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To reduce spread of HIV/AIDS, IFRC calls for more focus on IDU programs

Ahead of World AIDS Day, the International Federation of the Red Cross on Friday released a report (.pdf) calling for governments around the world to do more to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among populations of injecting drug users (IDUs), the Associated Press reports (Heilprin, 11/25).

30 Nov 2010

Support elusive for debt panel as Wednesday deadline nears

The chairmen of a bipartisan panel appointed by President Barack Obama are altering an early draft of recommendations to reduce the nation's debt, in hopes of attracting broader support, The Wall Street Journal reports. Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican (former) Sen. Alan Simpson "need 14 of the 18 members of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to support their proposal in order to issue a formal recommendation, which could then be voted on by Congress before the end of the year.

30 Nov 2010

Medicare advantage enrollees will see more changes to plans

Medicare Advantage enrollees should make a habit of evaluating their options each year. Though experts say that beneficiaries won't be seeing a lot of changes this time and what changes there are will mostly be for the better it is a good idea for people to go through this annual drill before enrollment ends Dec. 31, just to make sure their plan choice remains a good one.

30 Nov 2010

Tricare may raise fees; VA Medical Center uses telemedicine to trim costs

"Of nearly 4.5 million military retirees and their families, about three-quarters are estimated to have access to health insurance through a civilian employer or group. But more than two million of them stay on Tricare," the military's lifetime health insurance program, The New York Times reports. Enrollment in Tricare, which costs less than what many private employers ask for in premiums, is expected to grow "as the costs of private health care continue to climb."

29 Nov 2010

Majority of African nations to miss MDG target on water, sanitation, UNEP says

The majority of African nations will fail to meet the U.N. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets related to water and sanitation, the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) said Friday, Agence France-Presse reports.

29 Nov 2010

Groups sharpen distinctions on health reform repeal as court cases continue

With Republicans set to take control of Ohio and the U.S. House of Representatives, patient advocates say they are worried about the future of health-care reform.

29 Nov 2010

Sun protection education to begin early

In a bid to prevent skin cancer the June E. Nylon Cancer Center has received a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities in the amount of $1,590 to fund treatments for sun damage among for students in the Sioux City Community Schools and also provide sunscreens to them.

29 Nov 2010

State lawmakers consider Medicaid changes

The Houston Chronicle: "Some Republicans who talk about Texas potentially opting out of Medicaid are quick to say the changes wouldn't throw people out on the street — but not House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts." Pitts didn't advocate the Medicaid change but "gave a stark answer when an audience member asked about an ill friend who is on Medicaid."

29 Nov 2010

ACO's raise hope but also questions

The Wall Street Journal: "Spurred by incentives in the federal health-overhaul law, hospitals and doctors around the country are beginning to create new entities that aim to provide more efficient health care," called ACO's. "But these efforts are already raising questions about whether they can truly save money, or if they might actually drive costs higher. In Arizona, Tucson Medical Center is forming a company that the hospital will own jointly with local physicians' practices.

29 Nov 2010

KHN column: Replace the tattered Medicaid long-term care safety net

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Howard Gleckman writes: "Medicaid, the state-federal health program that also pays for nearly half of all long-term care services for the frail elderly and younger people with disabilities, is in big trouble" (11/29).

29 Nov 2010

Political cartoon: 'Attack Dog or Lapdog?'

Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Attack Dog Or Lapdog?" by Monte Wolverton.

29 Nov 2010

Genesis deploys BIO-key's finger-based biometric identification solutions

BIO-key International, Inc., a leader in finger-based biometric identification solutions, announced the successful deployment by Genesis HealthCare System, based in Zanesville, Ohio, of BIO-key's biometric identification for staff to quickly, conveniently and securely establish their identity when ordering, verifying or administering medications as required by Ohio law.

29 Nov 2010

Lilly selects Veeva CRM for global deployments

Veeva Systems announced today that its Veeva CRM® suite of applications has been chosen by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company for major global deployments.

29 Nov 2010

Cardinal Health acquires Zuellig Pharma China for $470 million

Cardinal Health today announced the completion of a $470 million acquisition of privately held Zuellig Pharma China, a leading health care distribution business in China, known locally as Yong Yu, and the largest pharmaceutical importer in the country. The transaction extends Cardinal Health's distribution and services presence into one of the world's fastest growing health care markets and provides a platform to drive long-term growth.

29 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 29, 2010

Today's headlines include advance coverage of Congress' lame duck session, as well as news about strategies surrounding deficit-reduction efforts and how they might impact health care costs.

29 Nov 2010

Baylor Health Care System receives $20 million to benefit transplantation initiatives

Baylor Health Care System Foundation announces that Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons have pledged $20 million to benefit transplantation initiatives within Baylor Health Care System. In recognition of this transformational gift, Baylor will rename the institute the Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute.

29 Nov 2010

Golden Valley acquires Digit-Pro and Cut Stop

Golden Valley Development, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has recently completed the acquisition of two new companies, each having a licensing agreement to manufacture and market a new patented technology.

29 Nov 2010

Study reports increased CT usage in emergency departments

A new study reports that the use of computed tomography (CT) in the nation's emergency departments is growing exponentially. If the growth trend continues, by 2011, nearly 20 percent of all emergency department (ED) visits may involve a CT exam. The results of this study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and published online and in the journal Radiology.

29 Nov 2010

SaneVax Team congratulates Senator for examining NCI ethical questions

In a letter addressed to U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, the SaneVax Team congratulated the senator on his recent efforts to examine ethical questions raised by National Cancer Institute (NCI) employees accepting extensive travel sponsored by private companies and identified two senior NCI scientists who knowingly promote unreliable human papillomavirus (HPV) tests for patient care, and the development/monitoring of genotype-specific HPV vaccines to promote an unproven virology-based cervical cancer prevention business agenda.

29 Nov 2010

Lame duck session to include votes on Medicare 'doc fix,' health law's 1099 tax provision

Lawmakers, after taking Thanksgiving week off, arrive in town Monday along with the Capitol Christmas tree for the final stretch of the postelection session. Facing a daunting agenda, they could have that tree in their sights well into Christmas week.

28 Nov 2010