Reuters - Health Report

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Monday, July 17, 2017

Novartis stocks drug cabinet with "Big-3" arthritis blockbusters

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's Novartis is stocking up cheaper versions of the world's top-selling arthritis medicines, hoping a broad portfolio gives it an edge on rivals with narrower offerings.

WHO warns of cholera risk at annual haj, praises Saudi preparedness

GENEVA (Reuters) - A cholera epidemic in Yemen, which has infected more than 332,000 people, could spread during the annual haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in September, although Saudi authorities are well prepared, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

Sidelined healthcare lobby stymies Republican healthcare effort

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republicans pushing to overhaul Obamacare largely ignored key players in the debate over insuring the poor: the health insurers and hospitals charged with carrying out the law if it gets approved.

U.S. health insurers want Cruz proposal dropped from Senate bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two major U.S. health insurance groups on Friday called on Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to drop from a healthcare bill a provision proposed by Senator Ted Cruz that allows insurers to offer stripped-down, low-cost healthcare plans.

Fewer U.S. hospitals can care for children

In Massachusetts, a child who winds up in an emergency room - whether for a routine or a serious problem - is likely to be transferred to a second hospital for care, a “potentially concerning” trend that’s being reported by physicians throughout the United States, researchers say.

Mexico suspends Colombian dairy imports due to foot and mouth disease

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's agriculture sanitation authority SENASICA said on Friday it has suspended all dairy imports from Colombia after new outbreaks of foot and mouth disease were detected in the Andean country.

New Senate Republicans healthcare bill already in trouble

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican leaders released on Thursday a revised plan to dismantle the Obamacare law, but it drew criticism from senators on both sides of the political divide within the Republican party, indicating a treacherous path for the bill.

Less stress might mean lower blood sugar for overweight women

(Reuters Health) - An eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program not only reduces stress, but could also lower blood sugar, U.S. researchers say.

Dying veterans boost participation in hospice care

(Reuters Health) - An initiative to enroll dying veterans in hospice care appears to be working, and its success may offer clues for how to persuade others who are terminally ill to join the highly lauded end-of-life program, a new study shows.

More non-doctors providing U.S. nursing home healthcare

As the U.S. healthcare system grows to accommodate more aging patients, nursing home care is increasingly being delivered by specialized nurses and physician assistants, according to a recent study.