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U.S. Marshals seize Rite-Dent's dental devices

U.S. Marshals, acting under a court order sought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on Jan. 5 and 6, seized all dental devices from Rite-Dent Manufacturing Corporation, located in Hialeah, Fla.

14 Jan 2011

USDA revises corn, soybean crop estimates driving up prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday "reported that last year's corn and soybean crop was smaller than its earlier estimates," Minnesota Public Radio reports. "As a result, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are rising quickly, sparking concern about higher food prices" (Steil, 1/13).

14 Jan 2011

World marks Haiti earthquake anniversary

Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary since a massive earthquake struck Haiti, the Miami Herald reports.

14 Jan 2011

Sleep medications increase risk for nighttime falls and potential injury

Adults who take one of the world's most commonly prescribed sleep medications are significantly more at risk for nighttime falls and potential injury, according to a new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder.

14 Jan 2011

Women's eNews examines launch of U.N. Women

Women's eNews examines U.N.'s new agency U.N. Women, which officially got off the ground on Jan. 3. According to the news service, U.N. Women's "Manhattan headquarters remain unoccupied, said U.N. Women spokesperson Gretchen Luchsinger"; employees from the previous U.N. entities that focused on women's issues remain in "scattered offices around the U.N. Secretariat building"; and "[s]even high-level staff positions" remain unfilled.

14 Jan 2011

65% of Americans oppose Medicaid cuts

Coming on the heels of a major research report finding that long term care is paid less on an hourly basis than the national minimum wage, a new nationwide poll shows that 65 percent of Americans would oppose further cuts to funding for long term care.

14 Jan 2011

Medicaid payments under scrutiny in New York City, on Maryland's eastern shore

New York City is defending its authorization of in-home care for thousands of patients. Meanwhile, in Maryland, investigators disclosed that they had uncovered evidence of fraud at a drug treatment and mental health clinic. In the background, Wisconsin legislators greenlight plans for a sweeping audit of the state's health program for the poor.

14 Jan 2011

Kidney transplant failure patients can opt for home-based dialysis therapy

According to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology, despite complications, these patients can choose to undergo dialysis in the comfort of their own homes.

14 Jan 2011

Judge orders Guidant to pay $296 million fine for withholding information about faulty heart devices

This Boston Scientific Corp. subsidiary faces this fine as well as three years of probation as part of a case that began in 2005.

14 Jan 2011

State health programs face significant budget challenges

In the third quarter of 2010, overall state revenues were down 7 percent compared to two years earlier. That drop has come at a time when the slow economy is putting increasing demands on safety-net services that states administer, such as Medicaid. The state-run health program for people with low incomes has eclipsed K-12 education as the most expensive portion of overall state budgets.

14 Jan 2011

GOP leaders reformulate strategies to undo health law

In the wake of last weekend's shootings in Arizona, GOP House leaders are contemplating ways to proceed with their planned health law repeal vote. Meanwhile, even as the debate continues — perhaps with more civility — The Washington Post offers a fact-check of one of the key points in play.

14 Jan 2011

New research shows hospital's design features can improve patient care, reduce health care expenses

Extra large private hospital rooms with plenty of natural light and artwork may seem like unaffordable luxuries, but new research shows that these and other architecture and design features can improve patient care and in the long run reduce health care expenses.

14 Jan 2011

News outlets examine reaction to WHO plan to contain drug-resistant malaria

In follow-up coverage of the WHO's announcement Wednesday of a plan to contain the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria, news outlets examined the scope of the problem, reactions to the plan and speculations of how the anticipated $175 million annual cost would be funded.

14 Jan 2011

Investing in medical innovation could have positive effect on health care costs

News outlets report that some experts say this investment could help with job creation and American competitiveness in the international marketplace.

14 Jan 2011

Ruptured brain aneurysm treated through the nose

During breakfast one Sunday, Alfreda Cordero was struck suddenly and violently by the worst headache she had ever experienced. A day later, she would make medical history as the first person to have a ruptured brain aneurysm treated through the nose.

14 Jan 2011

Exploring the health overhaul's business opportunities

News outlets report on efforts to capitalize on health reform's new business opportunities.

14 Jan 2011

FDA asks manufacturers to eliminate higher-dose prescription combination acetaminophen products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking manufacturers of prescription combination products that contain acetaminophen to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams in each tablet or capsule.

14 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Health law repeal; Individual mandate; Essential benefits package; Arizona transplant program

If the government fails, then costs will rise inexorably. Nothing in the law guarantees success: The law embodies almost every idea anyone has offered and hopes a couple of them will work.

14 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. revisits single payer; Kan. and Maine join lawsuit; Texas young adults' insurance challenge

Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Maine say they will join more than 20 other states in a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday formally asking that Kansas join the multistate lawsuit pending in federal district court in Florida.

14 Jan 2011

Health Care REIT completes $3.2 billion gross investments during 2010

Health Care REIT, announced today that it completed $3.2 billion of gross investments during calendar 2010. During the year, the company had dispositions of $196 million, resulting in 2010 net investments of $3.0 billion.

14 Jan 2011