News From Around the Web
> Using bedside optical monitoring of cerebral blood flow showed promising results for individualized stroke care, according to research from the University of Pennsylvania published in the journal Stroke. Study
> Scientists from the University of Virginia studying the genomes of nearly 5,000 people found a genetic variant tied to an increased risk for stroke, according a study published in PLoS Genetics. Study
Health Payer News
> In a move that could set an industry precedent, UnitedHealthcare settled a national class-action lawsuit by agreeing to allow patients with HIV or AIDS to opt out of a requirement to obtain medications by mail order, according to Consumer Watchdog, the nonprofit advocacy organization that brought the lawsuit on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients. Article
> Enrollment in Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plans grew 3.8 percent year over year, although that represents a significant drop from the 14.7 percent increase between February 2012 and February 2013, according to newly released findings from Mark Farrah Associates. Article
Health Finance News
> Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) proposes a form of restricted "mini" or "step-down" hospitals to keep the state's struggling rural providers in business, the Savannah Morning News reports. Article
And Finally... We all have to start somewhere. Article