Health Care News and Research

RSS

AU leaders summit kicks off, focus on maternal and child health

Heads of state from the African Union (AU) started a three-day meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday as part of the 15th AU Summit, People's Daily Online reports. Leaders will focus on maternal and child health and will discuss several other issues, including agricultural development, food security, infrastructure development and economic integration (7/26).

27 Jul 2010

Some small businesses expect continued increases in health costs

The (Florence, Ala.) Times Daily: Some small business owners are worried about the continuing rise of health care costs. "Business owners say they offer health care benefits to attract employees and retain workers. But providing health care to employees is the second highest cost for business owners behind payroll and many owners fear costs will only increase, according to a non-scientific survey taken by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce of 33 small local businesses" (Stokes, 7/26).

27 Jul 2010

UHS second-quarter net revenues increase 3% to $1.34 billion

Universal Health Services, Inc. announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $65.6 million, or $.67 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $80.9 million, or $.82 per diluted share, during the comparable prior year quarter. Net revenues increased 3% to $1.34 billion during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $1.30 billion during the second quarter of 2009.

27 Jul 2010

Lack of dental insurance a problem for millions

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Lack of dental insurance is an "endemic problem" that affects millions of people, largely those without jobs, health coverage or solid incomes. "It began with a toothache. Tori Pence, 23, could feel the hole that had suddenly developed on her tooth, and she couldn't stand either hot or cold food.

27 Jul 2010

Alcon second-quarter global sales increase 12.5% to $1.89 billion

Alcon, Inc. reported that global sales rose 12.5 percent to $1.89 billion for the second quarter of 2010, or 11.3 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Revenue from acquisitions added 40 basis points to sales growth in the quarter, while foreign currency fluctuations added 80 basis points of growth.

27 Jul 2010

Racial, ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system: ACP

Racial and ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system, the American College of Physicians said in an updated paper released today. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Updated 2010, an update to a policy paper that was originally released in 2003, outlines recommendations on how to close the gap between racial and ethnic minority patients and their white counterparts.

27 Jul 2010

Healthcare Labor Update 2010: A year of critical opportunity for employers

When labor unions, particularly the Service Employee International Union (SEIU), spent hundreds of millions during the last presidential election cycle - resulting in a labor-friendly Democratic Administration and Congressional majority for the first time in a decade - it appeared the labor movement was poised to make a swift resurgence.

26 Jul 2010

Anti-vaccination group declared unsafe

A Bangalow, NSW based group known as the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) had earlier maligned the nation’s immunization campaign calling vaccines unsafe on their website. The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission had then issued a warning to them to include a disclaimer that the contents of the sites webpages should not be taken as medical advice. AVN failed to heed to the warnings and now the HCCC has issued a safety warning against the group.

26 Jul 2010

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Marianjoy announce partnership

Patients with acute physical rehabilitation needs now can undergo inpatient treatment close to home thanks to a new partnership between Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Announced today, the cooperative effort unites two organizations with similar holistic approaches to rehabilitative patient care for a variety of conditions in multiple settings.

26 Jul 2010

CPC partners with CU School of Medicine on stem cell research

A major research company with expertise in managing clinical trials is partnering with the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus to more efficiently bring the latest stem cell discoveries from the laboratory to the patient.

26 Jul 2010

Aurora Health Care ranked among top 20% of top U.S. health systems

Aurora Health Care has been named among the top health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters. Announced recently in Modern Healthcare, Aurora ranked in the top 20 percent of the list, which was based on clinical performance.

26 Jul 2010

Today's OpEds: Health reform and long-term care; Health care incentives; Reasons for optimism or repeal and replace?

Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. … Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving. For the first time, a voluntary public insurance program will be available to help adults and families pay for long-term care services (Bruce Chernof, 7/23).

26 Jul 2010

KHN column: Where are the innovators in health care delivery?

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, John Goodman writes: "Almost everyone believes there is an enormous amount of waste and inefficiency in health care.

26 Jul 2010

Harco announces contract to manufacture MediGLIDER products for ConMediSys

Harco Metal Products (Harco), an industry leader in tube fabrication, systems integration, and seamless, cost effective manufacturing, announced today the contract to manufacture MediGLIDER™ products for ConMediSys.

26 Jul 2010

First Edition: July 26, 2010

Today's headlines include news about the politics of implementing the new health reform law as well as the ADA's 20th anniversary.

26 Jul 2010

BIO CEO and Pennsylvania Bio to discuss new Therapeutic Discovery Project Program

On Monday, July 26th, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and Christopher Molineaux, president of Pennsylvania Bio, will host a roundtable discussion on the new Therapeutic Discovery Project Program. This new program offers small biotech companies (less than 250 employees) a tax credit or grant to encourage investment in new medical therapies for life-changing diseases.

26 Jul 2010

Experts available for comment on new medicare contracts that drive health care hookups

So-called "accountable care organizations" or ACOs might change the way that the agency running Medicare does business. An article in the Indiana Business Journal explains that the new health reform law requires the agency to sign new "shared savings" contracts with ACOs and gives examples of how these organizations work. ACOs can begin doing business with Medicare in January 2012.

26 Jul 2010

Radiologists better at evaluating legal cases: Study

A study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that 31 radiologists who reviewed the CT scans used in a medical malpractice lawsuit did not agree with the conclusions reached by four paid medical expert witnesses in the case.

26 Jul 2010

School program to help children continue normal educational activities during treatment

Treatment for cancer and other catastrophic disease can last months or years and often makes it impossible for young patients to keep up with their local school curriculum. Teachers in the St. Jude School Program Presented by Target help patients continue their normal educational activities while away from their local schools. They are also part of the health care team that provides opportunities to continue normal educational activities through homebound or hospital-bound educational services. In addition, the team provides school re-entry services to ease the transition back to the community school.

26 Jul 2010

UnitedHealth ups ante on health IT with purchase of Picis, expecting stimulus windfall

Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal: UnitedHealth Group's technology consulting subsidiary Ingenix, of Eden Prairie, Minn., has purchased Massachusetts tech firm Picis, a maker of emergency room and intensive care software. "Both companies are deeply involved in the area where health care and information technology meet. Ingenix, which had revenue of $1.8 billion last year, provides consulting and outsourcing to almost 6,000 hospitals.

26 Jul 2010