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Social unrest in Yemen impeding humanitarian aid delivery, U.N. official says

Almost one-third of Yemen's 23 million people do not have enough food, and social unrest in the country is making it difficult for aid groups to reach those in need, Valerie Amos, U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said on Monday, Reuters reports.

30 Mar 2011

In Calif., nurses to take greater role in providing primary care

While the LA Times reports that nurses are poised to help meet the requirements of the health law, The Chicago Sun-Times reports that more young doctors are choosing primary care careers.

30 Mar 2011

Prostate cancer drug and a new drug to prevent preterm births cause cost concerns, controversy

News outlets report on the political dilemma involved with Provenge — a cancer drug — as well as the impact that Makena — the medicine that can prevent preterm births — could have on the nation's high health care costs.

30 Mar 2011

Women can benefit from Ontario's breast cancer screening program

The Ontario Budget has taken a step toward providing the type of expanded screening for breast cancer that Ontario women need, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation —Ontario Region says.

30 Mar 2011

With clock ticking, budget impasse continues

The next deadline for a possible government shutdown is fast approaching, but lawmakers continue to be at odds over finalizing a current-year spending bill. Key among the stumbling blocks are legislative riders, including conservative-backed amendments that would cut off funding for the health law and advance other contentious social issues.

30 Mar 2011

Nanotechnology-based biosensor may allow early cancer, pathogen detection

A nanotechnology-based biosensor being developed by Kansas State University researchers may allow early detection of both cancer cells and pathogens, leading to increased food safety and reduced health risks.

30 Mar 2011

California's aging LGB more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions

Members of California's aging lesbian, gay and bisexual population are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions, even as they wrestle with the challenges of living alone in far higher numbers than the heterosexual population, according to new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

30 Mar 2011

WHO Director-General responds to draft report on agency's handling of H1N1 pandemic

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on Monday responded to the first results of a probe into the agency's response to the H1N1 pandemic, Agence France-Presse reports.

30 Mar 2011

SAMHSA publishes strategic initiatives paper on nation's behavioral health care system

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today published its strategic initiatives paper - an overview of SAMHSA's goals, priorities and action steps for accomplishing its mission of reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

30 Mar 2011

UT Southwestern Medical Center tops best hospital rankings for Dallas-Fort Worth

UT Southwestern Medical Center ranked as the best hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth in the newly expanded U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Hospitals rankings for 52 metropolitan areas.

30 Mar 2011

The Wall Street Journal: Medicare records show trail of troubling surgeries

The Wall Street Journal continues its examination of Medicare's claims databases to uncover potentially fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald reports on one alleged fraud perpetrator who is now awaiting trail.

30 Mar 2011

Health law policy details continue to grab attention, headlines

Health law costs, accountable care organizations, the individual mandate and even the latest in proceedings surrounding Virginia's health law challenge are all in today's news.

30 Mar 2011

Hospital execs among California's highest-paid public employees

Meanwhile, Reuters reports on a common theme in efficiency and cost-cutting among the nation's top 100 hospitals.

30 Mar 2011

Chase Foundation donates $2.125 million to UCLA's Child Life program

The Chase Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to financially supporting hospital-based programs that cater to the social, emotional and developmental needs of children, has donated $2.125 million to the Child Life/Child Development program at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.

30 Mar 2011

Non-generic drugs increase Medicaid costs

A new study by the American Enterprise Institute found that using brand-name drugs instead of generics may have added as much as $329 million in extra spending in 2009.

30 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: N.Y. malpractice 'solution'?; tap Texas rainy-day fund?; Ariz. transplant dilemma solution?

Almost every other product Americans encounter is subject to laws that guarantee that the producer suffers when its product is subpar. There's no reason medical guidelines should be any different. With the proper incentives, these private regulators could help President Obama carry out the health care reform he signed into law a year ago.

30 Mar 2011

Study: Increasing Medicare age would shift costs

A study released today concluded that employers and younger people would end up paying more for their health insurance if Medicare's eligibility age were raised. However, the age change would also result in billions of dollars in taxpayer savings.

30 Mar 2011

Roundup: Ariz. may restore transplant coverage; Fla. faces class action suit over disabled waiting list

Kentucky health officials are considering restrictions on the number of cancer-fighting drugs Medicaid patients may receive without prior approval, a move designed to contain costs in the health care program for the poor and disabled. The possibility of creating a non-preferred list of oral oncology drugs — pills that replace intravenous chemotherapy drugs — that Medicaid won't pay for without prior approval has raised questions from patient advocates and those who treat cancer patients.

30 Mar 2011

Bariatric surgery highly cost-effective treatment for obese type 2 diabetics

Bariatric surgery is an especially cost-effective therapy for managing Type 2 diabetes in moderately and severely obese patients. These findings and others were presented today at the 2nd World Congress on Interventional Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes, hosted by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College.

29 Mar 2011

Senators address hundreds of home care and hospice providers

Four Senators addressed the hundreds of home care and hospice providers today that have come to our nation's capitol to keep the fight alive for the critical, high-value, high-quality care that is offered to millions of vulnerable citizens in this country.

29 Mar 2011