Health care rates up slightly

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The price of employer health insurance rose a modest 3 percent this year, a major survey shows, but workers will be paying more when they get sick as deductibles soar.

Annual insurance premiums for families increased 3 percent, on average, to $16,834, according to the survey released Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.

Those results reflect a recent trend of slower growth in health care costs. But many employers and health-policy experts predict bigger increases for 2015 and beyond as the economy recovers.

"Large employers are skeptical the current low trends will continue for a variety of reasons," said Bill Kramer, executive director for national health policy at the Pacific Business Group on Health, which represents large employers such as Boeing and Walt Disney.

"Historically, periods of slow growth have always been followed by rapid increases," Kramer said.

Insurance offered by employers is the primary source of health coverage for Americans, providing benefits to about 150 million people. Most employers will begin open enrollment for 2015 plans in the coming weeks.

Even modest changes in medical costs have been difficult to absorb for many businesses and workers hurt by the Great Recession. Many employers have cut their financial exposure by foisting more costs on to workers.

The average employee deductible has increased 47 percent since 2009 to $1,217 annually. Eighteen percent of workers face a deductible of at least $2,000. Workers typically must pay that amount before most medical services are covered by their health plan.

Some health-policy experts credit higher deductibles with helping hold down medical costs by discouraging people from getting care or motivating them to be savvier shoppers. But throwing up barriers to cost-saving preventive care is a potential downside.

"Higher deductibles may be good if you're relatively young and healthy," said Drew Altman, chief executive of the Kaiser Family Foundation in Menlo Park, Calif. "But they may be a bad thing if you are lower or moderate income or chronically ill. This can be a real burden on the family budget."

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Health care rates up slightly

Survey: Employers health-care premiums continue to grow

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View Larger HEALTH-CARE PREMIUMS

Read a summary of the 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey.

Hospital / Urgent Care Locator

Employers health-care premiums continued to grow modestly this year, with the cost of family coverage rising 3 percent, according to an annual study released yesterday.

But many workers particularly those making less money probably dont feel theyre getting much of a break.

Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage averaged $16,834 this year, with workers picking up $4,823 of that tab, according to the survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust.

For worker-only coverage, the overall annual premium cost was $6,025, on average, with employees chipping in $1,081.

Foundation officials said the growth in premiums has slowed. The total increase over the past five years was 26 percent, compared with a total increase of 34 percent during the five years prior to that period.

Whats still unclear is the degree to which the slower rise in health-care costs is due to the recessions effects and to changes in the health-care system and the delivery of health care.

There is no question ... that we are seeing historic moderation in costs, including in premiums ... over a considerable period, said Drew Altman, president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, during a conference call with reporters.

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Survey: Employers health-care premiums continue to grow

Sheriff drops jail health-care provider tied to inmate death

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TAMPA After nearly 10 years, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office is dropping the contractor that provides health-care services to jail inmates following in the footsteps of the Pinellas sheriff earlier this year.

Out is Armor Correctional Health Services, which had been treating sick and injured inmates for nine years under a contract that cost the jail about $20 million a year, and in is NaphCare, a company based in Birmingham, Alabama, that currently provides health care for prisoners in federal prisons, including one in Marianna, and about a dozen county jails, all outside Florida.

The contract award was announced Wednesday.

Seven health-care providers submitted bids for the job, including Armor, which was tarnished by a misdiagnosis two years ago that resulted in an inmates death and a settlement. The inmate had suffered a stroke that was not detected by an Armor nurse. The man died, resulting in a $1 million settlement for the family. Armor paid $800,000 and Hillsborough County the rest.

Armor ran into problems at the Pinellas County jail earlier this year. Whether the Hillsborough incident played into it or not, Pinellas jail officials terminated the contract with Armor in June, opting to take care of its own inmates and not give the health provider job to a private company.

NaphCare general counsel Brad Cain said a team is expected in Tampa on Thursday to iron out the details of its new contract with the sheriffs office and to meet with the current health-care staff, all of whom work for Armor until the end of the month.

The goal, he said, is to retain everyone on that medical staff.

