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Chelsea initiates NORTHERA Phase III trial for symptomatic NOH associated with PD

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. announced the initiation of Study 306, a pivotal Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of NORTHERA™, an oral synthetic precursor of norepinephrine, for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) associated with Parkinson's disease.

29 Jun 2010

Clinical assessment study identifies opportunities to improve end-of-life care

Even at a hospital recognized for managing seriously ill patients, a systematic assessment of clinical measures associated with end-of-life care identified opportunities to improve treatment for those dying in the hospital, according to a report in the June 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

29 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 29, 2010

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "Sarah Rose Nordgren works 25 to 30 hours a week as a waitress at an upscale restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C. She also tutors high- schoolers on their college entrance essays and has an editorial internship at a book publisher. But if something were to go seriously wrong with her health, she'd be in trouble because none of her three jobs offers health insurance" (Kaiser Health News).

29 Jun 2010

Majority of doctors resort to defensive medicine practices, says survey

A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers has found that 91 percent of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine," ordering more tests and procedures than necessary as a protective measure. The study, which questioned 2,416 physicians, is published in the June 28 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine.

29 Jun 2010

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeals in civil racketeering lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers

The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to hear appeals in the federal government's civil racketeering lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers. Today's decision upholds the trial court's historic verdict that the cigarette manufacturers are racketeers and have engaged in a decades-long conspiracy to deceive the American public and target children with their deadly and addictive products. That verdict is now final and undeniable: The cigarette manufacturers have been found guilty of engaging in a deadly fraud that is unprecedented in our nation's history.

29 Jun 2010

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

The federal government has approved Pennsylvania's application to offer a high-risk insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, state Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said today.

29 Jun 2010

G8 nations commit $5B for maternal, child health; Additional $2.3B committed from other countries, foundations

G8 nations, plus other countries and private organizations, have committed at total of $7.3 billion to improve maternal and child health in the developing world, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Friday at the group's summit in Canada's Muskoka region, All Headline News reports (6/26).

29 Jun 2010

N.J. Gov. still undecided on whether to join lawsuit against overhaul while health care costs roil Mass. Governor's race

The Philadelphia Inquirer: N.J. "Gov. Christie says he has not decided whether to sign on to a 20-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health-care law signed in March by President Obama. That makes New Jersey one of seven Republican-led states that have not joined the largely partisan fight. Interest groups on both sides of the debate are lobbying the governor, but some of his advisers say he should not join the suit.

29 Jun 2010

Foreign Policy examines GHI, PEPFAR

Foreign Policy examines reactions to the priorities set forth in President Barack Obama's Global Health Initiative (GHI) and what they might mean for PEPFAR.

29 Jun 2010

Efforts to contain drug-resistant malaria near Thai-Cambodian border appear to be working, officials say

A two-year effort aimed at preventing the emergence of drug-resistant malaria near the border between Cambodia and Thailand is showing signs of success, Duong Socheat, head of Cambodia's National Center for Malaria Control, said on Friday, DPA/Earth Times reports.

29 Jun 2010

Ahead of International AIDS Conference, health experts call for scientifically-based drug policies

Ahead of the International AIDS Conference, scheduled to kick off July 18, health experts on Monday called for a rethinking of international drug policies to incorporate greater scientific evidence and increase access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, the Associated Press reports (6/28).

29 Jun 2010

Hospice care falls as more Americans spend final days in hospitals; Milwaukee hospital reports success with treatment guidelines

The Associated Press: "Americans increasingly are treated to death, spending more time in hospitals in their final days, trying last-ditch treatments that often buy only weeks of time, and racking up bills that have made medical care a leading cause of bankruptcies. More than 80 percent of people who die in the United States have a long, progressive illness such as cancer, heart failure or Alzheimer's disease."

29 Jun 2010

Opinions: G8 commitments to maternal, child health

A Toronto Star editorial reflects on the pledges of G8 countries to the Muskoka Initiative to improve maternal and child health care, noting, while Canada's $1.1 billion over five years "fell noticeably short of the $1.2 billion the G8 and G20 summits cost to stage, it will lend welcome impetus to a lifeline for Africa and help save lives." However, as the editorial notes, "the recession-battered G8 as a group responded feebly, mustering only $5 billion over five years.

