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Ontario's doctors commend government for taking steps to create comprehensive health care system

In the face of ongoing economic challenges, Ontario's doctors commend the government for taking the necessary steps to increase quality and efficiency in the health care system.

26 Mar 2010

HealthWell applauds lawmakers for passing historic health care reform bill

The HealthWell Foundation, a national nonprofit that helps underinsured Americans afford their medical treatments, applauds lawmakers for passing the historic health care reform bill this week. While the bill extends coverage to millions of uninsured people, it does not adequately address the problem of the underinsured -- people who have health insurance but not enough coverage to afford the care they need. It may even increase the number of people in this underserved group.

26 Mar 2010

SAIC awarded task order by WRAMC to provide information technology services

Science Applications International Corporation today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Directorate of Information Management to provide information technology services.

26 Mar 2010

Threats and vandalism against Democrats who vote for health reform

"The FBI is investigating acts of vandalism and a death threat aimed at Democrats who voted for the health care legislation." One incident involved Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., "who had a prominent role in passing the historic legislation as chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, [and] said a window in a district office was shattered by a brick and a voicemail 'referencing snipers' was left on a campaign office phone."

26 Mar 2010

Telemedicine evaluation of stroke patients results in more accurate diagnoses: Study

A growing number of medical centers that have access to stroke specialists are transmitting their expertise to rural communities via audio/video telemedicine consultation, with significant clinical results, according to a new clinical study that examined trials conducted in Arizona and California.

26 Mar 2010

Senate passes health reform reconciliation bill, sends it back to House

The Senate Thursday afternoon passed a health care reform reconciliation bill and sent the bill back to the House for final consideration. The bill passed 56-43.

26 Mar 2010

Lay health workers can help reduce childhood mortality

Lay persons in many countries who are given special training to promote or carry out some health care services may reduce childhood mortality.

26 Mar 2010

World TB Day coverage: Lesotho, Armenia, drug resistance, HIV coinfection

"To mark World [Tuberculosis] Day on Wednesday, Medecins Sans Frontieres [MSF] drew attention to Lesotho, which has the world's third-highest prevalence of HIV ... and the fourth-highest prevalence of tuberculosis," the Associated Press reports

26 Mar 2010

States challenge health insurance coverage mandate as leaders decide on participation

Attorneys general in 14 states have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of a health insurance coverage mandate in the new federal health law, and more may follow.

26 Mar 2010

ONA President’s statement on Ontario provincial budget

Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN says that today's provincial budget means more service and nursing cuts for patients in this province.

26 Mar 2010

Parties vie for political momentum after health vote

The health care debate has already become a proxy for 2010 election fights, with candidates in both parties wielding the issue, according to The Wall Street Journal: "In Kentucky, the two leading Democrats seeking an open Senate seat are battling over who has been most committed to the health-care law." Meanwhile, "[two] potential 2012 presidential candidates, Republicans Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney, both issued fund-raising appeals to their supporters, saying they would use the money to fight for the GOP position on the health-care law" (Wallsten, 3/25).

26 Mar 2010

Early screening for diabetes and kidney disease can improve health outcomes

Millions of Americans may have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and not know it, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN).

26 Mar 2010

Renowned experts discuss key statistics of health care reform at 2010 Keenan Summit

Keenan & Associates, the largest privately-held insurance brokerage and consulting firm in California, convened its sixth annual Keenan Summit on March 3, 2010, in Pasadena, Calif., and on March 4, 2010, in Berkeley. The theme for this year's summit was "Navigating Through Unprecedented Times: Today's Challenges. Tomorrow's Solutions."

26 Mar 2010

Overhaul will affect other economic sectors, not just health care

Health-overhaul legislation signed into law this week will affect not only America's health care industry, but the broader economy, too, The Christian Science Monitor reports. The overhaul could help create jobs. "But the legislation also means tax hikes, mainly on the highest-income Americans. And provisions designed to curb healthcare costs probably aren't strong enough to put a big dent in medical inflation - or federal budget deficits" (Trumbull, 3/24).

26 Mar 2010

Obama's closed-door signing of executive order on abortion funding raises objections

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Wednesday pledging that no federal funding will be used for abortion under the new health bill.

26 Mar 2010

With reform, community health centers will see federal funds double

The Wall Street Journal reports that the health overhaul bill signed by President Barack Obama will increase spending "by $10 billion over five years for [some] clinics, known as community health centers. An additional $2.5 billion is included in a package of changes to that bill, which is expected to get final approval in Congress as soon as this week."

26 Mar 2010