ANTHEM TO BUY CIGNA, CREATING BIGGEST U.S. HEALTH INSURER

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ANTHEM TO BUY CIGNA, CREATING BIGGEST U.S. HEALTH INSURER

Anthem will buy Cigna for about $54.2 billion, creating the largest U.S. health insurer by membership and accelerating the industry's consolidation from five national players to three. The proposed acquisition, the health insurance industry's largest, comes three weeks after Aetna Inc agreed to buy Humana Inc for $37 billion. Health insurers are finding it tougher to raise prices following the roll-out of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, while grappling with soaring expenses of medications including cancer drugs that can cost each patient more than $100,000 a year.

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Puerto Rico Braces for Health Care Crisis

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Puerto Rico Braces for Health Care Crisis

Puerto Rico is beginning to face another budget cut to a highly-used Medicare program as well as an alarming shortage of Medicaid funds. The health care system is moving towards a crisis which could further undermine the island's gutted economy. The first sign of this crisis regarding the health care system was seriously in trouble when a large amount of doctors, a total of 3,000 in 5 years, began to leave the island for better positions, more money and less stress in the United States. 

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UPDATE: Legionnaires’ disease in New York

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UPDATE: Legionnaires’ disease in New York

Legionnaires’ disease has killed a total of 12 people in the South Bronx of New York ever since the outbreak began on July 10th. However, according to the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the outbreak is on the decline. He said there have been no new reported cases in a week. The most recent case of the illness was reported over a week ago. So far in New York, there have been a total of 113 cases of Legionnaires’ disease since July. And among those people who have been hospitalized, 76 had been released from the hospital since the beginning of this week.

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Legionnaires’ Outbreak: What New Yorkers Need to Know

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Legionnaires’ Outbreak: What New Yorkers Need to Know

It seems New Yorkers are beginning to worry in response to the seven people who have died from the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak this week in the Bronx. Even though all of the victims were older adults with other underlying medical conditions, young people can become infected as well if the disease lives in a concentrated area, usually a building. A total of 81 cases were reported and 64 of those infected have been hospitalized.

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New cholesterol lowering drug much more expensive than statins

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New cholesterol lowering drug much more expensive than statins

A new cholesterol lowering drug called Praluent was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and introduced to the market. Praluent is said to be a better alternative to statins. There are millions of people in the United States that currently take statins. Statins are a medication that people take to lower cholesterol in order to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Examples of statins include Lipitor, Lescol, Altoprev, Livalo, Pravachol, Crestor and Zocor.

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EXPERTS SUPPORT CALL FOR LOWER CANCER DRUG PRICES

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EXPERTS SUPPORT CALL FOR LOWER CANCER DRUG PRICES

A group of 118 leading cancer experts have developed a list of proposals designed to reduce the cost of cancer drugs. Also in support of a grassroots patient protest movement to pressure drug companies to charge what they deem a fair value for treatments. Experts include former presidents of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. An insured cancer patient who needs a drug that costs $120,000 a year would pay as much as $30,000 in out-of-pocket costs, which is more than half of the average U.S. household income of $52,000.

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FDA warning: Risk of heart attack and stroke with some painkillers

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FDA warning: Risk of heart attack and stroke with some painkillers

The Food and Drug Administration is strengthening warnings on some common painkillers saying they cause increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The FDA conducted a review on new safety information and now want the drug makers to change the warning labels on certain NSAIDs. NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are over-the-counter or prescription medications such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, or Celebrex.

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Doctors prescribing painkillers often leads to heroin

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Doctors prescribing painkillers often leads to heroin

Heroin use has been increasing at an alarming rate. The number of people who have died as a result of heroin use has nearly quadrupled in the last decade.  What is the reason for the significant increase in heroin deaths? Firstly, the drug is getting cheaper. Secondly, more and more people are becoming addicted to prescription painkillers after having surgery or simply taking them for recreational use. Many people often end up using heroin once their doctor will no longer provide them with a prescription. 

