Health News

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Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about state level action regarding health law and consumer protections.

When 3-year-old Shepherd Strauss got sick, his parents turned to doctors and drugs. But they couldn’t anticipate that what would help him feel better didn’t come with a prescription.

Some 500 NYU doctors found refuge at other hospitals while NYU was closed following Hurricane Sandy. Now, the question looms whether all of the patients and doctors will return.

A study published in the journal BMC Health Services Research finds that health IT adoption by federally qualified health centers is associated with significant improvements in care quality. The study authors write that future research should examine the specific aspects of IT that are most likely to contribute to improvements in care quality and clinical outcomes. Government Health IT.

A new brief states that the successful adoption of telehealth technology requires reducing barriers to patient participation. The brief includes case studies of three organizations that have implemented telehealth projects successfully. FierceHealthIT, Commonwealth Fund brief.

Experts say that federal involvement in the mobile health sector will help strengthen the industry. Attendees of a recent health IT conference discussed efforts by FDA and other agencies to play a role in the mobile health industry. Wall Street Journal's "Venture Capital Dispatch."

Minnesota health care providers now can use an online exchange to post their influenza vaccine needs and share contact information. The online tool aims to help clinics with flu vaccine shortages obtain supplies from clinics with surplus vaccines. Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Carolyn Clancy is stepping down as director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which conducts research on health IT and other health care issues. Insurance company UnitedHealth Group has acquired Humedica, a health IT and clinical intelligence firm, for an undisclosed sum.

A Commonwealth Fund survey finds that 39 states have not enacted laws to enforce consumer protection rules under the Affordable Care Act. According to the survey, California has passed bills addressing six of the seven consumer protections. Los Angeles Times et al.

An Institute of Medicine official says that the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine's plan for reducing conflicts of interest falls short of IOM recommendations. IOM said CIRM should change the makeup of its board through legislative action or a ballot measure. Sacramento Bee.

Reduced dental coverage among California adults has caused many to seek treatment for dental issues at hospital emergency departments. However, many EDs do not staff dentists, and emergency physicians are limited in their ability to treat dental issues. San Francisco Chronicle.

CMS has announced that more than 450 organizations will participate in its bundled payments initiative, which aims to test whether paying a lump sum to multiple providers for a single episode of care can reduce costs and improve quality. Modern Healthcare et al.

Saint Agnes Medical Center officials say that the hospital is laying off 75 workers in response to fewer patients and changes in reimbursements, among other factors. John Muir Health officials say the health system has agreed to purchase a 49% stake in San Ramon Regional Medical Center.

Johnson & Johnson promoted an executive who had marketed a flawed hip implant, putting him in charge of the orthopedics unit that made it.

Regulations to bring new transparency about corporate and other payments to physicians are 15 months past due.

Though few patients realize it, many doctors receive thousands of dollars from pharmaceutical companies for each patient enrolled in an experimental drug trial. The medication might be the best thing for the patient's condition. The doctor's motives might be pure. But patients should be able to find out about such payments so they can discuss them with their doctors and decide for themselves whether the doctor's participation in an experiment might compromise his medical advice.

If 39 states do not enact laws to enforce new consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act, the federal government may have to step in to guarantee them.

WASHINGTON — Nearly 4 out of 5 states have not enacted laws essential to enforcing new consumer protections in President Obama's healthcare law, less than a year before it is supposed to be fully implemented, a new survey indicates.