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URAC awards specialty pharmacy and mail service pharmacy accreditation to BioScrip

BioScrip, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded specialty pharmacy and mail service pharmacy accreditation from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

6 Apr 2011

First Editon: April 6, 2011

Today's headlines include stories and analysis of how the Ryan budget plan would change Medicare, Medicaid and the shape of the federal government.

6 Apr 2011

Only half of post-combat military service members having mental health issues seek treatment

Approximately 50 percent of military servicemembers returning from combat duty report experiencing a mental health issue, but only half of them have sought treatment. That is according to a recently released study titled Joining Forces America, a comprehensive survey of more than 1,000 military servicemembers, family members of servicemembers, and mental health professionals.

6 Apr 2011

Results of study evaluating potential inhibitory effects of PPIs on Plavix presented at ACC 2011

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. announced the presentation of new study results, which evaluated the potential inhibitory effects of certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate). The results showed that in healthy subjects, clopidogrel's active metabolite and inhibition of platelet function were reduced less by the co-administration of clopidogrel with dexlansoprazole or lansoprazole, rather than esomeprazole.

6 Apr 2011

Large majority of U.S. adults concerned about health care access

Seven of 10 adults think the U.S. health care system needs to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey released today. The concerns reflect widespread experiences with access barriers, poorly coordinated care and growing costs.

6 Apr 2011

U.N. Secretary-General urges university leaders to prioritize women's empowerment

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday spoke about the role universities can play in empowering women worldwide during an address to students and academic leaders gathered in Philadelphia for the fifth Global Colloquium of University Presidents, the Associated Press reports (Matheson, 4/4).

6 Apr 2011

Skeptics of Ryan's blueprint take positions against specific proposals

A group of Democratic governors was expected to send a letter Monday opposing key proposals to overhaul Medicaid. Meanwhile, some advocates for seniors and children are taking exception to Ryan's ideas about revamping Medicare into a voucher program and other steps they say will will put vulnerable populations at risk.

6 Apr 2011

Aid groups respond to escalating violence in Cote d'Ivoire

"Aid organizations are warning of an impending humanitarian crisis for tens of thousands of refugees who have arrived in Liberia after fleeing violence" in Cote d'Ivoire, CNN reports.

6 Apr 2011

DOJ arguments against Fla. ruling emerge in U.S. District Court filings

The Department of Justice takes the position that the Florida judge's ruling in which he threw out the health law is "indefensible."

6 Apr 2011

Politics continue to play out around Planned Parenthood funding

As 41 senators vow to filibuster any spending bill that includes an amendment to delete this funding, an anti-abortion group touts the opposite position taken by possible GOP 2012 presidential candidates.

6 Apr 2011

CMS: Medicare advantage rate increases will be lower-than-expected

The payments will be lower than initially projected because of lower-than-expected spending on doctor visits.

6 Apr 2011

ABAM accredites 10 new addiction training programs for physicians

The American Board of Addiction Medicine Foundation today accredited 10 training programs, the nation's first post-graduate addiction medicine residencies for physicians. The Foundation also released its Program Requirements and Curriculum Objectives, national guidelines for addiction medicine residencies.

6 Apr 2011

Bill Gates travels to Europe to promote global health investments

Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is in Europe this week "in an effort to persuade Europeans not to cut aid budgets in the face of austerity - and in particular not to reduce spending on vaccinations and agriculture," the Wall Street Journal reports.

6 Apr 2011

New medical guidelines for diabetes care

Today the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released new medical guidelines for developing comprehensive care plan for management of diabetes mellitus.

6 Apr 2011

Mass. hospital system continues efforts to buy community hospital

Steward Health Care System yesterday unveiled its second deal in four days to buy a Massachusetts community hospital, saying it had signed a letter of intent to purchase Saints Medical Center in Lowell and convert it to a for-profit institution.

6 Apr 2011

BMJ News reports on S. Africa's HIV prevention, treatment efforts

BMJ News reports on South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's visit to the U.S. last week, where he spoke at a forum in Washington, D.C., on the efforts the government is making to promote HIV prevention and treatment and improve the country's health system. The publication notes that the health ministry has set a goal of testing the HIV status of 15 million people in the country by the end of the year - "nearly a third of its population of 50 million."

6 Apr 2011

State roundup: Report urges Mass. city employees to pay more health costs

Officially, Minnesota doesn't pay for an intensive type of autism therapy. Yet it has -- but only for some families. Two years ago, a single mother in the Twin Cities asked the state Medicaid program to pay for an intensive type of autism therapy for her 2-year-old son. She was turned down. State officials said the treatment -- known as Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA -- is "not now, and never has been,'' a covered service.

6 Apr 2011