We always like to keep the staff in place, Cain said Thursday afternoon. We will be meeting with them tomorrow and Friday.

He said he received notice Wednesday about winning the bid.

He said he couldnt discuss specifics of the contract until its finalized but described the fees as comparable to what Armor is charging, about $20 million a year.

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Sheriff drops jail health-care provider tied to inmate death

Gibbon genome sequence deepens understanding of primates rapid chromosomal rearrangements

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

10-Sep-2014

Contact: Glenna Picton picton@bcm.edu 713-798-4710 Baylor College of Medicine @bcmhouston

HOUSTON (Sep. 10. 2014) With the completion of the sequencing and analysis of the gibbon genome, scientists now know more about why this small ape has a rapid rate of chromosomal rearrangements, providing information that broadens understanding of chromosomal biology.

Chromosomes, essentially the packaging that encases the genetic information stored in the DNA sequence, are fundamental to cellular function and the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. Chromosome structure and function is also intimately related to human genetic diseases, especially cancer.

The sequence and analysis of the gibbon genome (all the chromosomes) was published today in the journal Nature and led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center and the Washington University School of Medicine's Genome Institute.

"Everything we learn about the genome sequence of this particular primate and others analyzed in the recent past helps us to understand human biology in a more detailed and complete way," said Dr. Jeffrey Rogers, associate professor in the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor and a lead author on the report. "The gibbon sequence represents a branch of the primate evolutionary tree that spans the gap between the Old World Monkeys and great apes and has not yet been studied in this way. The new genome sequence provides important insight into their unique and rapid chromosomal rearrangements."

For years, experts have known that gibbon chromosomes evolve quickly and have many breaks and rearrangements, but up until now there has been no explanation why, Rogers said. The genome sequence helps to explain the genetic mechanism unique to gibbons that results in these large scale rearrangements.

The sequencing was led by Dr. Kim Worley, professor in the Human Genome Sequencing Center, and Rogers, both of Baylor and Drs. Wesley Warren and Richard Wilson of Washington University.

The analysis was led by Dr. Lucia Carbone, an assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience in the OHSU School of Medicine and an assistant scientist in the Division of Neuroscience at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center. Carbone is an expert in the study of gibbons and the lead and corresponding author on the report.

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Gibbon genome sequence deepens understanding of primates rapid chromosomal rearrangements

Genetic engineering can prevent diseases, says expert

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Genetic engineering was one of the greatest breakthroughs in recent history that has immensely helped mankind, according to Harikrishna Ramaprasad Saripalli, Associate Professor at Aksum University in Ethiopia.

Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala Department of Zoology organised a lecture on Genetic Engineering and Cell Culturing-Animal Science Perspectives here on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Harikrishna said that there were many advantages of genetic engineering. Diseases could be prevented by detecting people or animals that were genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases and preparing for the inevitable.

Genetic engineering, a technique used to manipulate genes, makes human bodies better, and has the capacity to make disease a history, he said.

Animals and plants can be tailor made to show desirable characteristics. The genetic engineering would bring novelty. Another advantage of genetic engineering is that animals and plants can be made to have desirable characteristics which could help solve some of the worlds problems. The underlining principle behind every research and novelty should be aimed at solving the problem faced by the people, he said.

All these techniques and technologies should be used for the betterment of society. If a vaccine for diseases like polio was found, it should be used for the community. Otherwise there was a danger that commercial motives behind research may bring an end to community itself, he felt.

Mr. Harikrishna said that the students would excel in the field of life sciences only if they love their subject. There were plenty of job and research opportunities in the field of genetic engineering. Every country, including India, was focusing on research and development in genetic engineering. The only quality that a student should have was determination, dedication and love to the subject, he added.

College Principal T. Vijaya Lakshmi and Department of Zoology Head Uma also spoke.

