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Study finds racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer incidence

A New Jersey study found that African-Americans with cancer are less likely to survive it than whites, and residents of poor neighborhoods less likely to survive than are those in wealthier areas of the state.

3 Feb 2010

Ohio changes Medicaid drug program, N.C. weighs cuts in Medicaid personal care services

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Ohio's seven Medicaid managed care plans this month will make changes in the prescription drug plans that cover about 1.5 million people, although many of those beneficiaries will not face increased costs.

3 Feb 2010

U.S. government to reimburse American hospitals that treat airlifted Haitian patients

"The federal government announced on Monday that it would reimburse American hospitals who treat Haitian earthquake victims with life-threatening injuries, making it possible for more hospitals in states outside Florida to consider taking those patients," the New York Times reports.

3 Feb 2010

Tenet Healthcare signs multi-year agreement with MultiPlan

Tenet Healthcare Corporation today announced that it signed a multi-year agreement with MultiPlan, Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2010. The agreement includes participation in the PHCS (formerly Private Healthcare Systems) Network, the MultiPlan Network and, in select markets, PHCS Savility, which is MultiPlan’s newest primary PPO network.

3 Feb 2010

ALEC commends Kansas legislators for filing Health Care Freedom Amendment

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) — the nation's largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators — congratulates Kansas State Senator Mary Pilcher Cook and Representatives Peggy Mast and Brenda Landwehr for filing the Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment, which would protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices.

3 Feb 2010

Some states restart health reforms while others push back

"Lawmakers in at least two states, California and Missouri, have introduced legislation for the current session to create government-backed coverage for state residents," The Wall Street Journal reports.

3 Feb 2010

Obama's FY 2011 budget gives global health funding boost

President Barack Obama's FY 2011 budget request for global health totals $9.6 billion and includes funding for global health activities within the State Department, USAID and HHS, the Wall Street Journal reports

3 Feb 2010

Local programs for medical homes, free care may offer blueprint for larger changes

News outlets explore the increasingly popular concept of "medical homes" -- a coordinated system that emphasizes primary care, prevention and wellness -- and another program that provides free care to those in need.

2 Feb 2010

MISI opens new comprehensive spine care facility in Las Colinas

The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, one of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities for back and neck pain as well as spinal disorders in the United States, has opened a comprehensive spine care facility in Las Colinas to offer both holistic and traditional approaches to spine care, advancing physician practices by forever changing the patient experience.

2 Feb 2010

Obama's budget includes a tempered vision of health reform

Democrats' health overhaul efforts are stalled in Congress, but President Obama's 2011 budget offers a "modest" back-up plan, the Associated Press reports. "The budget released Monday contains lots of respectable ideas to squeeze savings, expand coverage and improve quality, but no ambitious change that launches the nation on a path to health care for all."

2 Feb 2010

In New Hampshire, Obama promises not to quit on health care overhaul

President Barack Obama pledged not to give up on his health care overhaul Tuesday.

2 Feb 2010

Hospital mergers may rise

Business Week/Bloomberg: "Failure to pass the health-care overhaul may accelerate a push by Community Health Systems Inc., Health Management Associates Inc. and LifePoint Hospitals Inc. to acquire facilities weakened by the recession.

2 Feb 2010

Current health reform efforts echo past struggles as chances are weighed

The chances for President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress to enact health reform is being weighed by a number of analysts, who are handicapping the outcome based on past and present experiences.

2 Feb 2010

Xiaflex receives FDA approval for treatment of Dupuytren's contracture

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) as the first drug to treat a progressive hand disease known as Dupuytren's contracture, which can affect a person's ability to straighten and properly use their fingers.

2 Feb 2010

Pelosi: Insurance antitrust bill next week, Dems continue health reform planning

News outlets covered the mixed signals on Capitol Hill on the prospects for Democratic health legislation.

2 Feb 2010

Infection rates for 25 Dallas/Fort Worth area hospitals: Consumer Reports

Hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area vary dramatically in terms of how well their intensive care units (ICUs) prevent central-line bloodstream infections, a cause of death, disability, and expense in our nations' hospitals that is largely preventable. On February 2, www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org will post hospital infection rates for 25 Dallas/Fort Worth area hospitals along with other critical patient safety and satisfaction information for consumers.

2 Feb 2010

HHS appoints new members to Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today the appointment of 24 new members to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). The PACHA’s chair, Dr. Helene Gayle, was appointed in August 2009.

2 Feb 2010

Atlanta Hamilton Medical Center reports zero central line infection

Hospitals in the Atlanta area vary in terms of how well their intensive care units (ICUs) prevent central-line bloodstream infections, a cause of death, disability, and expense in our nations' hospitals that is largely preventable. On February 2, www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org will post hospital infection rates for 12 Atlanta area hospitals that voluntarily reported their infection rates.

2 Feb 2010

Leapfrog Group urges hospitals to report infection rates for consumers’ benefit

For the first time, in 2009, The Leapfrog Group asked hospitals across the country on behalf of Leapfrog's purchaser members to publicly report their rates of one of the most common and deadly forms of hospital-acquired infections: central-line associated blood stream infections, or CLABSIs.

2 Feb 2010

Central-line bloodstream infections rate vary in San Francisco hospitals

Hospitals in San Francisco vary dramatically in terms of how well their intensive care units (ICUs) prevent central-line bloodstream infections, a cause of death, disability, and expense in our nations' hospitals that is largely preventable.

2 Feb 2010