News

To scan or not to scan

There is an increasing consensus that many high tech radiology procedures are overused but no agreement on what to do about it. An important review study reported in the Archive of Internal Medicine concluded that exposure to even one CT scan can produce cancer later in life. The editorial in the Archive notes that every day more than 19,500 CT …

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Pain Should Be Getting Our Attention!

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010. As health care reform is implemented and the United States continues to devote extensive resources to health care; there are real opportunities to improve health care quality and equity by improving pain care. Specifically, pain research practice and policy can substantively inform the broader national health care policy …

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The Fundamentals of Insurance Reform: A Reminder

On August 1, 2010, the U.S. District Court in Virginia ruled that the lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can proceed. Judge Hudson defined the issue as: “whether or not Congress has the power to regulate – and tax – a citizen’s decision not to participate in interstate commerce [by choosing not to buy health insurance.]” A summary judgment …

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The Cost of Chronic Disease and What To Do About It

This past week, our Center released a report on the cost of chronic disease in Michigan. As we noted in that report, nationally, five percent of the U.S. population accounts for almost half of all health care spending and 20 percent accounts for 80 percent. In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, chronic disease accounts …

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Detroit Free Press: Michigan is paying price for unhealthy adults

Report on CHRT’s August 2010 issue brief “Health Care Cost Drivers: Chronic Disease, Comorbidity, and Health Risk Factors in the U.S. and Michigan.” Must pay fee to view full story.

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Chronic Conditions Equal High Expenditures in Michigan

Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, are attacking our wallets in Michigan. According to a new issue brief from the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation (CHRT), average annual spending for someone with a chronic condition can cost from $3,785 to $38,270 more than someone with no chronic condition. Chronic conditions are also disproportionally costly. Data …

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