Daily Rounds: Rethinking Mammograms; Levy Attack Heightens; Insurance Law Kicks In Today; Unions Back Caritas

Mammograms’ Value in Cancer Fight at Issue in Study - NYTimes.com "The study, medical experts say, is the first to assess the benefit of mammography in the context of the modern era of breast cancer treatment. While it is unlikely to settle the debate over mammograms...it indicates that improved treatments with hormonal therapy and other targeted drugs may have, in a way, washed out most of mammography’s benefits by making it it less important to find cancers when they are too small to feel." (The New York Times)

Mass. NOW, health care union campaign for Levy's ouster - White Coat Notes - Boston.com The groups "have bought print, television, radio, and billboard advertisements urging trustees of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to fire chief executive Paul Levy...The media campaign incorporates 19th century photographs of the women who helped found the hospital, and read in part ''In 1896, the Deaconess hospital was founded by women. In 2010, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center needs a new CEO to ensure equality for women at work."'' (Boston Globe)

Insurers Scramble to Satisfy New Health Care Rules - NYTimes.com "The first big wave of new rules under the federal health care law goes into effect on Thursday, leaving many insurers scrambling to get ahead of the changes. 'It is really the Manhattan Project because of the scale and the scope,' said Karen Ignagni, chief executive of America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group." (The New York Times)

Labor groups affirm support of Caritas deal - The Boston Globe "Representatives from nine labor groups in Massachusetts sent a letter to the state attorney general’s office yesterday reiterating their support for the purchase of Boston’s Caritas Christi Health Care by a New York private equity firm." (Boston Globe)