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FDA clears expanded indications for InTouch Health Remote Presence devices

InTouch Health, the world's premier provider of acute care telemedicine solutions, has received a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance with expanded indications for use for its range of Remote Presence devices which includes RP-7i®, RP-Lite®, RP-Vantage® and RP-Xpress® as well as VisitOR1® which is sold by and is a registered trademark of Karl Storz.

19 Jun 2012

White House hosts roundtable discussion on global health security

U.S. Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan on Thursday "hosted a roundtable discussion with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan and senior officials from across the U.S. Government," during which "[p]articipants discussed the steps needed to advance key elements of a U.S. Government-WHO memorandum of understanding on global health security, signed last year on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly," the White House Blog reports.

19 Jun 2012

High Court uncertainty raises stakes in health law guessing game

News outlets offer scene setters exploring the dynamics at play at the high court and the importance of the pending ruling on the constitutionality of the health law. They also look at how the decision will impact different parts of the health care sector, ranging from safety-net providers and investors to patient safety advocates and employers.

19 Jun 2012

Health care spending slowdown may not last as economy heats back up

The Associated Press reports that, although health care spending may have slowed, the trend may not last long. In the meantime, The Arizona Republic reports on a website that allows consumers to shop for discounted medical services.

19 Jun 2012

Mental health hospitals scrutinized in Calif., Mass.

The Los Angeles Times looks at former consultant who helped overhaul California's psychiatric hospitals. In Massachusetts, the future of Taunton State Hospital -- one of two remaining publicly run mental health hospitals there -- is uncertain.

19 Jun 2012

Upcoming Supreme Court ruling: GOP as 'dog that caught the car'; Growing concerns about mandate

[T]he GOP may be positioning itself to become the dog that caught the car. Political and policy uncertainty is perhaps inevitable given the range of what the Court could do. But the Republicans need a more coherent strategy. ... An orderly unwinding of ObamaCare was always going to be difficult. But based on its disarray and confusion so far, the GOP may be making it harder.

19 Jun 2012

White House fact sheet describes Obama Administration Accomplishments In Sub-Saharan Africa

"The new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, which is derived from a Presidential Policy Directive, builds on numerous accomplishments of U.S.-Africa policy to strengthen democratic institutions, promote regional peace and security, engage with young African leaders, and promote development, trade, and investment," a White House fact sheet, titled "Obama Administration Accomplishments In Sub-Saharan Africa," states.

19 Jun 2012

Program to correct problematic research practices

A $500,000 grant to Saint Louis University's Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics will fund the first ever remediation program to aid institutions when they discover researchers who have engaged in wrongdoing or unprofessional behavior. The Restoring Professionalism and Integrity in Research (RePAIR) program is expected to launch in November 2012.

19 Jun 2012

National conference examines Affordable Care Act

Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) will host a national conference on June 19, 2012 examining the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it relates to translational science and its impact on health.

19 Jun 2012

Despite decline in cholera cases in Haiti, health authorities not doing enough, aid group says

"Global and local health authorities are not doing enough to fight a cholera outbreak that continues to claim lives in Haiti, Doctors Without Borders said Thursday," Agence France-Presse reports (6/15).

19 Jun 2012

Reproductive health, family planning have central role in comprehensive Rio+20 strategy

"As members of the Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health, we call on the negotiators at the Rio+20 conference to ensure that reproductive health and voluntary family planning have a central role in any comprehensive strategy for sustainable development," Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former president of Brazil;

19 Jun 2012

Bariatric surgery may increase risk for alcohol use disorders

Among patients who underwent bariatric surgery, there was a higher prevalence of alcohol use disorders in the second year after surgery, and specifically after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, compared with the years immediately before and following surgery, according to a study in the June 20 issue of JAMA.

19 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Catholic group dismisses compromise on contraceptives; Funding entitlements

President Obama's support for his signature health care act took a fresh hit Friday. The Catholic Health Association, the nation's largest private health care provider, has rebuffed the latest White House moves to make its contraception coverage mandate more acceptable to Catholics and conservative evangelicals, according to Religion News Service.

19 Jun 2012

Militants ban polio vaccination in northwest Pakistan in response to U.S. drone strikes in region

"A Pakistani militant group threatened action on Saturday against anyone conducting polio vaccinations in the region where it is based, saying the health care drive was a cover for U.S. spies," Reuters reports, adding, "The group, based in North Waziristan and led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, said it had banned vaccinations for as long as U.S. drone aircraft continued to make missile strikes in Pakistan" (Mujtaba, 6/16).

19 Jun 2012

Nurses will play lead role in a dynamic, publicly funded health-care system

Canada's nurses will play a lead role in ensuring a dynamic, publicly funded health-care system for all Canadians, according to the National Expert Commission's (NEC) Report released to the public today at the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) biennial convention in Vancouver.

19 Jun 2012

Private sector must be part of solution to provide food and nutrition security

"Agriculture faces dual challenges: becoming more sustainable on a dwindling resource base while having to feed an increasing number of people," Paul Polman, CEO of consumer goods company Unilever, and David Servitje, CEO of baking company Group Bimbo, who serve as co-chairs of the G20's B-20 Food Security Task Force, write in a Washington Post opinion piece, adding, "To provide food and nutrition security in the coming decades will require a major and sustained effort by all stakeholders, including business."

19 Jun 2012

Calif. programs reach out to give care to undocumented, uninsured

In California and North Carolina, local programs that help undocumented workers and the uninsured get care -- often without using federal funds -- are detailed.

19 Jun 2012

As nation awaits the High Court's decision, health issues grab some voters' attention

The National Journal reports that health policies have become voters' number 2 concern -- edged out only by the economy. On the ground in Tennessee, though, many people who don't have insurance and were seeking care at a free clinic were not aware of of how what they had at stake in the law's future.

19 Jun 2012

Party leaders stake out positions for the health law's future

If the measure survives the Supreme Court review, GOP leaders say they will seek quick repeal -- but not until after the fall elections. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says the overhaul is constitutionally "ironclad."

19 Jun 2012

State roundup: Calif. budget cuts; Texas hospitals cry foul over funding plan

Spending on welfare, child care and home care for the elderly and disabled would be reduced but not by as much as Brown wanted. CalWORKs, the state welfare program, is facing the biggest hit at $428 million. … In-Home Supportive Services, which allow some elderly residents to avoid being moved into nursing homes, would be reduced by about $90 million. The cut means 3.6 percent fewer hours of care for beneficiaries.

19 Jun 2012