far harder to protect mass transit, ports and other potential targets. The programs received $2.5 billion last year in separate allocations. The House has cut that back to a single block grant of $752 million, an extraordinary two-thirds reduction. The results for high-risk areas would be so damaging — wit... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921381 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:01:43 +0100 4921381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893390&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FVbD6rCsA4DM%2F By Christopher PrebleBetter late than never. The House of Representatives today debated two different resolutions purportedly aimed at forcing the Obama administration to comply with its statutory and constitutional obligations to secure formal authorization for the ongoing military campaign in Libya. I say “purportedly” because it seems quite clear that the real intent of House Speaker John Boehner’s resolution was to lure away a sufficient number of Republicans who otherwise would have been inclined to vote for Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s (D-OH) measure. Whereas the Kucinich resolution would have compelled the Obama administration to withdraw from all military operations in Libya within the next 15 days, Boehner’s resolution bars the administration from deploying... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893390 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:55:56 +0100 4893390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883560&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fab1C-zrG_-0%2F By David BoazIn Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, when Chancellor Palpatine transforms the republic into an empire, Senator Amidala remarks: So this is how liberty dies . . . with thunderous applause. But it can also happen in silent acquiescence. For decades now, successive Congresses have evaded their responsibility to make decisions about the deployment of U.S. armed forces abroad. I write about the latest instance of this, in Libya, in today’s Britannica column: Presidents have an obligation to obey the Constitution and the law. But one of the ways that separation of powers works is that each branch of government is supposed to jealously guard its prerogatives from usurpation by the other branches. Too often Congress ducks that responsibility, preferring to let presidents make ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883560 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:30:57 +0100 4883560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872056&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FPCUX1nLz6Eg%2F Not Going Away: Republicans continued to support Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to overhaul Medicare despite its apparent role in an election defeat this week, the WSJ reports. Ryan’s plan, which would convert Medicare to subsidies with which seniors could purchase private insurance, was a flashpoint in a special congressional election in New York, in which a Democrat won a seat in a traditionally Republican district. How Much Hypertension?: A large new study finds that 19% of young adults aged 24 to 32 have high blood pressure, USA Today reports. The government-funded study, published in Epidemiology, conflicts with another big study that found 4% of Americans aged 20 to 39 have hypertension, the paper says. Ruled Incompetent: Jared Loughner, the accused gunman in the shootings that ki... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872056 Thu, 26 May 2011 12:29:51 +0100 4872056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862513&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmGTytT7-JcU%2F By Walter OlsonThanks to star libertarian lawprof and Cato senior fellow Randy Barnett for pointing out something that has needed saying for a while: most proposals in the U.S. Congress to address medical malpractice law run into serious federalism problems. Most medical malpractice suits go forward in state courts under state law. If the U.S. Congress wishes to impose a nationwide rule on these suits, such as by limiting damages for pain and suffering, it first needs to answer the question: under which of the federal government’s constitutionally prescribed powers is it acting? Even if it can identify such authority, it should also ask: is it a wise idea—consistent with what one might call a prudential federalism—to gather yet more power in Washington at the expense of the state... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862513 Tue, 24 May 2011 19:43:47 +0100 4862513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862499&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FaoROgnr8uUk%2F URL Pharma’s gout treatment Colcrys has been controversial from the get-go. The active ingredient in the drug, colchicine, has been used for ages; URL Pharma commissioned studies to show it was safe and effective, won three years of marketing exclusivity from the FDA to treat gout flareups and promptly raised the retail price from pennies to more than five bucks a pill. The company has said the price is in line with other approved, branded gout drugs and that its trials helped establish a dosage and make the medication safe for everyone. It also set up a patient financial assistance program. But four members of Congress say URL Pharma has some ‘splainin to do. In a letter to Richard H. Roberts, the company’s president, CEO and chairman,  Sen. Herb Kohl and Reps. Henry Wa... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862499 Tue, 24 May 2011 17:53:08 +0100 4862499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841480&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprogressive-counter-point-the-ipab-could-be-a-good-thing%2F2011.05.18 I shouldn’t do this. It’s madness to try to delve into the minds of conspiracy theorists and try to make sense of their ravings. But I can’t help myself; I’m drawn like a moth to the flame. It never ends well. I only wind up with a horde of trolls in the comments telling me that I’m a glib supercilious idiot and should stick to medicine or go die in a fire or something. Sometimes it’s too hard to stay away. Maybe it was the personal affront I felt in the false imputation of ill motives onto progressives. Maybe it was the gross errors in fact, sitting there ripe for the plucking. I don’t know, but I just can’t resist a rebuttal to Dr Rich at Covert Rationing, who weaves a technocratic cost control body into a paranoid web of fantasy, conclud... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841480 Wed, 18 May 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4841480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841481&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fconservative-viewpoint-the-ipab-is-the-frightening-lynchpin-of-obamacare%2F2011.05.18 In the speech President Obama gave responding to Congressman Ryan’s budget plan (the one in which he lured Ryan to sit in the front row in order to be publicly pilloried), the President did something DrRich did not think he would do before the next election. He openly invoked, and openly embraced, the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) as the chief mechanism by which Obamacare will control the cost of American healthcare. “IPAB” might be a new term to many Americans, but DrRich pointed his readers to this entity, within a few weeks of the passage of Obamacare, as the lynchpin (and a very scary lynchpin at that) of the whole enterprise. Until President Obama’s recent “outing” of IPAB, however, this new board has been almost entirely ignored by most commentators. Since the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841481 Wed, 18 May 2011 19:00:30 +0100 4841481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813251&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZt5mv_FnBa4%2F By Jason KuznickiThe media makes it hard for ordinary people to be libertarians. In large part, this is because journalism is in the business of selling panic—panic about terrorism, panic about drugs, panic about food, panic about pornography, panic about our health care system. If it’s not an emergency, it’s not news. To the lazy journalist, everything becomes an emergency—and emergencies always—always—demand state action. The media makes things hard for the would-be libertarian in other ways, too. Consider this story from today’s Washington Post, about… well, it’s hard to say, actually: Senate Democrats unveiled a plan Tuesday to save $21 billion over the next decade by eliminating tax breaks for the nation’s five biggest oil companies, a move desi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813251 Wed, 11 May 2011 15:02:07 +0100 4813251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813292&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F05%2F11%2Fbig-pharmas-sugar-daddy-the-u-s-congress%2F Tuesday, May 10, 2011, I had the distinct pleasure of viewing a live feed of the press conference held on the steps of the U.S. Vaccine Court in Washington, DC, where attorneys representing clients and families damaged by vaccines, particularly autism disorder spectrum disabilities, challenged the U.S. Congress to investigate what’s really going on with the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, the U.S. Vaccine Court set up under the statute creating that law, and its unfair compensation tactics. While reading a companion article, “Unanswered Questions From The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: A Review of Compensated Cases of Vaccine-Induced Brain Injury” by Mary Holland, Louis Conte, Robert Krakow and Lisa Colin, published in the Pace Environmental Law Review at http://dig... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813292 Wed, 11 May 2011 14:52:21 +0100 4813292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813252&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fsz2DdYdus4o%2F By Chris EdwardsHouse Speaker John Boehner has promised to tie substantial spending cuts to upcoming debt-limit legislation. He said spending cuts will have to be at least as large as the dollar value of the allowed debt increase. Thus, if the legislation increased the legal debt limit by $2 trillion, then Congress would have to cut spending over time by at least $2 trillion. How can we be sure that spending cuts are real? There are only two types of solid and tough-to-reverse spending cuts—legislated changes to reduce entitlement benefit levels and complete termination of discretionary programs. Republicans will have to define what time period they are talking about, but let’s assume it’s the standard 10-year budget window. Entitlements: The legislation, for example, could change t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813252 Wed, 11 May 2011 14:38:49 +0100 4813252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813256&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsGbxfO-7udg%2F By Tad DeHavenPostal Vision 2020 is a conference scheduled for June in Arlington, VA, that will discuss the U.S. Postal Service’s long-term prospects in our increasingly digitized world. Here’s how the Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe frames the gathering: As mail volume continues to plummet and more Americans use the Internet to pay bills and keep in touch, Google executives, social media experts and some of the most passionate tech evangelists are planning to meet in Crystal City in mid-June to sort out how to save and remake the nation’s mail delivery service. That sounds like a good group for discussing ideas on how to “remake the nation’s mail delivery service” given that the USPS is the antithesis of companies like Google. Creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and compet... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813256 Tue, 10 May 2011 21:36:26 +0100 4813256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813260&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTRqxGl4BsSo%2F By Ilya ShapiroToday, the Fourth Circuit became the first appellate court in the nation to enter the Obamacare fray.  It heard two very similar cases back-to-back, Liberty University’s, in which the government won in the district court, and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s, in which Judge Henry Hudson struck down the individual mandate back in December.  Going into the hearing, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s legal team had done a wonderful job setting out the reasons why Hudson was correct and why Congress went too far in asserting the unprecedented power to compel people to enter into contracts with private insurance companies.  I was proud to sign Cato’s brief supporting that position and continue to maintain that the federal government cannot require people to buy g... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813260 Tue, 10 May 2011 17:57:12 +0100 4813260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789197&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fx9sVFi-kdc0%2F At a House subcommittee meeting today, medical societies weighed in on how to fix the much-maligned Medicare physician payment formula. The current formula, which absolutely no one thinks can continue in its present form, is (ironically) called the Sustainable Growth Rate, or SGR. It pegs the growth of Medicare reimbursement to the GDP — problematic, since GDP growth has famously been outpaced by the increase in health-care spending for years. Automatic, across-the-board reimbursement cuts kick in if spending reaches a certain level. But it’s so expensive to fix this problem — $298 billion just to wipe out accumulated debt — that nothing permanent has been done. Instead, we’ve seen a Chinese water torture of last-minute, short-term fixes. Scheduled to appear t... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789197 Thu, 05 May 2011 17:16:47 +0100 4789197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775369&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FPe2plLZ0lF4%2F Looking Past the Cliff: In an interview with the WSJ, new Pfizer CEO Ian Read says that the company won’t lose all of the roughly $11 billion in sales generated by Lipitor when the anti-cholesterol drug loses patent protection later this year. Read also reiterates his intention to review Pfizer’s businesses and consider whether certain non-core units may “have a better value to Pfizer shareholders outside of Pfizer rather than in.” (If you can’t get enough of Pfizer this morning, Forbes also writes about the pharma giant.) Loving Embrace: Generic drug giant Teva is buying Cephalon for $6.8 billion, or about $81.50 per share, Bloomberg News reports. Cephalon had been fending off an unwanted $73-per-share bid from Valeant Pharmaceuticals, saying the offer was to... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775369 Mon, 02 May 2011 12:27:33 +0100 4775369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758904&cid=t_101651_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2011%2F04%2F28%2Fmedicine-2-0-congress-in-stanford-2%2F Medicine 2.0 Congress taking place at Standford this September is one of the best medical/social media conferences this year. I’ll speak at the Stanford Summit and at the Congress as well. I hope to see you there, but for this, don’t forget to register! Here I talk about one of my topics, digital literacy in medical education: (Source: ScienceRoll) ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758904 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:50:26 +0100 4758904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714716&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYt3CADRA5Ds%2F By Caleb O. Brown President Obama and Congress have agreed to cut $38 billion in federal spending, right? If you go by so-called “budget authority,” that may be true. But real spending cuts come when you actually cut real spending, not “budget authority.” Outlays in fiscal year 2011 will likely be considerably higher than last year’s outlays. That means the spending cuts advertised by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are laughably fraudulent. Learn more at downsizinggovernment.org. Video produced by Caleb O. Brown and Austin Bragg. Obama/Boehner’s Phony Spending Cuts is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714716 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:08:58 +0100 4714716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709361&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F04%2F13%2Fthe-soft-bigotry-of-low-expectation-journalism%2F . Filed under: Journalism, Politics, TV Tagged: ac360, anderson cooper, cnn, congress, trussell & trussell (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709361 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:46:07 +0100 4709361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709192&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1d48imqwYoY%2F By George Scoville “Whatever your views on climate change, you ought to find it unsettling that, here and elsewhere, most of the actual ‘law’ in this country is crafted by unelected executive-branch bureaucrats.” “The Framers’ Constitution freed us, to make our own individual choices.” “The world’s dictators are fleeing for their lives, all because of Secretary Clinton’s efforts.” “Total spending jumped by almost $2 trillion during the Bush-Obama spending binge, so a $39 billion cut is almost too small to mention.” The Founders would agree with the idea that “it should be hard to get into wars and easy to leave them“: Wednesday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709192 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:48:36 +0100 4709192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709186&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FiwuloKT0rhg%2F FDA Panel Votes: Kidney-cancer drugs made by Pfizer and Novartis have received a thumbs-up from an FDA advisory panel, bolstering their chances of gaining approval to also treat rare advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the WSJ reports. The panel voted 10-0 on the question of whether the benefits of Novartis’s Afinitor outweighed the risks, and voted 8-2 on a similar question about using Pfizer’s Sutent for tumors that cannot be removed surgically. We have to say it: the agency often but not always follows the advice of its outside panels. Error Prevention: The Obama administration yesterday announced a private-public partnership intended to reduce the number of preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40% over the next three years and hospital readmissions by 20%, the... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709186 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:25:07 +0100 4709186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693260&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FJeR2jeMrmR8%2F With little progress on budget talks so far today, we could indeed be facing a government shutdown starting at midnight, the WSJ reports. So what would that mean for the health- and medical-related functions of government? New enrollees in Medicare and Medicaid might have difficulty getting their benefits if the agency’s staff is furloughed, leaving it short of workers to process paperwork. But the entitlement programs will continue to pay providers and permit beneficiaries to receive care, NPR reports. Meantime, medical research at the NIH Clinical Center will be affected; new studies (seven are scheduled to kick off next week, including two for children with cancer) won’t begin and ongoing trials won’t enroll new patients, ABC News reports. As for the CDC, it would put ... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693260 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:53:01 +0100 4693260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684259&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FjOIAlZXRaUU%2F Capsugel Sale: Pfizer is selling its drug capsule-making unit, Capsugel, to private-equity firm KKR for $2.38 billion in cash, the WSJ reports. The drug maker is reviewing all its business units, and an analyst report released last month said the company might spin off enough businesses to reduce its annual revenue base to about $35 billion or $40 billion from about $67 billion. Health-Care Proposals: Under a budget proposal by House Republicans, Medicaid would be changed to a block-grant program giving states more discretion in how to run the program that funds health care for the poor, while future Medicare beneficiaries would receive help paying private insurance premiums rather than having their care paid for by the government, the New York Times reports. The WSJ’s Washington Wir... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684259 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:31:55 +0100 4684259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653309&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTKbMzZrj4kI%2F By Tim LynchCongress has made it a crime for persons to falsely claim, verbally or in writing, that they earned military medals.  Some federal courts have declared that law, the Stolen Valor Act, unconstitutional because it violates free speech.  Judge Alex Kozinski warns of the danger of having prosecutors decide which tall tales warrant eye rolls, disgust, or jail time.  Here's an excerpt from the Kozinski opinion: Saints may always tell the truth, but for mortals living means lying. We lie to protect our privacy (“No, I don’t live around here”); to avoid hurt feelings (“Friday is my study night”); to make others feel better (“Gee you’ve gotten skinny”); to avoid recriminations (“I only lost $10 at poker”); to prevent grief (“The doc says you’re gettin... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653309 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:35:47 +0100 4653309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653310&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FySEgFjmU-Kg%2F By John SamplesPresident Obama’s speech last evening offers a chance to assess the implications of the war in Libya. President Obama is not the first president to order attacks on another nation without the authorization of Congress.  This case, however, seems different. Prior to the intervention, the President’s national security advisors had determined that the nation had no vital interest at stake in the Libyan civil war. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has repeated that conclusion after the intervention began. For his part, President Obama emphasized in last night’s speech and before, that the war would preclude a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Why did that rationale win out over the realism of his advisors? President Obama tends to see our nation and the world as divided bet... