Monthly Archives: September 2011
Brain Stent Treatment May Double Risk of Repeat Stroke
The CBS Evening News reported, “There was disappointing news today about the use of brain stents.” A study published online Sept. 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine “found when the stents were used on patients who already had … Continue reading
Featured Link — Symptom Search
I hesitate to add this Symptom Search Featured Link because trying to diagnose your own medical condition can be dangerous. But it is an interesting site to explore. If you’re like me, you may look around on this site and … Continue reading
Worry About “Overtesting” Older Patients Increases
Kaiser Health News reported that “increasingly, questions are being raised about the overtesting of older patients, part of a growing skepticism about the widespread practice of routine screening for cancer and other ailments of people in their 70s, 80s and … Continue reading
Study Says Physician Fees Major Factor in Higher Overall U.S. Healthcare Costs
The New York Times reports, “Doctors are paid higher fees in the United States than in several other countries, and this is a major factor in the nation’s higher overall cost of health care,” according to a study published Sept. … Continue reading
Long Term Care Benefits Available to Surviving Spouses of Wartime Veterans
There are over 9 million surviving spouses of veterans currently living in the United States. Many of these surviving spouses are receiving long term care or will need some type of long term care in the near future, and there … Continue reading
Featured Link — National Family Caregivers Association
The National Family Caregivers Association Web site has many good resources for caregivers, with (obviously) a strong tilt toward family, rather than professional, caregivers. This is a description from the site: The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks … Continue reading
VA — Computers Reading Doctors’ Notes is an Improvement
The Department of Veterans Affairs has just reported the results of a study that involved computers reading doctors’ notes, and looking for potential problems. The study seems to show that this process does increase patients’ safety, and reduce chances of … Continue reading
Retroactive Agent Orange Benefits Paid to Vietnam Veterans and Survivors for Presumptive Conditions
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a payment of over $2 billion to almost 90,000 Vietnam veterans and or their survivors for presumptive conditions involving exposure to Agent Orange. This is a great victory for vets and their families. Here … Continue reading
Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts
Should military retirement benefits be cut in order to reduce the deficit? That was the topic of a disturbing article published yesterday in the New York Times. Of course I don’t think we should take any benefits away from our … Continue reading
You Already Have a Will, Even If You Think You Don’t
Every adult should have a will. There are many reasons, including avoiding the cost and effort of a more difficult probate process falling upon your family. But if you haven’t taken the time to prepare a will, the State of … Continue reading