Newpage Direct for 11/26/96
MINISTER WITMER ANNOUNCES MAJOR OVERHAUL OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION IN
ONTARIO - Labour Minister Elizabeth Witmer will introduce a new
workers' compensation act today, the first in 82 years, that will
promote economic growth and job creation in Ontario by reducing the
human, social and economic cost of workplace injury and illness.
[Canada NewsWire, 1330 words]
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR RIDGE SIGNS HISTORIC MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM
BILL BILL WILL LIMIT FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge
today signed into law an historic compromise between physicians and
lawyers that will help reduce the cost of health care by curtailing
frivolous medical lawsuits and limiting awards to plaintiffs. [PR
Newswire, 366 words]
Newpage Direct for 11/26/96
FDA'S DAVID KESSLER TO RESIGN - David Kessler, the Food and Drug
Administration commissioner who waged war on the tobacco industry and
is alternately admired or reviled as a fierce consumer protector,
announced Monday he is leaving the post. [Associated Press, 832
words]
MEN FILE MORE LARGE HEALTH CLAIMS THAN WOMEN-STUDY - The Society of
Actuaries said on Monday more men than women made health insurance
claims of $25,000 or higher, according to a study of catastrophic
claims. [Reuters, 113 words]
EXPERTS DEBATE MANAGED CARE'S TRUE ROLE IN REDUCING WORKERS
COMPENSATION COSTS - PASADENA, Calif.-Analyzing the pros and cons of
managing injured workers' medical care is important to improve the
system, experts say. [Business Insurance, 861 words]
REPORT/ HOSPITALS OVERBILL - A pattern of overcharging Medicare has
been found at thousands of hospitals, but the government is allowing
the payment of millions of dollars in penalties to be done in secret,
according to a published report. [Associated Press, 383 words]
Stress and depression that send emergency hormones flowing into the bloodstream may help cause brittle bones in women, infections and even cancer, researchers say.
A natural "fight or flight" reflex that once gave ancient humans the speed and endurance to escape primitive dangers is triggered daily in many modern people, keeping their hormones at constant hyper-readiness, experts say. Even some forms of depression bring on a similar hormonal state. In extreme cases, this hormonal state destroys appetite, cripples the immune system, shuts down processes that repair tissue, blocks sleep and even breaks down bone. AP 11/15/96
'LAST RESORT' TREATMENTS PRODUCE RELIEF FOR CHRONIC PAIN - The very
treatments that are often viewed as a last resort for chronic pain -- behavioral and relaxation therapies -- can produce dramatic relief and should be combined with medical therapies early in the course of
patients' treatment ... [PR Newswire, 532 words] NewsPage Direct 11/18/96
SOME MEDICARE FEES TO RISE - Medicare fees for primary care physicians will increase an average 5 percent next year, while payments to surgeons and other specialists will decline, federal
health officials said Friday. [Associated Press, 127 words] NewsPage Direct 11/18/96
REPORT/ HMOS USE OUTDATED LAW - Health maintenance organizations are
using a 1974 federal law that regulates employee benefits as a shield
against medical malpractice lawsuits, The New York Times reported
Sunday. [Associated Press, 306 words] NewsPage Direct 11/18/96
HMO PREMIUMS TO RISE / EXECS - BURBANK, Calif. Now that employers have shaved nearly all of the fat from managed care pricing, premiums soon will start inching up again, health maintenance organization executives predict. [Business Insurance, 1005 words] NewsPage Direct 11/13/96
DO HMO'S KEEP YOU IN THE DARK? - Americans may not be making informed choices when they select their health-care plans, according to a survey that blames the health insurance industry for neglecting to make consumers better aware of their options. [AP, 529 words] NewsPage Direct 11/12/96
HCFA REG FOR MEDICARE HMO GRIEVANCE APPEALS PROCEDURES WILL SHORTEN TIME ALLOWED FOR RESPONSE FROM CURRENT 60 DAYS IN CASES WERE URGENT CARE IS DENIED. - HCFA reg on grievance appeals procedures for Medicare Risk, cost contracts will shorten the time that plans have to respond to beneficiary requrests for reconsideration and appeal, according to Health Care Financing Administration Office of Manged Care Director Bruce Fried. .... [Health News Daily, 313 words] NewsPage Direct 11/12/96
HEALTHCARE REFORM .... PART TWO. Fresh off of his victory in last week's US Presidential election, President Clinton is again considering revamping of the US Healthcare system. However in this go round, the President "and his aides are developing incremental proposals to fill gaps in health insurance coverage".
