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Recent releases in Global Health

A Lancet Infectious Diseases editorial describes the growing public concerns over a global rise in antimicrobial resistance. "Bearing in mind that our objective is to contain antibiotic resistance rather than eradicate it, several policies could be adopted to help guarantee a future for antibiotics," the editorial states, adding, "We need reliable data to tackle antibiotic resistance.

2 Apr 2011

Mayo Clinic becomes in-network option for PPO members

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Mayo Clinic in Florida have expanded their agreement, making Mayo Clinic an in-network option for BCBSF BlueOptions members, effective April 1, 2011. This multi-year contract marks the broadest relationship to date between BCBSF and Mayo Clinic in Florida as it builds off the existing Traditional Program and BlueChoice PPO networks.

2 Apr 2011

North Bay RNs choose Ontario Nurses' Association as their union

Once again, Registered Nurses with the North Bay Regional Health Centre have overwhelmingly voted to make the Ontario Nurses' Association their union.

2 Apr 2011

Eliza to participate in moderated discussion at 2011 World Health Care Congress

Eliza Corporation, the leading provider of integrated healthcare communication strategies, will participate in a moderated discussion at the 2011 World Health Care Congress.

2 Apr 2011

FAO report highlights concern over 'slow-onset' climate change effects on food security

"Slow-onset" climate changes could have a bigger impact in developing countries in the future, including "potentially catastrophic" effects on food production, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said on Thursday in a report for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, The Hindu reports (Parsai, 4/1).

2 Apr 2011

Reimbursement for surgical services has declined in recent years

In recent years reimbursement for surgical services has declined, failing to keep up with inflation and economic growth. Financial incentives aimed at re-distributing reimbursement from procedural specialties to primary care specialties have been ineffective thus far, and the financial returns of being a physician continue to decrease, according to new research published in the April 2011 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

2 Apr 2011

Ariz. Governor announces plan to cut Medicaid but restore some transplant funding

Gov. Jan Brewer asks HHS to approve proposal that would cut some enrollees and increase their cost sharing.

2 Apr 2011

Latest scientific discoveries in children's health to be presented at PAS annual meeting

The latest scientific discoveries in children's health will be presented in Denver April 30-May 3, as part of the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies. This year's gathering is a joint meeting with the Asian Society for Pediatric Research, and more than 6,500 leaders in academic pediatrics from around the world are expected to attend the meeting at the Colorado Convention Center.

2 Apr 2011

The push is on for deficit reduction

Addressing government entitlement programs, including Medicare, are key to that effort. Meanwhile, GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich offers his own plans for wringing savings from health care costs.

2 Apr 2011

House subcommittee approves bill calling for report on USAID's efforts to address Haiti's cholera outbreak

The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere on Thursday "approved by voice vote a bill (HR 1016) that would require the Obama administration to report to Congress within six months on the handling of U.S. funds for combating a cholera outbreak that occurred after last year's earthquake in Haiti," CQ reports.

2 Apr 2011

South Los Angeles celebrates opening of new Kaiser Permanente medical facility

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined other local community leaders including Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bernard C. Parks and Jan Perry to celebrate the opening of the Kaiser Permanente South Los Angeles Medical Offices.

2 Apr 2011

Long-awaited federal rule for accountable care organizations outlines 'gains and risks' for doctors, hospitals

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick announced the release of the proposed rule Thursday, offering insights into how the administration hopes to encourage doctors and hospitals to collaborate more closely to improve patient care.

2 Apr 2011

House panel approves bills to limit health law funding

The House Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee has approved five bills that aim to limit the HHS secretary's spending authority under the health reform law and also subject some of the statute's mandatory spending to the annual appropriations process.

2 Apr 2011

IOM panel urges more research on health issues facing gays

A Institute of Medicine report calls for more study of health conditions and disparities facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

2 Apr 2011

MBGH to host its 31st Annual Conference for employers, health benefits professionals

The Midwest Business Group on Health, one of the nation's leading business groups of private and public employers, will host its 31st Annual Conference for employers, health benefits professionals and other health care stakeholders, May 5-6, 2011 in Chicago. This year's theme is Health Benefits MEGATrends: Transformations in Health Care, Health Benefits & Health Improvement.

2 Apr 2011

Minnesota medical spending reached $17.4 billion in 2010

Health costs per person in Minnesota rose only 2.6 percent in 2010, about half the national average. Key factors in controlling costs were innovations by Minnesota's health plans – for example, more effective management of care for those with chronic diseases – and reduced demand for health care in a slow economy.

2 Apr 2011

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey to launch Accountable Care Forum

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey is launching Accountable Care Forum - From Volume to Value, a blog dedicated to analysis of the emerging accountable care organization landscape. The launch coincides with regulations issued today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

2 Apr 2011