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Reprogramming Human Cells Without Inserting Genes
A research team comprised of faculty at Worcester Polytechnic Institute"s (WPI) Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center (LSBC) and investigators at CellThera, a private company also located at the LSBC, has discovered a novel way to turn on stem cell genes in human fibroblasts (skin cells) without the risks associated with inserting extra genes or using viruses. This discovery opens a new avenue for reprogramming cells that could eventually lead to treatments for a range of human diseases and traumatic injuries by coaxing a patient"s own cells to repair and regenerate the damaged tissues.
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During Pregnancy Obese Women Should Not Gain Weight, Study Suggests
For years, doctors and other health-care providers have managed pregnant patients according to guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In 1986, ACOG stated, "Regardless of how much women weigh before they become pregnant, gaining between 26-35 pounds during pregnancy can improve the outcome of pregnancy and reduce their chances of having the pregnancy end in fetal death." Until its revised guidelines were released yesterday, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) had recommended that overweight women should gain about 15 pounds during pregnancy.
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Pope, Obama To Hold Meeting After G-8 Summit
Pope Benedict XVI has agreed to meet with President Obama at the Vatican on July 10, according to White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs, the AP/Boston Globe reports. The Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesperson, on Wednesday said that the pope will hold an afternoon meeting with the president and first lady Michelle Obama after the conclusion of the Group of Eight industrialized nations summit meeting, a break with a Vatican tradition of holding midday meetings. The AP/Globe reports that the Vatican "clearly sought to accommodate" the president"s schedule, an indication that Benedict is interested in meeting with Obama despite his support for abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research.Some U.S. bishops have publicly attacked Obama"s support of abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research, which has fueled anticipation of a meeting between the president and the pope. Most recently, dozens of bishops denounced the University of Notre Dame"s decision to invite Obama to deliver its commencement address and receive an honorary degree. However, L"Osservatore Romano, the Vatican"s daily newspaper, said that Obama"s speech showed that he is looking for common ground on issues related to abortion. Obama also received a positive review from the newspaper after his first 100 days in office. An editorial in the paper said that Obama had not confirmed the "radical" direction on ethical questions he had discussed as a candidate (Simpson, AP/Boston Globe, 6/24).
Public Health

Low Medicare Reimbursement Rates Hurt Hospitals In Iowa And California

Low Medicare reimbursement rates are not keeping up with costs at hospitals in Iowa and California while a grant helps boost Medicare enrollment in Missouri. Television Station KHQA 7 reports on how Iowa hospitals are losing millions of dollars a year because of low payments from the state and federal government. "For years Medicare pays 14 percent less than what it actually costs for hospitals to provide the care to patients. Medicaid payments are even lower and many times are late in coming," KHQA reports. The station reports that "while Iowa ranks third lowest in the nation for Medicare reimbursements it"s not hurting patient care." A recent Commonwealth Fund Study that found that "Iowa hospitals are number two in the nation for quality of patient care, patient access and affordability." Still, hospitals find it hard to recruit physicians and health care professionals because of low reimbursement rates, a trend that may make it more difficult to maintain high health quality standards in the future (Shriver, 6/2). The Times-Standard in Northern California also reported on cost issues and wage freezes at St. Joseph Health System in Humboldt County and across California that were caused in part by low reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medi-Cal patients. "As of June 2008, more than half the state"s hospitals reported that they were operating at a loss, according to a California Hospital Association survey. And, due to the current recession, things have likely just gotten worse," The Times-Standard reports. "California"s reimbursement rate for Medicare and Medi-Cal patients falls far below the costs hospitals incur providing services to those patients, leaving hospitals to take the losses," the paper notes. It adds that "hospitals only receive 78 cents in state reimbursements for every dollar they spend treating Medicare and Medi-Cal patients. With the state"s unemployment rate hanging around 11 percent, hospitals are likely to see more and more Medicare and Medi-Cal patients, and consequently incur more losses" (Greenson, 6/3). Missouri, though, received funding that will help boast its" Medicare enrollment. The News-Leader reports that "nearly $430,608 of new funding is being distributed to the Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program, the State Agency on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging to help the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries in Missouri apply for Medicare benefits." It also noted that "the grant is part of the $30 million being awarded nationally from the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" (6/3). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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