HEALTH AND FITNESS

Northeast OH Healthy Living and Medical Consumer News

The bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would cut what the government says are excess subsidies from Medicare Advantage. But the cuts would not be as deep as those proposed by the House of Representatives. Full story »

Senate Democrats say their health care plan, which faces a procedural vote tonight, will cost $848 billion. But Republicans say it will cost $2.5 trillion. Which is it?  Full story »

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, a Democrat who hopes to become Ohio's next U.S. senator, asked supporters to urge Sen. George Voinovich to stick around Washington for this weekend's health-care vote. But Voinovich, a Republican, is gone, noting that his vote would be no anyway and the only thing that counts this weekend is whether Democrats can muster the 60 nods they need. Full story »

There are a wide range of causes for depression in elderly patients, but many times there are successful treatment options that can make a difference. Full story »

The task force recommended against routine screening in women age 40-49 and mammograms every two years for women ages 50-74, saying the risks of false-positive mammograms (and ensuing biopsies) outweighed the test's benefits. Full story »

Now that the Senate has its own health-care bill, Democratic lawmakers must get past procedural hurdles and try to pass it -- before deciding whether they like the House or the Senate version more. The Plain Dealer compares key elements of both bills.  Full story »

The Congressional Budget Office said Sen. Harry Reid's bill would extend coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans, after subsidies to make premiums more affordable start flowing in 2014.  Full story »

Local jursidictions will decide when and where to begin school vaccinations, which will require consent from parents and guardians. H1N1 cases have declined slightly since October, but health officials said the infection rate remains high and expect widespread flu to continue.  Full story »

After months of maneuvering, the Senate stands at the brink of a historic battle over health care with President Barack Obama and his allies on one side and Republicans, outnumbered but unflinching, on the other.  Full story »

Strict quarantines and shutting down public services have done little to contain the swine flu in China and other countries, international health officials say. Full story »

Anyone who doesn't have access to fruits, vegetables, dairy and other healthy foods could have similar risks for obesity. And besides weight gain, there are other health risks to eating unhealthy foods, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  Full story »

Patients may not see a change in the way they are treated, but behind the scenes, clinicians will share protocols and compare notes and outcomes to improve treatment. The alliance also will help the hospitals eliminate duplication of resources, such as staff and equipment.  Full story »

The Democratic leader has spent weeks melding separate bills, trying to find compromise on dozens of difficult issues. His remake faces rough going in the Senate, with Republican leaders determined to use every tactic to delay or derail the bill. Full story »

Elizabeth Kucinich and her husband, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, joined retired NBA star John Salley to promote vegetarian options in an upcoming bill that will reauthorize the school lunch program. Full story »

Sen. George Voinovich says he sees no reason to vote for a motion to proceed on health-care legislation if the underlying bill is flawed. The Senate has too many other important things to deal with.  Full story »