HEALTH HAPPENINGS
Research Lacking on Cancer Pain Treatment
Although there is a huge body of scientific research on cancer biology, the quality and quantity of research on the management of cancer pain lags far behind, according to researchers at the New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) conducting a systematic literature review for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). 

NATIONAL NOTES
AoA and HCFA Enhance Medicare Information, Referral System
The Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) have announced the funding of 26 new projects with more than $1.5 million to help AoA's national aging network of supportive home and community-based service providers respond to inquiries from Medicare beneficiaries.

MEDI-MINUTES
Payment Rates for 2002 Announced
Payment rates for Medicare+Choice managed care plans will increase by about 5.3% in most counties, HCFA announced. Payment rates in other counties will rise by the guaranteed minimum of 2%.

OF INTEREST
Most Elderly Don't Realize When Mental Skills Decline
According to a study by researchers from Penn State's College of Medicine, elderly individuals who have lost some basic mental skills usually do not even realize it. "If people are unaware of their level of performance," said Dr. Anna Barrett, "they can't take counter-measures to seek assistance when these skills decline."

TAX TID-BITS
Transfers to Family Limited Partnerships Were Not Taxable Gifts
The Tax Court recently held that a father's transfer of property to a family limited partnership (FLP) was not a gift and that §2704(b) does not apply because the FLP's restrictions on transfer and liquidation of partnership interests are not applicable restrictions.