Medicaid faces uncertain future; Google exits healthcare business

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

With the U.S. Congress mulling $2 trillion in spending cuts, states struggling with budget shortfalls, and the new federal healthcare reform law still under fire, these are uncertain times for Medicaid.

Oral health policymakers, administrators, and providers gathered in Washington, DC, this week for the first annual National Medicaid and CHIP Oral Health Symposium to discuss the challenges the program's shaky future holds for dental care providers working with the poor and underserved. Click here to read what those in attendance believe might help turn things around.

Meanwhile, Google has ended its foray into healthcare with the announcement that it will shut down its Google Health personal health record service by the end of the year. Did the Internet giant bite off more than it could chew? Read more.

Finally, numerous clinical studies have indicated that molecularly targeted cancer therapies such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors have fewer oral complications and milder side effects than conventional chemotherapy. But a literature review in Oral Oncology questions whether that is actually the case. Read more in this latest Oral Cancer & Diagnostics Community feature.