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States To Pursue New Integrated Care Approaches For Dual Eligibles
As the nation debates health reform options, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is launching Transforming Care for Dual Eligibles , a state initiative to test innovative care models for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid ("dual eligibles"). Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont will implement strategies to improve care and control costs for dual eligibles, a high-need population with health care costs nearly five times those of other Medicare beneficiaries. The program is made possible through support from The Commonwealth Fund.

Development Of Rapid Approach To Identify Influenza A Virus Mutations And Drug Resistance
Genome Institute of Singapore scientists, led by Christopher Wong, Ph.D., have developed a novel approach to uncover the complete sequence of any influenza A virus, including H1NI, with just a quick nasal swab or nasal pharyngeal wash from patients.
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National Public Reporting Of Health-Care-asociated Infections Supported By Experts
Five organizations representing the nation"s experts in infectious diseases medicine, infection prevention in healthcare settings, and public health and disease prevention announced their support for a provision requiring national reporting of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates, which is contained within the healthcare reform bill introduced by leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Endocrinology

TMA "Deeply Troubled" By Health Reform Bill

Texas Medical Association (TMA) statement from TMA president William H. Fleming III, MD, regarding H.R. 3200, "America"s Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009," Congressional legislation to reform America"s health care system. "The physicians of the Texas Medical Association believe our health care system is broken and needs reform. However, we have concerns about the current House proposal, H.R. 3200, "America"s Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009." While it addresses some of health care"s ailments, it leaves gaping wounds which do not serve Texas patients well. "As physicians, our primary goal is to improve the health of our patients. We believe that patients and their physicians must be free to make choices that best fit their individual health care needs. This legislation severely limits those choices. "Therefore, TMA cannot support a proposal to create another government-payer health plan while existing government-payer plans, such Medicare, Medicaid, and the military health care program, TRICARE, are failing patients. We are deeply troubled there is no fix to the flawed Medicare funding formula, which limits seniors" ability to see a doctor when they need to; and the absence of medical liability reforms, which provide greater access to care to Texas patients. We remain extremely concerned that the "public option" will soon become the controlling payer in all health care, resulting in an unworkable government price-setting scheme like we now see in Medicare. TMA physicians also are concerned that this plan limits at which hospitals patients can receive care. "TMA physicians will continue to review and analyze H.R. 3200, and pledge to work with Congressional leaders and the Obama administration in crafting legislation that truly would improve health care - the patient-physician relationship - in the United States and Texas. As physicians, it is our ethical duty to provide leadership on these public policy decisions." TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA"s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. Click here to see TMA"s letter to the Texas congressional delegation. Texas Medical Association


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