MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cut'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:59:43 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182364&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FnmHZC-OksPw%2Ftubal-reversal-dominican-republic.html Tubal reversal surgery is not commonly done in the Dominican Republic. As a result, many women will travel from the Caribbean for tubal reversal surgery with the tubal reversal doctors of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. This is the story of Esmeldy and Rosendo. Esmeldy had a tubal ligation procedure in the Dominican Republic but later regretted that decision and she traveled to Chapel Hill for a reversal of her burned tubes. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182364 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:21:00 +0100 5182364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050529&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F01Hsa0pm0OM%2F The “Gang of Six” senators has released an outline of budget reforms that would supposedly reduce deficits by $3.7 trillion over 10 years. Revenues would rise by at least $1 trillion, while spending would be theoretically trimmed by various procedural mechanisms. The plan promises to “strengthen the safety net,” “maintain investments,” and “maintain the basic structure” of Medicare and Medicaid, which doesn’t sound very reform-minded to me. The Gang of Six plan is a grander version of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s recent debt-limit proposal, which was aimed at putting off any spending cuts. The Gang outline has a few specific cuts, but the document mainly consists of promises to restrain spending and raise taxes in the future. I’m surprised that Sen. Tom Coburn supports the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050529 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:24:21 +0100 5050529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028153&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2BZuoMHpplg%2F By Chris EdwardsSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has offered the president a way to raise the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion without having to cut spending. The WaPo reports that “McConnell’s strategy makes no provision for spending cuts to be enacted.” This appears to be an epic cave-in and completely at odds with McConnell’s own pronouncements in recent months that major budget reforms must be tied to any debt-limit increase. House Republicans should obviously reject McConnell’s surrender, and they should do what they should have done months ago. They should put together a package of $2 trillion in real spending cuts taken straight from the Obama fiscal commission report and pass it through the House tied to a debt-limit increase of $2 trillion. Then they shouldn’t budge... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028153 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:37:47 +0100 5028153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008713&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FWeZHXLXVpAs%2Freversing-blocked-tubes-after-sterilization-procedures.html The most common form of tubal blockage occurs after tubal sterilization. Reversing blocked tubes from tubal sterilization surgery can be done with one of two advanced surgical reversal procedures. These procedures provide patients and alternative to in-vitro fertilization and also with excellent chances of pregnancy after removal of the tubal blockage. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008713 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:21:27 +0100 5008713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976246&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F6Jo6E7u2KDs%2Fblocked-tubes-what-can-be-done.html Blocked tubes can be a common condition. Tubes can become blocked intentionally by request or unintentionally by scar tissue. Whatever the reason infertility results but if you regret your tubal blockage there are surgical procedures which can reverse this blockage and provide a good alternative to in-vitro fertilization. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976246 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:57:42 +0100 4976246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945264&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F_vkuofteqfI%2Ftubal-reversals-and-csections-risk.html Tubal reversal and csections. Can you have a reversal if you have had a csection? Are there risks with tubal reversal after a csection? If you need answers for these questions then this is the article for you. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945264 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:17:35 +0100 4945264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902474&cid=t_101652_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fdrug-firms-cut-vaccine-prices-in-developing-world.html Drug firms cut vaccine prices in developing world – This is good news: Several major drugs companies have announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the developing world. GSK, Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi-Aventis have agreed to cut prices through the international vaccine alliance Gavi. I can think of one problem, however, aside from the antivax conspiracy theory nonsens that will arise, and that's the potential for blackmarket profiteering… Related Posts:H5N1 Vaccine AvailableBird Flu VaccineNeedle free bird flu vaccineEradicating polioThe push and pull of third world drugsCut-price vax for developing world is a post from: Sciencebase Science Blog (Source: Sciencebase Science Blog) Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902474 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:00:06 +0100 4902474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883931&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FgAdQ___QPfU%2Freversing-tubes-or-ivf-which-is-better.html Is in-vitro fertilization or tubal reversal a better treatment to become pregnant? When is tubal reversal better? When is IVF better? The answers to these questions are provided in this article which explains the advantages of each treatment for readers. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883931 Tue, 31 May 2011 18:15:58 +0100 4883931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4842026&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Fs4OxGwrIO7g%2Freverse-tubal-ligation-is-it-possible.html Reversing a tubal ligation and natural pregnancy are very possible. The reversal specialists of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center specialize in an affordable outpatient tubal reversal surgery which will have most patients pregnant within a year of having reversal surgery. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4842026 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:34:23 +0100 4842026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775431&cid=t_101652_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Ftwo-important-lessons-from-my-much-procrastinated-trip-to-the-dentist%2F The other day, I finally went to the dentist. I was due for a check-up in July, and for the last eight months, I’ve been moving the reminder card around my office and coming up with new excuses about why I couldn’t make an appointment. I made the Thursday, went in, and the whole process took thirty-eight minutes from the time I picked up a magazine in the waiting room to the time I walked out the door holding my bag with freebie toothbrush and floss. I walked the twenty-five blocks to get there, too, on this beautiful spring afternoon, so even half of my travel time was well-spent. From this experience, I draw two lessons for myself — both of which were quite apparent to me, although I neglected to act on them… 1. Procrastination is itself draining. That reminder c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775431 Mon, 02 May 2011 19:08:24 +0100 4775431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4774145&cid=t_101652_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Fivory-coast%2F Abidjan, Ivory Coast – April 18th, 2011 A surgical team performs a c-section during a power cut in Abobo Sud Hospital in Abidjan. A week after the end of the military standoff in Abidjan, very few hospitals are open, and Abobo Sud has been handling thirty deliveries daily. MSF has been supporting Abobo Sud Hospital since the end of February. At the peak of post-election violence, MSF was treating 25-30 conflict-related wounded every day from mid-March to 11th April. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4774145 Mon, 02 May 2011 11:11:22 +0100 4774145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753669&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEWH5eRgfepA%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, Chris Edwards has released an updated version of his “Plan to Cut Spending and Balance the Federal Budget.” The plan proposes spending cuts of more than $1 trillion annually by 2021, which would balance the budget without resorting to damaging tax increases. Federal spending would be reduced to 18 percent of gross domestic product by 2021 under the plan, which compares to President Obama’s projected spending that year of 24.2 percent of GDP. Some key points: No sacred cows are spared. Defense, domestic, and so-called entitlement programs are all cut. The plan recognizes that the scope of federal activities must be curtailed. It would begin the reversal of decades of federal expansion into hundreds of area... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753669 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:10:32 +0100 4753669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719903&cid=t_101652_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FRebD0P_OP3o%2F LITFL reviews the S-CUT a dynamic new, simple and easy device for removing leathers/clothes in the critically ill trauma patient. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719903 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:12:34 +0100 4719903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704988&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FBzU5hvsz288%2Fptls-pain-ptls-treatment.html PTLS pain can often be more painful when you try to find someone to listen and help you with your symptoms which may have developed after your tubal ligation. Readers are encouraged to read Karen's personal story of searching for a PTLS treatment. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704988 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:12:49 +0100 4704988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696607&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGaYv4vnKj9A%2F By David BoazIn this week’s Britannica column, I look at the claims being made for the budget cuts in the weekend deal: “The largest annual spending cut in our history,” President Obama said. Speaker of the House John Boehner called it the “largest real dollar spending cut in American history.” Saturday’s front-page, upper-right headline in the Washington Post proclaimed: BIGGEST CUTS IN U.S. HISTORY The story went on to say that Obama “said the cuts would be painful but necessary.” NPR’s Andrea Seabrook reported, “The Republicans got big, big cuts.” And are they? Please. It’s a cut of $38 billion in a budget of $3,819 billion. That’s 1 percent. That’s a rounding error in federal budgeting…. That same budget table shows that federal spending fell f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696607 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:20:24 +0100 4696607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684787&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Fi-bDYxZAlac%2Ftubal-ligation-side-effects-undo-tubal-ligation.html Karen shares her personal story of post tubal ligation side effects, suffering from Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome symptoms and her quest to undo her tubal ligation procedure to rid herself of the symptoms she has experienced since having her tubes tied. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684787 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:09:50 +0100 4684787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622517&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Fa0zhlxy_CFo%2Fptls-syndrome.html PTLS syndrome can be a devastating condition if you are unknowingly suffering from side effects after a tubal ligation procedure. Megan, a PTLS suffer, details problems she experienced after her tubes were tied, how she diagnosed her condition, and became determined to change things for herself and other PTLS sufferers. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622517 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:20:20 +0100 4622517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482987&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F6lXOcl5hlQs%2Ftubal-ligation-long-term-effects.html Tubal ligation procedures can have a serious long term effect on many women. Although sterilization can be a simple method to prevent pregnancy, these surgical procedures can have unforeseen and lasting tubal ligation long term effects upon those who have them. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482987 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:41:37 +0100 4482987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459944&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQmFdlTYgTFM%2F By Chris EdwardsHouse Republicans proposed some (tiny) spending cuts this week and the Obama administration will likely propose some (tiny) cuts next week in the federal budget. So get ready for a barrage of slasher stories! National Journal started us off yesterday with the headline “WH Slashes Heat for the Poor.” Coming down the pike are dozens of stories about how policymakers are planning deep, vicious, and inhumane cuts that will undermine the foundations of the republic. A 5 percent cut to a program that has risen 50 percent in recent years will not be a simple “trim,” but a brutal, gouging “slash.” Every single one of the upcoming cuts will be to “popular” programs. So policymakers will propose a $1 million cut to mohair subsidies, and the headline will be “Congre... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459944 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:03:50 +0100 4459944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399842&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Fc9DanJQRAwA%2Ftubal-reversal-financing.html Financing tubal reversal surgery with a tubal reversal loan may appear to be a good idea until you read the fine print. The tubal reversal specialists of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center explain the real problems with tubal reversal financing and offer alternatives and more financially sound ways to pay for tubal ligation reversal surgery. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399842 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:55:03 +0100 4399842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399513&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a Tea Party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the Tea Party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399513 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4399513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394419&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a tea-party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the tea-party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394419 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4394419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360956&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fx4-cyYCDNMc%2F By Chris EdwardsGross federal debt just hit $14 trillion and will soon reach the legal limit of $14.3 trillion. House Republicans are wondering what spending reforms they can extract from the Democrats for their support of a debt-limit increase. I propose a “Cut and Cap” strategy. The GOP should insist on the $100 billion in initial cuts they promised, and also demand passage of a legal cap on overall federal spending. A simple form of such a cap would specify that total federal outlays cannot rise more than inflation plus population growth each year. If it did, the law would require that the president sequester, or cut, spending across-the board to meet the limit. The chart illustrates the power of such a cap. The top line shows total spending as projected under President Obama’s b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360956 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:45:28 +0100 4360956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4287596&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FDxztlmuupog%2Ftubal-anastomosis-and-tubal-reanastomosis-whats-it-mean.html Tubal anastomosis and other terms describing tubal ligation reversal can be confusing and hard to understand. The ligation reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center explain these terms and how much more successful this procedure can be when compared to in vitro fertilization. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4287596 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:47:22 +0100 4287596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241708&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FchhWv0pjbYo%2F By Tad DeHavenA recent study by economists Alberto Alesina, Dorian Carloni, and Giampaolo Leece looked at 19 OECD countries from 1975 to 2008 and found no evidence that “governments which quickly reduce budget deficits are systematically voted out office.” Therefore, the authors conclude that governments can “decisively” reduce deficits and be returned to office by voters. A particularly interesting finding is that only 20 percent of the governments that reduced deficits by cutting spending were subsequently voted out of office. In contrast, 56 percent of governments that reduced deficits by increased taxes were given the boot. The findings are good news for the large group of incoming members of Congress who promised to cut spending during the campaign. The authors ask, “If it i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241708 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:19:46 +0100 4241708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219726&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fb4TWb67KkNU%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks Will implementing President Obama’s Fiscal Commission recommendations require that everyone take a hit? My response (with tax insights from Jagadeesh Gokhale): President Obama’s Fiscal Commission Report offers a useful start in reducing our budget deficits and national debt, but it hardly goes far enough. As several of my Cato colleagues have just noted here, here, here, and here, the report recognizes, to its credit, that our corporate income tax structure puts U.S. corporations at a considerable competitive disadvantage against their foreign competitors. And the report keeps military spending cuts on the table, even if there is much more to be cut. Yet by proposing a reduction in government spending from 24.3 percent of GDP to... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219726 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:21:46 +0100 4219726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219729&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2s4Lbn3TW1Q%2F By Chris EdwardsPresident Obama’s Fiscal Commission has produced a serious and sobering analysis of the government’s budget mess, and it provides some of the needed solutions. Three of the report’s main themes are on target: the need to make government leaner, the need to cut business taxes to generate economic growth, and the need to impose tighter budget rules to discipline spending. The report rejects the view of many Democratic leaders that the welfare state built over the last 80 years must be defended against any and all budget cuts. “Every aspect of the discretionary budget must be scrutinized, no agency can be off limits, and no program that spends too much or achieves too little can be spared. The federal government can and must adapt to the 21st century by transforming it... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219729 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:03:31 +0100 4219729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219734&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiA6aPbmuWSk%2F By Tad DeHavenAn indicator of the incoming House Republican majority’s seriousness about cutting spending will be which members the party selects to head the various committees. Many of the members in line to chair committees leave a lot to be desired from a limited government perspective (see here and here). In particular, the top candidates in line to chair the critical House Appropriations Committee, Reps. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), are about as inspiring as re-heated meatloaf when it comes to their potential for pushing serious spending reforms. According to the Wall Street Journal, appropriator Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), is eyeing the chairman’s gavel even though he’s only fifth in line in terms of seniority. Kingston has put together a spending restraint plan in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219734 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:35:10 +0100 4219734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203202&cid=t_101652_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F11%2F22%2Fis-cut-and-paste-in-ehr-software-really-such-a-bad-thing%2F The following is a guest blog post by Dr. Michael West. I recently met Dr. West and was really impressed with his approach to EHR. After reading a few of his comments on the site, I asked if he was interested in doing some guest blog posts. This is the first of what I hope will be many more blog posts by Dr. West. Dr. West is an endocrinologist in private practice in Washington, DC. He completed fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. West opened The Washington Endocrine Clinic, PLLC, as a solo practice in 2009. When, I was in residency at a large health system in Pennsylvania, several of the residents and interns got into the habit of templating hospital notes on their home computers the night before they would go in to s... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203202 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:15:06 +0100 4203202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4167958&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhappy-birthday-baby-boomers-one-more-eligible-for-medicare-every-8-seconds%2F2010.11.15 Today begins a lame duck session of Congress before it breaks for Thanksgiving. It’s the final chance to work out a temporary patch to Medicare reimbursement before a 23 percent cut takes effect Dec. 1. Doctors are going to stop taking new Medicare patients if the cuts happen. And, as one breast cancer surgeon explains, if Medicare stops paying, so to private insurers and even military health programs. Congress will meet in December, but the damage will be done. This all is happening two weeks before the baby boomers become eligible for Medicare. That populous generation starts to turn 65 beginning on Jan. 1, which means they become eligible for Medicare on Dec. 1, which, as we mentioned, is the day the 23 percent Medicare pay cut kicks in. Boomers will continue to become eligible ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4167958 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4167958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164667&cid=t_101652_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F11%2F13%2Fobama-2012-exit-right%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Obama 2012: Exit Right. Not weak, Mr. President. Commitment-challenged. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: bush tax cut, democrat, election 2012, health care reform, obama, political cartoon, robert donna trussell, yes we can (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164667 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 01:59:01 +0100 4164667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133674&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcnt0vRptNwQ%2F By David BoazTea Partiers are celebrating the biggest swing against the incumbent party in the House of Representatives since 1938. It always feels great to win an election. But the real job for fiscal conservatives and smaller-government advocates starts now. The usual pattern is that after the election the voters and the activists go back to their normal lives, but the organized interests redouble their efforts to influence policymakers. That’s part of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs, which we talk a lot about here. People who want something from government organize PACs, hire lobbyists, fly to Washington, make phone calls, make political contributions, take senators to dinner, and otherwise “know no rest by day or night” (in the words of economist Vilfredo Pare... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133674 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:38:39 +0100 4133674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133681&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fen7NrqAhQxg%2F By Chris EdwardsCongratulations to the wave of Republicans who successfully ran on promises to tackle rising government debt and cut the hugely bloated federal budget. On the campaign trail, most candidates were not very specific about how they would cut the budget, but when they come to Washington they will be looking for good reform targets. Newcomers to Congress can find a wealth of budget-cutting ideas in recent plans by various D.C. think tanks: At the Heritage Foundation, Brian Riedl has come up with $343 billion in proposed annual cuts. At the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Bill Galston and Maya MacGuineas have proposed $400 billion in annual cuts. Esquire magazine assembled four former senators who came up with $476 billion in annual cuts. The National Taxpayers Union... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133681 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:55:54 +0100 4133681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055716&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-relative-unimportance-of-diagnosis-in-psychiatry%2F2010.10.11 Look, he came back! Guest blogger Mitchell Newmark, M.D., put on his armor and came to blog with us again. The Relative Unimportance of Diagnosis In Psychiatry As we will soon be witness to the emergence of DSM-V, the new rule book for psychiatric diagnosis, I am reminded of all the pitfalls of diagnosis in psychiatry. In other fields of medicine, diagnosis is based primarily on etiology, with objective findings, rather than on symptoms alone, as it is in psychiatry. When you go to your internist with stomach pain, there’s an endoscopy to look for ulcers, a sonogram to look for gall stones, a blood test to look for hepatitis. But in psychiatry, there is no CT scan to check for bipolar disorder, no blood test to assess if the patient has schizophrenia, no spinal tap to check for major de... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055716 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100 4055716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987254&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Frge9yf66JWE%2Fcan-you-get-pregnant-after-tubal-ligation-reversal-surgery.html Readers of the Tubal Reversal Blog are informed which of the two sterilization reversal patients featured in Triangle Physician Magazine became pregnant after their tubal ligation reversal procedures. The answers may surprise you! (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987254 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:38:25 +0100 3987254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858156&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fyoung-doctors-who-lie%2F2010.08.11 This is something: A study published in the July 20, 2010 Annals of Internal Medicine finds that 5 percent of residency applications contain plagiarized content. The study from Boston’s Brigham & Woman’s Hospital is based on the personal statements of nearly 5,000 residency applicants that were matched against a database of published content. The authors comment that the study is limited, among other things, by the fact that it was done in just one institution. It makes me wonder if the number is artificially high or potentially too low. So why would medical students lie? (more…) *This blog post was originally published at 33 Charts* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858156 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:00:14 +0100 3858156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854712&cid=t_101652_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F08%2F10%2Fgop-on-the-deficit-what-part-of-balance-the-budget-dont-you-understand%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. GOP on the Deficit: What Part of ‘Balance the Budget’ Don’t You Understand? Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: bush tax cut, comics, deficit, democrat, political cartoon, republican, unemployment benefits (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854712 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:13:43 +0100 3854712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845304&cid=t_101652_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FEQSSNAeqGec%2Fcan-cut-tied-and-burned-tubes-be-reversed-common-myths-about-tied-tubes.html The tubal reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center explain the myths around cut tied and burned fallopian tubes and answer to the question of whether cut, tied, clipped, clamped, burned and burnt tubes can be reversed. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845304 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:40:06 +0100 3845304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812977&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famericans-are-cutting-back-on-healthcare%2F2010.08.02 The Wall Street Journal reported that overall medical use fell as patients had fewer doctor office visits, lab testing, and maintenance medications possibly due to the recession or as a result of consumer-driven healthcare in the way of higher deductibles and copays. This is very worrisome. Certainly patients should have some financial responsibility for their care, but skimping on care will only result in Americans not becoming healthier, but sicker. Though the article cited some examples of patients saving money by not seeing their allergist for a refill of medication and simply calling for one and getting an athletic physical at a local urgent care clinic for $40 rather than $90 at the doctor’s office, these tiny behavior changes aren’t going to bend the cost curve in medi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812977 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3812977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690839&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fkeeping-the-primary-in-care%2F2010.06.23 He came in for his regular blood pressure and cholesterol check. On the review of systems sheet he circled “depression.” “I see you circled depression,” I said after dealing with his routine problems. “What’s up?” “I don’t think I am actually clinically depressed, but I’ve just been finding it harder to get going recently,” he responded. “I can force myself to do things, but I’ve never have had to force myself.” “I noticed that you retired recently. Do you think that has something to do with your depression?” I asked. “I’m not really sure. I don’t feel like it makes me depressed. I was definitely happy to stop going to work.” I have taken care of him for many years, and k... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690839 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3690839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683621&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fno-go-on-a-doc-fix%2F2010.06.21 The Senate has rejected the so-called “doc fix.” This means that doctors taking Medicare patients will now get 21 percent less pay for their work. How’s that getting involved in politics working out for you guys? Not so good. But there’s a larger issue here. Why do we keep trying to control healthcare costs by just mandating that less money be spent? It’s failed for decades. But like a losing gambler convinced that if he just keeps doubling down he’ll finally come out ahead, people keep trying. For example, the New York Times reported on a study of the impact of pay cuts to doctors for Medicare patients with lung cancer. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at See First Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683621 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:47 +0100 3683621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3676611&cid=t_101652_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fminute-reprieve-senate-passes-temporary-medicare-doc-fix%2F In a somewhat surprisingly turnaround from twenty-four hours ago, the US Senate passed a temporary, six-month delay in the scheduled 21% cut in Medicare reimbursement that was due to retroactively kick in on June 18, 2010. The measure also included a temporary 2.2% rate hike for the six month period. Senatorys Harry Reid and Jim Boehner worked together to craft the bill, which passed by unaminous consent today on the Senate Floor. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3676611 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:53:00 +0100 3676611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671581&cid=t_101652_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fsenate-rejects-doc-fix-medicare-reimbursements-cut-21%2F In a move that will have far reaching ramifications for senior healthcare, the Senate rejected the so called “doc fix” that would have staved off a 21% cut in Medicare reimbursements scheduled to take place on June 1. The American Medical Association blasted the decision, saying that it will cause up to 30% of primary care doctors to drop Medicare patients from their practices. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671581 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:03:27 +0100 3671581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3658953&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoc-fix-vote-awaits-reimbursement-cut-to-take-effect%2F2010.06.14 Senators visited their districts Friday and again today, so the earliest they could vote on the doc fix is tomorrow (6/15) — the day the 21.3 percent reimbursement cut takes effect. Slowing down the process are the numerous amendments. For example, the duration of the fix is still being negotiated. And there are amendments such as redefining what makes up a rural health district. In California, some rural areas are seeing urban levels of patient demand, but giving more money to these counties is being seen as a kickback akin to others that were proposed during healthcare reform. (Part B News, The Hill) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3658953 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3658953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656793&cid=t_101652_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fobama-radio-address-push-senate-pass-medicare-doc-fix%2F President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address to urge the Senate to pass legislation (aka the “doc fix”) delaying the scheduled 21% cut in Medicare payments that took place as of June 1. Because of the uncertain possibility of passing legislation, the administration has been withholding any payment to physicians since then, even at the 21% rate cut. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656793 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:16:51 +0100 3656793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621684&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedicare-cut-effective-today-who-should-doctors-be-angry-at%2F2010.06.01 Instead of blogging (again) about Congress’s failure to stop the 21% Medicare SGR cut, which went into effect today, I could just re-run my April 16 post. I wrote then: “It is the failure of both political parties, over many years, to honestly deal with the SGR, including the cost of getting rid of it, which has resulted in the current ongoing SGR farce. And yet members of Congress wonder why the public holds them in such low regard.” Blogging in DB’s Medicare Rants, Dr. Bob Centor captures the outrage felt by most physicians: “I am mad. Every physician I know is mad. Patients should join us in expressing anger. Physicians cannot trust Congress if they cannot repair this absurdity.” (Bob references ACP’s statement, released on Friday; click here to... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621684 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3621684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359228&cid=t_101652_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FV90yLZjW3JI%2F Problem gambling is gambling to the extent that it causes emotional, family, legal, financial or other problems for the gambler and the people around the gambler. Problem gambling can get worse over time, and gambling problems can range from mild to severe. What are some signs of problem gambling? When people have a problem with gambling, many times they feel like they need to; bet more money more frequently, feel irritated when they try to stop, and think that they can “chase” their losses to recover money. This can lead to more gambling, despite financial loss and the trust of friends and loved ones. In general, people with gambling problems usually spend a large portion of their income on gambling. Do a lot of people have problems with gambling? If gambling is becoming a problem f... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359228 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:53:55 +0100 3359228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153424&cid=t_101652_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F08%2Fa-psychologist-pioneer-clay-tucker-ladd-phd-78%2F Most of you have never heard of Dr. Clay Tucker-Ladd, and yet in many ways, he was just as influential as any psychologist because he did something revolutionary in his day. In 1970 — 40 years ago — he taught a class on how to apply psychology to personal life. Yes, that’s right — Dr. Tucker-Ladd pre-dated all of those positive psychology folks and self-help gurus who talk about how you can apply basic psychological principles to help improve our own happiness and well-being. But I met Clay many, many years later — in 1996 — when we began discussing and working on how to publish his self-help book online, the first online self-help book. The self-help book is called fittingly enough Psychological Self-Help, a book he began writing back in 1973. No publ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153424 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:48:01 +0100 3153424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989350&cid=t_101652_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fo45q2qtXKG8%2Fhow-to-cook-steel-cut-oatmeal.php Growing up, we used to eat a lot of hot cereals for breakfast.  My mom would make us cream of wheat, Ralston, Bear Mush, oatmeal, grits (not really cereal, but similar), and my favorite, steel cut oatmeal.  Most of the time we'd eat it with heaping tablespoons of brown sugar and whole milk which is still my favorite way to eat it to this day.  Getting diagnosed with diabetes wasn't too helpful for my love of hot cereal.  I pretty much gave them all up because I couldn't figure out how to bolus for them correctly.  Maybe it was the brown sugar- I didn't want to give it up!  When I got pregnant with my daughter a couple years ago, I had an aversion to eggs which was my typical breakfast.  I decided to try eating steel cut oatmeal again to see what would hap... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989350 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2989350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2789060&cid=t_101652_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FrUQmgU86UQk%2F Pass the salt! Or rather, don’t. A new study says that if Americans were to simply cut their salt intake back they could “save billions of dollars in health care costs.” The recommended amount is supposed to be 2,300 mg per day, and Americans get 3,300 mg. The study suggests that if Americans consumed less sodium, eleven million people would not get high blood pressure – which would save on costs for medication, treatments for heart disease, fallout from stroke, and other related issues. Where does all the salt come from? Surprisingly, the largest amounts come not from our own salt shakes, but from packaged foods and from eating out. Fast food is a big culprit in this. The study advises us to read packages, avoid the higher salted foods when eating out, and of cou... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2789060 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:52:55 +0100 2789060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774722&cid=t_101652_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Frpc.technorati.com%2Frpc%2Fpinghttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fsurgical-procedures-eliminated-by.html As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.MEDICARE ELIMINATING UNN... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774722 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:54:00 +0100 2774722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772683&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1657 medical marijuana dispensaries by david sroaf Saturday, 07 July 2007 Walking a Fine Line In Our Communities Medical marijuana has been in the news a lot lately.  The proliferation of dispensaries providing patients with safe access to cannabis products, the preferred prescribed medicinal relief for many sick and ailing Californians, can justifiably be called a revolution. With the passage of Proposition 215 (also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996), adult Californians are guaranteed the right to obtain and use marijuana medicinally with a doctor’s recommendation.  Prop 215 eliminated criminal penalties for patients and their designated primary caregivers, for personal possession and cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes.  A subsequent state legislative statute, SB420... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772683 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:40:37 +0100 2772683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741443&cid=t_101652_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_FSsLpsEKvU%2F While many people grumble about having to mow the lawn, doesn’t the smell of freshly mowed grass catch your attention? If you walk down the street, you can smell the grass as the scent lingers, often bringing back memories for some people. Dr Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist at the University of Queensland in Australia believed that the scent could be used to our benefit, in a way that other scents are used to help ease pain (peppermint) or promote sleep (lavender). Aromatherapy is an increasingly popular form of alternative therapy – as we can tell from all scents sold today, from bath products to candles to linen sprays. According to this article, Why mowing the lawn relieves stress and boosts your memory, [T]the aroma worked on the emotional and memory parts of the brian known... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741443 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:45:16 +0100 2741443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634510&cid=t_101652_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fseniors-big-losers-in-health-plan.html As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.YOUR AGING MOM AND DAD A... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634510 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:17:00 +0100 2634510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477543&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FealLB71BbNA%2F As I note in my New York Post op-ed today, Republicans are fond of implying that President Obama is a big-spending socialist. But the House GOP recently offered a spending cut plan that was able to find savings worth less than one percent of Obama’s budget. As Tad DeHaven and Brian Riedl have also pointed out, the GOP spending reform effort is rather pathetic. It proposed specific annual budget cuts of about $14 billion per year. Consider that the center-left budget wonks at the Brookings Institution put their heads together a few years ago and came up with a “smaller government plan” that proposed about $342 billion in annual spending cuts (by 2014). The Brookings authors note:   These cuts are achieved by reducing government subsidies to commercial activities (... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477543 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:18:22 +0100 2477543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441821&cid=t_101652_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYWtde3g8adM%2F It used to be that when you worked for a company, you were “set.” If you packed in, say, 30 years on a job, you were rewarded later in life by having the burden of finding health insurance and making extra money lifted by the company. You received health benefits in retirement and also a pension. Even before this poor economy, companies were changing the way they dealt with retirees. They began to look at retiree benefits as a burden and not an obligation. Now, GM, which is victim to this economy, may cut retiree medical benefits “with immediate effect at the insistence of the U.S. Treasury because of GM’s “difficult financial situation.” Even more cuts for retiree benefits could be made in the next two years. Do you think this is the right course of a... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441821 Wed, 27 May 2009 21:20:44 +0100 2441821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2293098&cid=t_101652_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsomatopsychic.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fclassroom-memory-activity.html When teaching about memory I use all of the standard activities, where I read lists of words, letters or numbers to my students and have the repeat them back to illustrate serial position effect, chunking, and the passive organization of long-term memory. But this semester a student and I stumbled onto another illustrative exercise.Lecturing on memory and forgetting and a student questions me:Student: You asked me earlier what I had for breakfast and I told you a bagel, and you said it was an example of automatic encoding, and it was long term memory, which you said you keep forever. But I can’t remember what I had last year for breakfast…Me: I think I see what you are getting at, but remember when we talk about forgetting from long term memory we are often talking about retrieval fail... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2293098 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:48:00 +0100 2293098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2249329&cid=t_101652_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSomatopsychic%2F%7E3%2F680K7fbYoIw%2Fphilosophy-of-teaching.html I teach at a local community college. Last semester was my first semester teaching and one thing that has stuck out to me is the number of people who have told me about my students. That is to say people say things like, “You must really dumb it down for them” or “Most of SCC students are in remedial English, so don't expect them to read the book, let alone write a paper” or any number of statements of low expectations. It is important to know your audience, and I suspect that is what has motivated these comments. I don't want to prep my lecture based on where students have been when they entered my class, bur rather on where students will go once they leave my class. To that end I have grouped my students (with a guess as to the percentage of each type in my classes) into three ou... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2249329 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:21:00 +0100 2249329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2233229&cid=t_101652_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSomatopsychic%2F%7E3%2F1KG7WR_JrPo%2Fimportance-of-operational-definitions.html This morning a colleague of mine was discussing a recent survey from Business Week that ranked America's Unhappiest Cities. I decided to use this in my intro classes as a critical thinking exercise to recognize sensationalist media claims and the importance of an operational definition.So I began by telling my students that St. Louis was ranked #2 on a list of unhappiest cities in America, and asking them what they thought about that. What does it mean to live in the #2 most unhappy city? My students wanted to know who was #1 and who was #3 (Portland and New Orleans respectively). Several students thought that the study must be bogus because they themselves are not unhappy. Finally someone hit on the issue, "What do they mean by unhappy?"So we listed how we might measure unhappiness. My st... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2233229 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:33:00 +0100 2233229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2233230&cid=t_101652_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSomatopsychic%2F%7E3%2FsErAOWmNrdE%2Fcompliments-from-students.html This morning I got the following email from the Division Coordinator of Psychology at my community college teaching gig: "I ran into a girl that was a student last semester in your 101 class. She told me that it was the best college class she has taken so far. She said you are interesting, funny, and share great information about psychology. I thought the same thing when I sat in your class. She did not realize that it was your first semester. Great job!!"Great news right? Except, I can't just take a compliment. Often times I have heard professors bemoan the course evaluations that students submit. The three common arguments against this process of evaluation I've heard are:Students that get bad grades rate teachers poorly in vengeance.Students evaluate the personality of the teacher inst... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2233230 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:23:00 +0100 2233230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207029&cid=t_101652_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspieweb%2F%7E3%2FC2oV6-difaA%2F The current Recession is taking a large bite out of the services many special needs individuals receive, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  I’m starting to see those large cutbacks and consolidation in services I receive. Last week I was informed that the program I am part of is no longer renewing any leases with the [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207029 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:26:19 +0100 2207029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523479&cid=t_101652_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSomatopsychic%2F%7E3%2FL7Mo8iseANY%2Fmy-first-teaching-evaluation.html This week was the first time my teaching skills have been evaluated. As I've mentioned I'm teaching Intro Psych at a local community college. This is my first time teaching and as such it has been a learning experience for me as well as (hopefully) for my students. In any event this week I looked at both the mid-term reviews from my students, and the review of an in-class observer (my Boss).The evaluation that my students submitted was web-based and fairly anonymous. However, I feel that the survey itself was relatively weak. This was a five question questionnaire with three possible answers (Yes, No, No Opinion). This format is apparently mandated by the state Joint Committee on Higher Education as established in Missouri Senate Bill 389. In any event here is a table summarizing the quest... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523479 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:44:00 +0100 2523479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873144&cid=t_101652_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2008%2F10%2F13%2Fchange%2F VOLDEMORT! He’s returned. no one dare speak his name He must be using the Imperius Curse Gotta be. Finite Incantatem! ********* This kind of crap has become so blatant it’s creepy. WTF? Enlightened progressives can wear “Palin is a cunt” t-shirts to a Republican rally; but no one can criticize their empty suited,  motherfucking candidate?! (who should have been Hillary) Yes, [...] (Source: bipolar chicks blogging) bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873144 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:34:28 +0100 1873144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1503033&cid=t_101652_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F307940708%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. Related articlesHEALTH Highlights - May 6th, 2008Health Highlights - March 3rd, 2008HEALTH Highlights - Monday, December 10thHEALTH Highlights - October 23rd, 2007HEALTH Highlights - August 9th, 2007 (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1503033 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:02:05 +0100 1503033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1335272&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D755 New CDC Report Shows Large Spike in HIV Cases This week, the CDC released the 2006 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report: Cases of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas. The report states that the number of reported cases of HIV infection in 2006 (based on 45 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based HIV infection reported) was 52,878. The new report was released withapparently no explanation from CDC about the dramatically increased figure or the differences in their reporting regarding the number of states from which the figure is based. The 2006 figure, based on 45 states, is a 48 percent increase from the 2005 figure based on 38 states, while the number of states reporting is only 18 percent greater. The full report can be found here. (Source: ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1335272 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:39:43 +0100 1335272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322395&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D750 Practicing Patients [www.PatientsLikeMe.com] 2008-03-22 john james writes: New York Times Magazine article about a Web site that could be an important advance in collecting and presenting medical information — and includes an HIV community: “But PatientsLikeMe seeks to go a mile deeper than health-information sites like WebMD or online support groups like Daily Strength. The members of PatientsLikeMe don’t just share their experiences anecdotally; they quantify them, breaking down their symptoms and treatments into hard data. They note what hurts, where and for how long. They list their drugs and dosages and score how well they alleviate their symptoms. All this gets compiled over time, aggregated and crunched into tidy bar graphs and progress curves by the software behin... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322395 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:24:31 +0100 1322395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322396&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D749 Gap in Life Expectancy Widens for the Nation By ROBERT PEAR Published: March 23, 2008 “New government research has found “large and growing” disparities in life expectancy for richer and poorer Americans, paralleling the growth of income inequality in the last two decades. Life expectancy for the nation as a whole has increased, the researchers said, but affluent people have experienced greater gains, and this, in turn, has caused a widening gap. … In 1980-82, Dr. Singh said, people in the most affluent group could expect to live 2.8 years longer than people in the most deprived group (75.8 versus 73 years). By 1998-2000, the difference in life expectancy had increased to 4.5 years (79.2 versus 74.7 years), and it continues to grow, he said. “If you look at the extre... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322396 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:07:19 +0100 1322396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322047&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D746 This study presented the sobering statistic that the average age of death was 48. Among younger homeless people, AIDS, overdose and trauma are more prevalent causes of mortality. A week after his clinic visit, Michael was still not better. So I decided to be a bit more assertive. I brought a male outreach worker with me and examined Michael’s rash in the men’s room. I diagnosed him with a severe infection known as balanitis. This type of infection is often seen in diabetics, so I measured his blood glucose, which was very high at 289. His blood pressure also was elevated, at 210/105. He appeared less excited about his diagnosis than I was. He declined treatment but humored me while listening to my fervent lessons on diabetes and diet. After a few more visits in the park, ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322047 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:04:59 +0100 1322047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322048&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D745 Fifth of Brits think Aids has a cure Tuesday, March 18, 2008 One in five Britons think there is a cure for HIV and Aids and half believe it is not always fatal, new research has shown. The staggering lack of understanding about the killer disease was highlighted by a poll of 500 Britons as part of the MAC Aids Fund global survey of more than 4,500 people across nine countries. The survey also revealed that only 7% of Britons perceived HIV and Aids as a top national health concern. Respondents suggested a number of beliefs thought to have been phased out were still in existence – with 8% thinking that HIV can only be caught through “sinful behaviour”. That view was even more prevalent among the over-45s, where 15% shared the perception. Some 80% of those asked said ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322048 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:53:25 +0100 1322048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322049&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D744 The Pharmaceutical Innovation Conundrum intro by john james at aids treatment news daily alerts Here is one credible view on why the pharmaceutical industry has become much less productive than before in creating valuable new drugs — and some ideas on what might be done to move forward. AIDS Treatment News Daily Alerts - www.aidsnews.org/now December 16, 2007 Breathless reports highlighting the latest medical breakthroughs are a staple of the media landscape, but they mask a darker reality. Pharmaceutical innovation is on the decline. Large sums poured into medical research by the private and public sectors have not produced the promised payoff. The number of important new drugs and biologics introduced into medical practice has dropped precipitously in recent years and has... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322049 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:15:15 +0100 1322049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1321805&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D741 from wikipedia An equinox in astronomy is that moment in time (not a whole day) when the centre of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth’s equator, occurring around March 20 and September 23 each year. More technically, at an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points—the vernal point and the autumnal point. By extension, the term equinox may be used to denote an equinoctial point. There is either an equinox (autumn and spring) or a solstice (summer and winter) on approximately the 21st day of the last month of every quarter of the calendar year. On a day which has an equinox, the centre of the Sun wil... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1321805 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:44:25 +0100 1321805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1321133&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D739 U.S. PATENT OFFICE REJECTS KEY HIV/AIDS DRUG PATENTS AT PUBPAT REQUEST: Government Finds Prior Art Submitted by PUBPAT Invalidates All of Gilead Sciences’ Claims New York, New York — January 23, 2008 — The Public Patent Foundation (”PUBPAT”) announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has rejected four key HIV/AIDS drug patents held by Gilead Sciences that relate to the drug known generically as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a key weapon in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Gilead markets TDF in the United States under the brand name VIREAD and as a part of its ATRIPLA combination product. Roughly 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV/AIDS, including more than 1.2 million Americans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1321133 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:32:31 +0100 1321133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320561&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D738 High rates among Natives mark National Native HIV/AIDS awareness day Thu, March 20, 2008 Posted in Alaska News Today [thursday] has been designated National Native HIV/AIDS awareness day. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) recently won passage of a resolution supporting the designation to help encourage the coordination of services. CDC research finds that Native people have the 3rd highest infection rates behind Blacks and Hispanics. Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320561 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:03:24 +0100 1320561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1317815&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D737 National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The four seasons are highly respected in many cultures because they so closely represent the cycle of life. Spring represents a time of equality and balance. It is a time of profound change, new beginnings and birth. For these reasons, spring was chosen as the time to hold the first National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in 2007. Every ethnic and racial group in America has been affected by HIV/AIDS, but individual experiences, impacts, responses, and the legacy of the disease are distinctively different. This day is a day that brings national attention to the plight of Native communities and their struggles against the epidemic. We hope this date will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among Native people—Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and Native H... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317815 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:41:12 +0100 1317815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1306072&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D731 AAHIVM Announces Pilot Credentialing for HIV-Expert PharmDs thanks for the heads-up to john james and the aids treatment news daily alerts WASHINGTON, D.C. March 1, 2008 — The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) has announced a one-year pilot program that will enable HIV-specialized Doctors of Pharmacy (PharmDs) working in clinical practice settings to participate in its widely known HIV Specialist™ credentialing program. The Academy’s pilot credentialing initiative for PharmDs is being developed in response to the large number of inquiries that the organization receives from PharmDs who have extensive day-to-day involvement with HIV treatment, and who want to attain a valid measure of recognition for their expertise in this sub-specialty. For the 2008 credentialing pro... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1306072 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:40:56 +0100 1306072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1306073&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D730 Gays fear an influx of hate graphic to be placed later KILLING: Satender Singh, 26, right, was dancing playfully with friends before he was killed last summer. Andrey Vusik, center, is accused of killing Singh in anger over the gay man’s antics. Alex Shevchenko, left, faces trial next month on hate-crime charges related to the killing. Vusik may be in Russia. Slaying raises tension between homosexuals and the Sacramento area’s growing Slavic evangelical ranks. By Eric Bailey, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer March 16, 2008 FOLSOM, CALIF. — One punch was all it took. One punch to forever divide. One punch to kill a young man. On a hot summer afternoon along a placid lakefront in the Sacramento suburbs, Satender Singh had come with a group of fellow Fijians to celebrate his... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1306073 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:27:35 +0100 1306073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1306074&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D729 Knifed WeHo Senior Dies; None Heeded His Pleas For An Hour [graphics to be posted later] West Hollywood, California (Thursday, March 13, 2008) - A West Hollywood man layed bleeding for an hour before help was summoned after what authorities suggest was a robbery gone awry Sunday night. Knifed WeHo Senior Dies; None Heeded His Pleas For An Hour Thursday, March 13, 2008 - By Ryan Gierach, West Hollywood West Hollywood, California (Thursday, March 13, 2008) - A West Hollywood man layed bleeding for an hour before help was summoned after what authorities suggest was a robbery gone awry Sunday night. Mr. Katan Khaimov, age 70, died of his wounds at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center another hour later, at midnight, according to Los Angeles Police Department spokes person Det. Wendy Berndt. “I... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1306074 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:18:12 +0100 1306074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289126&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D722 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) 2008 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2008 Theme: Honoring our Sisters: Women Living with HIV/AIDS March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The purpose of this annual day is to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and encourage women and girls to take Action. The theme for 2008 is “Honoring Our Sisters: Women Living with HIV/AIDS”. Historically, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected more men than women, but women are being increasingly affected. Since 1985 the proportion of estimated AIDS cases diagnosed among women has more than tripled, from 7% in 1985 to 27% in 2005. And although each year more men than women become infected with HIV, this gap is slowly cl... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289126 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:40:35 +0100 1289126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289127&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D721 what: Our Goal: To test 100 Latinas! Free testing available all day in english and spanish. Light refreshments, music and information. where: BIENESTAR - Van Nuys Center 14515 Hamlin Street #100 Van Nuys, CA 91411 when: March 10, 2008, 9-6pm contact : 818 908 - 3820 or http://www.bienestar.org (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289127 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:32:04 +0100 1289127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289128&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D720 what: The USC-sponsored event will present number of HIV animated short pieces that address HIV prevention topics. After viewing, students and panel members will participate in a dynamic question and answer period moderated by an MC to discuss the topics introduced by the animated shorts. The discussions might cover medical topics, gender empowerment, race/ethnicity, or the role of digital animation, television, and other media in HIV prevention and public health. At the end of the event, the MC will announce the winner for the best animated short. The majority of the event will be composed of the question and answer period. where: Sponsor MCA Family Center for Infectious Disease & Virology University of Southern California Bovard Auditorium 3551 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, Cal... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289128 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:21:36 +0100 1289128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289129&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D719 what: Press Conference & Briefing Impact of AIDS on Women, personal stories from women with HIV/AIDS, prevention and education efforts and advocacy for microbicides. Mayor John J. Duran, City of West Hollywood; Councilmember Abbe Land, City of West Hollywood; Phill Wilson, Black AIDS Instititute; Carla Bailey; LA County Commission on HIV; Sherri Lewis, activist; Ava Lena Waldman, AIDS Research Alliance; and Valerie Wagner; AIDS Project Los Angeles where: city of west hollywood, ca West Hollywood City Hall Lobby 8300 Santa Monica blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 when: march 10, 2008, noon contact: Lisa Belsanti, Office of Councilmember Abbe Land 323-848-6460 Tamara White, Public Information Officer 323-848-6431 (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289129 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:34:53 +0100 1289129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289130&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D717 This article provides information on the biological and social differences between men and women that make women twice as likely to become infected with HIV. 2. HIV/AIDS among Women - The CDC provides statistics on women infected with HIV, explains risk factors unique to this segment of the population, and highlights examples of new steps for the prevention of AIDS in the third decade of the epidemic. 3. Prevention Challenges - This fact sheet outlines the major biological and social factors that make women more vulnerable to becoming infected with HIV. 4. HIV/AIDS and Women (Copyright © IWHC) - This publication describes women’s vulnerability to AIDS and suggests recommendations for changes in international prevention programs. 5. Treatment information for Women and their Pr... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289130 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:26:15 +0100 1289130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256307&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D708 Kaiser network: Baltimore Sun Examines Concerns About Overuse of CT Scans [Feb 25, 2008] The Baltimore Sun on Saturday examined concerns about the number of patients who undergo CT scans, which many critics consider “untested, overused, risky and a prime example of health care ruled by profit and fad, rather than hard science.” Some experts estimate that each year, U.S. patients undergo between several hundred thousand and one million CT scans. The debate over the issue has increased since January, when CMS proposed restrictions on Medicare reimbursements for CT angiographies, which cost about $1,000 to $1,200 each, in response to reports that the procedure exposes patients to high levels of radiation and unnecessary health risks. CMS in March plans to make a final dec... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256307 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:52:01 +0100 1256307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256308&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D707 California lags in reporting of hospitals’ drug-resistant infection rates Experts say the state should require healthcare facilities to publicly disclose such information. By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer February 24, 2008 When California officials announced this month that they would begin tracking virulent “superbug” infections in gyms, schools and other community settings, they billed it as a major advance in public health. But the plan would capture just a fraction of drug-resistant infections, leaving the vast majority unreported to the state and unknown to the public, according to experts and consumer advocates. Disease-tracking experts say California lags behind at least 15 other states that monitor such infections where they are most li... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256308 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:44:08 +0100 1256308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256309&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D705 I’m Biking Backwards coast to coast August 17th 2007. I’m Raising Awareness for the Homeless, HIV/AIDS and Medical Marijuana. While crossing America you will be able to track me as I cross the country at www.bikingbackwards.net I’ve had the HIV virus for a little over a year now. I’m currently homeless and living with the HIV virus. February 24, 2008 - Hello! America… I arrived into New Orleans, Louisana yesterday… It was raining the day before… It was still a Rad ride day… I made it from Biloxi over to Bay St.Louis, Mississippi and from Bay St.Louis to New Orleans on Highway 90… I will be resting and getting ready to start crossing Texas… Backwards… It’s all up Backwards Across America… I do plan to ride the ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256309 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:26:38 +0100 1256309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256310&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D704 New wave of drug-resistant HIV predicted Tuesday, February 19, 2008 LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18 (UPI) — A mathematical model predicts a new wave of drug-resistant HIV infections in San Francisco, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles said. However, paradoxically at same time, the evolution of drug-resistant HIV may have actually reduced the severity of the city’s epidemic, saving many men from becoming infected, the study said. UCLA biomathematics professor Sally Blower said the model enabled the researchers to reconstruct the epidemic’s past and predict its future by calculating the evolution of several classes of drug-resistant HIV strains in San Francisco. The researchers examined the rise of HIV strains resistant to the three major classes of drugs &... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256310 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:17:31 +0100 1256310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256311&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D703 HIV treatment becoming profitable By Daniel Costello, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer February 21, 2008 . . . something unexpected is happening: As treatment of HIV patients in the U.S. and abroad continues to improve, it has turned into a growing profit center for the drug industry. . . . At the same time, hopes for an HIV vaccine have faded and rates of new infections in some communities are climbing after years of stabilizing. Although some of those developments might be bad news for public health, they’re benefiting companies such as Foster City-based Gilead, whose name refers to a medicinal balm in the Bible. The firm saw revenue reach $4.3 billion last year, up a third from 2006. HIV product sales in 2007 were $3.14 billion, an increase of 48% compared with a year earlier.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256311 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:09:08 +0100 1256311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219942&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D702 ERs fail as the nation’s safety net Survey of doctors finds life-threatening overcrowding and long waits in emergency rooms are common. By Mary Engel and Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers February 9, 2008 The long waits that government inspectors say endanger emergency room patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center can also be found in backlogged hospitals across the country, according to emergency care experts who have been trying for years to draw attention to the nation’s overloaded safety net. “Overcrowding in our emergency departments is a national crisis,” said Dr. Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C. “We no longer have the capacity to serve as the safety ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219942 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:31:21 +0100 1219942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219943&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D701 It’s 4706, the Year of the Rat, and the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10 in Los Angeles’ Chinatown will be a festival of cultural entertainment and exciting events highlighted by the annual Firecracker Run followed by the Golden Dragon Parade and the Chinese New Year Festival. Streets will be closed and parking will be limited, but Metro can take you to the Chinatown Metro Gold Line Station—within easy walking distance from the festivities. The 30th annual Firecracker 10K race Feb. 10 will include a 5k Fun Walk and Kiddie Run and is expected to draw 20,000. Register by visiting www.firecracker10k.org, and now through Feb. 6, get $3 discount by registering online using the promotional code “gometro.” Another 50,000 visitors will attend the 109t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219943 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:14:31 +0100 1219943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215347&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D700 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Los Angeles An Estimated Half of all HIV and AIDS Cases in the United States are Among Blacks Los Angeles, CA 2/04/2008 08:32 PM GMT (FINDITT) Office of AIDS Programs and Policy: WHAT: A Rally/Human Billboard will take place for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7. The goal of the Rally/Human Billboard along with FREE HIV testing is to help bring attention to the devastating affects of HIV/AIDS on the African-American community. Speakers at the rally will include Judge Maybelline Ephraim and Dr. LaTanya Hines, President of The Association of Black Women Physicians. WHEN: Thursday, February 7, 2008 10:30 a.m. - Rally 11:00 a.m. - Human Billboard WHERE: Leimert Park 4395 Leimert Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (corner of Crens... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215347 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:10:12 +0100 1215347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215348&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D699 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Observed February 7 Communities Nationwide Hold Events to Raise Awareness February 7, 2007 marks the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This national mobilization effort is designed to encourage African Americans across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated for HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities. Special events such as free HIV/AIDS testing, prayer breakfasts, town hall meetings and memorial services will be held throughout the country. While African Americans represent approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the group accounts for almost half (49%) of t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215348 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:54:40 +0100 1215348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1204701&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D696 video: black LGBT ‘08 presidential election forum parts 1-5 On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community came together from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to hold a Presidential Election forum. The two-hour event was held in Los Angeles before an audience in the historic African-American community of Leimert Park at the Lucy Florence Coffee House and Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Entitled “It’s A Black Thang! The Black LGBT Vote ‘08,” the Forum was the first of its kind that featured the voices and opinions of African-American LGBT persons, a community whose voice often goes unheard in both the mainstream gay community and African-American community. At the conclusion of the Forum audience members participated in a... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1204701 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:23:46 +0100 1204701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192875&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D695 text of flyer: HIV DATE $11 MILLION SLASHED FROM CA HIV/AIDS BUDGET “The Governors Budget included $404.1 million ($165.8 million General Fund) for the Office of AIDS’ Treatment and Prevention Program. This is a total decrease of $24.4 million, or 5.8 percent below the revised 2007-2008 budget. The 2008-2009 expenditure plan includes decreases of $13.4 million to reflect the removal of one-time adjustments and $11 million as part of the budget-balancing reductions.” Governor’s Budget 2008-2009 Proposed Budget Summary page 141 Kathy Watt, HIV Commissioner, will host discussion about the proposed budget and how it will affect Los Angeles. Other presenters TBA. EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 9:30am to 1:30pm Precious Blood Church, 435 S. Occidental Bl... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192875 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:50:26 +0100 1192875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1188665&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D694 Aging Grace: Facing the Uncertainties of Growing Older With HIV by David Evans January 29, 2008 On the morning of January 6, readers of The New York Times awoke to a sobering headline: “AIDS Patients Face Downside of Living Longer.” The article highlights the stories of two fifty-something HIV-positive men, both of whom boast a disheartening list of ailments more typically found in much older people. Both men seem uncertain about how they might navigate a bleak future filled with illness. The article credits antiretroviral drugs for giving one man back his life and hopes for the future, but poses the question, “at what cost?” Some readers recognized their own struggles in the men’s stories and felt validated. Steven Deeks, MD, a prominent AIDS researcher and doctor at the Univ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1188665 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:48:51 +0100 1188665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182871&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D692 His needle plan has touched a nerve A Texas lay chaplain faces jail time for handing out clean syringes to drug addicts to curtail the spread of HIV. By Miguel Bustillo, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 28, 2008 SAN ANTONIO — Bill Day doesn’t fancy himself an outlaw — and with his Mr. Rogers demeanor, he definitely doesn’t look the part. But soon the 73-year-old lay chaplain could spend up to a year in jail for breaking a law that he considers immoral. Day hands out clean needles to drug addicts on some of the seediest streets in this south Texas city. He does it because he’s convinced that it reduces human suffering by curtailing the spread of HIV, a view that has been supported by medical research for more than a decade. However, Day’s acti... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182871 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:05:44 +0100 1182871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182872&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D691 Biker pedals across the U.S. — backward To raise awareness for the homeless, HIV/AIDS patients and a federal medical marijuana law, a Kansas native is riding his bicycle across America — backward. Posted on Sun, Jan. 27, 2008 BY CAMMY CLARK cclark@MiamiHerald.com KEY WEST — Like many people before him, Curan Wright is biking across America for a good cause. Wright is just facing the wrong way. ‘’It was quite a freakish, slightly surreal experience,'’ said British tourist Owen Darbishire of Oxford, who saw Wright recently in the Keys. “Visually, he looked like he was riding his bicycle toward us, but when we got closer we realized he was riding backwards.'’ The 36-year-old former bounty hunter recently stopped in Key West, the halfway p... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182872 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:57:08 +0100 1182872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182873&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D690 AIDS Patients Face Downside of Living Longer By JANE GROSS January 6, 2008 CHICAGO — John Holloway received a diagnosis of AIDS nearly two decades ago, when the disease was a speedy death sentence and treatment a distant dream. Yet at 59 he is alive, thanks to a cocktail of drugs that changed the course of an epidemic. But with longevity has come a host of unexpected medical conditions, which challenge the prevailing view of AIDS as a manageable, chronic disease. Mr. Holloway, who lives in a housing complex designed for the frail elderly, suffers from complex health problems usually associated with advanced age: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, kidney failure, a bleeding ulcer, severe depression, rectal cancer and the lingering effects of a broken hip. Those illnes... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182873 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:44:56 +0100 1182873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1074939&cid=t_101652_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F06%2Fdepression-more-deadly-for-diabetics%2F Depression is not only real, it has a very real impact on certain physical conditions as well. Researchers for years have known about a link between diabetes and depression. People with diabetes seem to suffer from depression more than those without. So the usual suggestion is that for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, they should also be monitored for depression and referred to additional treatment for depression if it becomes an issue. But as we reported here earlier and The New York Times notes, Depression More Deadly for Diabetics. Specifically, older diabetics. The answer to this problem? Simple. Ensure people who have diabetes also get some type of focused depression management attention and treatment. Doing so will cut a diabetics risk of death in half. Which is a si... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1074939 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:54:38 +0100 1074939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795150&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D659 Vote of Confidence by Kellee Terrell How two HIV-positive mayors–John Duran of West Hollywood, California, and Larry Gierar of Oakland Park, Florida–outran stigma on Election Day Larry: How’s the weather out there in West Hollywood, John? John: Probably as sunny and warm as in Florida… Larry: Great. So who should go first? Let’s see—who’s older? John: A lady never talks about her age. Larry: Well, age goes before beauty. I was born in the ’50s. I’m 51. John: I was also born in the ’50s. But I’m 47. Larry: I guess I have to go first. John: Age before beauty. [Laughs] Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself? Larry: I just became mayor in March! It’s funny—being a former actor and model, I never would have thought I’d end up i... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795150 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:17:02 +0100 795150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795151&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D658 FDA Approves Maraviroc, First Drug in New Class of Anti-HIV Medications On August 6, 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved maraviroc (Selzentry), the first drug to be approved in the CCR5 coreceptor antagonist class of anti-HIV medications. Maraviroc has been approved for use in conjunction with other antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced adults who have exclusively CCR5-tropic HIV virus, evidence of viral replication, and resistance to multiple antiretroviral medications. More information about maraviroc and related topics is also available: • FDA: Official maraviroc approval press release • AIDSinfo: Drug database featuring an updated maraviroc drug record and information on other approved and investigational entry and fusion inhibitors • AI... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795151 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:52:32 +0100 795151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795152&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D657 Global Challenges | Medical Workers Sentenced to Death in HIV Infection Case Were Tortured During Incarceration, Gaddafi’s Son Says [Aug 10, 2007] The six medical workers released recently from Libyan prison after being sentenced to death for allegedly intentionally infecting hundreds of children with HIV were tortured during their incarceration, Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi — head of the Gaddafi Development Foundation and son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi — said Wednesday on Al-Jazeera television, the Washington Post reports (Moore, Washington Post, 8/10). The five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor in May 2004 were sentenced to death by firing squad for allegedly infecting 426 children with HIV through contaminated blood products at Al Fateh Children’s... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795152 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:22:18 +0100 795152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795154&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D655 The objective of the Indian patent act, they said, was also to “provide easy access to citizens to life-saving drugs”. “We disagree with this ruling, however we likely will not appeal to the Supreme Court,” a Novartis spokeswoman said by phone from Basel, in Switzerland. “We await the full decision to better understand the court’s position.” A statement from Novartis said that the ruling would “have long-term negative consequences for research and development into better medicines for patients in India and abroad”. Novartis says the Indian patent system stifles innovation, such as making a drug more heat-resistant or able to be swallowed rather than injected. Critics say changes to the law would mean drug companies could extend thei... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795154 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:35:11 +0100 795154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795155&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D654 Newspapers are changing to suit readers’ tastes By TIM RUTTEN, REGARDING MEDIA August 11, 2007 SOONER rather than later, the newspaper you’re holding in your hands will be very different than it is today. A couple of fascinating new studies out this week suggest just how profound — and potentially troubling — some of those differences may be. One of those surveys comes from Britain, where the media research firm Nielsen/NetRatings reports that the online editions of Britain’s two largest “quality” newspapers — the Guardian and the Times of London — now have more American than British readers. The Independent, a smaller serious daily, already has twice as many readers in the U.S. as it does in Britain, and, if the current trend holds... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795155 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:24:17 +0100 795155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788242&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D649 This article appeared on page A - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788242 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:22:21 +0100 788242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=751742&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D642 Global Challenges | World Must Act To Achieve Commitments To Provide Universal Access to HIV/AIDS Treatment, Conference Delegates Say [Jul 23, 2007] The world cannot celebrate advances in HIV diagnosis and treatment until global commitments to provide HIV-positive people in developing countries with universal access to treatment by 2010 are reached, delegates attending the opening of the 4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Sydney, Australia, said on Sunday, the AP/Washington Post reports (Foley, AP/Washington Post, 7/22). Delegates attending the conference, which will end on Wednesday, are expected to present studies and discuss advances in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The conference aims to improve understanding of HIV/AIDS, treatments for the d... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=751742 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:18:57 +0100 751742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=747680&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D633 Drug czar gives warning Federal official calls marijuana growers dangerous terrorists By Dylan Darling (Contact) Redding Record Searchlight Friday, July 13, 2007 (Redlands, CA) The nation’s top anti-drug official said people need to overcome their “reefer blindness” and see that illicit marijuana gardens are a terrorist threat to the public’s health and safety, as well as to the environment. John P. Walters, President Bush’s drug czar, said the people who plant and tend the gardens are terrorists who wouldn’t hesitate to help other terrorists get into the country with the aim of causing mass casualties. Walters made the comments at a Thursday press conference that provided an update on the “Operation Alesia” marijuana-eradication effort b... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=747680 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 12:27:24 +0100 747680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=726333&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D622 Sen. Sheila Kuehl, center, a Santa Monica Democrat, beams at Cynthia Campbell at Tuesday’s hearing of the Assembly Health Committee, which voted 12-5 in favor of Kuehl’s bill for universal, state-run health care. Sacramento Bee/Randall Benton Universal health bill advances — but faces veto S.F. nurse battling cancer lobbies Assembly panel for Senate Bill 840 By Aurelio Rojas - Bee Capitol Bureau Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, July 4, 2007 Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3 Sixteen months ago, while working as a contract registered nurse in San Francisco, Cynthia Campbell purchased a short-term health insurance policy. Blue Cross of California refused to extend her policy after she used the plan once for a minor infection, Campbell said, and in a pinch she ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=726333 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:58:52 +0100 726333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=719442&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D618 Bill Gates acquires major stake in gay publisher PlanetOut 4th July 2007 22:40 PinkNews.co.uk writer Just days after shares in Gay.com publisher, PlanetOut rose 20 per cent on Nasdaq, a company that invests the wealth of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has purchased a major stake in the company. PlanetOut, which also owns the Adovocate and RSVP Cruises, floated in October 2004 at a share price of $9 (£4.48), it quickly rose to $14.26 (£7.10) in November. Tonight, shares closed up at $1.69 (£0.83), a marked improvement on its 52 week low of $0.86 (£0.43). Cascade Investments LLC who manage the fortune of Bill Gates has previously invested in Six Flags, Four Seasons Hotels and Pacific Ethanol. It joined with a number of other private equity vehicles including Special Situations Funds, ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=719442 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:50:53 +0100 719442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705918&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D600 Indians use condoms as toys By Rahul Bedi in New Delhi Last Updated: 3:28am BST 30/06/2007 India is struggling to prevent millions of condoms from being made into toys or sold as balloons. The contraceptives were distributed free to control the country’s population and restrict the Aids virus. However, they are being used instead to strengthen roads, provide extra waterproofing for houses and to carry water. Health activists said millions of condoms were melted down for their latex and made into toys. Others were dyed and sold as balloons. In rural areas, villagers used them as water containers. India’s soldiers covered their gun barrels with condoms as protection against dust. Only a quarter of about 1.5 billion condoms made each year were “properly utilised&#8221... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705918 Sat, 30 Jun 2007 05:06:06 +0100 705918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693293&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D589 Evangelical voters may not help GOP Opinion > op/ed Originally published Jun 20, 2007 in the baltimore sun by Thomas F. Schaller Here’s a bold prediction: Evangelicals will present few if any obstacles for the Democrats in next year’s presidential race, but may prove problematic for the Republican nominee. I’m not suggesting that a majority of evangelicals will vote Democratic next year. What I am saying is the 2008 presidential race could be a turning point for evangelical politics in America. . . . “Evangelicals - especially the new generation of pastors and young people - are deserting the religious right in droves,” wrote Jim Wallis, author of God’s Politics, in a February commentary in Time. “The evangelical social agenda is now much bro... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693293 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:19:45 +0100 693293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676442&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D578 Across The Nation | Navajo Nation Addresses HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Tribe Members [Jun 12, 2007] The AP/Santa Fe New Mexican on Saturday examined efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among members of the Navajo Nation tribe. The Navajo Area Indian Health Service has identified 240 HIV/AIDS cases among group members from 1985 to 2006. There were 7.6 HIV/AIDS cases per 100,000 Navajo Nation American Indians in 2005 and 7.8 cases per 100,000 Navajo Nation American Indians in 2006, the AP/New Mexican reports. According to CDC data, there were 10.6 HIV/AIDS cases per 100,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2005, compared with 72.8 cases for blacks, 28.5 for Hispanics, 9 for whites and 7.6 for Asians and Pacific Islanders. According to the AP/New Mexican, the Navajo Nation faces m... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676442 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:15:46 +0100 676442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676444&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D576 BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL Poetic injustice June 11, 2007 MAXWELL CORYDON Wheat Jr. was on his way to becoming the first poet laureate of New York’s Nassau County when county legislators realized he wrote not just about marshes and natural beauty, but also about war. The first verse of his poem “Iraq” reads: “Males and one woman sip coffee mornings in the White House, talk of desires about Iraq. For ten years Less-than-Elected-Vice-President Cheney evolves The Plan, the Empire of the United States of America.” The hearing on Wheat’s appointment erupted into an argument about supporting the troops. Nuance was lost. Tossing out this unruly poet, the unanimous choice of the nominating panel, came to seem like an act of valor. Voted down by county legislato... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676444 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:56:33 +0100 676444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676446&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D574 Kaiser Network | Global Challenges | TB Testing, Treatment Should Be Linked With HIV Prevention Programs, WHO Official Says [Jun 08, 2007] African countries, especially those in Southern Africa, must link tuberculosis testing and treatment with HIV prevention programs to more effectively fight HIV/AIDS, Kevin de Cock, head of the World Health Organization’s HIV/AIDS department, said recently at the 3rd South African AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, Reuters reports. De Cock said that the continued use of traditional treatments for TB could fuel the spread of the disease and exacerbate the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “TB programs alone cannot reverse the tide” of HIV/AIDS, he said, adding that it is vital to offer those living with HIV/TB coinfection convenient and effe... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676446 Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:03:58 +0100 676446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629361&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D565 Top HIV/Aids Drug Rankings for: May 2007 We have 17 branded HIV/Aids drugs in our rankings for the month of May and 17 generic HIV/Aids drugs. The Top branded HIV/Aids drug is Kaletra made by Abbott followed by Sustiva made by Bristol Meyers Squibb and then Combivir made by GlaxoSmithKline. In our rankings for May the top generic drug for HIV/Aids is Zidovudine followed by Didanosine and we have Nevirapine in the third spot. Most Popular AIDS/HIV Medications (week of 05/20/2007) #1 Kaletra (Lopinavir and Ritonavir) #2 Sustiva (Efavirenz) #3 Combivir (Lamivudine and Zidovudine) #4 Viramune (Nevirapine) #5 Viread (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) #6 Epivir (Lamivudine) #7 Zidovudine #8 Viracept (Nelfinavir Mesylate) #9 Norvir (Ritonavir) #10 Zerit (Stavudine) #11 Retrovir (Zidovu... