Chiropractic OnLine Today's
In The News feature: Part Twelve.

December 1, 1996 - February 1, 1997

PROVIDER NETWORK SIZE DIFFERS BY REGION, PROFIT STATUS AND MODEL AND PLAN TYPE - Provider networks are, on average, more comprehensive in the Pacific region than in any other region of the country, according to a new exclusive survey by The Managed Care Information Center. [PR Newswire, 391 words]

1997 HEALTH CARE COSTS CONTINUE AT MODERATE LEVELS; COSTS FOR RETIREES AGE 65 AND OLDER TO JUMP SIGNIFICANTLY - The relatively moderate pace of growth in employee health care costs for large employers will continue in 1997, with an average overall increase for active employees of only 3% compared to 4% in 1996, according to the Towers Perrin 1997 Health Care Cost Survey. [PR Newswire, 935 words]

HEALTH QUALITY ISSUES MERIT FURTHER EXAMINATION, PHYSICIAN LAWMAKERS AGREE; EIGHT DOCTORS CURRENTLY SERVING IN 105TH CONGRESS. - PHYSICIAN PRESENCE, INFLUENCE IN CONGRESS GROWING, with six doctors elected to the House and one to the Senate since 1994. The views of physicians in the 105th Congress thus may play a larger role in congressional deliberations than ever before. [Health News Daily, 1256 words]

VACCINE BLAMED FOR POLIO CASES - Practically every case of polio in the United States between 1980 and 1994 was caused by the vaccine itself, the government said Thursday. However, a new vaccine regimen that went into effect this month is expected to cut the risk dramatically. [Associated Press, 365 words]

P-C INSURERS TURN 8.8 PERCENT PROFIT - Medical malpractice and workers' compensation insurance were the most profitable lines in the nation in 1995, and homeowners and allied lines the least profitable, according to a survey recently released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. [National Underwriter Life & Health, 701 words]

DEPT OF HEALTH/ ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIRST GENERAL CHIROPRACTIC COUNCIL - Start of a new era for the chiropractic profession - Baroness Cumberlege The designate membership of the first General Chiropractic Council was announced today by Baroness Cumberlege, junior health minister. [M2 PRESSWIRE, 877 words]

HEALTH PLANS ANNOUNCE POLICIES ON APPEAL RIGHTS AND EMERGENCY CARE COVERAGE /EMBARGOED FOR RELEAS - The American Association of Health Plans today announced policies to clarify how patients appeal treatment decisions with which they disagree and to clarify how health plans should cover emergency care. [PR Newswire, 731 words]

CONGRESS MOVES TO LIMIT INSURERS - Women who undergo mastectomies should leave the hospital only when they and their doctors _ and not insurers _ say they are ready, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said Wednesday. [Associated Press, 440 words]

MEDICARE PHYSICIAN RATES FELL BY AVERAGE OF 2% BETWEEN 1995-1996, WITH END OF RBRVS TRANSITION KEY FACTOR; PPRC URGING RESOURCE-BASED PRACTICE EXPENSE RELATIVE VALUES. - MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE RATES DECLINED BY 2.1% ON AVERAGE FROM 1995 TO 1996, Physician Payment Review Commission staff reported at a Jan. 23 meeting. [Health News Daily, 351 words]

MAMMOGRAM INSURANCE BILL OFFERED - Just one day after a government panel offered a mixed message on mammograms for women in their 40s, legislation was introduced in the House Friday that would require insurance companies to pay for them. [Associated Press, 227 words]

American consumers express a growing anxiety with the quality of medical care and the ability of the average American to receive affordable care. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed believe the quality of health care is often compromised just to save money. NCHC President Henry Simmons didn't like the results of the survey taken December 18-22. IntelliHealth 1/24/97

WHO RECOGNIZES THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE - At its meeting in Geneva this week the Executive Board of the World Health Organization has entered into official relations with the World Federation of Chiropractic as an NGO or non-governmental organization. [PR Newswire, 479 words]

BRITAIN LOSES TAX RULING ON PRIVATE HEALTH CARE - Britain's Customs and Excise department confirmed on Thursday it had lost an appeal court ruling concerning the VAT status of some private medical health care provision. [Reuters, 295 words]

PRESIDENT'S MEDICARE PLAN INCLUDES $6 BIL. IN NEW BENEFIT SPENDING OVER FIVE YEARS, OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL PPS SYSTEM WITH 20% CO-PAY BY 2007. - PRESIDENT'S NEW MEDICARE BENEFITS SPENDING TOTALS $6 BIL. THROUGH 2002, Health Care Financing Administration chief Bruce Vladeck told reporters Jan. 22. [Health News Daily, 842 words]

