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A 23% drop in cancer deaths in the United States between 1991 and 2012-which translates into 1.7 million lives saved-was the result of successful cancer prevention, screening, and treatments, says a new report published by the American Cancer Society.

What we're reading, January 7, 2016: the uninsured rate at the end of 2015 was essentially unchanged from the beginning of the year; CMS may start paying for some rehab for drug or alcohol addiction; and follow-up care plans after hospital discharge are often too difficult for patients to understand.

ACA marketplace consumer protections for 2016 will strengthen health plan network transparency and make it faster to get nonformulary drugs.

More than 5 years after the Affordable Care Act was passed, Republicans are sending a bill to unravel the healthcare law to the president's desk. President Obama has already vowed to veto the bill.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine underscores the need for early cardiovascular screening in adult survivors of cancer.

A new 5-year program has been created to focus on the health-related social needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

The University of North Carolina researchers are the first to connect the size of social networks to health measures such as high blood pressure, inflammation, and waist circumference.

A new study conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente has found that a considerable number of working-age adults who survive cancer and its toxic treatments, end up with substantial medical debts or declare bankruptcy.

Drugs targeting genetic mutations that drive tumor growth have revolutionized treatment for some serious forms of cancer, but the tumors usually become resistant to the drugs’ therapeutic effects and resume growth.

Disappointing sales were blamed on prior authorization, the FDA label restrictions, and the need for spirometry before doctors could write prescriptions.

Stories about ensuring proper medication for veterans, possible changes to the Arkansas "private option, and fixing the nation's mental health system.

The country’s top insurance lobbying group is losing another big member as Aetna has decided not to renew its membership with America's Health Insurance Plans.

While the prevalence of problems paying medical bills may be greater in certain groups compared with others, almost anyone can experience difficulty paying medical bills, according to the results of a survey from Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times.

The trials would involve the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Harvard's Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science

Public health officials are worried about the increased popularity of e-cigarettes because they could be a gateway to the use of combustible tobacco products.

Bundled payments may be part of the future in healthcare’s move to value-based care, but this payment scheme runs into the challenge of penalizing providers for factors that are beyond their control, explained Joshua T. Cohen, PhD, research associate professor of medicine at Tufts Medical Center.

Patients with cancer who have paid sick leave are almost twice as likely to retain their jobs.

In their Viewpoint in JAMA Oncology, Sanket S. Dhruva, MD, and Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH, have raised objections to CMS’ turnaround on coverage decision for the antibody blinatumomab.

What we're reading, January 5, 2016: A special report highlights how the working poor slip through the cracks of the Affordable Care Act; the FDA approved 51 drugs in 2015 with nearly half being first-in-class; and the Senate is expected to vote on President Obama's nomination for FDA commissioner next Tuesday.

Results from the ACRIN 6666 trial have found that breast cancer detection rate using ultrasonography is comparable with mammography.

Using the case of oral contraceptives as an example, I explain the differences between off-label and off-guideline prescription, and explain how the inappropriate use of oral contraceptives could be reduced by the regulation of off-guideline prescription.

What we're reading, January 4, 2016: health insurers offering free doctor's visits for some plans; some consumers find paying the Affordable Care Act penalty cheaper than buying insurance; and clinicians and patients are increasingly worried about opioid dangers.

The case involves a 25-year-old former college player who had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, even though he never made it to the NFL. He dropped out of college after playing the game 16 years and suffering 10 concussions. He has since been identified as former Missouri State player Michael Keck.

Study finds kids in an urban district picked healthy food after changes to the school lunch program, but it doesn't measure whether they ate it.

An imaging agent that can eliminate the unknown and help instill confidence in a surgeon’s ability to successfully remove all cancerous tissue is being evaluated by surgical oncologists at Duke University.

Hospital employment of physicians and ownership of physician practices is associated with higher prices and spending for outpatient care in the commercial healthcare market.

How well postmenopausal patients tolerate tamoxifen and anastrozole for one type of breast cancer varies with age.

Penny Mohr, MA, senior program officer for improving healthcare systems at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, discusses comparative effectiveness research, healthcare disparities, and patient-centered care at the 20th annual international meeting of ISPOR.

Women over 65 years of age with early-stage, fast-spreading breast cancer had better chances of surviving if they endured treatment therapy, according to a new study.

This week in managed care top stories included the news that patients suing states for access to hepatitis C medication, a study that found 91% of patients who survive an opioid overdose get another prescription, and Martin Shkreli's arrest continues to affect the pharmaceutical world.