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Kentucky Governor signs license bill to practice diabetes education

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a bill yesterday that requires a license to practice diabetes education, a move that the American Association of Diabetes Educators says will enhance consumer protection and increase professional recognition.

17 Mar 2011

New study: Emergency departments may miss 70% of domestic abuse cases

Emergency departments may be missing over 70 percent of domestic abuse cases, warns new study.

17 Mar 2011

TB risk in infants exposed to infected health worker

Around 200 families have been exposed and probably infected with infectious Tuberculosis (TB) after a hospital health worker was diagnosed with the disease. At present the health care worker is off work and is receiving treatment. The hospital said there was no continuing risk to patients and staff.

16 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss on Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment at ADI conference

From drug therapies to the right type of diet, the world's leading dementia experts will focus on the most effective methods for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at the 26th Annual Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International.

15 Mar 2011

State roundup: Medicaid cuts cause unusual bedfellows

Representatives from Arizona hospitals, nursing homes and health plans are set to meet with Gov. Jan Brewer today. They hope to win her support for a plan to impose a tax on their institutions and avoid deep cuts to Arizona's Medicaid program. The plan reportedly includes a cap on funding for childless adults, a group now covered under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System that could lose coverage Oct. 1. (Reinhart, 3/11).

14 Mar 2011

Hospice and Palliative care

The word hospice originated from the Latin hospitium, which means "to host or offer a place of shelter." In 2009, an estimated 1.56 million patients, more than 40 percent of deaths, received hospice services in the United States.

14 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

GRACE model improves health and reduces Medicare costs in high risk seniors

The March 2011 issue of the journal Heath Affairs highlights an evidence-based model of geriatric care management developed, implemented and tested by researchers and clinicians from Indiana University, the Regenstrief Institute and Wishard Health Services.

9 Mar 2011

State roundup: Mass. effort to manage care for chronically ill; promoting organ donations

For a glimpse of the future of Massachusetts health care as Gov. Deval Patrick envisions it, consider Phyllis Minsky. At 82, Phyllis is complex. Medically, that is. ... Older patients with multiple chronic diseases are the biggest consumers of health care; some 15 percent of Medicare patients make up over 75 percent of health care spending.

8 Mar 2011

State news: Ariz. may cut fewer from Medicaid; Pa. adultbasic closes

In a meeting with the Obama administration Monday, Gov. Jan Brewer proposed some Medicaid changes that she hopes will allow Arizona to drop fewer people than previously proposed from the state's Medicaid rolls. Brewer's office already has received permission to cut coverage for 250,000 members, mostly childless adults, as the state tries to close an ongoing budget shortfall.

2 Mar 2011

DMC CVI completes the first two transcatheter aortic valve implants in Michigan

The Detroit Medical Center (DMC) Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) has completed the first two transcatheter aortic valve implants (TAVI) ever achieved in Michigan. The procedures are a part of CVI's participation in the Medtronic CoreValve® U.S. Clinical Trial. This multi-state trial will evaluate a new, non-surgical alternative to open-heart surgery for patients with severe aortic stenosis.

2 Mar 2011

New GuLF STUDY to look at health effects of oil spill on 55,000 cleanup workers, volunteers

A new study that will look at possible health effects of the Gulf of Mexico's Deepwater Horizon oil spill on 55,000 cleanup workers and volunteers begins today in towns across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

1 Mar 2011

Wisconsin flare-up triggers analysis of other states' public employees' health benefits, pensions

The controversial issues surrounding unions and collective bargaining are bubbling up in other states as well.

25 Feb 2011

Wisconsin's benefit backlash spreads to other states

The public employee reaction is occurring in other states, too, as newly elected conservative governors attempt to roll-back health and pension benefits.

24 Feb 2011

Study shows chemical workers perceive high risk of safety threats

In an analysis of focus group interviews published in a scientific journal this month, a team of scientists found chemical workers perceive a high risk of on-the-job chemical threats, but are resigned to accepting the risks. The study also noted a certain level of distrust of management and health advisors, problems with written safety guides, and the need to include more experienced workers in the development of safety training programs.

23 Feb 2011

Viewpoints: Planned Parenthood funding; Governors and Medicaid; lessons from Wisconsin

In 14 states, taxpayers pick up 100 percent of the premium tab for retirees, who often collect benefits for a decade or more before going on Medicare. This is not only unfair to taxpayers, for whom free health care is usually a remote dream. It also encourages overconsumption of medical goods and services, thus raising the cost for everyone.

23 Feb 2011