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Sexual satisfaction and general well-being linked: Study

Pre- and post-menopausal women who self-rated themselves as being sexually satisfied had a higher overall psychological well-being score and scores for "positive well-being" and "vitality," compared with sexually dissatisfied women in a study of 295 women sexually active more than twice a month. The study, published today in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, also uncovered a positive association between age and well-being, but a negative association for general health.

30 Sep 2009

Ontario's doctors to stress the importance of health care professionals working together to the Standing Committee

At an appearance today before the Ontario Legislative Standing Committee on Social Policy, Ontario's doctors will stress the importance of health care professionals working together to enhance and strengthen the delivery of safe and quality care to patients.

30 Sep 2009

Senate Finance votes down Rockefeller amendment, 15-8

The Senate Finance Committee has rejected 15-8 an amendment by Sen. John D. Rockefeller to include a government-run public option in the committee's draft proposal.

30 Sep 2009

Mater Health Services implements Cisco Medical-Grade Network to improve health care

Cisco announced today that Mater Health Services, Queensland's largest not-for-profit hospital group, is making significant strides in achieving its Smart Hospital strategy with a roll-out of an expanded suite of business applications on its Cisco® Medical-Grade Network across its seven ultra-modern hospitals.

30 Sep 2009

Senate Finance Committee rejects public plan option with one-two punch

Senate Finance Committee members on Tuesday voted down the second of two amendments that would have added a government-run "public option" to their reform proposal. The amendment introduced by Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., was defeated 13 to 10, MarketWatch reports (Schroeder, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

HHS awards health centers $27.8M to increase use of health information technology

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards totaling $27.8 million to health center-controlled networks and large multi-site health centers to implement electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT) innovations.

30 Sep 2009

APIC, 3M Health Care call upon Congress to recognize IIPW 2009

To bring greater attention to the critical need to protect patients and the public from the risk of healthcare-associated infections, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), in collaboration with 3M Health Care, is urging nationwide recognition of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) October 18-24, 2009. Through the theme “Infection prevention is everyone’s business,” APIC is calling upon all 50 states and Congress to issue proclamations recognizing IIPW 2009.

30 Sep 2009

New 'movements' seek to introduce preventive, mental health care in new settings

A nationwide effort to coordinate mental health with primary care is underway, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "The idea is to give simple interventions in 15- to 30-minute visits that will address behavioral issues ranging from stress to traumatic reactions that often go untreated." Some clinics have coupled licensed social workers with their other clinical staff; the mental health experts provide services while patients and family members receive physical care.

30 Sep 2009

Opinion: 'Microland' to fight poverty; ensuring quality, timely drugs for Africa

In a Forbes column, Elisabeth Eaves, deputy editor at Forbes, examines the concept of "'microland:' securing rights to small plots of land for the world's poorest."

30 Sep 2009

States nervous, anxious for health reform in face of rising costs

Governors express nervousness about about Congress' pending health reform proposals. In Green Bay, residents watched costs rise, again, this year according to a new survey, and in Hawaii, most state workers saw soaring premiums, while teachers got off the hook by means of an innovative alternative insurance plan. In Massachusetts, 60 doctors accepted speaking fees from a drug giant.

30 Sep 2009

Promised e-health improvements also come with shortcomings, risks

Efforts to achieve greater efficiency and higher quality in health care through new health information technologies are not without new risks as well.

30 Sep 2009

Poll: Support for Democratic health plan hits new low

"Just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That's down two points from a week ago and the lowest level of support yet measured," Rasmussen reports on its latest poll.

30 Sep 2009

Medical students increasingly spurning primary care

The Baltimore Sun reports: "Ryan Circh's heart is drawn to family medicine, but his head - fixated on his daunting student loans and the uncertainties of health care reform - is leading him toward emergency or sports medicine. The 24-year-old studying medicine at the University of Maryland is probably another potential primary care physician lost. In the school's most recent graduating medical school class, more than a third pursued internal and family medicine."

30 Sep 2009

Democrats ready to battle amongst themselves over public plan

Democrats are set to spar — among themselves — on inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance coverage during Finance Committee action today.

30 Sep 2009

PAIRO partners with Ministry of Health to organize Health Professionals Recruitment Tour

Over the coming weeks, the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO) will play host to over 90 Ontario communities in need during the Health Professionals Recruitment Tour. Communities, experiencing a shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers will take the opportunity to showcase lifestyle, educational and employment opportunities available. Last year, over 1200 students, residents and established healthcare professionals visited the job fair.

30 Sep 2009

Two new short term health insurance plans to meet people’s needs

UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Company is introducing two new short term health insurance plans in North Carolina and West Virginia designed to meet people’s needs for more flexible and cost-effective approaches to coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Measure to protect older insured could impact the young

In most states, insurers charge older people much higher health insurance premiums than their younger counterparts, a practice companies say is "an unavoidable business decision" because the risk of getting sick rises with age, the Associated Press reports.

30 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

It is the Republicans' right to choose this course of hard-line opposition. But, just as surely, Democrats are the majority party in Congress. And we have a responsibility to lead (Sen. Tom Harkin, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Aetna announces first-dollar coverage for H1N1 flu vaccine administration

Aetna announced today that it will provide first-dollar coverage for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine for all of its fully-insured health plan members, and for all members of self-funded plans unless directed otherwise by the plan sponsor. Aetna is offering this coverage even in instances where members’ plans do not include coverage for preventive care or have limits on such coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Liberals sponsor anti-Baucus ad, former lawmakers call for civility

A new ad from a liberal group attacks Sen. Max Baucus' position on the public option. Meanwhile, some former lawmakers want to tone down the rhetoric in the debate.

30 Sep 2009