Some of the areas the Clinton Administration are looking at revising include: Coverage for the million uninsured children; Coverage to help pay premiums for workers who are betwen jobs; Legislation to control Medicare costs, "by curbing payments to doctors and hospitals"; Proposal to make it easier for small businesses to buy health insurance for their workers through voluntary purchasing coalitions; Proposals, thru the Labor Dept. to protect retiree health benefits; Legislation to prevent the use of "gag rules", which allow HMOs to limit what doctors may tell patients about treatment options. NY Times 11/11/96
PARKINSON'S DISEASE; GENETIC DEFECT LINKED TO DISEASE - Parkinson's Disease; Genetic Defect Linked to Disease. Parkinson's disease patients may indeed have a genetic mutation that increases susceptibility to the shaking disorder .... [Disease Weekly Plus, 398 words] NewsPage Direct 11/4/96
CALIF. INSURANCE DEPT OKAYS WORKERS' COMP RATE CUT - California Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush on Tuesday approved a 6.2 percent reduction in workers' compensation insurance costs. The reduction was expected to save California businesses $316 million next year, Quackenbush said. [Reuters, 129 words] NewsPage Direct 10/30/96
HUMANA ELIMINATES SO-CALLED "GAG RULES" - Humana Inc. has announced plans to unilaterally end the use of anti-disparagement language, so-called "gag clauses," in its contracts with physicians. [PR Newswire, 303 words] NewsPage Direct 10/30/96
JAMA ARTICLE SAYS HMOS SHOULD RECONSIDER HOW PHYSICIANS ARE PAID
TYING COMPENSATION TO PATIENT HEALTH STATUS COULD IMPROVE QUALITY OF
CARE - Changing the way HMOs pay physicians could encourage doctors
to provide better service to some of their sickest patients by
diminishing significantly the financial risk they could face for
providing such care. [PR Newswire, 542 words] NewsPage Direct 10/23/96
NEW SURVEY FINDS MOST MANAGED CARE ENROLLEES HIGHLY SATISFIED WITH
MEDICAL CARE, FEWER SATISFIED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE -- HEALTH PLAN
RATINGS REPORTED -- - A comprehensive new study of consumers enrolled
in managed care has found that, nationwide, 60% of HMO members are
highly satisfied with their health plans, although ratings of
specific health plans range from as low as 45% to as high as 77%. [PR
Newswire, 937 words] NewsPage Direct 10/23/96
UNINSURED DON'T ALWAYS GET CARE THEY NEED, SAYS STUDY - Contrary to
conventional wisdom that most Americans without health insurance
ultimately receive the care they need, more than half of uninsured
adults said they experienced problems obtaining or paying for health
care, according to a survey released today. [CONGRESS DAILY, 284
words] NewsPage Direct 10/23/96
A new discount card program that offers savings of up to 20 percent on visits to the doctor and other medical and health services ranging from outpatient and emergency hospital care to prescriptions and health clubs is being introduced in Florida [PR Newswire] NewsPage Direct 10/9/96
A report from today's AP disucusses how HMOs are begining to provide coverage for more "Alternative Medicine" services. The report describes how, "while most HMOs already offer chiropractic coverage, a number are adding acupuncturists and massage therapists, along with practitioners called naturopaths who use herbal remedies, relaxation therapies, yoga and more.