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Genetic engineering can prevent diseases, says expert

Tory Williams combats controversy surrounding stem cell therapy with new book

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

10-Sep-2014

Contact: Melanie Scharler 917-340-6492 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News @LiebertOnline

(New Rochelle, New York) September 10, 2014 - Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., leading publisher of over 80 science, technology, and medical publications, announced today the launch of first time hard cover title Inevitable Collision: The Inspiring Story that Brought Stem Cell Research to Conservative America, in an effort to bring awareness to the growing conversation and debate surrounding stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Written by Tory Williams, author, advocate, mom, and co-founder of the Alabama Institute of Medicine (AIM), Inevitable Collision is a human-interest story that details the controversial Geron Trial, the first human embryonic stem cell trial for patients with paralysis, and thoughtfully documents the first and fifth patients, TJ Atchison and Katie Sharify. The book features provocative conversations with doctors, medical researchers, and scientists including Dr. Hans Keirstead, the famous scientist whose groundbreaking research helped rats to overcome paralysis through stem cell treatments and introduced the therapy to humans, and helps inform the public conversation by presenting the facts and opportunities surrounding stem cell research and therapy.

"Tory's personal journey of advocacy, perseverance, and commitment to the advance-ment of stem cell research and its application is an important and relevant testament to the stem cell conversation at large," said Mary Ann Liebert, president and CEO of the company that bears her name. "Inevitable Collision will strongly resonate with the six million Americans suffering from paralysis, a quarter of which are the result of a spinal cord injury. In a very readable and compelling style, Williams has brought the much needed human voice to the oftentimes controversial and misunderstood topic of stem cell technology. It is an important read for the public, legislators, and patients and their families, as well as for researchers and members of the health care community. This book will make a difference!"

Compared to the narrative and journalistic writing style of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Inevitable Collision explains in reader-friendly terms how stem cells work, and why they are considered important tools in finding a cure for paralysis and other disabilities. The book also details author Tory Williams' physical and emotional struggles while raising funding and public awareness surrounding embryonic stem cell research across the nation.

"Through this book I hope to bridge the gap between science and religion and raise awareness of the importance and power of stem cell research," said Tory Williams. "This book is intended not only for patients who suffer from paralysis and diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's, but for everyone affected by these afflictions, directly and indirectly."

The launch comes on the heels of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's (CIRM) recent announcement green lighting the follow-up phase to the Geron clinical trial as approved by the FDA.

Inevitable Collision's 208 pages plus 8-page photo spread retails at $21.95 for the hard-back and $9.99 for the e-book and includes an afterword written by Roman Reed, a tire-less patient advocate who was paralyzed from a sports injury 20 years ago. Roman is the Founder of the Roman Reed Foundation and Roman's Law, which was the impetus for California's groundbreaking stem cell program.

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Tory Williams combats controversy surrounding stem cell therapy with new book

An RIB solution to make pests non-resistant to Bt gene

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Cotton research institute to write to GEAC for allowing refuge in bag cottonseeds

Chennai, September 10:

Nagpur-based Central Institute for Cotton Research will soon write to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to allow sale of refuge in bag (RIB) cottonseeds that will have Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) variety along with non-Bt.

A process such as RIB will ensure that pests present on a farm growing genetically modified crop like cotton and corn do not develop resistance to the Bt gene that destroys them.

We have conducted tests of RIB seeds for the last three years and the results are promising. We are now preparing the data on the results. Once we prepare them, we will write to GEAC, said KR Kranthi, director of the research institute. While the Bt variety will make up 95 per cent of the RIB cottonseeds, the non-Bt one will comprise the rest.

While cultivating genetically-modified crops, it is mandatory for farmers to grow refuge or a non-GM trait of the same crop in five per cent of the area. In India, while selling Bt cottonseeds, seed companies provide the non-Bt refuge seeds along with them in a separate packet.

The objective of the RIB concept is to make growers comply with norms for growing genetically modified crop and, in turn, make the process simpler.

Growing a refuge crop in the field of a Bt crop is based on the law of genetics. If a pest develops resistance to the Bt gene, then the non-Bt plant grown on the same farm will help tackle the problem. The principle is simple: the pest from the Bt plant will mate with a similar one from the non-Bt plant and develop a progeny that will not be resistant to the Bt gene.

Since farmers are oblivious to the dangers of growing just Bt cotton, they throw away the non-Bt seeds. Some farmers do it to get returns from the Bt variety as it will fetch them more money, said an official with a seed firm.