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629361 Mon, 21 May 2007 06:28:43 +0100 629361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623822&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D564 This study demonstrates an alternative method that gives patients the same effects and allows controlled dosing but without inhalation of the toxic products in smoke,” said study lead author Donald I. Abrams, MD, UCSF professor of clinical medicine. The research team looked at the effectiveness of a device that heats cannabis to a temperature between 180 and 200 degrees C, just short of combustion, which occurs at 230 degrees C. Eighteen individuals were enrolled as inpatients for six days under supervision in the General Clinical Research Center at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center. Under the study protocol, the participants received on different days three different strengths of cannabis by two delivery methods - smoking or vaporization - three times a day. Plasma... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623822 Sun, 20 May 2007 18:38:30 +0100 623822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623824&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D562 Tale of last 90 minutes of woman’s life County officials express dismay at the events surrounding the recent controversial death at King-Harbor hospital. One nurse has resigned. By Charles Ornstein Times Staff Writer May 20, 2007 In the emergency room at Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital, Edith Isabel Rodriguez was seen as a complainer. “Thanks a lot, officers,” an emergency room nurse told Los Angeles County police who brought in Rodriguez early May 9 after finding her in front of the Willowbrook hospital yelling for help. “This is her third time here.” The 43-year-old mother of three had been released from the emergency room hours earlier, her third visit in three days for abdominal pain. She’d been given prescription medication and a doctor&#8... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623824 Sun, 20 May 2007 17:48:48 +0100 623824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620428&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D557 Some doctors don’t like this Medi-Cal prescription Schwarzenegger’s plan would tap physicians to help pay for universal healthcare. The issue has left the medical profession increasingly divided. By Jordan Rau Times Staff Writer May 14, 2007 . . . “Most of the physicians who complain about this aren’t really serving the Medi-Cal or low-income population anyway,” said [hector] Flores, whose 22-doctor office treats a large number of uninsured and poor patients. “These are the docs who don’t mind paying $10,000 to join an exclusive club somewhere.” . . . This year’s debate over healthcare has exposed a number of other fissures: between doctors with profitable practices and those who tend to the poor; between those who are paid for servi... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620428 Mon, 14 May 2007 19:54:20 +0100 620428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571514&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D544 1) david savage: Are passengers ’seized’ during a police stop? Supreme Court to decide (4-24-07) WASHINGTON — Are the passengers in a car that has been stopped by the police “seized” by the authorities, or are they free to walk away? The Supreme Court took up that question Monday in a California case that could decide whether passengers are protected from “unreasonable searches and seizures” when officers pull over the vehicle in which they are riding. Last year, the California Supreme Court gave police more leeway to search occupants of cars they stop when it ruled that drug evidence found on a passenger could be used against him. The passenger was “not seized as a constitutional matter” when the driver was pulled over, the state cour... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571514 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:30:00 +0100 571514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571515&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D543 1) hector tobar: mexico city legalizes first-trimester abortions (4-25-07) MEXICO CITY — City lawmakers voted Tuesday to legalize abortion in this capital during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, an action supporters say will serve as a landmark for women’s rights in Latin America. The legislation could result in thousands of Mexican women traveling to the capital for legal abortions. Roman Catholic activists and the leaders of the conservative National Action Party, or PAN, have promised to challenge the law in court. “Women have self-determination over their bodies,” Deputy Daniel Ordoñez said as he formally introduced the bill in the city’s Legislative Assembly. “They have the right to decide whether to enter into motherhood. It is a basic right and a... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571515 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:39:49 +0100 571515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571516&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D542 Gay-rights proposals gain in Congress Measures would add protections By Rick Klein, Boston Globe Staff | April 25, 2007 WASHINGTON — After more than a decade of government inaction, gay-rights proponents in Congress have gotten several major bills moving through the Democratic-controlled chambers, a development that could result in the greatest expansion of federal protections for gays and lesbians in US history. This week, a key House committee is set to approve a measure that would in some cases make hate crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation a federal offense, as are crimes committed on the basis of the race or religion of the victim. Also, a bipartisan group of House members introduced a bill yesterday that would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orie... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571516 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:54:59 +0100 571516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=571517&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D541 chers— notes from the tip jar at nedra’s spare change —lyr • Via OPC Today, Hindu priests are now blessing children with drops of polio vaccine instead of the traditional holy water usually offered in Hindu temples. The local health agency has trained hundreds of priests to administer the vaccine.”I was very surprised when the priest put polio drops into the mouths of several children, including my son, as god’s blessings,” said Sunita Devi of Bihar. “But we trust the priest as he can do us no harm.” What a clever partnership. • Next Monday, April 30, I will be moderating a panel at the Healthcare Blogging Summit in Las Vegas. The session is on using new media to market or motivate behavior change, and the three panelists will have a lot... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=571517 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:41:48 +0100 571517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=563720&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D535 chers— from jaime: Thursday, April 19, 2007 Medical Cannabis Attorney General WANTS to hear from YOU Opinion Requests Assigned In March 2007 The Attorney General welcomes the views of interested persons concerning the legal issues raised in questions submitted below. See Views Solicited on Assigned Opinion Requests for details. # 07-306 Requested By: Senator Sheila James Kuehl Assigned To: Deputy Attorney General Marc J. Nolan Question(s): 1) Is it possible for a store front medical marijuana dispensary to be legally operated under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Health & Saf. Code, § 11362.5) and the Medical Marijuana Program Act (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 11362.7-11362.83)? 2) If the governing body of a city, city and county, or county approves an ordinanc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=563720 Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:32:19 +0100 563720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=559986&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D533 mathew 5:13 — ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? san diego bishop slated for questioning in bankruptcy By ALLISON HOFFMAN - Associated Press Writer Published 12:05 am PDT Friday, April 20, 2007 SAN DIEGO — More than 140 people who claim they were sexually abused by priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego have waited years for answers from church leaders. Some will finally have their chance to ask questions on Friday, when Bishop Robert H. Brom testifies before a meeting of the creditors’ committee in the diocese’s bankruptcy proceedings. The committee, which represents parties with financial claims against the diocese, includes a handful of the more than 140 plaintiffs who have filed civil... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=559986 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 07:02:12 +0100 559986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=559987&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D532 FEMA to miss deadline for emergency plan By BEVERLEY LUMPKIN Associated Press houston chronicle April 16, 2007, 8:42PM WASHINGTON — A federal government plan for responding to emergencies will not be ready in time for the approaching hurricane season, officials have told Congress. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which bore the brunt of criticism following the 2005 season when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast, sent an advisory to Congress last week acknowledging it will not meet its June 1 deadline for issuing a new national response plan. The advisory said development of the new plan had been delayed by unexpected issues, and more time is needed to resolve them. No new target date was set. In the meantime, a modified version of the plan in place during K... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=559987 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 06:36:54 +0100 559987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=559988&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D531 la county’s proposed $21 billion budget focuses on health care, public safety Published 9:22 pm PDT Monday, April 16, 2007 LOS ANGELES — Much of Los Angeles county’s proposed $21.2 billion budget in the next fiscal year would be dedicated to public safety and health care, officials said Monday. The county proposes to spend more than $1 billion to build new jails, libraries, hospitals, animal shelters and fire and sheriff stations for the fiscal year that begins July 1, said chief administrative officer David Janssen. Money would be used to upgrade existing and build new jail facilities, fund a new crime laboratory and hire more sheriff’s deputies. The county also planned to hire more sheriff’s, district attorney and probation department employees to help c... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=559988 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 06:15:59 +0100 559988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=546899&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D528 “I’m okay, I’m 82 years old for heaven’s sake. Dust to dust is the way it ought to be. The death of the young is inexcusable.” photo by tara walton/toronto star Activist Callwood dies at 82 Catherine Dunphy and Debra Black toronto star STAFF REPORTERS Apr 14, 2007 09:32 AM During one of her last visits to Casey House, the AIDS hospice she helped found that is named after her late son, June Callwood noticed that the place felt tired and that there was a 60-watt bulb in the ceiling of the lounge. No one could sit there and read under that light, she fretted. Friends rallied, the hospice’s original interior designer was contacted, and before she died Callwood saw photos of a sparkling, repainted hospice, replete with the fresh flowers Callwood believes that facility must alway... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=546899 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:34:21 +0100 546899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=542099&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D524 chers— never thought we’d have a breaking news alert. now we do. anything is possible. namasté —lyr New death chamber under construction By Ryan Lillis – Sacramento Bee Staff Writer Published 2:09 pm PDT Friday, April 13, 2007 Legislative officials were surprised to learn this week that the state is building a new death chamber at San Quentin State Prison as part of a response to a federal judge’s ruling that California’s lethal injection methods are unconstitutional, The Bee has learned. Staff members with the California Legislative Analyst’s Office were made aware of the project during a visit to the prison on Tuesday, according to Dan Carson, director of the office’s criminal justice section. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabil... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=542099 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:20:41 +0100 542099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=542100&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D523 ” … when a society is in great danger, [writers are] likely to sound the alarms. I have the canary-bird-in-the-coal-mine theory of the arts. You know, coal miners used to take birds down into the mines with them to detect gas before men got sick. The artists certainly did that in the case of Vietnam. They chirped and keeled over. But it made no difference whatsoever. Nobody important cared. But I continue to think that artists — all artists — should be treasured as alarm systems.” — Playboy interview, 1973 “You cannot be a good writer of serious fiction if you are not depressed.” — Undated speech to the American Psychiatric Assn. “I do think … that public speaking is almost the only way a poet or a novelist or a playwright can have any ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=542100 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:35:17 +0100 542100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539458&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D515 capitol’s agenda is jampacked By Dan Walters - Bee Columnist Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, April 9, 2007 Here’s a rundown on the four big issues, and a couple of others kicking around the Capitol this spring: • HEALTH CARE — Schwarzenegger has made expanding health insurance to the 6.5 million Californians who lack it his big issue this year and outlined a plan to do it. But it has yet to be put into detailed form, and its major provisions — especially taxes to be imposed on employers and health providers to pay for it — have generated immense division among the many “stakeholders.” One big question is whether Schwarzenegger would settle for an incremental, less costly plan. • PRISONS — A federal judge has already seized control of t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539458 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:48:44 +0100 539458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539459&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D514 kff | Drug Access | Abbott To Reduce Cost of Kaletra in Thailand, Other Developing Countries [Apr 11, 2007] Abbott Laboratories on Tuesday said that it plans to reduce the cost of its antiretroviral drug Kaletra in Thailand and more than 40 low- and low-middle-income countries by more than half, the Chicago Tribune reports. [abbott is headquartered in the chicago area —rk] The company said it will provide Kaletra in the countries for $1,000 per patient annually, which is less than the cost of generic versions of the drug, instead of the current price of $2,200 (Miller, Chicago Tribune, 4/10). Abbott in March announced that it had withdrawn applications to sell seven new drugs in Thailand in response to the country’s decision to issue a compulsory license for Kaletra. Thai H... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539459 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:34:55 +0100 539459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539461&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D512 California Focus: Constitution has no cannabis clause California’s medical marijuana law is gutted by abuse of Commerce Clause Friday, April 6, 2007 By GARY GALLES Pepperdine University law professor Angel Raich, whose doctor contends that marijuana is the only thing keeping her alive, can face federal prosecution for taking it, according to a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel’s ruling last month. Forcing someone in chronic pain and dire health to choose between taking necessary medicine and criminality is appalling. But it is the result of the Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling in Ashcroft v. Raich, which allowed federal charges against medical marijuana users in states where it was legal. That, in turn, originated in mistreatment of the Commerce Clause, tortured fro... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539461 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:59:13 +0100 539461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539462&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D511 When Tribune Co. announced a deal with real estate billionaire Samuel Zell, the Center [for public integrity] quickly searched Federal Election Commission records and reported that he had made $100,000 in political contributions since the 1998 election cycle, most supporting Republican causes, while his wife, Helen, gave almost entirely to Democrats and abortion rights groups. Zell, 65, landed an $8.2 billion private bid for the Tribune Co., one of the country’s top media companies, which includes The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The (Baltimore) Sun, 23 television stations and the cable Superstation WGN. The Center’s Media Tracker provides a complete list of Tribune-owned media properties, including the company’s political contributions, lobbying and sponsored con... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539462 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:34:21 +0100 539462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539464&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D510 kaiser family network: Recent Releases | Annual Report Gives Update on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs [Apr 11, 2007] “National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report, 2007,” Kaiser Family Foundation/National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors: Kaiser and NASTAD on Tuesday released an annual report that looks at state and territorial AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, which are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. The report is based on a comprehensive survey of ADAPs in the U.S.; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Guam; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the report, as of June 2006, 142,000 people were enrolled in ADAPs nationwide, an increase of 5% from 2... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539464 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:09:38 +0100 539464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=524780&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D507 boston globe 4-05-07 op-ed: lessons of dred scott By Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and Johanna Wald | April 5, 2007 ONE HUNDRED fifty years ago — on March 6, 1857 — the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision that haunts us today. In Dred Scott v. Sandford the court found all “negroes,” even free ones, exempt from the rights, privileges, and immunities afforded to US citizens by the Constitution. Chief Justice Roger Taney, writing for the majority, concluded that blacks “had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” Today, we view the ruling as a travesty and stain on our history. At the time, the decision, though hardly universally repudiated, did stun and anger many people. It mobilized abolitionists and accelerated the march toward civil war.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=524780 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:20:24 +0100 524780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=524781&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D506 The true cost of campaigning a boston globe editorial April 5, 2007 SENATOR Barack Obama’s $25 million “call” yesterday qualifies him for another round at the presidential poker table. But the $129 million total pot raised by all the presidential candidates in the first quarter illustrates how morally and politically bankrupt the game is. . . . Do contributions corrupt policy? Few would answer no. Just this week, the Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency should be regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Candidate George Bush promised in 2000 to have the EPA do just that — and the voters were pleased. But President Bush reversed himself a year later, putting such emissions off-limits for the EPA. Big oil and other corporate interests, which had ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=524781 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:53:13 +0100 524781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=524783&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D503 Publisher’s Notebook by michael rosenthal 4-5-07 I heard from two of our highest officials why they oppose medical marijuana farmacies in Santa Monica. They fear the wrong people will get the drugs. Maybe we should shut down Longs Drugs. Are the wrong people walking into Rite Aid and falsifying a prescription for Valium? Any cursory exam of the medical marijuana farmacies in this state will show that the rules are quite stringent and that a legal prescription is required. The wrong people (those without prescriptions) will find it just as hard to get California Gold from a legal dispensary as they would to get Vicodin from CVS. It is just another false issue raised so people can inflict their drug prejudices on all of us. The State voted yes, the City voted yes, now it is time for o... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=524783 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:19:37 +0100 524783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=524784&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D502 sac bee/field poll: Bush’s ratings hit Nixon-era depths Even a majority of GOP voters turn against his handling of Iraq. By Kevin Yamamura – sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, April 5, 2007 President Bush’s approval rating in California has sunk to a new low for his presidency and reached a depth not seen since President Nixon, largely due to voter dissatisfaction with the Iraq war, according to a Field Poll released Wednesday. The survey found 26 percent of California registered voters approve of Bush’s performance, a three-percentage-point drop since September. Those numbers correspond to a drop in support for the Republican president’s Iraq policy, of which 24 percent of voters approve, two percentage points lower than in September... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=524784 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:50:05 +0100 524784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=524785&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D501 kaiser family network | Across The Nation | California Bill Extending Government-Funded Health Care Benefits to HIV-Positive People Not Being Implemented, Los Angeles Times Reports [Apr 04, 2007] A California law (AB 2197) signed by former Gov. Gray Davis (D) in September 2002 that aims to extend government-funded health care benefits to HIV-positive residents who have not developed AIDS has yet to be implemented by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) administration, the Los Angeles Times reports (Rau, Los Angeles Times, 4/4). Before the law was signed, only people with an AIDS diagnosis who were considered disabled were eligible for benefits under Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. The law provides full Medi-Cal benefits to HIV-positive people who already are enrolled i... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=524785 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:32:37 +0100 524785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=520689&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D496 kaiser family foundation launches new tracking poll for the presidential campaign season Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 - March 2007 This Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll is the first in a new series on the public’s views of health reform and the presidential candidates’ positions on health care. Through the Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008, Kaiser will track changes in the saliency of health as a political and policy priority, what the public’s priorities are for a health reform plan, and whether any candidates are breaking through with the public with their health reform plans This first baseline survey shows that Iraq continues to top the public’s list of issues, with 44% of the public citing it as one of the most important problems for ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=520689 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:27:45 +0100 520689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=517956&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D495 THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR SO MUCH LOVE AND POSTIVE ENERGY,gifts & support from those of you who helpD me celebrate the GREATEST BIRTH DAY PARTY OF MY LIFE!!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/downtownlajaime/ (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=517956 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:13:17 +0100 517956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=517957&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D494 High court tells EPA to rethink policy on emissions Mass. led case against agency by beth daley, boston globe staff | april 3, 2007 please click on this sentence to download a pdf of the supreme court’s decision In a defeat for the Bush administration, the US Supreme Court ruled yesterday that greenhouse gases are pollutants and ordered federal environmental officials to reconsider their refusal to limit emissions from new cars and trucks. The justices’ 5-to-4 decision did not go so far as to require the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the emission of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide from motor vehicles. Rather, the court directed the agency to take a new look at the gases. If officials determine the gases contribute to global warming and therefore h... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=517957 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:17:04 +0100 517957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=517958&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D493 GLOBE EDITORIAL Court tells Bush to cool it April 3, 2007 President Bush pledged during the 2000 campaign to regulate carbon dioxide but then reversed himself once in office under pressure from the energy and auto industries. Yesterday’s embarrassment should cause Bush to honor that pledge and direct his EPA to curb vehicles’ carbon dioxide emissions. However, the most immediate effect of yesterday’s ruling might be to strengthen the authority California has claimed to insist on strict emission limits in cars sold there. Ten other states, including Massachusetts, plan to adopt the same standards. Since there is no practical system for capturing carbon dioxide in cars’ exhaust, the emission limits would in effect force auto makers to improve their vehicles’ ef... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=517958 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:10:15 +0100 517958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512831&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D492 AGENDA Campaign To End AIDS National Outreach Workgroup Mastering the Media on HIV/AIDS Issues Karen Bates, Co-Chair Larry Bryant, Co-Chair 1-866-394-9505 (alt. 1-847-619-2419), 9357895# 1 pm EST, 12 pm CST, 11 am MST, 10 am PST April 2, 2007 (Tentative agenda) Introductions (assign note taker) Mastering the Media on HIV/AIDS Issues Developing an understanding of the basic elements needed for effective media coverage for a C2EA event or other HIV/AIDS-related issues is essential for delivering a message. Reagan Hoffman, Editor in Chief, Poz Magazine Questions/Comments Upcoming Dates/Events Keith Cylar AIDS Activist Awards (4/12), Ohio Leadership Conference (4/15-16), AIDSWatch (4/23-4/25), 2007 C2EA/SC Advocacy Summit (5/10, 12), HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (5/18), Nat. A... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512831 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 09:39:38 +0100 512831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511640&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D487 Health leader visiting campus By: David Guidi, Asst. News Editor Farmer is known not only for his work in the field, but also for his work as a thinker on global health. He advocates liberation theology, an interpretation of the Gospels that emphasizes the Christian mission to bring justice to the poor and oppressed. He also speaks and writes about “structural violence” of denied opportunities and economic deprivation, and the ways they systematically kill millions of people who lack access to what Farmer says are fundamental human rights: access to health care, food, clean drinking water and education. “Something so precious as health should be viewed as a right, not a commodity,” Farmer said in an interview with WBUR, a Boston radio station. Farmer - noted phys... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511640 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:32:48 +0100 511640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511641&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D486 timeline: December 1, 2004 On December 1, 2004, Pedro Chequer, Head of Brazil’s Aids programme, announced that Brazil would break foreign patents in 2005 to permit production of imported, patented drugs where imported costs had ballooned to absorb 85% of programme costs. Brazil to break Aids drug patents http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4059147.stm Brazil Requests Voluntary Licensing for AIDS Drugs To Treat More Patients, Reduce Costs of Importing Patented Drugs March 14, 2005 17 Mar 2005 Kaiser Network The Brazilian government on Tuesday [March 14] “moved a step closer” to breaking antiretroviral drug patents when it asked U.S. drug companies… Merck, Gilead and Abbott Laboratories to grant the government voluntary licensing to produce generic versions of ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511641 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:33:09 +0100 511641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511642&cid=t_101652_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D485 Larry Kramer on the 20th Anniversary of ACT UP, the Government’s Failure to Prevent the AIDS Crisis and the State of Gay Activism Today Thursday, March 29th, 2007 • The Ashes Action - excerpt of documentary. This month ACT UP is marking its 20th anniversary. Today hundreds of members of ACT Up are heading back to Wall Street. This time to demand a single-payer health care system and drug price controls. Among the protesters will be the activist and writer Larry Kramer. In 1983 he helped found the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the country’s first AIDS organization. Four years later he helped form ACT UP. He is a legendary - and controversial - figure in the gay rights movement. In the early 1980s Larry Kramer wrote some of the first articles warning about the AIDS ep... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511642 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:02:59 +0100 511642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480946&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F18%2Fthought-for-the-day-making-the-cut%2F Filed under: Lung Cancer, Prevention, Research, Magazines, Thought for the DayIf you are trying to ward off cancer by making a change in your smoking habits, cutting back isn't enough. Cutting out cigarettes altogether is the only way to really protect your health.Think about this tidbit I found in the March 2007 issue of Woman's Day Magazine.A 20-year-study of more than 50,000 people in Norway recently revealed that patients who smoked fewer cigarettes -- even those who cut back by half -- were just as likely as heavy smokers to suffer from early death due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other tobacco-related problems.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cancer Blog) The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480946 Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 480946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478724&cid=t_101652_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F16%2Fcolorectal-cancer-coalition-needs-your-help%2F Filed under: Colon and Rectal Cancer, Prevention, Cancer events, Research, PoliticsOn February 5, the President cut about $11 billion from the National Cancer Institute budget. On March 20, one group -- the Colorectal Cancer Coalition or C3 -- will ask Congress to return some of this money.Colorectal cancer advocates from all over the country will descend upon Washington DC on this day, in honor of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Their plan of action on behalf of C3's first-ever Call-On Congress includes meeting with members of Congress face to face, discussing cancer research and prevention funding, and informing these powerful people that the time to cure cancer is now.These advocates have a lot to accomplish -- and they need your help. So they ask that while they are rallyin... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478724 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478724