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653310 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:21:52 +0100 4653310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653313&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FfcHyBTaElD0%2F By Caleb O. BrownThe Weinberger-Powell Doctrine offers Congress and the President five key hurdles before military force should be employed. Chris Preble, in this new video, runs through the reasons why President Obama's Libya incursion fails the Weinberger-Powell test. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel, too. Five Rules for Going to War is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653313 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:38:11 +0100 4653313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642739&cid=t_101651_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fonc-seeks-public-comment-federal-health-it-strategic-plan-2011-2015 Providing strategic leadership to public and private sector efforts to improve health and health care through the use of information and technology is a key responsibility of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642739 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:06:13 +0100 4642739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626785&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FxohW756RYtU%2F A year ago today, President Barack Obama signed the health-care overhaul bill. As we wrote then, “the executive and legislative branches have been the center of attention in Washington during the health-care fight so far, but the stage could soon be shared by the judiciary.” Indeed, there have been 25 cases challenging the law, according to this scorecard from Kaiser Health News. Earlier this month, a U.S. District Court judge stayed his Jan. 31 ruling that the law violates the Constitution, which means implementation will continue as the issue works its way through the court system. Most everyone expects the Supreme Court will eventually rule on the law. Meantime, now that the House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans, the law faces a whole new set of challenges fr... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626785 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:45:55 +0100 4626785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622227&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSIOeasC-sIk%2F By Daniel J. MitchellAmong advocates of limited government, there is growing unease about the fiscal fight in Washington. This is not because anything bad has happened. Indeed, Democrats thus far have been acquiescing -- at least on a temporary basis -- to conservative demands for $61 billion of spending cuts over the rest of the current fiscal year. This is remarkable after 10 years of endlessly expanding government. Here's what Jennifer Rubin wrote at her Right Turn blog. A senior Senate adviser wisecracked, “A month ago, they said they couldn’t possibly cut a dime. Then they said the $4 billion [in] cuts in the first CR were a non-starter. Now they’re bragging about cutting spending?” It is a remarkable turn of events and another sign that Reid was bested in this round of budget... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622227 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:34:28 +0100 4622227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600513&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FT1PiniVqcOY%2F Radiation Risk: The existence and extent of the radiation risk to human health in Japan will hinge on whether the nuclear reactors experience a full or partial meltdown and whether the wind blows radiation out to sea or inland, the WSJ reports. Yesterday there was a temporary spike in radiation levels in Tokyo, though the absolute levels were still very small. At this point the workers struggling to cool the reactors are the people most likely to be exposed to harmful radiation, the WSJ reports, though at current levels of exposure and the usual precautions they aren’t expected to get radiation poisoning. Pushing for a Change: Though state insurance commissioners have already said health-insurance brokers’ commissions should be counted as administrative costs for insurers, brok... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600513 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:43:39 +0100 4600513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592362&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FY7tesAuqJ3E%2F By Mark A. CalabriaAs Congress and the White House continue to debate the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, one of the oft heard concerns is that if we eliminate all the various mortgage subsidies in our system, then the cost of a mortgage will increase.  There certainly is a basic logic to that concern.  After all, why have subsidies if they don't lower the price of the subsidized good.  Of course some, if not all, of said subsidy could be eaten up by the providers/producers of that good. All this begs the question, with all the subsidies we have for mortgage finance, are mortgages actually cheaper in the U.S.?  While not perfect, one way of answering that question is to look at mortgage rates in other countries.   Although every developed country has some sort of government in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592362 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:19:20 +0100 4592362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560227&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FBJNhV30vEsQ%2F Donald Berwick, who became head of Medicare and Medicaid via a controversial (and temporary) recess appointment by President Obama, will have a tough time getting confirmed by the Senate. The road ahead looks so difficult that some Democrats are joining Republicans in calling for a new nominee, The New York Times reports. It’s a matter of math; 42 Republicans have already urged President Obama to pick someone else, and by voting accordingly, they could block confirmation, the paper says. A White House spokesman tells the NYT the nomination won’t be withdrawn and praised Berwick’s performance thus far. Berwick, a doctor and a patient-safety expert, faced criticism of his past statements — including praise for the U.K.’s National Health Service — almost as... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560227 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:22:08 +0100 4560227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560232&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F-UlFsfz_-2Q%2F Joel Spivak — radio show host, raconteur and a reformed smoker who became an anti-tobacco activist — died March 4 of cancer. He was 75. Since 1996, Spivak had been the press spokesman for The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in Washington,  the anti-tobacco lobby that played an influential role in the passage of tobacco legislation in 2009. The bill gave the Food and Drug Administration regulatory power over many tobacco-industry issues, including cigarette advertising. Spivak had been a well-known radio and TV personality and DJ in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington for years, and was voted the capital area’s most popular talk show host by Washingtonian Magazine in 1983. But he loved his job at Tobacco-Free Kids the most, he often told the Health Blog, beca... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560232 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:19:34 +0100 4560232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560234&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F-0eHoDe_UKQ%2F Vaccines on Hold: Japan has temporarily stopped using two childhood vaccines by Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis until a group of experts determines later this week whether the vaccines are tied to the deaths of four young children, the WSJ reports. The children died after receiving one or both of the vaccines — Pfizer’s Prevnar, which protects against a bacterium that can cause meningitis, and Sanofi’s ActHIB, against a bacterium that can cause meningitis and pneumonia — but it’s not clear whether the vaccines played any causal role. Pfizer and Sanofi are working with the Japanese health ministry, the paper says. Pulling Peanut Butter: Unilever is recalling some lots of reduced-fat Skippy peanut butter after product sampling found the presence of salmonella, CNN rep... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560234 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:33:17 +0100 4560234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4544939&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FowKve83MK2U%2F Off the Shelf: Continuing its crackdown on unapproved drugs, the FDA ordered about 500 cough, cold and allergy remedies off the market, the WSJ reports. None of the drugs are top-sellers. The agency says it has received few complaints about side effects but that it is concerned about overdoses if products intended to be time-released instead deliver the entire dose of the active ingredient at once, the paper says. Estimating Impropriety: The Government Accountability Office released a report saying that about $48 billion of Medicare’s  $509 billion in outlays during fiscal 2010 was improper, Politico reports. Some proportion of those improper payments are fraudulent, but CMS says it’s tough to know how large that proportion is. The estimate doesn’t include the Medicare p... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4544939 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:20:12 +0100 4544939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517153&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FC0u2VyQFruo%2F Previous polls by the Kaiser Family Foundation have consistently demonstrated that the country is deeply divided on the health-care overhaul law. But according to the group’s latest poll, almost half of those surveyed either believed the health law had been outright repealed (22%) or didn’t know enough to answer one way or the other (26%). Fifty-two percent of the 1,001 adults who were asked about the current status of the health law answered (correctly) that it is still the law of the land. The House voted to repeal the law last month, but a similar vote failed in the Senate. That doesn’t mean the law is sitting pretty. As the WSJ reports, the House voted last week to defund health-care overhaul, though the Senate isn’t likely to go along with that, either. And eff... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517153 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:46:52 +0100 4517153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512392&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-first-emergency-physician-elected-to-congress%2F2011.02.23 I was unaware that Dr. Joe Heck of Nevada is the first emergency physician to be elected to Congress. Good for him! From the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP): In one of the closest congressional races of 2010, Republican challenger and ACEP member Dr. Joe Heck upset Rep. Dina Titus in Nevada’s third Congressional District.  Dr. Heck is the first ACEP member and emergency physician to be elected to Congress. I suppose that leaves me to be the first for the Senate… *This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512392 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:39 +0100 4512392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482733&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FirbdR5UC7kg%2F Funding for a public health emergency preparedness program run by the CDC was cut by about $72 million below fiscal 2010 levels in the budget proposal. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482733 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:03:19 +0100 4482733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477689&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F0xGBNTX01A4%2F HHS is funded at $79.9 billion in discretionary spending. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477689 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:27:54 +0100 4477689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477699&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTiVWVOvmBW8%2F By Christopher PreblePresident Obama might want it to appear as though he is reining in defense spending with his budget submission for FY 2012, but his approach to the Pentagon’s budget reveals the opposite. Perhaps the president hopes that his adoption of the faux cuts that Secretary Gates put on the table last month will be seen as responsible. Perhaps he is taking a prudent first step and signaling to the military, and its suppliers and contractors, that the days of double-digit increases are over. That may be; but far deeper cuts are warranted. . If the president had truly wanted to send a signal, he would have followed the advice of his own deficit reduction commission and endorsed far deeper cuts in military spending. The Department of Defense will spend $78 billion less over the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477699 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:48:26 +0100 4477699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459938&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F60Q04d1a6e4%2F Also: Republicans propose de-funding family-planning; VA wants the Supreme Court to take up health overhaul now; new Smith & Nephew CEO. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459938 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:33:09 +0100 4459938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450271&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F4PXa9TyKV8M%2F Also: GSK reportedly settles Avandia claims; Avastin results for ovarian cancer; no defunding of health law in spending bill? (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450271 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:26:12 +0100 4450271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419109&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoNQ89pOnlxQ%2F By Roger PilonJudge Vinson’s ruling today that Obamacare’s individual mandate is unconstitutional, following on the heels of Judge Hudson’s similar ruling in the Fourth Circuit, should give the new Congress all the confidence it needs to rescind this provision and more. Indeed, the idea that government could order a person to buy a product from a private vendor, or be fined for failing to do so, is so foreign to our Constitution for limited government that it’s a wonder that Congress ever imagined it had such a power to begin with. The Congress that passed Obamacare is now gone. It will be an early test for members of the new Congress, including those many Senate Democrats up for reelection in 2012, whether they will study these well-reasoned opinions and come to a ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419109 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:15:52 +0100 4419109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414629&cid=t_101651_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2011%2F01%2F30%2Fmedicine-2-0-congress-in-stanford%2F Last November, I gave a presentation about Webicina.com at the Medicine 2.0 Congress in Maastricht, The Netherlands. The next event will take place at the great Stanford University. It’s now time for the abstracts! Medicine 2.0 ’11 will contain a mix of traditional academic/research, practice and business presentations, keynote presentations, and panel discussions to discuss emerging issues. We strive for an interdisciplinary mix of presenters from different countries and disciplines (e.g. health care, social sciences, computer science, engineering, or business) and with a different angle (research, practice, and business).   (Source: ScienceRoll) ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414629 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:31:29 +0100 4414629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411584&cid=t_101651_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F6MVNc1ieIzM%2F The always opinionated Anthony Guerra has an article up on Information Week that describes why he thinks the Meaningful Use sky is falling. Add that to a recent comment I got on a previous post that links to a Healthcare Data Management article talking about the potential repeal of the HITECH act and it seems worthwhile to assess the state of meaningful use. I’ll start with the potential repeal of meaningful use first. We’ve known for a long time that the house was going to be going after healthcare reform once the republicans took over control of the house. In fact, we posted about the potential impacts to HITECH from the new Congress before. I personally get the feeling that not much has changed on this front. I’m going to reach out to some of the government liasons for... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411584 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:43:08 +0100 4411584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399513&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a Tea Party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the Tea Party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399513 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4399513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394419&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a tea-party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the tea-party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394419 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4394419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394418&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F-AEJ3D-OC7o%2F Also: HHS announces fraud figures; Sanofi and Genzyme, still talking; an FDA panel weighs electroshock therapy. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394418 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:09:16 +0100 4394418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377552&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FJSRUGxMESVU%2F Also: alternatives to the individual mandate; health insurers' profits; Wal-Mart makes over some foods; MannKind and the FDA. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377552 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:21:44 +0100 4377552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349492&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FCscLGragB8I%2F Also: streamlining ER visits; health-care overhaul repeal debate starts next week; racial disparities in U.S. health. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349492 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:32:24 +0100 4349492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343109&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F7kaPSmV-x38%2F Also: Oregon sues J&J; foreign health-insurers ponder the Chinese market; Endo's in the hunt; how to treat ear infections. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343109 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:32:51 +0100 4343109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330991&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FG4uQ7cMneac%2F A brain injury is like a "chronic illness," one expert tells the WSJ. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330991 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:20:15 +0100 4330991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330992&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FQ6KD3gsotps%2F Also: health-law repeal vote pushed off; reports of J&J approach to Smith & Nephew; Prozac shows success in stroke patients. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330992 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:33:28 +0100 4330992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322493&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu9dPDt49V8Q%2F By Roger PilonWhat is it about the editorialists at The New York Times? Again today they’re ridiculing the decision by the new House to begin its business yesterday by reading the Constitution aloud. On Tuesday, with great pomposity themselves, the editors called the anticipated reading “a theatrical production of unusual pomposity.” Then in a nasty little editorial today entitled “The United States Consti …tion” — that’s not a typo; that’s their headline — they criticize House leaders for deciding not to read the “obsolete or offensive” parts of the document that are no longer law due to subsequent amendment. The Constitution was read, that is, as it exists today, which hardly seems surprising. But it’s far more than surprising to the Times, apparently, because... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322493 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:49:26 +0100 4322493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322490&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FGTgPdUoOfNI%2F Also: budget-scoring battle; GOP governors ask to waive Medicaid provision of health-care law; insurance rates in Calif. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322490 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:37:59 +0100 4322490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313987&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLOu1IAoxepY%2F By Walter OlsonWhile others wish the new Congress well today on its swearing-in, I plan to light a 100-watt incandescent bulb and hoist a caffeinated alcoholic beverage in honor of a different milestone: starting today, the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee will no longer be under the control of Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). Some lawmakers can talk a decent game about lean ‘n’ smart regulation, but no one ever accused Waxman of having a light touch. (The 900-page Waxman-Markey environmental bill, mercifully killed by the Senate, included provisions letting Washington rewrite local building codes.) He’s known for aggressive micromanagement even of agencies run by putative allies: his staff has repeatedly twisted the ears of Obamanaut appointees to complain that their... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313987 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:30:34 +0100 4313987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313985&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FJQel5xbQ2d4%2F Also: reversal on end-of-life planning; the menthol wars heat up; walking faster to live longer. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313985 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:34:45 +0100 4313985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309587&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fpg2M72Smo0Q%2F By Roger PilonIf the new Congress to be sworn in on Wednesday is the Tea Party’s cardinal achievement so far, its most symbolic achievement will unfold the next day, when the first order of business in the House will be a reading, aloud, of the Constitution – by all accounts, for the first time in the nation’s history. I discuss this issue more fully in this morning’s Wall Street Journal. Let me add simply this: Symbols are important. When the House votes next week to rescind ObamaCare, as it is expected to do, that vote will be symbolic, because no one expects the Senate to uphold the vote, nor the president, if it did, to do anything but veto it. But the new House, responding to the voters who sent them to Washington, will have thrown down the gauntlet, and the real work will the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309587 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:56:15 +0100 4309587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309584&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FPgxn32n2udI%2F Also: Medicare enrollees missing out on drug discounts; Eisai turns to nature for cancer drug; Pfizer underestimates demand. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309584 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:32:51 +0100 4309584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294607&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F_zn4IICafxk%2F Also: more companies suspend studies of a new kind of painkiller; unemployment and veggies; senators probe spinal surgeries. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294607 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:37:10 +0100 4294607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294610&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FVB-sgCeM_l8%2F Also: Medicaid awards for enrolling kids in public insurance; end-of-life discussions under Medicare; California posts nursing-home ratings. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294610 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:15:15 +0100 4294610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285322&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F23%2Fhealth-care-costs-and-the-uninsured-the-republicans-have-a-plan%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Health Care Costs and the Uninsured: The Republicans Have a Plan. If it’s broke, don’t fix it. Filed under: Politics Tagged: congress, gop, health care reform, newspeak, robert donna trussell, uninsured (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285322 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:41:24 +0100 4285322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281298&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQrzU39ubDtI%2F By Neal McCluskeyOver at the Daily Kos they’re getting ready to demonize. Some congressional Republicans opposed language in the continuing budget resolution passed yesterday that would fill a shortfall in Pell Grant funding and keep individual grants at their current sizes. By not filling the shortfall, individual grants would get smaller, something that Kos contributor Jed Lewison characterizes as “draconian.” He also suggests that Republican concerns foreshadow mean things to come in next year’s Congress. Oh please, let this be true! For far too long, almost anything related to education has seen pretty regular, sizeable funding increases due largely to the  simplistic — and easily demagogued – notion that spending more money on education m... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281298 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:46:54 +0100 4281298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281296&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FCAeEaaWOZU0%2F Medicare Investigation: The WSJ takes a look at a Florida doctor (dressed like a punk rocker) who took in $1.2 million from Medicare in 2008, much of it from a sophisticated form of physical therapy. The doctor hasn't been accused of wrongdoing. But last year he was placed on heightened watch and sold his business. But not until he got $2.6 million in payments between 2007 and 2009, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by the WSJ.... (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281296 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:07:04 +0100 4281296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266148&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F17%2Ftax-cuts-and-unemployment-benefits-its-a-win-win%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefits: It’s a Win-Win! They’ll gladly feed you Tuesday for a financial beating today. Filed under: Politics Tagged: congress, extension, robert donna trussell, tax cuts, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266148 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:54:07 +0100 4266148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265680&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9OUF4u0l76g%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThere’s a lot of attention being paid to yesterday’s landslide vote in the House to prevent a big tax increase next year. If you’re a glass-half-full optimist, you will be celebrating the good news for taxpayers. If you’re a glass-half-empty pessimist, you will be angry because the bill also contains provisions to increase the burden of government spending as well as some utterly corrupt tax loopholes added to the legislation so politicians could get campaign cash from special interest groups. If you want some unambiguously good news, however, ignore the tax deal and celebrate the fact that Senator Harry Reid had to give up his attempt to enact a pork-filled, $1 trillion-plus spending bill. This “omnibus appropriation” not only had a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265680 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:09:25 +0100 4265680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4259136&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F14%2Fdemocrats-a-lorange%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Democrats a l’Orange. Filed under: Politics Tagged: congress, democrat, lame duck, partisan, republican, robert donna trussell (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4259136 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:51:08 +0100 4259136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258846&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcqJi_9XNSCc%2F By Michael F. CannonObamaCare has always hung by an absurdity.  ObamaCare supporters claim that the Constitution’s words “Congress shall have the Power…To regulate Commerce…among the several States” somehow give Congress the power to compel Americans to engage in commerce.  This ruling exposes that absurdity, and exposes as desperate political spin the Obama administration’s claims that these lawsuits are frivolous. This ruling’s shortcoming is that it did not overturn the entire law.  Anyone familiar with ObamaCare knows that Congress would not have approved any of its major provisions absent the individual mandate.  The compulsion contained in the individual mandate was the main reason that most Democrats voted in favor of the law.  Yet the law still passed Congres... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258846 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:16:45 +0100 4258846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249016&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fo1IAqJE_gA0%2F Obama has almost quit smoking, Boehner isn't trying to and the Surgeon General says it's still very, very bad for you. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249016 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:06:02 +0100 4249016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249017&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FD5gL9LC0Vjc%2F A one-year patch certainly gives everyone some breathing room, but every time the problem is pushed off, the problem gets bigger. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249017 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:28:34 +0100 4249017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245283&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FHnH8LHzjF5c%2F Also: a doc fix clears the Senate; Orexigen's positive FDA panel vote may also help its rivals; health insurers shop for a PR firm. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245283 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:43:12 +0100 4245283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238064&cid=t_101651_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2010%2F12%2F08%2Fmedicine-2-0-congress-2010-slideshows%2F I just came back from Maastricht where I attended the Medicine 2.0 Congress. Here are the related slideshows on Slideshare. A few examples:   (Source: ScienceRoll) ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238064 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:31:02 +0100 4238064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238102&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fan-end-to-unemployment-benefits-a-victory-for-family-values%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. An End to Unemployment Benefits? A Victory for Family Values. You kids get out of that cement pond! Filed under: Politics Tagged: benefits, congress, extension, mitch mcconnell, robert donna trussell, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238102 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:24:59 +0100 4238102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237866&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FHF-NXMeGRsk%2F Politico reports the "doc fix" would be paid for by changing a provision of the health-care law to raise an estimated $19.2 billion. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237866 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:44:06 +0100 4237866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233154&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FuZVeI4bgUT4%2F Also: federal health-claims database questioned; Senate report details device allegations; Hodgkin's lymphoma drug shows promise. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233154 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:42:49 +0100 4233154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225213&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F7CYjA18cK_c%2F If you think of insurance as a safety net for medical catastrophe, so-called "mini-med" plans obviously fall short. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225213 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:23:15 +0100 4225213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225215&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F0whBF5hCpwQ%2F Also: food-safety bill hits a snag; Allergan seeks broader (though thinner) audience for Lap-Band; PhRMA dollars; Merck bets on experimental insulin product. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225215 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:57:40 +0100 4225215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219722&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F8Lq47VLxM9g%2F Also: judge dismisses suit challenging health-care overhaul law; conservative AMA members don't like the individual mandate; food-safety law clears the Senate. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219722 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:30:38 +0100 4219722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214069&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FJTHNvUag-z0%2F This patch only lasts for a month, which means December should be interesting. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214069 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:32:35 +0100 4214069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214375&cid=t_101651_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2010%2F11%2F29%2Fmedicine-2-0-congress-in-maastricht%2F I’m currently attending the Medicine 2.0 Congress in Maastricht, the Netherlands (I was also in Toronto in 2008). It’s a great event with many medicine 2.0 faces and voices. I spoke about Quality of Medical Information in Social Media and presented the concept behind Webicina.com, a service featuring free curated content in social media. I will publish the Prezi soon. I also have a poster set up focusing on my internet in medicine university course. And had a chance to drop by and see how the HCSMEU Camp is going. Great discussions as usual. If you want to follow the conference, here is a Netvibes page, a Twubs aggregation and a Flickr account. (Source: ScienceRoll) ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214375 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:28:22 +0100 4214375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214084&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoCcwYEDwmzI%2F By Chris EdwardsThe Obama administration is supporting a two-year freeze on federal pay. I haven’t seen the details yet, but this appears to be a good start at getting excessive government pay under control. I’ve been calling for a pay freeze since an op-ed in the Washington Post in 2006. Since then, average federal pay has continued to soar far above average private pay, which has finally prompted policymakers to take note.  The Obama proposal would apparently save $28 billion over five years. Hopefully, that will be the first of many budget savings that the administration and Republicans in Congress can work on together in coming months. I’ve described other ways to tackle the government’s overspending problem here. The next step to reform federal worker ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214084 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:21:06 +0100 4214084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197311&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F11%2F24%2Fdemocrats-and-republicans-quit-that-cryin-or-ill-give-you-somethin-to-cry-about%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Democrats and Republicans: Quit That Cryin’ or I’ll Give You Somethin’ to Cry About. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: congress, democrat, gridlock, humor, political cartoon, republican, robert donna trussell, third party (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197311 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:46:24 +0100 4197311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197021&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FK6UwnXMMLmU%2F Also: congressional insurance coverage; aerobics plus strength-training for lowering blood sugar; more food makers make salt-reduction pledge. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197021 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:49:43 +0100 4197021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190198&cid=t_101651_105_f&fid=36987&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FIvorKovicMd%2F%7E3%2FScoRIuoYqsQ%2F From 2nd until 4th of December 2010, the Resuscitation Congress organized by the European Resuscitation Council will take place in Porto, Portugal. This congress takes place each year in a different European country and is famous for great scientific programs. I will be participating with two papers. On Saturday, 4 December in room Miragaia between 11:00 – 12:30, I will talk about mobile phones in the chain of survival. During the talk I will also mention my CPR invention which utilizes mobile phones to offer CPR prompts & feedback. I am also the coauthor of another paper which will be presented as a poster. Paper titled “Comparing methods for weight estimation of children” will be displayed in the Poster Room. The authors will be answering questions during the Post... Ivor Kovic, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190198 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:57:32 +0100 4190198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183276&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FCJLgeD2ZmXE%2F Sens. Baucus and Grassley plan to introduce a 12-month fix in the Senate before the short-term one expires. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183276 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:33:08 +0100 4183276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179471&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F11%2F18%2Fgive-us-liberty-or-give-us-mitch-mcconnell%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Give Us Liberty or Give Us Mitch McConnell. Don’t mess with the tea-totalers. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: congress, humor, mitch mcconnell, political cartoon, robert donna trussell, tea party (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179471 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:04:36 +0100 4179471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179301&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FY54wMOPOy0Q%2F Also: two senators seek an early state opt-out of individual mandate; Novartis plans ahead; prostate cancer drug shows promise in early study. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179301 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:33:08 +0100 4179301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175669&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Ft3CftDiEaXU%2F Also: another deficit-reduction plan calls for Medicare changes; prospects for a food-safety bill; campaign contributions. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175669 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:56:28 +0100 4175669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172043&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaSxpZRJqyno%2F By Daniel GriswoldRepublican leaders in Congress announced Monday that they are all on board to ban spending “earmarks” when the newly elected Congress convenes in January. That is all to the good. While not a large share of the federal budget, the designation of tax dollars to fund specific pet projects in member districts has come to symbolize out-of-control spending in Washington. Those same leaders should clarify that the earmark ban applies only to spending projects—not to the kind of tariff suspensions including in a recent miscellaneous tariff bill. The U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act approved by Congress in July suspended tariffs on hundreds of imported items of special interest to U.S. manufacturers. House Republican leaders made the mistake earlier this year of including... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172043 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:47:21 +0100 4172043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172044&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsXfRa5kWMYU%2F By Sallie JamesI have a new paper out today on the Generalized System of Preferences, the program by which the U.S. government allows certain imports from most developing countries to enter the U.S. market duty-free. The program has benefits: some producers in some poor countries are able to sell more than they otherwise would in the U.S. market, and U.S. consumers benefit to the tune  of hundreds of millions of dollars a year because of the tariff exemptions. But the GSP still represents managed trade, and poorly managed at that. The program is designed so certain goods in which poorer countries tend to have a comparative advantage — textiles, for example — are excluded from the program, mainly because of the influence of the U.S. textile lobby. There are limits on how much... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172044 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:25:56 +0100 4172044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172046&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmgcUL0WIJiU%2F By Caleb O. BrownSen. Mitch McConnell’s quick reversal on the subject of earmarks was a surprise, but that quick, largely symbolic win against profligate spending certainly won’t translate into a more permanent movement without sustained effort. Shortly after McConnell made his speech supporting a “moratorium” on earmarks, I spoke with Matt Kibbe of Freedomworks about turning the enthusiasm for smaller government into that enduring force. He said understanding public choice gives lawmakers a better shot at turning popular anger at government into reductions in its size and scope. Freedomworks recently held orientation sessions for freshmen members of Congress. A primer in public choice was on the agenda. Cato’s Government Failure: A Primer in Public Choice is... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172046 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:08:36 +0100 4172046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164578&cid=t_101651_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1298 No one could be more unhappy than Lindsay Lohan about the fact that soon there will be no more free drugs at any doctor’s office thanks to President Obama’s “healthcare reform law”.  While touted to bring access and affordability to all – naturally it doesn’t, and while it is now clear to the Democrat Congress and Senate who voted it in without reading the bill – here is another unseen but real consequence of their failures. Pharmaceutical companies give doctor’s offices free samples to give to patients who can’t afford medication, or need to “try them before they have to buy them.”  And they give us a lot of them! Pfizer Inc. 101 million samples worth $2.7 billion Merck & Co. 39 million samples worth about $356 mill... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164578 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:16:03 +0100 4164578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4162912&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FWjV0oxlhbAU%2F All three panelists agreed that while health-care was a flashpoint, the election was primarily about the economy and jobs. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4162912 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:19:10 +0100 4162912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159220&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtgWyRvPyNqI%2F By Chris EdwardsThe co-chairs of President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released a draft report yesterday on how to reduce federal budget deficits. Despite the liberal savaging the report is taking as some sort of conservative plot, its proposals are really center-left in orientation. That said, there is some good stuff in the report, which will be useful for incoming Republicans looking to tackle the budget mess. Good Ideas and Positive Directions The report provides a menu of possible spending cuts for incoming Republican members of Congress to consider, particularly Tea Party members, who proposed to cut the budget during their campaigns. The report proposes to reduce spending from 25 percent of GDP currently to 21 percent over the long run. That’s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159220 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:42:11 +0100 4159220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151744&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FF6axA8nnRUk%2F The 17% of voters who did cite health care as important were decidedly against the health-care overhaul law. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151744 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:02:02 +0100 4151744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107948&cid=t_101651_175_f&fid=39258&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FInsidePaTraining%2F%7E3%2FugGQCecnkno%2Fphysician-assistants-represented-in-washington As strident as midterm election politics were this year, and whatever your political stripe, you’ll probably be pleased to hear that the US House of Representatives will have its first PA in office when the 122nd Congress convenes this January.  With PA training and advocacy experience, and support from the American Association of Physician Assistants [...] (Source: Inside PA Training) Inside PA Training blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107948 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:03:27 +0100 5107948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139237&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealthcare-reform-and-a-divided-congress%2F2010.11.05 Republicans who had opposed healthcare reform before the election are now elected officials with a say in how the programs are funded. At federal and state levels, the program’s opponents either have a larger voice or are now in charge of implementing elements of reform. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said he’d consider adjustments to healthcare reform. Frightened seniors flipped toward opposition to healthcare reform, while flipping on the issue may have saved a few Democrats. Exit polling showed 48 percent would repeal healthcare reform, 16 percent would leave it as is, and 31 percent would expand it. Now that Republicans have a larger say in the matter, take a look at their plan for healthcare in A Pledge to America, starting on page 25, and decide for yourself. (New Yor... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139237 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:00:00 +0100 4139237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133650&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FkJYrf3r4tKI%2F The AMA backed health-care overhaul legislation but was frustrated that a permanent fix to the payment formula for reimbursing physicians wasn't included. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133650 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:18:13 +0100 4133650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133674&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcnt0vRptNwQ%2F By David BoazTea Partiers are celebrating the biggest swing against the incumbent party in the House of Representatives since 1938. It always feels great to win an election. But the real job for fiscal conservatives and smaller-government advocates starts now. The usual pattern is that after the election the voters and the activists go back to their normal lives, but the organized interests redouble their efforts to influence policymakers. That’s part of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs, which we talk a lot about here. People who want something from government organize PACs, hire lobbyists, fly to Washington, make phone calls, make political contributions, take senators to dinner, and otherwise “know no rest by day or night” (in the words of economist Vilfredo Pare... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133674 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:38:39 +0100 4133674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133651&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FOGZDLDVyrs4%2F Also: Genentech offering "secret" rebates to eye doctors; Biogen Idec to revamp its operations; what would you tell John Boehner? (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133651 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:13:11 +0100 4133651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133654&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F4t1oZdRYGn0%2F What's wrong with a group looking at ways to cut spending on Medicare -- a program generally accepted to be unsustainable in its current form? (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133654 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:56:14 +0100 4133654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133657&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FGHpGLnvw8JU%2F Our own unscientific poll found that about 84% of respondents said the new law influenced their vote yesterday. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133657 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:43:16 +0100 4133657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133684&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyEO89mV7tq8%2F By Neal McCluskeyYesterday, I wrote that rather than counseling incoming Republican Congress members to bolster federal intrusions in education, now is the time to start dismantling Washington’s unconstitutional education apparatus.  Exit polling from yesterday’s election, while certainly not focused on education, offers some support for this. Quite simply, voters want less government in their lives, not more. Support for the Tea Party was very high considering that many people consider it something of a fringe movement, with 41 percent of voters saying they either “strongly” or “somewhat support” the Tea Party. Only 31 percent expressed opposition to the movement. Just as telling, if not more so, 56 percent of respondents said they thought &#8... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133684 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:11:54 +0100 4133684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133658&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FaWdMJEiHHYM%2F Also: governors will have big influence on health-law implementation; California gets a Medicaid waiver; charity helps insured with copays. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133658 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:30:13 +0100 4133658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4125229&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F11%2F01%2Fignore-your-inner-cynic-and-vote-on-tuesday%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Ignore Your Inner Cynic and Vote on Tuesday. “Tribute to Her,” uploaded to the Internet on Nov. 7, 2008, is a slideshow of Election Day photographs. YouTube member SailorBrownie described her post as a “dedication to all those Black Americans who went out on Tuesday and voted. We made history.” While it’s not altogether clear who is the “Her” in the title of the video, it might as well be the woman collapsed on the floor in tears. A girl nearby touches her cheek with a little confusion and a lot tenderness for the woman who is, most likely, her mother. The pictures are set to the Beatles song, “Blackbird” — a good choice, considering it was the civil rights drama playing out across the pon... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4125229 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:51:56 +0100 4125229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118890&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ4l5iBZWyZY%2F By Daniel J. MitchellWhile flipping through the radio on my way to pick my son up from school yesterday afternoon, I was dumbfounded to hear Congressman John Boehner talk about repealing Obama’s Medicare cuts on Sean Hannity’s show. I wasn’t shocked that Boehner was referring to non-existent cuts (Medicare spending is projected to jump from $519 billion in 2010 to $677 billion in 2015 according to the Congressional Budget Office). I’ve been dealing with Washington’s dishonest definition of “spending cuts” for decades, so I’m hardly fazed by that type of routine inaccuracy. But I was amazed that the presumptive future Speaker of the House went on a supposedly conservative talk radio show and said that increasing Medicare spending would be on... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118890 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:08:47 +0100 4118890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105643&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fh8IzGl-Xs4Q%2F Also: a report that Walgreen is looking to sell PBM; the difficulty of weight-loss drug development; hormones and pets. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105643 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:49:18 +0100 4105643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086266&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprenatal-vitamins-are-they-necessary-sufficient-safe%2F2010.10.20 What is in a prenatal vitamin? Why do most doctors recommend them? Is there any evidence taking them is worthwhile? I decided recently that I would read through the ingredients of these vitamins, often touted as “essential vitamins and nutrients, crucial for the healthy development of your baby.” Hmmm. Does that mean eating traces of polyvinyl alcohol every day is beneficial? The fine print ingredients of such brands as “One A Day”, “Centrum Materna”, “Rite Aid” and even the prescription only “Prenate Elite” are a confusing mess of milligrams, international units, RDA’s, and chemicals. As the makers of Centrum explain, “It is very challenging to formulate vitamins and minerals without the use of non-medicinal ingredients which serve to keep the product stable and to... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086266 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:00:27 +0100 4086266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086248&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fu3mRb4bkKn0%2F Also: Markey wants thyroid patients treated with radiation to stay in the hospital; a delay for the diabetes drug from Lilly, Alkermes and Amylin; a Graco stroller recall. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086248 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:10:15 +0100 4086248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074017&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F1m9MVbXe4JE%2F Also: UnitedHealth proposes Medicare/Medicaid cost-saving measures; a ReGen knee implant approval is rescinded; Fresh Express has a new way to wash salad greens. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074017 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:48:39 +0100 4074017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060577&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FctNSK_WVbrw%2F By Roger PilonThe Supreme Court hears oral argument today in an important pre-emption case, Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, which asks whether the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Act of 1986 pre-empts state law “design defect” suits brought against vaccine manufacturers. I’ve discussed this complex case more fully in an op-ed at the Daily Caller, but in a nutshell, Congress passed the Act to address the risks inherent in vaccinations through a federal no-fault ”Vaccine Court” rather than through the vagaries of state tort law. It did so because the inability to make vaccines entirely safe, plus uncertainty surrounding causation, coupled with the penchant of state juries to discount those issues in favor of sympathetic plaintiffs, had rendered most manufacturers unwilling... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060577 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:47:37 +0100 4060577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082176&cid=t_101651_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fiom-blog Two landmark reports by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) changed Americans’ perception of their health care system and launched today’s drive to improve the quality and safety of medical care in America. The reports were To Err Is Human, published in 1999, and Crossing the Quality Chasm, released in 2001.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082176 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:15:35 +0100 4082176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045069&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FWhOZapLr65Q%2F A federal judge says the individual mandate to purchase health insurance doesn't violate the Constitution. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045069 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:43:24 +0100 4045069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040552&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMBvs5JDJF5s%2F By Neal McCluskey…President Obama and Congress were doling out tens-of-billions of dollars to the education status quo while doing little of meaningful, reform-y substance. Now we see the payoff: President Obama has gotten bipartisan accolades for supposedly being a different kind of Democrat on education — one willing to take on teacher unions – while he’s fully kept union allegiances. Reports the Washington Post about National Education Association plans to spend $15 million on largely Dem-friendly, midterm-election advertisements: Karen M. White, the NEA’s political director, said the 3.2 million-member union is in sync with Obama more often than not. As an example, she pointed to his support for a $10 billion education funding bill that the Democratic-... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040552 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:26:08 +0100 4040552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4030877&cid=t_101651_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fcan-congressional-hearings-cure.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4030877 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:37:00 +0100 4030877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027159&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedicare-reimbursement-a-23-percent-cut-soon-to-come%2F2010.10.03   “It will never happen.” “They know better than to do it.” “They realize the disaster it would be if they let it pass.” That’s what I hear. I hear that the upcoming SGR adjustment, the one that will cut Medicare reimbursement by 23 percent, won’t go through. In case you missed it, the SGR is a formula coming from the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that does automatic cuts to Medicare reimbursement. This year we witnessed a legislative game of chicken in congress, with both sides agreeing that it was a bad idea to screw physicians in a time that they are trying to fix healthcare. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027159 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:00:13 +0100 4027159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023094&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F09%2F30%2Fattack-ads-in-the-screening-room%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Attack Ads: In the Screening Room. Putting the pain in campaign. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: 2010 election, attack ad, campaign, commercial, congress, humor, political cartoon, robert donna trussell (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023094 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:01:26 +0100 4023094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018153&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FLoXUCuULaZg%2F We'll update with key developments. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018153 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:42:43 +0100 4018153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013126&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2Fh9jkIJ9JI-Q%2F Tomorrow J&J CEO William Weldon will testify before the House Oversight Committee. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013126 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:16:58 +0100 4013126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993858&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FqaiRRJHzn98%2F Also: cost of blood-clot treatment raised; Wright County Egg is grilled by House members; loopholes in Medicare fraud law closed. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993858 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:34:09 +0100 3993858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993863&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FNQzlPSwjYLo%2F Also: egg producers to testify; Novartis MS drug approved; California hospital conflict; Medicare Advantage premiums. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993863 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:57:14 +0100 3993863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987203&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F09%2F20%2Fthe-new-stepford-wives-party-starring-sarah-palin-also-gidget%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. The New Stepford Wives Party, Starring Sarah Palin (Also Gidget). I loves me some mama grizzly Sarah Palin and her adorable Republican bear cubs running for national office — Delaware’s Christine “Never Mind What I Said Back Then” O’Donnell, South Dakota’s Kristi “I Forgot My Court Date” Noem and Nevada’s Sharron “Unemployed People Are Spoiled” Angle. And no, I don’t love them because they’re “unelectable.” If you said that, bite your tongue. MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews bet Politics Daily’s own David Corn that O’Donnell will win in November. Maybe that’s a fake-out, but at this point in American politics, the fake is real, the real is fake, a... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987203 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:02:15 +0100 3987203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972898&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FgfO5iUeWaMw%2F Sen. Tom Harkin said he supports another amendment that would soften the tax provision, which small businesses call burdensome. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972898 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:36:48 +0100 3972898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972900&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FWsTbHf0P4VM%2F Also: Sanofi CEO says Genzyme investors would sell for a reasonable price; Congressional investigators say Wright County Egg sat on salmonella tests; residents go to work sick. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972900 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:16:44 +0100 3972900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965593&cid=t_101651_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2010%2F09%2F14%2Fmedicine-2-0-congress-2010-maastricht-video%2F Medicine 2.0 this November in Maastricht is going to be an exciting event and this short teaser was meant to prove this: (Source: ScienceRoll) ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965593 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:55:34 +0100 3965593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965387&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FbgF2Y9SZ980%2F A proposal to repeal a tax provision of the health-care overhaul law draws concern from public-health advocates. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965387 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:01:21 +0100 3965387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965649&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F09%2F13%2Frepublicans-the-party-of-no-au-contraire%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Republicans the Party of No? Au Contraire! Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: comics, congress, democrat, gop, humor, political cartoon, republican (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965649 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:41:03 +0100 3965649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946658&cid=t_101651_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F09%2F08%2Frepublicans-vs-democrats-toys-r-them%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Republicans vs. Democrats: Toys R Them. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: comics, congress, democrat, humor, political cartoon, republican, wall street (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946658 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:15:36 +0100 3946658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907583&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHHS4AV0nPuY%2F By David Boaz“Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said Tuesday that he will hold a hearing this fall to examine whether regulators are being tough enough in curbing pay practices at Wall Street firms that can lead to excessively risky practices,” writes Zachary Goldfarb in the Washington Post. Hmmm. “Pay practices that can lead to excessively risky practices.” Since Barney Frank entered Congress, federal spending has risen from $590 billion in 1980 to $3.7 trillion this year. (U.S. Budget, Historical Tables, Table 1.1) The annual deficit has risen from $74 billion to $1.5 trillion.  Gross federal debt rose from $909 billion to $13.8 trillion — and to over $15 trillion next year. (Table 7.1) And all this without a major war o... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907583 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:11:01 +0100 3907583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3895861&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FnzUavo8SciM%2F DeLauro sends a letter to the FDA and USDA; Waxman and Stupak write to the two egg producers associated with the recall. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3895861 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:46:33 +0100 3895861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3895862&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FOM2N_UBSX4Y%2F FDA head Margaret Hamburg also urged Congress to pass pending food-safety legislation. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3895862 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:54:35 +0100 3895862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872530&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F7-Zj53bu384%2F Also: Will accountable care organizations save money?; pharma lobbyists may have to face Republican Congress; research shows disparities in girls' BMI rates. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872530 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:44:39 +0100 3872530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865243&cid=t_101651_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FwtCRhagniTY%2F Avandia's back in the spotlight again, thanks to a Time magazine story that says the company's under investigation for holding back data from the FDA. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865243 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:28:37 +0100 3865243