WHITE HOUSE MEDICARE PROPOSAL GENERALLY SUPPORTED BY CAPITOL HILL, PROVIDER GROUPS; SEN. GRAMM, MANAGED CARE INDUSTRY ARE NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS. - PRESIDENT's MEDICARE BUDGET PLAN "FALLS SHORT" IN AVERTING TRUST FUND CRISIS, Finance/Health Care subcommittee Chairman Phil Gramm asserted in a Jan. 22 statement. "There is no reform in this program, nor is there anything that will change behavior in the Medicare market," Gramm said. [Health News Daily, 649 words]

CALIFORNIA TO STUDY WORKERS' COMP CARVE-OUTS - A year-long evaluation of California's alternative workers' compensation programs operating within the construction industry will soon be under way. [BEST NEWS, 337 words]

President Clinton is thinking of attacking this problem by not proposing any increase in costs for Medicare beneficiaries but will try to cut back payments to hospitals, doctors and others who provide health care to the elderly. NY Times 1/5/97

PHYSICIAN INCOME BOUNCES BACK IN 1995 AFTER DIPPING IN 1994, AMA SURVEY FINDS; PATTERN OF AVERAGE ANNUAL DECLINE PERSISTS. - PHYSICIAN INCOME GAINS STILL HOVERING BELOW INFLATION, according to results from the American Medical Association's annual tracking survey of 4,000 doctors released late last week. [Health News Daily, 318 words]

LITIGATION/ SUPREME COURT ERISA CASE. - Supreme Court ERISA case: U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Feb. 24 on DeBuono v. NYSA-ILA Medical and Clinical Services Fund, a case examining whether ERISA plan-owned health facilities are exempt from state assessments on health provider revenues.

WORKERS' COMP SHOWS SOME DECEIVING TRENDS - In 1995, the national workers' compensation industry generated a calendar-year underwriting profit of about $600 million, the first underwriting black ink for workers' comp in decades. [BEST NEWS, 1125 words]

REP. STARK PROPOSAL IMPOSES 25% PREMIUM PENALTY ON NON-COMPLIANT GROUP PLANS, CALLS FOR COMMUNITY-RATED MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES. - COMPREHENSIVE MANAGED CARE STANDARDS BILL INTRODUCED BY REP. STARK this week sets parameters for utilization review techniques employed by managed care plans serving private and public sector consumers. [Health News Daily, 586 words]

MAINE REGULATORS APPROVE LOWER WORKERS' COMP RATES - Maine insurance regulators approved a 12.5 percent drop in the cost of worker's compensation insurance, which will cut premiums for insured employers by $20 million if insurers adopt the new rates. [Reuters, 107 words]

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS ACTION TO REDUCE WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD - A task force sponsored by a national anti-fraud alliance proposed sweeping recommendations to reduce the $3.5 billion annual cost of fraud on the nation's workers compensation system. [U.S. Newswire, 393 words]

STATES TIGHTEN RULES ON SALE OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITALS - By Trebor Banstetter Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Dec. 26--States are starting to clamp down on the quick and easy sale of not-for-profit hospitals to big investor-owned corporations -- and some want the federal government to follow suit. [Nashville Banner, 1091 words]

INCREASE IN HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS FORECASTED FOR 1997 - By Chuck Hutchcraft Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Dec. 30--A forecast for health-care rates in the new year: Trending upward, overall increases ranging as high as 15 percent, with HMOs and other managed-care plans at the lower end and indemnity plans at the other end. [Chicago Tribune, 828 words] REP. STARK READIES PACKAGE OF HEALTH REFORM BILLS FOR JANUARY INTRODUCTION; HHS GIVES UPDATE ON MEDICARE SUPPLIER/CLAIMS ANTI-FRAUD PROJECTS. - REP. STARK PLANS TO INTRODUCE THREE HEALTH BILLS ON CONGRESS' OPENING DAY Jan. 7. Rep. Pete Stark , ranking member of the House Ways and Means/Health Subcommittee, is preparing legislation for the 105th Congress that would increase children's insurance coverage ... [Health News Daily, 418 words]

PROGRESSION IN ANTIAGING REPORTS BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION - Staying mentally sharp over time is important to more people than avoiding physical disability or a change in physical appearance , according to a new poll commissioned by the Biotechnology Industry Organization. [Marketletter, 1269 words]

US HHS WARNS HMOS ON TREATMENT OPTION GAGS - The US Department of Health and Human Services has told over 300 health maintenance organizations nationwide states that HMOs and other health plans may not limit what doctors tell Medicare patients about treatment options. [Marketletter, 424 words]

REHABILICARE'S CTDX SYSTEM TARGETS EARLY INTERVENTION OF REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES - Rehabilicare's CTDx Electrostimulation System is targeted at early intervention of wrist problems to help control the symptoms of repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome in industry. [PR Newswire, 463 words]

