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Bioengineering students invent life-saving heart device

An invention by Rice University bioengineering students in collaboration with the Texas Heart Institute is geared toward giving immediate second chances to arrhythmia victims headed toward cardiac arrest.

27 Apr 2011

State roundup: Single-payer bill advances in Vt. Legislature

A unit of American International Group, the New York-based insurance giant, agreed to pay restitution and a fine totaling $760,000 for selling faulty health insurance products in Massachusetts, under a settlement reached with state Attorney General Martha Coakley.

27 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 26, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the political ads and positions being inspired by the Ryan budget plan.

26 Apr 2011

Collins, Orszag criticize Ryan plan; Santorum rues Medicare prescription benefit vote

As former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum contemplates a bid for the GOP presidential nomination, he expresses regret over his vote for the unfunded Medicare prescription drug bill. Sen. Collins says she'll oppose Ryan plan, while Peter Orszag says it would increase overall health care costs.

26 Apr 2011

Airwaves in GOP House districts become battleground in Medicare debate

Democratic- and Republican-leaning groups are funding ad campaigns on deficit reduction and health care in the districts of 25 House Republicans.

26 Apr 2011

In the statehouses: Localities vs. unions in Mass.; supporters to rally for SustiNet in Conn.

Massachusetts House lawmakers kick off a busy week on Beacon Hill Monday with full chamber negotiations over the state budget. ... The biggest point of contention in the budget is the DeLeo-backed provision giving cities and towns the ability to alter employee health plans without union approval. At least 50 Democrats have reportedly signed on to an amendment that would soften that provision.

26 Apr 2011

Bioengineering students develop new device that can detect patients with dry eye

Rice University bioengineering students responded to an ophthalmologist's cry for help with a device to diagnose dry eye, the itching and burning sensation that results when a person doesn't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.

26 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius on medical mistakes; Stockman on solving deficit; Fox on Medicare's political history

A recent study found that as many as one out of three hospital patients is harmed by his or her care. And the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 100,000 Americans die each year from preventable medical errors in hospitals. That's about the number of annual deaths caused by auto accidents, AIDS, and breast cancer combined.

26 Apr 2011

Highmark to open additional Direct retail health insurance stores in Pennsylvania

Highmark today announced that it will open two additional Highmark Direct retail health insurance stores in Pennsylvania. The stores will be located in Lancaster and Easton and will bring the total number of stores in the state to eight.

25 Apr 2011

House Republicans face heat at home over proposed Medicare cuts

During the congressional recess, constituents have grilled some House Republicans on how deficit reduction proposals will affect Medicare. Meanwhile, Don Berwick says GOP plans deserve the "rationing" label more than the health law does.

25 Apr 2011

NCOA to provide online Chronic Disease Self Management Program for employees

The National Council on Aging today announced it will offer Better Choices, Better Health, the online version of the internationally recognized Chronic Disease Self Management Program, as a benefit to all of its full-time staff and their families.

25 Apr 2011

Parties sparring over Medicare as Sen. Collins vows 'no' vote on Ryan budget

News outlets are covering the increasing politicization of Medicare.

25 Apr 2011

Geisinger's Geriatric Assessment Program helps seniors promote good health

Some seniors may need help getting around town, while others may need assistance getting around the house. Regardless of the degree of need, Geisinger Health System utilizes a systematic approach through its Geriatric Assessment Program to identify the medical and social needs of a geriatric patient to design a custom course of treatment to help seniors and their families successfully manage the aging process.

25 Apr 2011

LABJ honors SCAN Health Plan for community outreach programs

SCAN Health Plan, the country's fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan, was among the healthcare organizations honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) for its outstanding efforts in serving the community. The prestigious Healthcare Leadership Award ceremonies are conducted annually by the LABJ to recognize locally based companies whose community outreach programs help make the city a better place to live.

22 Apr 2011

Saint Vincent Hospital to build new cancer center in downtown Worcester

Saint Vincent Hospital today announced it has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the CitySquare II Development Co. LLC , to build a medical office building that will house a new comprehensive cancer center in Worcester's CitySquare development. The new center, which represents a $21 million capital investment by Saint Vincent Hospital, is expected to open in January 2013.

22 Apr 2011

Rite Aid reduces price of whooping cough vaccine for children in California

Parents in California can now get their children vaccinated against whooping cough at more than 500 Rite Aid pharmacies for the newly lowered price of $57.99. By July 1, when a new state law takes effect requiring proof of vaccination for all students entering grades 7 through 12, nearly all of the approximately 600 California Rite Aid locations will be able to vaccinate walk-in patients or by appointment.

22 Apr 2011

Politics swirl around plans for Medicare's future, the deficit

At home in their districts, Republicans are taking positions — and heat — on the Ryan budget plan, which would make significant changes to the Medicare program. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is taking his message — and his budget framework — on the road.

22 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 22, 2011

Today's headlines include a variety of reports about the political reactions to the Democratic and Republican deficit proposals as well as plans for Medicare.

22 Apr 2011

Roundup: Idaho Gov.'s exchange/health law decision; Calif. exchange board meets; Iowa mental health plan

Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is no fan of the health care reform -- he was the first governor to sign legislation requiring his state to sue over President Obama's overhaul -- but said the bill state lawmakers passed in the 2011 session would have required Idaho to forego the creation of a state health insurance exchange.

22 Apr 2011

Survey: Fewer U.S. seniors dying in hospitals

Meanwhile, The Seattle Times reports on an effort in Washington state to "clamp down" on unregulated elder-care referral businesses that promise to help families make arrangements for long-term care for aging relatives.

21 Apr 2011