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U.S. files appeal seeking to overturn Vinson ruling

The Obama administration filed its appellate brief to the 11th Circuit Friday, arguing that the appeals court should overturn the ruling of federal Judge Roger Vinson that found the individual mandate -- and therefore the entire health law -- unconstitutional.

5 Apr 2011

Asymmetrical flattening of the skull increasing in infants and young children

The prevalence of plagiocephaly, a condition marked by an asymmetrical, flattening of the skull, appears to be increasing in infants and young children, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

5 Apr 2011

Research: Unemployment increases risk of premature mortality by 63%

Research by McGill Sociology Professor Eran Shor, working in collaboration with researchers from Stony Brook University, has revealed that unemployment increases the risk of premature mortality by 63 per cent.

5 Apr 2011

Health plans cut out expensive doctors and hospitals

The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses includes some major US corporations.

5 Apr 2011

Opinions: Africa's agricultural sector; foreign aid funding

"There is no doubt that Africa is on the move … But if African countries are to achieve the new future within their grasp, then there needs to be a new focus on the daunting obstacles still to be overcome. … High among these challenges is the need to transform the continent's agriculture," former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan writes in a BusinessDay opinion piece reflecting on the challenges facing Africa's agricultural system and the opportunities to respond to the growing food demands.

5 Apr 2011

Health Care REIT acquires $2.4 billion Genesis real estate assets

Health Care REIT, Inc. announced today that it has completed the $2.4 billion acquisition of substantially all of the real estate assets of privately-owned Genesis HealthCare, which was previously announced on February 28, 2011.

5 Apr 2011

All Children's Hospital joins Johns Hopkins Medicine

All Children's Hospital, in St. Petersburg, Fla., is now a part of the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) and a fully integrated member of Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM). All Children's is the first U.S. hospital outside of the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region to become integrated with JHM, which includes the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System.

4 Apr 2011

Data on hospital-acquired conditions now available

The CMS has published an electronic file of raw data on its website containing facility-specific information on eight hospital-acquired conditions, including blood incompatibility, air embolisms and two types of healthcare-associated infections.

4 Apr 2011

International Isotopes 2010 net loss increases 49% to $6,802,014

International Isotopes Inc. announces the financial results for fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

4 Apr 2011

VA's electronic health record system to be updated

The Veterans Affairs Department, which operates one of the largest medical systems in the world, is moving ahead with plans to modernize its electronic health- records using open-source software. ... U.S. hospitals and medical practices are preparing to digitize their health records, often using commercial products. ...

4 Apr 2011

Lack of specialists accepting Medicaid hampers care

Eight-year-old Draven Smith was expelled from school last year for disruptive behavior, and he is being expelled again this year. But his mother and his pediatrician cannot find a mental health specialist to treat him because he is on Medicaid, and the program, which provides health coverage for the poor, pays doctors so little that many refuse to take its patients.

4 Apr 2011

Medela acquires Ontario-based Bravado Designs

This acquisition unifies Medela, a leading brand for breastfeeding solutions, with Bravado, an innovating leader in the nursing apparel category.

4 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: 'Saving' Medicare; Dole on innovative vets' care; Texas 'death panel' on HIV?

(Rep. Paul) Ryan's plan reportedly will include steep Medicaid cuts, disguised as a proposal to turn the program into a "block grant" to the states. The net effect would be to leave even more Americans to the mercies of the private insurance market.

4 Apr 2011

Helping a loved one die at home

Many of us don't know much more than that about death until it comes to live in our own house. Friends may lose family members, but they rarely talk about the uglier aspects of dying.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

State Roundup: Budget cuts in Texas, Wash. State; Ariz. smoking, weight fees; Coping with Rx drug abuse

The Texas House voted 98-49 Sunday night to slash funding for public schools, nursing homes and college financial aid in a dramatic show by Republicans elected on a limited-government message in the face of a massive budget shortfall.

4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

Esaote acquires 3mensio

Esaote International NV and 3mensio Medical Imaging BV have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Esaote acquires 3mensio in order to expand its leading role in healthcare information technology.

4 Apr 2011

Experts to discuss on healthcare-associated infection at SHEA Annual Meeting

A special media phone briefing with leading infectious disease scientists and healthcare-associated infection experts who will headline the 2011 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America's Annual Meeting

4 Apr 2011

Catheter Connections presents DualCap device clinical data against CRBSI at SHEA meeting

In the ongoing fight against costly and potentially fatal catheter related bloodstream infections, landmark clinical data presented at the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America demonstrates that both the exposed end of IV administration sets and catheter luer access valves are colonized by the microbes that cause CRBSI.

4 Apr 2011