"On Tuesday, the picture will broaden when Oxford Health Plans, Inc., .... jumps into the field with the most extensive program to date."
One of the big reasons is that patients want it. A landmark survey, published in 1993 by Harvard Medical School, showed that one in three Americans used nontraditional treatments, spending a total of $14 billion a year compared with just under $1 trillion spent on traditional health care.
"Public health authorities are becoming convinced that at least some othese things may really work. At least 41 state governments now require chiropractic coverage in some form. AP 10/6/96
The US Agriculture Department stated recently that the average American ate 277 pounds of fruit last year, consuming fewer aples and peaches but more grapes and oranges. AP 10/7/96
Texas Attorney General Daniel Morales reportedly has produced a series of public service announcements (PSAS) - radio messages being aired on stations throughout the state, warning the public to be cautious about "unscrupulous chiropractors." The announcements that DCs in Texas were performing surgery and claiming to be able to cure, among other ailments, asthma. The Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) has asked the Attorney General to stop airing the offensive PSAs and encouraged him to consult with the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) before planning similar announcements in the future. TCA has also submitted a request for public information asking for documentation involved in the creation of the PSAs on chiropractic; a list of the stations the PSAs were sent to; copies of any health-care related PSAs regarding other health care providers produced by the Attorney General's office; copies of documentation alleging wrongdoing by any chiropractor; and copies of all the AG's office correspondence with the TBCE. The initial response to this inquiry seems to indicate that chiropractic has received special scrutiny from the AG in Texas.
Excerpted from TCA takes further action regarding the Texas Attorney General's PSA. Texas J Chiro 1996 (Aug); 14(1):12.
Half of the employers that offer worker wellness programs find that the programs are underutilized by the high risk employees the programs aim to help. A survey by William M. Mercer, Inc. indicated that all of the programs surveyed promote lifestyle changes aimed at improving health such as weight loss programs or smoking cessation campaigns. The trouble is that most high risk employees avoid participating in the plan. Consultants indicate that maybe employees aren't being offered the right incentive. Companies are being encouraged to offer "non-cash awards" -- more vacation time, for example; discounts on insurance premiums; cash rewards; flexible credits that may be used in a variety of ways; and financial penalties.
Zolkos R. Wellness plans may miss workers with most needs. 1996 (Sep 9) ; 30(37); 2,31
Medicaid inflation could fall to 5-6% range next year according to NGA's Scheppach; Lower growth rate could relieve pressure to cut program. Medicaid inflation may drop from current 9% annual rate to about 6% next year, National Governor's Association Executive Director Raymond Scheppach told HMO executives Sept. 19, 1996. NewsPage Direct 9/20/96
A study in this week's New England Journal of Medicine found that a woman's risk of stroke doubles -- but is still extremely small -- during the six weeks after she delivers a baby. This new study found hat contrary to common belief, the hazard increases just after delivery, not during pregnancy itself. Doctors speculate that hormonal changes are somehow involved. AP 9/11/96
In a speech at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida's annualy meeting, William E. Flaherty, BCBSF's chairman and chief executive officer, said the company recorded strong customer growth and solid financial performance in 1995, adding more than 118,000 new customers and achieving $2.5 billion in consolidated revenues. PR Newswire 9/10/96
HMO INDUSTRY PROFITS TO REBOUND IN '97 AFTER TWO YEARS OF DECLINES, CORPORATE RESEARCH GROUP PREDICTS - Managed care industry profits should rebound in 1997 after two years of declines, according to a new forecast issued today by Corporate Research Group . "The Outlook for Managed Care, 1997" forecasts that industry profits will rise 13% in 1997 ... [PR Newswire, 588 words] NewsPage Direct 11/26/96 
MIGRAINE GENE DISCOVERED - Dutch researchers working with human patient studies and using chromosome fragments from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have identified a gene that may hold a key to understanding and eventually treating migraine headache. [Business Wire, 384 words] NewsPage Direct 11/4/96