ASCOG Advocate: April 11, 2013

James Lovell, John Swigert
and Fred Haise

On this date, in 1970, the third American manned mission intended for the moon was launched.  Later, the moon landing was aborted due to an oxygen tank explosion. 

What was the name of the mission?

President Obama's new budget splits significant Medicare cuts between patients and providers while Medicaid remains largely untouched.

Oklahoma Senate Bill 592, creating an informal dispute resolution panel for assisted living centers, passed the House Wednesday, 79-3.  And, Senate Bill 755, authorizing access to certain information by treatment advocates, was amended and passed by the House Public Health Committee. 

With the gun control debate turning to making black lists of mental health patients rather than improving mental health care, advocates grow weary of gun legislation.  Meanwhile, President Obama's budget includes $235 million in new mental health spending.

NPR published a good article explaining the pros and cons on a recent study documenting a correlation between a baby's birth month and their risk for multiple sclerosis.

Nursing home costs continue to rise at a faster rate than in-home care.

Instead of knee replacements, doctors at Emory University are testing stem cell therapy to treat severe arthritis in adults (video).

CMS published a fact sheet on the recent settlement requiring DHSS to appy an "improvement standard in making claims determiniations for Medicare coverage involving skilled care."

According to a new Alzheimer's study, "heart healthy" and "brain healthy" are a lot alike.
The University of Florida launched a new website to help caregivers screen family members who may be at risk for driving problems.

And a good Samaritan neighbor saves an 86-year-old man from a house fire in Tulsa.