June 2009

CMS Won’t Reimburse Genetic Test for Warfarin Dosing

  • Tue, 7/7/09 - 2:27pm
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  • 1201 reads

Cites Insufficient Evidence of Improved Outcomes Genetic testing can provide physicians with information to help them estimate the best starting dose and titration regimen for treatment with the blood thinner warfarin, but in early May the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a decision to decline payment for warfarin genetic testing unless administered as part of a clinical trial comparing outcomes in tested and untested patients. Although CMS’ decision has been characterized as a setback for personalized medicine, the abundance of variables other than genotype th



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Reform Debate Snags on Creation of Public Plan

  • Tue, 7/7/09 - 2:29pm
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  • 640 reads

Government-run Insurance Seen as Step Toward Nationalization

Stakeholders are united in their support for healthcare reform, but the proposal to create a public, government-run health plan has become a major point of disagreement, with private insurers asserting that they could not compete with such a plan. Critics of the public option say it will move the country toward a single-payer system by eroding private enrollment and exacerbating cost shifting, but defenders say competition will be beneficial and that individuals and businesses could still choose private insurance if they prefer. S



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Azithromycin and Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis

  • Fri, 6/25/10 - 3:43pm
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  • 555 reads

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