DuPont Pioneer came out with such a concept for Bt corn first, while Monsanto has developed a similar concept for Bt cotton. US companies have been developing the RIB concept for a number of years now. In India, we proposed it to the CICR and are awaiting further details from them, said a Monsanto spokesperson. During a meeting among stakeholders of Bt cotton, Monsanto floated the idea. We at the CICR told them that we would also like to test the RIB process, said Kranthi.

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An RIB solution to make pests non-resistant to Bt gene

Penn Researcher and CVS Health Physician Urge New Payment Model for Costly Gene Therapy Treatments

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Newswise PHILADELPHIA - Hoping to encourage sufficient investments by pharmaceutical companies in expensive gene therapies, which often consist of a single treatment, a Penn researcher and the chief medical officer of CVS Health outline an alternative payment model in this months issue of Nature Biotechnology. They suggest annuity payments over a defined period of time and contingent on evidence that the treatment remains effective. The approach would replace the current practice of single, usually large, at-point-of-service payments.

Unlike most rare disease treatments that can continue for decades, gene therapy is frequently administered only once, providing many years, even a lifetime, of benefit, says James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Under current reimbursement policies, private insurers and the government typically pay for this therapy once: when it is administered. But these individual payments could reach several million dollars each under current market conditions. Were proposing a different approach that spreads payments out and only keep coming if the patient continues to do well.

Wilson and co-author Troyen A. Brennan, MD, JD, MPH, chief medical officer of CVS Health, note that while large single payments for gene therapy may be the simplest approach, they carry substantial encumbrances. For example, approval of gene therapy treatments is unavoidably based on data derived from trials carried out over several years at most -- considerably shorter than the expected duration of the therapy. Payers may therefore be unwilling to pay large up-front sums for treatments whose long-term benefit has not been established. Additionally, large payments for medications, such as the $84,000-a-patient cost of the hepatitis C treatment Sovaldi, have been criticized in the prevailing climate of curbing health care costs. This, despite the fact that effective gene therapy may reduce the overall financial burden to the health care system.

Wilson and Brennan further note that while a liver transplant, for example, can cost up to $300,000, physicians and hospitals that transplant livers know they will be compensated at market rates through existing contracts -- gene developers lack that assurance. Annuity payments, they say, could help address these problems.

An example of an annuity-type disbursement could be a hypothetical payment of $150,000 per year for a certain number of years for gene-therapy-based protein replacement for patients with hemophilia B -- so long as the therapy continues to work. According to the authors, the cumulative amount should be less than the cost of a one-time payment of $4-6 million, which would be the expected rate for a gene-based therapy to be comparatively priced to existing, conventional therapies for hemophilia B. One would presume, they write, that gene therapy will have to represent a discount in order for insurers to approve its use.

The annuity model that were proposing would eliminate the misguided incentive to invest in drugs and treatments with ongoing revenue streams but which require continuing, perhaps lifetime daily administration, with all the attendant inconveniences and burdens to patients and their families, as well as direct and indirect costs to the nations health system, says Wilson.

The authors point out that gene therapy differs substantially from the case of orphan drugs. Development of the latter, which target rare diseases affecting small patient populations, is supported by the Orphan Drug Act of 1983, which provides pharmaceutical manufacturers with grants, tax credits, and an extended period of market exclusivity for their medications. Whats more, in virtually all of these cases, the business costs of developing the drugs are further attenuated by ongoing administration of -- and payment for -- the medication over the lifetime of the patient. The contrast with gene therapy, especially that which produces a durable cure with one administration, the authors write, is clear.

Adding further details to their proposal, the authors write that The original annuity payment could be set with certain types of re-opener clauses, such as with patent expiration [death], or if a less expensive new therapy came on line -- thus subjecting the gene therapy annuity to the same vagaries of market competition that standard pharmaceuticals face.

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Penn Researcher and CVS Health Physician Urge New Payment Model for Costly Gene Therapy Treatments

KingRomeo VLOG #1| Future Of Channel,New Schedule,Thank You Freedom! & More – Video

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