A fact sheet describing Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs such as QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI, Supplemental Security Income and Extra Help — federal and state programs that can cover premiums, deductibles and drug costs for people with limited income and resources.
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Healthcare
Hospitals, screening guidelines and healthcare policy.
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Healthcare
Review Finds Few Benefits from Mammogram Screening
A Cochrane review of seven trials found mammography screening cut breast cancer deaths 19% overall, but the three adequately randomized trials showed no significant reduction after 13 years. The authors attribute the apparent benefit to bias and report a 31% rise in lumpectomies and mastectomies.
Healthcare
U.S. Health spending $7681 per capita in 2008
US health spending rose 4.4 percent in 2008 to $2.3 trillion, or $7,681 per person and 16.2 percent of GDP, a CMS report says. Growth slowed from 6.0 percent in 2007, with hospital spending up 4.5 percent and retail prescription drug spending up only 3.2 percent.
Healthcare
Childhood Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk of Heart Disease
A study of 14,000 pediatric cancer survivors found cardiac problems surfacing as long as 30 years after treatment; lead author David Mulrooney urges ongoing monitoring. An Emory analysis of 8,000 survivors found them 10 times likelier than others to develop cardiovascular disease.
Healthcare
Harvard Takes it Back and Says Swine Flu was Oversold
A Harvard analysis projecting from spring H1N1 deaths in the US suggests the swine flu pandemic was unlikely to turn severe, which Dr. Mercola takes as vindication of his argument that mass vaccination and other official steps were unnecessary.
Healthcare
Dual liver transplant performed
Surgeons at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago split one deceased donor's liver between a 17-year-old and a 2-year-old, both born with fatal liver diseases, in an eight-hour operation. Both recovered well, the hospital's transplant program director said.
Healthcare
MMR vaccine may actually cut autism risk
In a Polish case-control study of 96 children with autism and 192 matched controls, children vaccinated with MMR before diagnosis were 83 percent less likely to have autism, and those given single measles vaccine 56 percent less likely, than unvaccinated children.
Healthcare
The overdiagnosis nightmare: a time for caution
Stefano Ciatto answers a Danish analysis that put mammography overdiagnosis at 33%, arguing the usual 5-10% estimate is acceptable against screening's mortality benefit and that comparisons of screened and unscreened areas should adjust for early-detection lead time.
Healthcare
U.S. Gets a Near Failing Grade on Premature Births Report Card
The March of Dimes gave the nation a D, and no state an A. Vermont earned a B with a 9 percent preterm rate, 17 states got F's, and Mississippi reached 18.3 percent. The national rate has barely moved since 2005. Babies born before 37 weeks face higher risks of death and complications.
Healthcare
60 million Americans had no health insurance last year
CDC survey data from 32,694 respondents found 58.4 million people went without health insurance at some point in the year before the survey and 31.9 million lacked it for more than 12 months. About 8.2 percent of children had no coverage.
Healthcare
California changes its free breast cancer screening policy
California suspended new enrollments in its free mammogram program and raised the eligibility age from 40 to 50, citing rising demand and falling tobacco tax revenue. A federal task force had just moved its screening recommendation to age 50.
Healthcare
How Journals Can Twist and Manipulate Vaccine Research
Barbara Loe Fisher of the National Vaccine Information Center discusses swine flu, the H1N1 vaccine and a recent vaccine recall. The post explains the distinction Cochrane reviewers drew between vaccine efficacy, measured by antibody titer, and real-world effectiveness.
Healthcare
Free Statewide H1N1 Flu Clinics Begin Tomorrow in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health opens free seasonal and H1N1 flu clinics in nearly every county from Dec. 7 through Dec. 18, open to everyone rather than only high-risk groups. Vaccine lasts while supplies do; attendees should bring insurance cards for billing.
Healthcare
US women want to start mammogram screening at age 40
A USA TODAY/Gallup poll of 1,136 women found 76 percent disagreed with new guidance to begin biennial mammograms at 50, and 84 percent of women aged 35 to 49 planned to screen before 50. Screening from 40 cuts mortality slightly more but raises false positives.
Healthcare
Reclaiming our Choices
A Food Consumer editorial on the week's politics, from the Senate health care debate to Sarah Palin's book tour and Patrick Kennedy's communion, arguing that fear drives much of the reaction and that real health reform starts with individual lifestyle choices.
Healthcare
Cancer Risks from Mammogram Screening
Mammography relies on x-rays, a recognized carcinogen whose damage is considered cumulative, and no doctor can predict who benefits and who is harmed. John Gofman calculated that about 5 in 1,000 women aged 30 to 34 having five exams would get radiation-induced breast cancer.
Healthcare
Free Prescription Discount Card Saves Money, Raises Funds for Veterans
Disabled American Veterans launched a free prescription discount card with United Networks of America, open to anyone regardless of age, income or coverage. Cardholders print it from the website and get up to 75 percent off; DAV receives 50 cents each time it is used.
Healthcare
March of Dimes Releases Annual Premature Birth Rate Percentages
The March of Dimes gave the US a D on premature births. Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama rank worst at 16.5 to 18.3 percent, twice the 7.6 percent goal; no state earned an A and only New Hampshire a B. Rates did fall slightly over the past year.
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