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Children's Health Fund lauds Reid over release of the final Senate health care legislation

Irwin Redlener, MD, President and Co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a national organization that advocates for and develops primary care programs for disadvantaged and medically underserved children, today released the following statement on release of the final Senate health care legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid: "First and foremost, we applaud the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on producing this historic health reform bill which will provide millions of currently uninsured children access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

24 Dec 2009

National Alliance for Hispanic Health urges Congress to support passage of health insurance reform bill

"Health is more than insurance coverage, but it is critical that this step be accomplished as we continue our journey towards health care for all. The entire Alliance network is committed to working with Congress to ensure health insurance reform is new legislation that is signed in 2010," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

24 Dec 2009

ANA President: Victory for advocates of meaningful health care reform

The American Nurses Association (ANA), the largest multi-purpose nursing organization in the country, applauds Senate lawmakers for passing H.R. 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." This landmark legislation was approved by a vote of 60-39. ANA had urged passage of the legislation and its most recent letter of support, one of several sent to members of Congress, was read on the Senate floor by Majority Whip Dick J. Durbin (D-IL).

24 Dec 2009

Senate approves health care bill

The New York Times: "The Senate voted Thursday to reinvent the nation's health care system, passing a bill to guarantee access to health insurance for tens of millions of Americans and to rein in health costs as proposed by President Obama" (Pear, 12/24).

24 Dec 2009

Senate bill fails the American people, says ACLJ

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, said today Senate passage of the health care bill “fails the American people” and urged pro-life members of the U.S. House to stand firm in protecting the sanctity of life as differences between the Senate and House health care bills are addressed.

24 Dec 2009

AHIP CEO comments on passage of Senate health care reform legislation

"Providing all Americans with health care coverage is crucial for the country. Health plans support legislative changes that would provide guaranteed access to all Americans, with no pre-existing condition limitations and no health-status-based premiums. These reforms are essential to giving all Americans greater peace of mind and health security.

24 Dec 2009

American Diabetes Association lauds passage of health reform in the Senate

The American Diabetes Association issues the following statement about the passing of HR 3590 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

24 Dec 2009

Methodist Hospitals' Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority revenue bonds rated 'BB+'

Fitch Ratings assigns a 'BB+' rating to the following Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority revenue bonds issued on behalf of Methodist Hospitals (Methodist): -- $14.6 million series 1996 Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority revenue bonds; -- $60.6 million series 2001 Indiana Health Facilities Financing Authority revenue bonds.

24 Dec 2009

New series of 30-second PSAs on getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the Ad Council and the Jim Henson Company, has released a new series of 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) about the importance of getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Targeted to parents and children, the PSA campaign features 15 governors, a state first lady, a state chief medical officer and the main character from the PBS’ series “Sid the Science Kid” and reminds the public that getting vaccinated is the best way to stay healthy during this flu season.

24 Dec 2009

Senate action for expanding health care coverage commended by Aetna

Aetna today commended the U.S. Senate for taking action to significantly expand access to health care coverage for millions of Americans. While noting progress toward meaningful reform, Aetna Chairman and CEO Ronald A. Williams said that more needs to be done to deliver on the full promise of health care system reform.

24 Dec 2009

Widespread support for electronic cigarettes

Thousands and thousands have left tobacco for an alternative called an electronic cigarette, that is making waves in the news, government and the general population. The support is widespread and diverse, from prominent doctors and harm reduction specialists to the users and family members of the ones who are hoping against hope that this will be the product that can reduce the risk of traditional tobacco cigarettes.

24 Dec 2009

Health Partners receives NCQA Accreditation

Health Partners' Medical Assistance plan has once again received "Excellent" status, the highest level of Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the most recognized accrediting body in the United States for health plans.

24 Dec 2009

CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic expand H1N1 vaccine outreach effort

CVS/pharmacy, the nation's leading retail pharmacy, and MinuteClinic, the largest retail health care provider in the U.S., announced today an expanded H1N1 vaccine outreach effort.

24 Dec 2009

Boston Scientific to pay $22M for settlement of Guidant post-market survey investigation

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that it has entered into a civil settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the Department's investigation relating to certain post-market surveys conducted by Guidant Corporation before Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in 2006. Boston Scientific had previously disclosed the investigation, which was conducted by the United States Attorney's office in Boston.

24 Dec 2009

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations throughout Indiana

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 Indiana.

24 Dec 2009

Continuation of federal UC benefits and health insurance assistance for Pennsylvanians

Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Pennsylvanians who are out of work through no fault of their own now may qualify for two more months of emergency unemployment compensation and health care coverage through the COBRA premium reduction.

24 Dec 2009

Teamsters reaches bargaining agreement with American Red Cross

Members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #929 will return to work today after voting to ratify a new 3-year collective bargaining agreement with the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Region.

24 Dec 2009

"Tan Tax" will hurt middle-class women and women-owned businesses

The proposed 10 percent federal tax on indoor tanning services, added to the latest U.S. Senate health care reform bill in a back-room deal over the weekend, will fall 40-50 percent short of delivering the revenue its proponents promised, according to the International Smart Tan Network (Smart Tan). The tax unfairly targets female consumers, who make up more than two-thirds of tanning clients, and would be detrimental to the thousands of women who own the majority of America's indoor tanning salons.

24 Dec 2009

QUITPLAN Services' quit-smoking campaign: Monkeys on people's backs

Quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions for many Minnesotans. As the holiday approaches, QUITPLAN Services, the free quit-smoking program provided through ClearWay Minnesota(SM), hopes to motivate them to make a fresh start with a new television ad launching just as most smokers resolve to quit. The new ad acknowledges that every individual experiences different triggers for smoking, and highlights the free, personalized help available through QUITPLAN Services. The ad debuts on Dec. 28.

24 Dec 2009

Increase in COBRA health care plan enrollment rates among subsidy-eligible employees

A new analysis from Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, indicates that average monthly enrollment rates in COBRA health care plans among subsidy-eligible employees have increased by 20 percentage points since the COBRA subsidy was enacted in March 2009.

24 Dec 2009