Health Highlights: Nov. 23, 2009

• NFL May Change Concussion Policy
• Health Care Reform Bill Moves to Senate Floor for Debate
• U.S. Military Studying PTSD Risk Factors
• University of Nebraska May Restrict Stem Cell Research
• Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Eye Disease Planned

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

NFL May Change Concussion Policy

In what would be a major policy change, the National Football League may be considering using independent doctors to determine when players who've suffered concussions should return to play.

The league has faced harsh criticism from outside experts and lawmakers over how it handles players with concussions. Recently, the House Judiciary Committee compared the NFL to the tobacco industry, The New York Times reported.

Currently, doctors and trainers employed by the teams make decisions about when players who've suffered concussions should return to play. That's raised charges of possible conflict of interest when owners and coaches want players to resume playing before they may be fully recovered.

"As we learn more and more, we want to give players the best medical advice. This is a chance for us to expand that and bring more people into the circle to make sure were making the best decisions for our players in the long term," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said during an interview Sunday on the NBC program "Football Night in America."

He didn't provide any details about the new guideline, such as when it might take effect, how independent doctors would be identified and paid, or even whether teams would have to follow the doctors' advice, The Times reported.

-----

Health Care Reform Bill Moves to Senate Floor for Debate

Senate Democrats managed to push health care reform legislation past a key hurdle on Saturday night, with a cloture vote that will lead to a debate on the Senate floor later this month, the Associated Press reported.

The Senate bill roughly mirrors a health care reform bill that has already been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, although some major differences would have to be ironed out before a bill could reach the desk of President Barack Obama.

According to the New York Times, the Senate bill seeks to extend health benefits to roughly 31 million Americans who are now uninsured, at a cost of $848 billion over 10 years.

U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) announced the vote Saturday night.

"On this vote, the yays are 60, the nays are 39, three-fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to," Dodd told reporters.

Prior to the vote, all 40 Republicans were on record as opposing the bill, and the Democrats did not have a single vote to spare, needing every Democrat and Independent who normally votes with Democrats to vote in favor of the motion. Two key Democrat votes were secured on Saturday.

During a long day of debate, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), had appealed to senators to advance the bill to the floor, saying it is their job to debate such a crucial issue.

President Barack Obama has made health care reform a top priority of his administration.

"Tonight we have the opportunity, the historic opportunity to reform health care once and for all," Sen. Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), a chief architect of the legislation, said, according to the Times. "History is knocking on the door. Let's open it. Let's begin the debate."

-----

U.S. Military Studying PTSD Risk Factors

U.S. military researchers are trying to identify genetic and other factors that may help single out soldiers most at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

A better understanding of underlying contributing causes might help reduce the incidence of PTSD and improve treatment.

"Right now, we can't determine with certainty who will and who won't develop PTSD," Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, told the Associated Press. "Perhaps with better measures, we can get closer."