Summary: Between 1997 and 2005, the costs of patient care in United States hospitals rose an average of 5.3 percent a year. These cost increases mean that, since 1997, hospital costs have almost doubled. Yet, in a positive turn, during 2005 and 2006 the average rise in costs was only 1 percent.

Comment: Nearly half of the cost increases from the past 10 years was due to higher intensity of care (greater use of procedures, technologies, and other inventions). The significant slow of that increase over the period from 2005 to 2006, however, may be due to the adoption of managed care plans and rising use of outpatient care.

Summary: The American Academy of Neurology, to follow up the success of Neurology Now (an award-winning patient and caregiver magazine), is planning to release, next year, a series of Neurology Now Books. Currently there are titles planned to address multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and taste and smell disorders. In addition, a fourth publication is planned for later that year.

Comment: The magazine, Neurology Now, offers cutting-edge information on neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraines, and Parkinson's disease, among others. These books will offer the same kind of information to an even greater number of the one in six people now affected with a neurological disorder.

Summary: In a list published by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy five low-cost online pharmacies have been labeled "Not Recommended". However, PharmacyChecker.com, the internet's largest independent verification service of online pharmacies, advises consumers that these pharmacies are ethical and meet all verification requirements. It has been suggested that the NABP, which works with the FDA and is sponsored by Pfizer, a drug company, is attempting to scare consumers away from these low-cost pharmacies.

Comment: The NABP's list of verified pharmacy sites only includes 15 members, which consist largely of US based pharmacy chains and benefits managers. It does not even include lower-cost US sites such as Costco.com, while Canadian and other foreign pharmacies are barred entirely from inclusion. Meanwhile PharmacyChecker.com is dedicated to certifying online, low-cost pharmacy options for consumers.

Summary: A new law has been passed to protect patients in the US from genetic discrimination by keeping their genetic information secure. This legislation prohibits insurers from denying or canceling coverage based on a patient's genetic information, allowing for patient privacy even as scientific advancements make individualized health care possible for patients.

Comment: Genetic testing has the potential to greatly advance diagnosis and treatment of disease. However, it is important that genetic information be protected to prevent any discrimination based on a patient's genetics. The American Medical Association has expressed their support of the passage of this new law.

Summary: There are 47 million uninsured people in the United States. About 12 million of them qualify for public coverage, but are not enrolled, including 64 percent of uninsured children. Many of these people are not aware of programs or don't know how to enroll. For low-income uninsured adults even qualifying for aid can be the greatest hindrance. Only seven states provide public assistance to low-income childless adults, and about half the states deny access to traditional Medicaid benefits for working parents in families above 63 percent of the FPL (about $13,000 for a family of four).

Comment: Many uninsured people living in the United States could only benefit from the expansion of public programs such as Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Nancy Chockley, president and CEO of the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation commented on the report saying, "What this report shows us is that reaching universal coverage is a very complicated proposition, but that we can get a quarter of the way there by getting more people who are eligible for public programs enrolled, and we can make a lot of headway, too, by looking for subsidies for low-income childless adults and parents."

Summary: The American Medical Association has provided the government with the physicians' viewpoint on how to proceed with the creation of patient safety organizations. The comments submitted by the AMA highlight the organization's strong support for a federal system by which health care professionals could voluntarily report patient safety information. In efforts to ensure the success of their proposed system and rules, the AMA will educate physicians on the reporting system, encourage their active participation and provide input on the system's creation.

Comment: The American Medical Association was a strong advocate for the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act passed in 2005. They have praised the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality for "capturing the legislation’s intent in the proposed rule." The commentary submitted by the AMA can also be viewed online.

Summary: This series of articles addresses aspects of Parkinson's disease from symptoms and risk factors to diagnosis and treatment.

Comment: Written by the staff at the Mayo Clinic, these articles are a good introduction to anyone seeking more information about this health condition.