MedWorm: American Health

New jersey moves closer to universal health care

RWJF News Digest - Health Insurance Coverage — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:28:25 +0100

A bill supported by Sen. Joseph Vitale that requires all New Jersey children to have health insurance and expands coverage to more low-income parents was passed in the state Senate and the Assembly and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Jon Corzine, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Health Insurance Coverage)

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Massachusetts plan decreased number of uninsured, but costs remain high

RWJF News Digest - Health Insurance Coverage — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:28:25 +0100

A year after reform, Massachusetts has succeeded in slashing the percentage of uninsured adults from 13 percent to 7 percent, but the plan still "faces a huge challenge-costs," reports USA Today. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Health Insurance Coverage)

Three cabot shopping centers facing ada lawsuits

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:46:53 +0100

Three Cabot shopping centers are facing ADA lawsuits. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Arkansas surgical hospital ceo resigns

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:46:53 +0100

The Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock has lost its founding CEO. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

List of arkansas' largest nonprofits is new, improved

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:46:53 +0100

For the first time, the list includes a line showing the total value of grants made in the fiscal year by the grant-making foundations, and that line can easily be compared with the total expenses. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Narmc sees completion of $25 million patient tower

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:46:53 +0100

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison recently completed a 124,000-SF, $25 million patient tower. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

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Economy concerns some nonprofits

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:46:53 +0100

Even though giving reached a record high in 2007, some nonprofit organizations are worried donations will decline this year because of the economy. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Notifiable diseases/deaths in selected cities weekly information

CDC — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:38:58 +0100

(Source: CDC)

Quickstats: percentage of adults aged ≥65 years who ever received a pneumococcal vaccination, by sex, age group, and race/ethnicity --- national health interview survey, united states, 2007

CDC — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:38:58 +0100

(Source: CDC)

Erratum: vol. 57, no. rr-4

CDC — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:38:58 +0100

(Source: CDC)

West nile virus activity --- united states, 2007

CDC — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:38:58 +0100

(Source: CDC)

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Illness associated with red tide --- nassau county, florida, 2007

CDC — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:38:58 +0100

(Source: CDC)

Susan gerard resigns as arizona department of health services director

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:16:52 +0100

Susan Gerard announced her resignation as director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Thursday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Unitedhealth shares dip to 2003 levels

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:46:15 +0100

Shares of UnitedHealth Group dropped to nearly a five-year low Thursday, a day after the company announced plans to cut 5 percent of its work force and a lower profit growth forecast for 2008.The Minnetonka, Minn.-based company's shares lost $2.16 or 8.6 percent, closing at $22.96, with a previous low of $22.72. Adjusting for splits, stock was trading at its lowest price since late 2003. (UNH) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

Notice: clarification: support for tl1/t32 postdoctoral trainees at institutional clinical and translational science awards

NIH Roadmap — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:05:00 +0100

The Notice modifies the Eligibility requirements for Research Training Component (T32) Eligibility under section '1.B.3. Eligible Research Education, Research Training and Research Career Development - trainees, scholars and mentors' (Source: NIH Roadmap)

Department of labor reports big job cuts in construction and manufacturing

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:26:26 +0100

The U.S. lost 43,000 construction jobs last month, according to the June jobs report from the Department of Labor. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

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Botanica, youth horizons each awarded $200k in community service tax credits

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:25:33 +0100

The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded $4.13 million in community service tax credits to 24 nonprofit organizations statewide, including Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, and Youth Horizons Inc. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Fda advisers call for cardiovascular-safety assessment of new diabetes drugs

MedPage Today Public Health — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:37:32 +0100

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Type 2 diabetes drugs aiming to pass FDA muster should be required to consider long-term cardiovascular safety as part of the approval mix, according to agency advisers. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Resveratrol found to improve health, but not longevity in aging mice on standard diet

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:00:00 +0100

Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age. This study, conducted and supported in part by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is a follow-up to 2006 findings that resveratrol improves health and longevity of overweight, aged mice. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

Truman medical centers' bluford is elected chairman of national group

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:47:48 +0100

Truman Medical Centers CEO John Bluford has been elected chairman of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

Energy costs second only to health care as top concern

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:36:34 +0100

Soaring fuel and energy costs rank second only to the cost of health care among problems facing small business owners, according to a recently released survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Community health-in-partnerships services receives ama foundation grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:26:41 +0100

The American Medical Association Foundation awarded Community Health-In-Partnerships Services in St. Louis a grant worth at least $12,000 to help address the growing problem of the uninsured and to recognize physician volunteerism, the AMA announced Tuesday. (PFE) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

