Medical liability and defensive medicine cost the United States an estimated $55.6 billion each year, according to a study in Health Affairs. That represented about 2.4% of national healthcare spending in 2008.

The Medicare program is gearing up to begin a 15-site demonstration project that will provide both hospice care and life-sustaining treatments to Medicare beneficiaries, according to recent reports.

Individuals covered under Medicare will be eligible to receive this year's flu shot without co-pays or deductibles, according to health officials.

Omnicare Inc., the largest long-term care pharmacy provider in the United States, has announced plans to get even bigger. The pharmaceutical giant said Friday it would acquire the long-term care branch of Walgreens Co., its second addition of the week.

Oxygen therapy may be unnecessary for some patients receiving end-of-life palliative treatment, according to a new study.

Nearly 90% of older adults reported taking at least one prescription drug in the past month, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted that prescription drug use overall is on the rise.

Omnicare Inc., the largest long-term care pharmacy provider in the United States, has announced plans to get even bigger. The pharmaceutical giant said Friday it would acquire the long-term care branch of Walgreens Co., its second purchase of the week.

McKnight's Daily Update will not publish Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of the national Labor Day holiday. Publication will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 7. From everyone at McKnight's, we wish you a safe and fun holiday weekend!

A new scientific model helps explain why some bone fractures don't heal properly. The result could be treatment options that help an aging population, according to a new report.

Although premiums for family health coverage rose by just 3% in 2010, workers' shares of the cost of the plans has jumped 14%, according to a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists has come out strongly in favor of allowing nursing home nurses to act on behalf of physicians when it comes to prescribing pain medications. ASCP officials on Thursday released their recommendations for changes to current Drug Enforcement Agency policy concerning controlled substances in nursing homes.

The National Center for Assisted Living has declared the winners of its annual awards for outstanding assisted living administrators, nurses and caregivers.

Crossword puzzles, mind games and other brain-stimulating activities may be getting too much credit when it comes to the topic of warding off dementia, researchers say. These mental exercises could actually speed dementia in old age, investigators suggest.

Nursing home providers, hospital groups and Medicare patient advocates recently unloaded their opinions about Medicare's 48-hour "observation" status on federal regulators. And that was the desired goal: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services solicited the comments, which possibly could lead to changes in the system.

Donna Sardina, RN, MHA, WCC, President, Wound Care Education Institute

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) has called on state health officials to review the way in which the state handles reports of abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

Experienced investment advisers can provide more diversification with the investments beyond the local area.

Sherrie Dornberger, RNC, CDONA, FACDONA, President, NADONA

Karen Schoeneman, Deputy Director, Nursing Homes Division, CMS

Patricia Boyer, MSM, NHA, RN, President, Boyer & Associates, LLC