News
Oregon shows costs of putting Medicaid enrollees in private plans
A number of states led by Republicans leery of health reform are considering expanding Medicaid by putting enrollees in private plans. But the strategy is not new. Oregon has been using this model for more than a decade — with mixed results.
CDC’s new antismoking campaign: Tips from Former Smokers
This week the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches a new ad campaign featuring the stories of former smokers living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
State health officials want you to send them your ticks
The Department of Health is asking people all over the state to send ticks to the agency for a project to learn more about what types of ticks live in Washington.
A study reports that medical claims will go up 32 percent with Obamacare: Does that mean premiums will too?
An analysis by the Society of Actuaries forecasts that insurer costs — medical claims per policyholder — will soar, on average, 32 percent for the individual market in 2017.
That’s not the same thing as saying prices consumers pay for policies will rise 32 percent, explains Jay Hancock.
Vilifying food – How fad diets are affecting our children’s health
Just as quickly as one diet is “out,” another diet emerges to take its place. With so many options, celebrity endorsements and websites full of misinformation, how can parents know which diets are safe – especially for kids?
More companies offering only high deductible plans to their workers
Large firms once offered a variety of coverage options, but a recent survey found nearly 15 percent today provide simply these plans and a savings account for medical expenses.
One in three US adults has prediabetes, yet few aware they have the condition
Only one in ten Americans with prediabetes are aware they have elevated blood sugars that put them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the CDC reports.
Find a fitness friend
Have fun staying fit by recruiting a friend or family member.
Not only will you be helping someone else stay active, you’ll be more likely to stick with it yourself!
When Harm in the Hospital Follows You Home
A slip of the scalpel, an invisible microbe, a minute miscalculation. It’s estimated that something goes wrong for more than one million people per year during a visit to the hospital. Some patients experience a full physical recovery. Some are never fully healed.
New online database reveals thousands of hospital violation reports
A new website, www.hospitalinspections.org, includes detailed reports of hospital violations dating back to January 2011, searchable by city, state, name of the hospital and key word.
Washington state disciplines healthcare providers
Washington State Department of Health takes disciplinary actions against health care providers, including suspensions and revocations of licenses, certifications, or registrations of providers in the state — March 22nd update
Who are the uninsured? The feds parse the numbers
Nearly half of the uninsured are young and healthy—that includes the so-called young invincibles, as well as older people who also “take health for granted. But nearly one-third of uninsured Americans who are in poor health, and concerned about not having coverage. These are the folks who likely need health insurance most, and are likely to sign up for it under Obamacare.
States tackle mental illness and gun ownership
Some states are moving to severely keep people with a history of mental illness from owning guns event though studies have shown that those with mental illness are only slightly more likely to commit acts of violence than anyone else.
FDA approves migraine patch
The “transdermal” system delivers the migraine drug sumatriptan through the skin from a patch that can be wrapped around a patient’s upper arm or thigh.
Grieving doctor regrets he didn’t ask depressed patient about gun
Physicians are urged to discuss access to firearms with patients who might be suicidal. Dr. Frank Dumont was guilt-ridden after a patient he had been caring for committed suicide.
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