U.s. employers cut jobs for sixth straight month

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:51:01 +0100

Employers cut payrolls by 62,000 in June, the sixth straight month of nationwide job losses, underscoring the economy's fragile state. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 percent. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Review of nasa's human research program evidence books. a letter report

Institute of Medicine - All new Projects, Reports, Events and News items — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:22:43 +0100

The newly released Institute of Medicine report, Review of NASA’s Human Research Program Evidence Books: A Letter Report, examines NASA’s plans to assemble the available evidence on human health risks of spaceflight and to move forward in identifying and addressing gaps in research. (Source: Institute of Medicine - All new Projects, Reports, Events and News items)

Aha calls for population-based strategy to reduce u.s. obesity rates

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:44:58 +0100

The American Heart Association (AHA) has released a scientific statement calling for a comprehensive, population-based strategy to reduce obesity among U.S. residents, HealthDay news reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Governor appoints 19 to health plan panel

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:31:32 +0100

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday named 19 people to the Centennial Care Choices Program Panel. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Stokes fired as head of n.c. state health plan

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:00:14 +0100

George Stokes, administrator of the North Carolina state employees health plan for the past three years, has been fired after lawmakers discovered an unexpected shortfall on the agency's books. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Rize 2 the occasion capsules and rose 4 her capsules

FDA MedWatch — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:13:00 +0100

Certain lots of both products were recalled because they contained an undeclared ingredient. (Source: FDA MedWatch)

State: berger commission's recommendations implemented

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:58:40 +0100

The New York State Health Department said all recommendations of the Berger Commission have been implemented. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in cervical spine fusion

FDA MedWatch — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:08:00 +0100

Reports of life-threatening complications associated with recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein when used in the cervical spine. (Source: FDA MedWatch)

Unemployment benefits extended in massachusetts

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:56:23 +0100

Recently laid-off workers in Massachusetts will now be able to receive an extra two months of unemployment benefits, due to the state’s participation in a new federal extended benefits program. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Health care reform in massachusetts: medicaid waiver renewal will set a precedent

The Heritage Foundation Papers: Health Care — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:04:47 +0100

As the Medicaid waiver for Massachusetts's health care reform is up for debate again, federal and state officials should remember the intent of the original reform plan. (Source: The Heritage Foundation Papers: Health Care)

Nfib: energy costs second only to health care as top small business concern

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:58:21 +0100

Humana to purchase metcare

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:49:31 +0100

Humana Inc. has announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Metcare Health Plans Inc. for an estimated $14 million. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Centene completes $80m purchase of celtic group

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:13:27 +0100

Centene Corp. closed Tuesday on its $80 million purchase of Celtic Group Inc., a nationwide health insurance carrier, Centene announced Wednesday. (CNC) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

California implements location-based emergency response system

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:12:51 +0100

California-based Loma Linda University Medical Center has rolled out a geographic information system designed to monitor and map the status of Southern California's emergency resources, including ambulances, rescue helicopters and area hospitals, Information Week reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

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Ohio hospital launches breast cancer education socials

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:12:51 +0100

Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Community Health has created a program that hosts social, educational forums to encourage breast health among African-American women, the Wilmington News Journal reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Meeting #2. review of priorities in the national vaccine plan

Institute of Medicine - All new Projects, Reports, Events and News items — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:43:00 +0100

(Source: Institute of Medicine - All new Projects, Reports, Events and News items)

Whole salad bowl now target of expanded fda and cdc investigation

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:15:21 +0100

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The FDA and CDC have expanded their investigation of the ongoing Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak to target "foods commonly served with tomatoes." (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Two tb cases enough to predict outbreak

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:05:06 +0100

THE HAGUE -- A significant tuberculosis outbreak can be expected in a community within two years if public health officers find just two cases that meet certain criteria, researchers here said. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Ama rolls out ad campaign to pressure congress on medicare payment

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:18:03 +0100

WASHINGTON -- Two powerhouse lobbying groups -- seniors and physicians -- have banded together to try to coerce Senate Republicans into abandoning a blockade of a legislative fix that would roll back a 10.6% cut in Medicare payments to physicians. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

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Barcode systems to reduce hospital drug errors not foolproof

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:16:22 +0100

PHILADELPHIA -- The little barcodes that are supposed to match up the correct drug and dose with the right hospital patient don't always do the job as designed, according to researchers here. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Aarp asks court to order release of medicare data

AARP.org Policy and Research — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:02:26 +0100

