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In small studies, mepolizumab reduced number of exacerbations A new type of asthma therapy might be especially helpful for people with severe asthma who often have to take oral steroids to control their symptoms. The drug is called mepolizumab, and two small studies in the March 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine [...]

Case involved Vermont musician who lost her arm to anti-nausea drug In a long-awaited legal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that patients who are injured by a drug can sue the drug’s manufacturer for damages, even if the drug has been granted FDA approval. The decision, in the lawsuit Wyeth v. Levine, upheld [...]

But those taking supplements often exceed recommended levels, study finds Many middle-age and older Americans aren’t getting enough micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, all of which play an important role in maintaining health, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 6,200 people in four ethnic groups — white, [...]

Assessment urges more veggies plus restrictions on unhealthy options Despite some improvements, U.S. school meal programs are still laden with unhealthy fat, salt and sugar, nutrition experts contend. Students also have limited choices in foods available in vending machines, á la carte in cafeterias, at school stores and snack bars and for fund-raisers, they say [...]

Women who are vegans and vegetarians most affected, study says Women who do not have enough vitamin B12 in their blood before and after conception have a greater chance of having a baby with brain or spinal cord defects, a new study says. Most at risk may be vegans and vegetarians, since B12 is far [...]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed regulation that aims to allow more Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources to remain in the Medicare prescription drug plan in which they are enrolled without having to pay a premium. Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources, and those who are dually [...]

New Jersey on Tuesday more than tripled Medicaid reimbursements for physicians who treat beneficiaries younger than age 21, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports. Medicaid physician reimbursements for a child’s office visit increased from $23.03 to $73.70, and dentist reimbursements increased from $18.02 per child’s exam to $64. Gov. Jon Corzine (D) last summer set aside [...]

President Bush on Saturday signed legislation that will provide funding for SCHIP through March 2009, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. The extension is expected to provide enough funds to cover children currently enrolled in the program. White House spokesperson Tony Fratto said, “We’re pleased that the program will be extended and that states can be certain [...]

Medicare beneficiaries who have chosen to change their health and drug coverage for 2008 should experience very few difficulties when getting their covered prescription drugs through Medicare Part D, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today. “A top priority throughout the fall open enrollment season has been to help beneficiaries prepare and [...]

As Congress approaches the end of the legislative year, AARP Director of Government Relations David Sloane issued the following statement on efforts to pass a package of Medicare improvements. “Given the inability to find consensus on a broader Medicare improvement package, the short term package coming before the Senate this week is the path of [...]