News From Around the Web
> Brain imaging is being used to show that fructose can trigger changes in the brain that lead to overeating. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association researchers reported that through the use of brain MRI they found that the ingestion of fructose possibly increases food-seeking behavior and food intake. Study
> Another brain imaging study has shown that the pain relief offered by cannabis varies according to the individual. According to research carried out at the University of Oxford, MRI brain imaging showed reduced activity in the brain that corresponded to the pain relief experienced by study participants. Study
> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed allowing local Medicare contractors to cover new PET imaging agents for cancer. This would overturn a policy that's been in effect for 12 years and could expand the availability or radiopharmaceuticals for seniors. Article
Health Finance News
> A federal waiver and additional funding Texas officials procured for its Medicaid program could be indicative of challenges the rest of the nation faces in trying to reform care for the poor. The Texas waiver pivots on the collaboration of hospitals and doctors to reduce the hospitalization rates of Medicaid enrollees and get them into medical homes to receive proper preventative care. As much as $11.4 billion could be provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the waiver. Article
Health Provider News
> In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting, physicians and their respective societies have shared passionate opinions about their roles in reducing gun violence, with perspective articles appearing in several major medical journals. On New Year's Day, editors of the Annals of Family Medicine called for physicians to make a resolution to put more time and effort into addressing the public health threat of gun violence. Article
And Finally... And I always thought they were scary without physical assault. Article