AARPs brief in a lawsuit challenging withholding of Medicare data emphasizes the importance of open information in helping older people choose health care providers, ensuring the best possible performance by providers, and keeping governmental costs down. (Source: AARP.org Policy and Research)

Aarp asks supreme court to protect plan participants and beneficiaries

AARP.org Policy and Research — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:47:28 +0100

The Supreme Court is looking at when financial stakeholders in insurance plans also serve as claims decision-makers. AARP argues that the conflict of interest between whats good for the plans bottom line and whats fair to claimants requires courts to set up procedures to protect plan participants and beneficiaries. (Source: AARP.org Policy and Research)

Doctors decry malpractice proposal

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:32:47 +0100

They came, they saw, they complained. On Monday, physicians and other medical professionals spoke against a proposal that would post each N.C. doctor’s malpractice history on the N.C. Medical Board Web site. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

Doctors decry malpractice proposal

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:32:47 +0100

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July 2008 patient safety news

FDA MedWatch — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:24:00 +0100

Video news show for healthcare professionals, covering safety alerts, recalls, product approvals, and important tips on protecting patients. (Source: FDA MedWatch)

Rxhub, surescripts merge to expand online prescriptions

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:07:02 +0100

RxHub and SureScripts, the nation's two largest electronic-prescription networks, will merge in a move that will hasten the transition towards paperless prescribing. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

Rxhub, surescripts merge to expand online prescriptions

bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:44:40 +0100

RxHub and SureScripts plan to speed the transition from paper-based to paperless prescribing across the U.S. by linking retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Industry Regulation headlines)

On medicares anniversary, congress still has work to do

AARP.org News — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:37:00 +0100

Today, on the 42nd anniversary of Medicares implementation, AARP issued a statement urging Congress to act quickly and pass legislation to keep Medicare fair. (Source: AARP.org News)

MedWorm: American Health

New jersey moves closer to universal health care

Massachusetts plan decreased number of uninsured, but costs remain high

Three cabot shopping centers facing ada lawsuits

Arkansas surgical hospital ceo resigns

List of arkansas' largest nonprofits is new, improved

Narmc sees completion of $25 million patient tower

Economy concerns some nonprofits

Notifiable diseases/deaths in selected cities weekly information

Quickstats: percentage of adults aged ≥65 years who ever received a pneumococcal vaccination, by sex, age group, and race/ethnicity --- national health interview survey, united states, 2007

Erratum: vol. 57, no. rr-4

West nile virus activity --- united states, 2007

Illness associated with red tide --- nassau county, florida, 2007

Susan gerard resigns as arizona department of health services director

Unitedhealth shares dip to 2003 levels

Notice: clarification: support for tl1/t32 postdoctoral trainees at institutional clinical and translational science awards

Department of labor reports big job cuts in construction and manufacturing

Botanica, youth horizons each awarded $200k in community service tax credits

Fda advisers call for cardiovascular-safety assessment of new diabetes drugs

Resveratrol found to improve health, but not longevity in aging mice on standard diet

Truman medical centers' bluford is elected chairman of national group

Energy costs second only to health care as top concern

Community health-in-partnerships services receives ama foundation grant

U.s. employers cut jobs for sixth straight month

Review of nasa's human research program evidence books. a letter report

Aha calls for population-based strategy to reduce u.s. obesity rates

Governor appoints 19 to health plan panel

Stokes fired as head of n.c. state health plan

Rize 2 the occasion capsules and rose 4 her capsules

State: berger commission's recommendations implemented

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in cervical spine fusion

Unemployment benefits extended in massachusetts

Health care reform in massachusetts: medicaid waiver renewal will set a precedent

Nfib: energy costs second only to health care as top small business concern

Humana to purchase metcare

Centene completes $80m purchase of celtic group

California implements location-based emergency response system

Ohio hospital launches breast cancer education socials

Meeting #2. review of priorities in the national vaccine plan

Whole salad bowl now target of expanded fda and cdc investigation

Two tb cases enough to predict outbreak

Ama rolls out ad campaign to pressure congress on medicare payment

Barcode systems to reduce hospital drug errors not foolproof

Aarp asks court to order release of medicare data

Aarp asks supreme court to protect plan participants and beneficiaries

Doctors decry malpractice proposal

Doctors decry malpractice proposal

July 2008 patient safety news

Rxhub, surescripts merge to expand online prescriptions

Rxhub, surescripts merge to expand online prescriptions

On medicares anniversary, congress still has work to do

On medicares anniversary, congress still has work to do