Gleeman’s Daily News—02/01/10

Talk of jobs overshadows health care in Obama’s State of Union speech

In last week’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said he remains committed to reforming the nation’s health care system, but the president spent most of the speech concentrating on economic issues. PHOTO: AP

WASHINGTON—Stunned by the outcome of a special election in Massachusetts that ended their filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate and a wide-open road to pass health care reform legislation, top congressional Democrats are regrouping to develop new legislative strategies.

But amid clearly diminished congressional interest in the issue—as well as a shift in focus to reducing unemployment—it isn't clear whether a strategy will be developed, much less whether it will be successful, benefit observers say.

While President Barack Obama remains committed to enacting health care reform, the issue made up only a small portion of last week's State of the Union address, which was dominated by economic issues.

Did you hear the speech? Did you think healthcare reform was given enough mention? There is a great deal of momentum in the health area right now, it must be handled for the sake of 30 million people without health insurance, and the Republicans say they want to help. Good for them if it is true.

Scott Brown’s election slows down health care reform bills

The election of Republican Scott Brown as senator from Massachusetts has led Democratic leaders to slow down health system reform bills while they discuss alternatives. [Photo by AP / Wide World Photos]

AMA Immediate Past President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, stresses to reporters that it's time for Congress to stop temporary repairs and tackle a complete overhaul of the Medicare physician payment system. [Photo courtesy of AMA / Sam Hurd]

With a comprehensive health system reform effort effectively on hold after the victory of a Republican Senate candidate in Massachusetts, physician organizations are mobilizing to prevent Medicare doctor payment reform from also becoming a casualty of the altered political landscape on Capitol Hill.

The American Medical Association, other physician organizations and seniors groups were hoping to follow health reform passage with a long-term solution to the Medicare physician payment system, which is primed for a 21.2% cut starting March 1. But momentum on the broader reform effort came to a grinding halt when Massachusetts state Sen. Scott Brown defeated state Attorney General Martha Coakley in a Jan. 19 special election for the Senate seat vacated by the death of Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy last August.

One man can make a difference in the unfolding of history, and it looks like Scott Brown is the man of the hour. I hope he will lead Republicans into a higher state of participation in the reform process, such as stopping the huge 21.2% cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Your thoughts…

Gates foundation will invest 10 billion dollars in vaccine

Bill Gates commits $10 billion to vaccine development and delivery over the next decade.

Bill and Melinda Gates gave a big hat tip to vaccinations today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Indeed, the pair, who head up the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that they will spend an additional $10 billion over the next decade -- on top of $4.5 billion already committed -- to develop and deliver vaccines to children in the developing world, Reuters reports.

What sparked this generous gesture?

The ability to save millions of lives, Gates says. In fact, Gates told reporters that it is possible to save 7.6 million children under age 5 from death between 2010 and 2019 by increasing vaccinations in the developing world to 90%. Their hope is to build on previous success in poor countries like Malawi where coverage rates are now similar to those in Western cities.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks—a book review

Among the promising books out this month -- Tuesday, in fact -- is "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," which examines the extraordinary -- and controversial -- scientific contribution made by a young black woman from Baltimore County's Turners Station community more than a half-century ago. While Lacks was being treated for cancer at Johns Hopkins, a researcher was able to keep some of her cells alive outside her body -- a remarkable breakthrough for medical research.

Author Rebecca Skloot notes in this excerpt that the "HeLa cells," spread around the world, helped to develop the polio vaccine and forge advances in such areas as chemotherapy, cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization. Yet Lacks' role was not acknowledged for years, and her family reaped no financial gain, leaving them understandably bitter. (Here's a 1997 Baltimore Sun story about the issue. and a piece Skloot wrote in 2000 for Johns Hopkins magazine.) Excerpts from some reviews:

Interesting subject of bio-ethics, such as who should benefit from medical research, I have heard about these human cells for years, sounds like a good book for doctors and others interested in science.

Australian study examines weight and death rates

The study found exercise particularly benefited elderly women

Moderately overweight elderly people may live longer than those of normal weight, an Australian study suggests.

But being very overweight or being underweight shortened lives.

The report, which was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, said dieting may not be beneficial in this age group.

But the study of 9,200 over-70s also found that regardless of weight, sedentary lifestyles shortened lives, particularly for women.

Obama administration wants Americans to have coverage for mental illness and substance abuse

The Obama administration has issued guidelines that Americans will get coverage not only for physical illness but for mental illness and substance abuse treatment also.

There will be no separate annual deductibles for mental health treatment. Copayments for visiting a psychiatrist or social worker will not exceed the charges given for visiting a family doctor or a medical specialist.

Andrew Sperling of the National Alliance on Mental Illness said, "Health plans will be under an obligation to provide the same level of coverage for treatment of mental illness as they do for cancer, diabetes and heart disease."

The aim of the law passed by Congress in 2008 is to eliminate financial barriers people face for treating mental health problems. With this coverage, 140 million Americans in more than 450,000 employer plans will be benefited.