29 Jun 2010

Queensland health payroll was faulty right from testing phase: Auditor’s report

The Auditor General’s report on the Queensland health pay bungle revealed an “unprecedented failure of public administration in Queensland” a day after two senior bureaucrats lost their jobs.

28 Jun 2010

People in Medicare's two-year disability waiting period continue to wait

The Oregonian: Sue Sherman of Southwest Portland was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and "joined nearly 2 million disabled Americans -- at least 15,000 in Oregon -- who fall into a twilight with the first monthly Social Security disability payment, for they then must wait two years to become eligible for Medicare." Many of them exhaust their savings "on the care necessary to reach a diagnosis and now cannot get private insurance."

28 Jun 2010

Othello Community Hospital second in nation to achieve Stage 6 on EMR Adoption Model

Othello Community Hospital, an Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS)-networked facility, has been recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics as achieving Stage 6 on the EMR Adoption Modelsm (EMRAM). Othello is only the second critical access hospital in the nation to receive this distinction, a testament to its commitment to using technology to best serve patients.

28 Jun 2010

Health reform law this week: Some states to miss deadline on high-risk pools, tanning tax kicks in

USA Today: "The key early program of the nation's new health law aims to provide affordable coverage to about 200,000 people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, through federal high-risk insurance pools. The law called for the program to be in place last week, 90 days after its enactment, though the Department of Health and Human Services had said the programs would launch Thursday to coincide with the start of states' fiscal years."

28 Jun 2010

Senate Dems continue Medicaid money, jobless benefits push

The Hill reports that Senate Democrats are pushing to keep a package of jobless benefits and aid to states for their Medicaid programs moving. "More than 1.2 million Americans will exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of June if Congress fails to work out a deal on an extension of unemployment benefits, according to the National Employment Law Project, a group studying the issue."

28 Jun 2010

Over 90% of U.S. adults consume twice the recommended limit for sodium intake

Less than 10 percent of U.S. adults limit their daily sodium intake to recommended levels, according to a new report, "Sodium Intake in Adults – United States, 2005-2006," published today in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report also finds that most sodium in the American diet comes from processed grains such as pizza and cookies, and meats, including poultry and luncheon meats.

28 Jun 2010

Republicans start new effort to advance greater federal abortion funding restrictions

The Hill: House Minority Leader John Boehner will introduce legislation that would stop Congress from using taxpayer money to support abortions or abortion coverage.

28 Jun 2010

Health Care News and Research

Chelsea initiates NORTHERA Phase III trial for symptomatic NOH associated with PD

Clinical assessment study identifies opportunities to improve end-of-life care

First Edition: June 29, 2010

Majority of doctors resort to defensive medicine practices, says survey

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeals in civil racketeering lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

G8 nations commit $5B for maternal, child health; Additional $2.3B committed from other countries, foundations

N.J. Gov. still undecided on whether to join lawsuit against overhaul while health care costs roil Mass. Governor's race

Foreign Policy examines GHI, PEPFAR

Efforts to contain drug-resistant malaria near Thai-Cambodian border appear to be working, officials say

Ahead of International AIDS Conference, health experts call for scientifically-based drug policies

Hospice care falls as more Americans spend final days in hospitals; Milwaukee hospital reports success with treatment guidelines

Opinions: G8 commitments to maternal, child health

Queensland health payroll was faulty right from testing phase: Auditor’s report

People in Medicare's two-year disability waiting period continue to wait

Othello Community Hospital second in nation to achieve Stage 6 on EMR Adoption Model

Health reform law this week: Some states to miss deadline on high-risk pools, tanning tax kicks in

Senate Dems continue Medicaid money, jobless benefits push

Over 90% of U.S. adults consume twice the recommended limit for sodium intake

Republicans start new effort to advance greater federal abortion funding restrictions

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