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Senate might see health overhaul vote slip into 2010

Democrats are, by many accounts, a long way from agreement among their own members on a health care reform bill.

4 Nov 2009

Prayer treatments covered in health care reform bills

Prayer treatments may get a boost in health care legislation, raising debate about what constitutes healing and the separation of church and state.

4 Nov 2009

More Atlanta residents are stressed about the economy according to APA survey

More Atlanta residents are stressed about the economy this year according to the American Psychological Association's (APA) Stress in America survey, while the number of Atlantans reporting money or work as significant stressors in 2009 has dropped. More than 60 percent of city residents continue to report that money, work and the economy are significant sources of stress -- a cause of concern for psychologists who worry about the effects of long-term stress and how it can contribute to chronic health disorders.

4 Nov 2009

The uninsured, putting off care, facing debt

ProPublica profiles Anne Johnson, a 41-year-old single mother in California "whose family has been uninsured since she lost her job as a secretary in February," and explores how health reform could affect her. Johnson "needs her aortic valve replaced, but without insurance she can't afford the surgery. She is supposed to get checkups every six months, but that is also too expensive - so she has put them off."

4 Nov 2009

Insurers pressed about use of premium money for non-medical expenses

An analysis released in a letter by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., suggests that the amount of money insurance companies spend to cover medical expenses could be less than the companies claim.

3 Nov 2009

Party leaders say House GOP bill to be released soon

"The Republicans' health care bill in the House focuses more on lowering costs than on expanding coverage, party leaders said Monday — setting up a stark divide between the GOP and Democrats who have made near universal coverage a top priority of their bills," Politico reports.

3 Nov 2009

Press conference to discuss how health insurance reform will benefit small businesses

Democratic Senators Tom Harkin and Mary Landrieu and Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson joined Mike Draper, a small business owner from Des Moines, Iowa; Gwendolyn Barnes, a small business owner from Shreveport, Louisiana; Dr. Ken Brantley, a small business owner from Richmond, Virginia; and other small business owners from across the country at a press conference this morning to discuss how health insurance reform will benefit small businesses.

3 Nov 2009

Health Analytics Solution Center launched by IBM

IBM today announced the launch of its Health Analytics Solution Center, part of a network of global centers addressing the growing demand for advanced analytics needed to help hospitals and medical staff improve decision-making and provide higher quality care.

3 Nov 2009

Reid: Lawmakers may not complete health legislation this year

CongressDaily: "Senate Majority Leader Reid is not expected to receive until next week scoring from CBO that will allow him to piece together a final healthcare overhaul bill, Senate sources said today. The possible two-week review period on proposals that Reid sent CBO Oct. 26 has bolstered speculation that an overhaul bill might not come to the Senate floor before December in a debate that could stretch into next year."

3 Nov 2009

Democrats still face roadblocks to health reform: Abortion, immigration

Though House leaders say they'd like a health reform bill vote by Friday, some Democrats are threatening to block its passage over the issue of abortion.

3 Nov 2009

Louisiana struggles with Medicaid shortfall; Texas governor criticizes reform

Newspapers report on health issues at the state level, including Louisiana's struggles with a Medicaid shortfall and the Texas governor's criticism of congressional health care reform efforts.

3 Nov 2009

Heal2gether Partnership Program for diabetes patients and their physicians launched

Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (ABH), a leader in commercializing the promise of regenerative medicine and the maker of Dermagraft®, launched during American Diabetes Month the Heal2gether Partnership Program for diabetes patients and their physicians.

3 Nov 2009

CBO: House health bill would lower some middle class premiums, raise costs for others

House Democrats say their health overhaul proposal will lead to health insurance premium savings for many consumers, though estimates of the overall measure's cost, as well as the taxes and fees required to pay for it, is a source of criticism and concern.

3 Nov 2009

CBO finding few friends on health reform 'scoring'

The Congressional Budget Office isn't making any friends in their treatment of the health care reform bills on either side of the aisle, with lawmakers complaining about its scope, timeline to deliver scores and murky cost estimates.

3 Nov 2009

Special commentary on obesity management

The November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association features a commentary by James O. Hill, an honorary ADA member, professor of pediatrics and medicine and director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado-Denver. He is also co-founder of America on the Move, a national weight gain prevention initiative that aims to inspire Americans to make small changes in how much they eat and how much they move to prevent weight gain.

3 Nov 2009

Business groups begin TV ad campaign against House health bill

Lobbying and business groups continue to organize and spend millions to shape health care reform.

3 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 3, 2009

Today's headlines focus on the the timing, politics, costs and contents of pending health overhaul bills, as well as a soon-to-be released GOP alternative.

3 Nov 2009

40% of African-Americans with diabetes delay a visit to a podiatrist: APMA

New national survey results show that nearly 40 percent of African-Americans with diabetes delay a visit to a podiatrist -- a critical member of a diabetes management team -- because they cannot afford the necessary medical care, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

3 Nov 2009

First integrated network of digital sales and marketing solutions for life sciences companies

PDI, Inc., a leading provider of sales and marketing support to U.S. health care companies, and Physicians Interactive, the leading provider of mobile reference and digital sales and marketing services to life sciences companies, have entered into a strategic alliance to collaborate and deliver the first integrated network of digital sales and marketing solutions. These products will drive expanded reach and revenue for life sciences customers, while increasing the level of service, access and value to physicians.

3 Nov 2009

Half of American children including 90% black children will use food stamps, says study

Nearly half of American children - including 90 percent of black children and 90 percent of children who spend their childhoods in single-parent households - will eat meals paid for by food stamps at some point during childhood, reports a Cornell researcher.

3 Nov 2009