BOOKS HELP PATIENTS STAY WELL NATURALLY - The American Western Mail Order Store in Foster City, CA, offers a free catalog of wellness books, tapes, and natural remedies. Books ordered through the catalog are available at less than bookstore prices. [Case Management Advisor, 410 words]

FDA COMMISSIONER SEARCH/ PITTSBURGH'S JUHL COULD BE POLITICALLY APPEALING CANDIDATE, WITH INVOLVEMENT IN RECENT RX-TO-OTC SWITCHES OF NICOTINE REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS. - FDA COMMISSIONER SEARCH: PITTSBURGH PHARMACY PROFESSOR JUHL, one of the first names being widely discussed as a successor to Commissioner Kessler, offers a potentially appealing package of attributes for the selection. [Health News Daily, 702 words]

MEDICAID CHANGES PROVISION - Starting in January, a provision in the new health care bill could sharply restrict how potential Medicaid recipients transfer assets to their children. [Associated Press, 648 words]

AMA LAUDS DHHS DIRECTIVE AGAINST HEALTH PLAN 'GAG CLAUSES' - Following is a statement by Nancy W. Dickey, chair, American Medical Association Board of Trustees: The AMA applauds Secretary Shalala and the Department of Health and Human Services for its directive that health plans may not limit what doctors tell Medicare patients about treatment [U.S. Newswire, 222 words]

CYBERSPACE HOLDS COST-SAVING SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGED CARE THROUGH 'TELENURSING' - Televisits reduce costs by promoting self-care and prevention The nation's largest managed care organization recently launched a high-tech experiment that has already begun reaping rewards. [Case Management Advisor, 1209 words]

National Training Centre Papendal, ARNHEM, The Netherlands

*A collaborative educational symposium of Maastricht University (NUTRIM),
The Netherlands Olympic Committee and the Netherlands Sport Federation (NOC/NSF),
The European College of Sports Sciences (ECSS)
and the Isostar Sport Nutrition Foundation (ISNF)

REGISTER NOW !

Information can also be found on the internet
http://137.120.52.1/Nutrim/events_NUTRIM.html

They have found that individuals who have a slightly abbreviated version of the gene for the so-called serotonin transporter rate higher in negative thoughts and feelings than those with a relatively long rendition of the gene.

The scientists emphasize that the impact of the transporter gene on behavior is quite small, accounting for only about 4 percent of the difference in people's tendency toward neuroticism. They suspect that anywhere from 9 to 14 other genes, as well as many environmental factors that have yet to be sorted out, come into play in making one person anxious, another calm.

Serotonin helps orchestrate fundamental tasks like eating, sleeping and movement, and also affects mood and thought. The serotonin transporter is a separate molecule that allows nerve cells to respond to the serotonin surrounding them.

Earlier this year, scientists announced a link between a taste for novelty and excitement, and a gene involved in the activity of dopamine, another of the brain's neurotransmitters. NY Times 11/29/96

Insurance costs for U.S. businesses declined in 1995 for the third straight year partly due to lower payments for workers compensation, a survey being released today found.

The Cost of Risk Survey, conducted jointly by the consulting firm Tillinghast-Towers Perrin and the nonprofit Risk and Insurance Management Society, calculates insurance for property, liability and workers compensation.

Overall, the survey said companies spent $6.49 insuring against risk for every $1,000 of revenue in 1995, down 11 percent from 1994 and 22 percent over the last three years.

Workers compensation costs, which dropped 13.5 percent to $2.44 per $1,000 of revenue in 1995, were also lowered by legislative reforms in several states.

A total of 644 U.S.-based companies participated in the survey. The average company reported $2.1 billion in revenue, $3.8 billion in assets and more than 10,800 full-time employees. AP NEWS 12/2/96

The technique relies on a special type of computer enhanced X-ray, or CAT scan, which one doctor said is easier to interpret than traditional tests and is cost-effective. AP NEWS 12/3/96

The research, conducted on elderly men in Finland, found those with the highest consumption of fiber-rich food suffered one-third fewer heart attacks over a six-year period than did those with the lowest intake.

Chiropractic OnLine Today again advises readers to discuss any nutritional and other lifestyle changes with a qualified professional. AP NEWS 12/3/96

The research may explain why some studies have found a link between hormone therapy and a slightly elevated risk of the breast cancer; some scientists believe estrogen promotes the disease.

But even the leader of the study said more research is needed to establish whether an alcohol-caused boost in estrogen actually promotes breast cancer.

Alcohol consumption has long been associated with a heightened risk of breast cancer among all women, but the reason is unknown. Researchers said alcohol may somehow alter the way estrogen is absorbed or broken down in the body.

Findings of the study were reported in Wednesday's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. AP NEWS 12/3/96