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NCD's monthly bulletin for December, 2009

National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for December 2009.

30 Dec 2009

RNAO calls for entries to its 12th annual Awards for Excellence in Health-Care

News stories about H1N1 have dominated the media during the past few months, but throughout 2009 journalists reported on a variety of other health and health-care issues that affected the lives of nurses, patients and all Ontarians. As the year draws to a close, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is asking reporters, editors and producers to look back over their work and enter the 12th annual Awards for Excellence in Health-Care Reporting.

30 Dec 2009

Tele-ICU system not linked to overall hospital mortality

Remote monitoring of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) was not associated with an overall improvement in the risk of death or length of stay in the ICU or hospital, according to a study in the December 23/30 issue of JAMA.

30 Dec 2009

NRG Energy signs contract to provide energy services to UMCPP

NRG Energy, Inc., through its subsidiary NRG Thermal, has signed a contract to provide comprehensive, high-efficiency energy services to the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP).

30 Dec 2009

Pharmacists can reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes if given the chance

The role of pharmacists hasn't received much attention in the debate on the cost of health care. But national and regional studies show that when pharmacists directly participate in patient care, they significantly reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes.

30 Dec 2009

ACC files complaint against HHS Secretary in U.S. District Court

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) today announced that it filed a complaint against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in United States District Court.

30 Dec 2009

Americans willing to consider significant changes in Medicare program, finds report

Although Americans see Medicare as a key part of the country's social contract and want to preserve it in some recognizable form, they are willing to consider significant changes in the program to hold down its costs as the U.S. population ages.

30 Dec 2009

Majority of small business owners do not support public health care option

Eighty-three percent of the owners of small businesses surveyed across Michigan do not support a government-operated health care plan as a public option for insurance, according to a new survey of the members of the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) and the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) headquartered in Warren. This is intriguing data as Michigan's economy has been under national scrutiny and the bills were designed to help small business.

30 Dec 2009

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts

Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain and industry leader with more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, is now offering H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts.

30 Dec 2009

Spectranetics illegally imports unapproved medical devices, agrees to pay $5M for resolving allegations

Spectranetics Corporation, a medical device manufacturer, has agreed to pay the United States $4.9 million in civil damages plus a $100,000 forfeiture to resolve claims against the company, the Justice Department announced today. The claims arise from allegations that the company illegally imported unapproved medical devices and provided them to physicians for use in patients, conducted a clinical study in a manner that failed to comply with federal regulations and promoted certain products for procedures for which the company had not received Food and Drug Administration approval or clearance.

30 Dec 2009

Emerging Healthcare Solutions to execute option agreement with ThromboVision

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce the execution of an exclusive option agreement with ThromboVision, Inc. ThromboVision, a Houston-based healthcare diagnostics company committed to enabling people to lead longer and healthier lives, has developed and patented T-Guide®, a new cutting-edge diagnostic test to assist medical professionals with the treatment of heart disease.

29 Dec 2009

JAMA: New series on caring for the aging patient

To assist physicians in caring for a patient demographic that is rapidly growing in size, JAMA is launching a new series, "Care of the Aging Patient: From Evidence to Action."

29 Dec 2009

Over 5,000 "Not Recommended" Internet drug outlets

On December 11, 2009, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy(R) (NABP(R)) reached a bitter-sweet milestone in its ongoing review of Web sites selling prescription medications. NABP now lists more than 5,000 Internet drug outlets as Not Recommended. These sites -- 96% of the total number of sites reviewed -- have been found to be out of compliance with pharmacy laws and practice standards established in the United States to protect the public health.

29 Dec 2009

Study suggests genetic variations predispose African-Americans to diabetes

For years, scientists have tried to determine the basis for discrepancies between race and the predisposition for development of diseases such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Could factors such as differences in lifestyle or access to health care play a role, or is there something else in play?

29 Dec 2009

Employers pay close attention to health care legislation developments, according to MetLife

Health care legislation continues to be a very hot topic among Americans today. According to new research from MetLife, 75% of individuals and 83% of employers report paying close attention to health care legislation developments.

29 Dec 2009

Selected store locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and California to receive H1N1 flu vaccinations

CVS/pharmacy announced today that it will provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at select store locations in Massachusetts, Virginia and Orange County, California beginning Tuesday, December 29.

29 Dec 2009

Genesys Health System to pay $669,413 over Medicare false claim allegations

Genesys Health System has agreed to pay the United States $669,413 to settle a lawsuit alleging that the health care provider violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare, the Justice Department announced today.

28 Dec 2009

ASR launches new line of 5-in-1 non contact thermometers

As part of its initiative to develop the intellectual property for new, unique health and safety products available for global distribution, American Scientific Resources, Inc. today announced the launch of a new line of affordable, revolutionary, 5-in-1 non-contact thermometers specifically designed to meet the needs of consumers and healthcare workers around the globe.

28 Dec 2009

BPC supports passage of health care bill

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle and Bob Dole, members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Advisory Board and Leaders' Project on the State of American Health Care, commend their former Senate colleagues for passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 today.

28 Dec 2009

Senate health care bill will increase patient access and help create high-wage, high-value jobs

“These provisions mean increased access for the patients of today and renewed hope for the patients of tomorrow. In addition, they will help create high-wage, high-value jobs in our nation’s burgeoning biotech sector and help maintain U.S. global leadership in innovation.”

28 Dec 2009