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California Moves to Ban Religious and Personal Vaccine Exemptions

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California Moves to Ban Religious and Personal Vaccine Exemptions

Lawmakers have taken first step in limiting vaccination exemptions for schoolchildren. Bill approved late June. Prohibits parents from stopping their children from being vaccinated for personal or religious reasons.

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FDA is set to toughen non-aspirin warnings

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FDA is set to toughen non-aspirin warnings

FDA is strengthening warnings on NSAIDS – say they cause increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Over-the-counter NSAIDS include Advil, Motrin IB, Ibuprofen, and Aleve. Labels already say such drugs “may cause” increased risk of heart attack and stroke. FDA said new data from recent analysis provided stronger evidence of increased risk of heart failure from NSAIDS.

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Why do witnesses fail to help?

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Why do witnesses fail to help?

Over Fourth of July weekend, bystanders watched and laughed while a tourist in Cincinnati was viciously beaten. Last week, a suicidal woman in China jumped from a tenth floor window while crowds below encouraged her decision. And back in March, four teen girls attacked another young female at a Brooklyn McDonald’s as dozens of people stood around and watched. While the brutality and viciousness of these stories are shocking, what’s even more shocking is the fact that each of them involve people either standing around watching, laughing, or cheering on these people in serious distress and need of help.

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California Vaccine Bill Bans Personal, Religious Exemptions

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California Vaccine Bill Bans Personal, Religious Exemptions

California House passed a proposal that would outlaw a family's personal and religious beliefs as reasons to exempt their children from school vaccinations.

Controversial proposal now returns to the Senate, which must approve amendments for so-called SB277 to advance to Gov.Jerry Brown for his signature. Senate passed the initial bill in May.

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Samadi's Take on Supreme Court Ruling for Obamacare: Patients and Doctors are Left Confused

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Samadi's Take on Supreme Court Ruling for Obamacare: Patients and Doctors are Left Confused

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled in favor, with a 6-3 decision, to uphold the Obamacare authorization of federal tax credits for eligible Americans living not only in states with their own exchanges but also in the 34 states with federal exchanges.  

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Obama Wins: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare

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Obama Wins: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has saved Obamacare for a second time, writing the majority opinion Thursday that upheld the health care law’s key provision of paying tax subsidies to customers in all states and saying the law otherwise would be a mess — something he doubted Congress intended.

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The Right to Choose...A Baby's Gender?

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The Right to Choose...A Baby's Gender?

A debate has sparked in light of rumors that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West had quite the pre-pregnancy (pre-in vitro fertilization) plan to ensure they would have a baby boy. It's brought on a lot of questions about whether or not an individual should have the right to choose or in this case "plan" the exact gender destiny of their child-to-be. The couple is denying the claims but let's explore this topic. 

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New Study: Health Benefits to Conservation Policies

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New Study: Health Benefits to Conservation Policies

Research from Duke University shows that conservation policies aimed at improving the  environment can also improve human health. Researchers estimate 24% of the global burden of disease is due to poor environmental quality. 

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Feds Charge Over 200 People with Medicare Fraud

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Feds Charge Over 200 People with Medicare Fraud

Federal officials have charges over 200 individuals, including health care professionals, with Medicare fraud. What does this mean? We explore.

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FDA Warned Opana Drugmaker of Dangers for Abusers

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FDA Warned Opana Drugmaker of Dangers for Abusers

FDA warned drugmaker about dangers of pain pill injection —a newer version of painkiller Opana. This new form of a pain killer could be driving addicts to inject the drug leading to the spread of HIV.

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FDA Approved Drug to Lower Cholesterol

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FDA Approved Drug to Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a proponent of heart disease and stroke. We know lowering LDL levels is essential. The FDA has approved a new cholesterol lowering drug. Will it work? Here's what you need to know. 

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Politically correct medical schools Dangers of government's heavy involvement in your healthcare

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Politically correct medical schools Dangers of government's heavy involvement in your healthcare

Premed students’ biggest fear is taking the MCAT. After 25 years, the MCAT is being revised, becoming longer (by three hours) and covering a broader range of topics than simply chemistry, physics and biology.

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