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Preliminary School Program Increases Child Interest in Fruits/Veggies

Madison (August 7)—As obesity surges among Wisconsin children, a preliminary study offers hope that it is possible to help influence better eating habits, which include fresh fruit and vegetables.

The study, involving 4th, 7th and 9th grade students, is published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 5). It’s available here. The authors are from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

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Experimental Program Helps Overweight Children Become ‘Fit Kids’

Madison (August 6)—Health advocates in Washington County took on the growing and intractable difficulty of weight control among kids, through a 12-week program involving 68 children and their families.

Results from the Fit Kids/Fit Families program, published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 5), find 59 percent of children increased their physical activity and 32 percent cut back on their sedentary habits. The study is available here.

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Lozenge Better Choice for Weight-Conscious Smokers Wanting to Quit

Madison (August 5)—The first head to head comparison of nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges finds they stack up similarly in their ability to help smokers quit. But lozenges get the prize for limiting weight gain. The study is published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 5), available here.

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Congress overrides Medicare veto

Madison (July 16)—Congress moved swiftly Tuesday to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331—the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008—which eliminates a 10.6 percent physician Medicare reimbursement cut and instead holds reimbursement steady this year and provides a 1.1 percent increase for 2009. Read highlights of the bill in this AMA-prepared memo.

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Wisconsin Physicians Call on Congress to Override Medicare Veto

Madison (July 15)—The Wisconsin Medical Society today called on the state’s Congressional Delegation to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.” The bill ensures access to care for Wisconsin Medicare patients, eliminating a 10.6 percent physician Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect on July 1, as well as restoring a credit for physicians who see patients in rural areas of Wisconsin. The Society’s letter, responding to today’s veto, is signed by President Steven Bergin, MD, Board Chair George Lange, MD, and Society EVP/CEO Susan Turney, MD.

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Wisconsin Medical Society lauds U.S. Senate vote supporting Medicare

Wisconsin Medical Society President Steven Bergin, MD, gave the following statement regarding Wednesday's action in the U.S. Senate passing HR 6331, thus preventing a 10.6 percent physician Medicare reimbursement cut from taking effect July 15:

Madison (July 10)—“The Senate’s 69-30 vote Wednesday is a major victory for Wisconsin’s Medicare patients. Preventing the massive reimbursement cut helps maintain patients’ access to the high quality health care we enjoy in this state. Patients and their physicians should be proud that Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold voted to prevent the cuts and led the way to Wednesday’s stunning victory.

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