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A-Life Medical signs exclusive agreement with Drs. Hill & Thomas

A-Life Medical, Inc., the pioneer and leading provider of computer-assisted coding products and services to the healthcare industry, announced today the forging of an exclusive agreement with the oldest and largest independently owned radiology group in Ohio, Cleveland-based Drs. Hill & Thomas Co.

22 Apr 2010

Medical technology innovation strives for personal focus, cost-efficiency

Medtronic CEO Bill Hawkins says the products made by his company, like pacemakers, insulin pumps and neurostimulators are the "ultimate personal technologies," according to CNNMoney. He said a shift in his industry is moving towards health information technology that people will depend on and use with their cell phones and laptops.

22 Apr 2010

Feinstein bill would close 'enormous hole' in health reform but must be amended to cut industry influence: Consumer Watchdog

A health reform fix-it bill by Senator Dianne Feinstein that was debated in a Senate committee this morning aims at closing what Feinstein called an "enormous loophole" in the new federal law, allowing insurers to jack up rates on insurance policies that Americans will soon be required to buy.

21 Apr 2010

Novel device transmits music and sound safely in-utero

The new Ritmo Advanced Pregnancy Sound System™ is giving pregnant women around the globe the comprehensive fitness solution that they have been looking for -- a comfortable and supportive pregnancy belt that provides a hands-free music listening experience for both mom and baby.

21 Apr 2010

Brumby withdraws opposition to Prime Minster’s health care plan

In the GST revenue debate that has been on for the past few days, all states and territories except WA have already agreed to give up a third of their GST revenue to the Commonwealth from which more funds will be coming in for the national hospitals funds according to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s plan.

21 Apr 2010

Obama camp, industry shift from political battle to implementation focus

President Barack Obama's administration is shifting its focus from the politics of the health overhaul to the work of implementing it, which officials may pursue even more quickly than required by the law, The New York Times reports. Top health officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, White House adviser Pete Rouse, and Obama's health care lobbyist Nancy-Ann DeParle will all play central roles in implementing the law.

20 Apr 2010

Election to represent professional staff of NYSNA ordered for USW

An election for union representation has been ordered by the National Labor Relations Board for the United Steelworkers to represent 66 professional staff of the New York State Nurses Association. The definition of this bargaining union was stipulated through the NLRB on Apr. 9.

19 Apr 2010

Coburn casts doubt on health repeal this year; Health groups lobbying on implementation

The Hill reports Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said Friday that "Republicans can only 'nip at' the law until healthcare opponents take back the White House and gain majorities in Congress, or gain veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate. … Many conservative activists and Republican lawmakers have argued for full repeal right away, but others have said that won't be possible."

17 Apr 2010

Emdeon achieves compliance with CAQH CORE Phase II rules

Emdeon Inc., a leading provider of healthcare revenue and payment cycle management solutions, today announced it has achieved compliance with the CAQH® Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE) Phase II rules. CAQH, a nonprofit alliance of health plans and trade associations, is a catalyst for industry collaboration on initiatives that simplify healthcare administration for health plans and providers, resulting in a better care experience for patients and caregivers. Emdeon achieved CORE Phase I compliance in March 2007.

16 Apr 2010

Impact of health care reform on federal employees to be discussed on AFGE radio show

The impact of health care reform on federal employees and their families will be discussed this week on the American Federation of Government Employees' "Inside Government" radio show.

16 Apr 2010

Screening urine dipstick to diagnose chronic kidney disease in children not cost-effective

The routine use of a screening urine dipstick to diagnose chronic kidney disease in healthy children is not a cost-effective test, confirm Penn State College of Medicine researchers, who validated an American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation.

16 Apr 2010

Campaign for Better Care focuses on older adults with multiple health problems

"Will you help her?" That's the question the Campaign for Better Care, led by the National Partnership for Women & Families, Community Catalyst and the National Health Law Program, is asking policymakers today in new print and banner ads running in The Hill, Politico and Roll Call.

15 Apr 2010

North Carolina lawmakers consider medical tax; Georgia insurance commission says state should reject high-insurance pools

The North Carolina legislature "socked it to retail customers, smokers, drinkers and big earners with higher taxes last year to help close a budget gap calculated by Democrats at more than $4 billion. Could hospitals or doctors' offices be next? Legislative leaders are returning to Raleigh early to begin adjusting the second year of the state's two-year budget and they're intrigued by a hospital or provider tax or fee because it could draw down three times as much extra money in federal matching funds for Medicaid.

15 Apr 2010

A renewed effort to reduce global toll of maternal and child deaths

Widespread global use of known and proven maternal and childcare techniques, practices, and therapies could save the lives of millions of women, newborns and children each year, according to a new analysis prepared for a mid-April meeting of world leaders and technical experts on maternal and child health.

15 Apr 2010

Researchers discover two synthetic small molecule drugs to prevent death of human stem cell

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the decade-old mystery of why human embryonic stem cells are so difficult to culture in the laboratory, providing scientists with useful new techniques and moving the field closer to the day when stem cells can be used for therapeutic purposes.

13 Apr 2010

AP examines micro-insurance in Africa

The Associated Press examines the growth of micro-insurance in Africa, "a product accessible to those earning less than $2 a day, who pay tiny weekly premiums of sometimes less than a cent."

13 Apr 2010

Tips to avoid burns and injuries during summer season

Take extra care at your Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations this year by ensuring that accidents do not interfere with summer fun. Dr. Roger Yurt, director of the Hearst Burn Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, recommends the following safety tips to avoid burns from barbecues, fireworks and other routine activities that can pose a hazard this season.

13 Apr 2010

Vancouver Coastal Health implements Kronos' workforce management solutions

Following a rapid implementation, 8,000 Vancouver Coastal Health employees are now live with workforce management solutions from Kronos® Incorporated. A regional healthcare provider serving 25 percent of British Columbia's population, Vancouver Coastal Health is continuing to implement Kronos for its entire workforce of 21,000+ employees. Kronos will be used in 556 locations.

12 Apr 2010

Stupak to retire, Republicans continue to hit Democrats on health care

CBS News reports that Rep. Bart Stupak, a lightning rod holdout on health care reform who eventually voted for the law, will retire this year. "Had Stupak sought re-election, he would have faced challengers from both the left and the right backed by interest groups angered by Stupak's health care vote" (Condon, 4/9).

12 Apr 2010

Increase in delaying retirement likely to gain speed: RAND study

An unprecedented upturn in the number of older Americans who delay retirement is likely to continue and even accelerate over the next two decades, a trend that should help ease the financial challenges facing both Social Security and Medicare, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

9 Apr 2010