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New regulations of HHS help protect individual's genetic information

Individuals’ genetic information will have greater protections through new regulations issued today by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury.

3 Oct 2009

Recent releases in health policy research

"Emergency Department Visits in Massachusetts" - This policy brief examines why the number of people in Massachusetts who seek care in emergency rooms has remained high even though "health reform in Massachusetts has succeeded in increasing health insurance coverage and access to care."

3 Oct 2009

Finance's marathon markup complete as senators look forward to panel vote and floor action

Senators finished amending the Senate Finance Committee's health reform draft early Friday morning. The next stop after the panel's final vote early next week is the Senate floor.

3 Oct 2009

For American majority - those confused about health reform - a fresh wave of primers

For those still confused about the various health reform bills - six in ten are confused, and half say they don't know enough to form an opinion, the New York Times reports - news organizations offer a series of primers on key bills and provisions today.

1 Oct 2009

Capitol Hill personalities play a key role in how health bills are taking shape

A number of news organizations are detailing the conflicts and positions of certain lawmakers in the ongoing health overhaul effort.

1 Oct 2009

The HealthWell Foundation 's panel discussion draws attention on growing crisis of the underinsured

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, The HealthWell Foundation, one of America's largest co-payment assistance organizations, hosted a panel discussion to help draw attention to the growing crisis of the underinsured and the related challenges of reducing financial barriers to care.

1 Oct 2009

Kaiser Permanente to join the Health 2.0 Accelerator consortium

Health 2.0 Accelerator, a consortium focused on promoting integration of technology and the consumer experience to advance consumer-centric health care, announced today that Kaiser Permanente will join other "Health 2.0 companies" as participants in the Health 2.0 Accelerator (http://h2anetwork.org).

1 Oct 2009

VA's reliance on for-profit health care providers is straining medical center budgets, says Union

The American Federation of Government Employees today told Congress that the Department of Veterans Affairs' over reliance on private for-profit health care providers is straining medical center budgets and jeopardizing veterans' health care. AFGE represents 180,000 employees on the frontlines of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

1 Oct 2009

UCF research team develops miniature diagnostic tool kit for dementia

With the risk of developing dementia growing at an alarming pace, a University of Central Florida research team is working with the Boston University School of Medicine to develop a miniature diagnostic toolkit in the hopes of stimulating earlier detection and treatment.

1 Oct 2009

Stanford Hospital invests $3 million in technology for safe patient handling

Swaddled in a cushy green hammock, the patient began her ascent off the bed. While one nurse regulated the speed of the lifting device, two of his colleagues guided the patient toward a bedside chair. Within seconds, she was securely lowered onto a cushion, and ready to begin rehabilitation exercises.

1 Oct 2009

UnitedHealth Group grants $2 million for CSUF's project

A $2 million grant from UnitedHealth Group will help fund California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Department of Nursing’s “Expanding Healthcare Access through Nursing” project.

1 Oct 2009

House leaders work to bring health bill below $900 billion

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says House Democrats have a plan to get the cost of their health bill below $900 billion over 10 years, the amount requested by President Barack Obama.

1 Oct 2009

Obama's turn to retake lead on health reform nears

President Obama's turn to step to the lead regarding the shape of health reform legislation is quickly approaching.

1 Oct 2009

Challenges, optimism remain for Senators after public option amendments fail

Senate Democrats are recouping from yesterday's Finance Committee turn-down of the public option and looking ahead.

30 Sep 2009

Environmental factors play a major role in early pregnancy losses

Life is all about tradeoffs and recently published research by Virginia J. Vitzthum, a senior scientist at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, and professor in the IU College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Anthropology, has shown that during periods of intense labor and low food intake, rates of early pregnancy loss can more than double.

30 Sep 2009

Democrats ready to battle amongst themselves over public plan

Democrats are set to spar — among themselves — on inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance coverage during Finance Committee action today.

30 Sep 2009

Finance Senators picking sides as panel continues health bill markup

Politico: "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus faces multiple challenges as he gavels in another week of work on health care Tuesday. High on the list: controlling the drama in the hearing room."

30 Sep 2009

Africa's agricultural sector grew in '08, 'concerted' policy action needed for growth to continue, FAO paper says

The growth of sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural sector in 2008 is a "a break with the past," but "concerted and purposeful policy action" is required for developments to continue, according to a new U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) paper, VOA News reports (De Capua, 9/28).

29 Sep 2009

Public option issue likely to face Tuesday Senate Finance vote

The Senate Finance Committee is likely to vote when it reconvenes Tuesday on inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance.

29 Sep 2009

Timeline tightening on Senate Finance reform bill

A merged Senate bill between the Finance and HELP committees could hit the Senate floor the week of Oct. 12 and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D- Mont., readies his committee to finish its markup by Thursday or Friday.

28 Sep 2009