Daily Rounds: High Deductibles In CA; DNA Stool Test; 'Megadose' Of Fructose; Third Diet Drug Rejected; Caritas Nurses Sign

Sick Californians may be forgoing care because health deductible is too high, study says - Health Key "Three million Californians are enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans because they can't afford to pay high premiums. But the often excessive out-of-pocket costs could be causing some to delay seeking care, while jeopardizing the financial well-being of others, a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has found." (healthkey.com)

Medical News: DNA Stool Test Shows Promise - A stool test that targets DNA methylation identified 85% of colorectal cancers and two-thirds of adenomas in a blinded evaluation of specimens from patients with and without colorectal neoplasia. (medpagetoday.com)

Study Of Corn Sweetener In Soda Stirs Up Controversy — NPR "Researchers at the University of Southern California have documented that samples of Pepsi and Coca-Cola sweetened with the stuff are delivering what they describe as "megadoses" of fructose. Their analysis shows the products contain about 20 percent more fructose than consumers have been led to believe." (npr.org)

Qnexa, a Diet Drug, Is Rejected by the F.D.A. - NYTimes.com "The rejected drug, called Qnexa, is the third weight loss medicine to run into trouble this month because of concerns about safety. Last week, the F.D.A. declined to approve another new drug, lorcaserin, because it caused tumors in rats. And earlier in the month it forced the withdrawal of Meridia from the market after 13 years, citing the risk of heart attacks and strokes for certain patients." (The New York Times)

Caritas nurses OK 5-year pact - The Boston Globe "Members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association at four Caritas Christi Health Care hospitals, including St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton and Carney Hospital in Dorchester, yesterday ratified a five-year contract that gives nearly 1,700 registered nurses pay raises and a new retirement plan." (Boston Globe)