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Democrats take aim at deficit targets, continue to wait for CBO numbers on health overhaul

"With Congress just days away from an expected vote, Democrats still hadn't settled on final language of the bill and until they do the Congressional Budget Office can't release an estimate for how much the complete package would cost." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) said yesterday that "he hoped Democratic leaders would be able to lock down final details soon.

18 Mar 2010

Dems newly-favored tactic to advance health measure draws GOP rage

The latest strategy House Democratic leaders have considered for passing the health overhaul bill would allow lawmakers to approve a Senate-passed version of the bill without a direct vote, The Washington Post reports. Instead, a so-called "self-executing rule would say that the Senate's version of health-care legislation would be deemed approved if House members adopt a set of changes to that bill."

18 Mar 2010

As Medicare pay shrinks, some California doctors hike patient fees

Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver writes about a California cardiology group that has confronted steep Medicare cuts with a tactic that may irk patients who already face soaring health costs.

18 Mar 2010

Obama to appear on Fox News; Heath reform will be high on his topic list

New York Times: President Obama is scheduled to give an interview with Bret Baier of Fox News Wednesday evening. The interview comes "at the height of a week in which Democrats, including Mr. Obama, are pressing allies and lawmakers to push ahead to get the health care bill passed in the House despite solid Republican opposition and the lessening of public support for the legislation." The interview comes after Obama administration aides last year criticized Fox News for its political coverage and commentary (3/16).

17 Mar 2010

Cut looms for Medicare payments to doctors

Marketwatch/The Seattle Times reports on the looming 21 percent cut to physicians' Medicare payments. "The cut was to take effect March 1 until Congress delayed it by 30 days. The Senate then voted last Wednesday to postpone the cut an additional six months as part of a larger bill that extends unemployment benefits. The measure now moves to the House."

17 Mar 2010

MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, DoctorDirectory.com enter into agreement to expand IncreaseRx promotion program

MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with DoctorDirectory.com Inc., the Company’s promotion partner for MOXATAG (amoxicillin extended-release) Tablets, 775 mg, to expand its previously announced IncreaseRx® promotion program.

17 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 17, 2010

Today's news continues to focus on Democratic leaders' efforts to finalize their health reform package and gather the votes necessary to gain House passage.

17 Mar 2010

Systemic underfunding of CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis puts millions of Americans' health at risk

Warning that "systemic underfunding of the Centers for Disease Control's Division of Viral Hepatitis puts millions of Americans' health and well-being at risk," the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable today called on the Administration to work with Congress to take decisive action this year to fix the funding failure for viral hepatitis screening, surveillance, and early intervention programs.

17 Mar 2010

Studies examine ways to increase healthcare personnel vaccination rates through social networking

Healthcare personnel influenza immunization rates have remained low, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading healthcare organizations that all healthcare personnel receive annual flu vaccines.

17 Mar 2010

Leading UK based public health services organization to use Kofax software

Kofax plc, the leading provider of document driven business process automation solutions, today announced that it will provide a leading UK based public health services organization with an expanded capture solution. The value of the contract to Kofax, including maintenance and professional services, is approximately $2.7 million.

17 Mar 2010

Low-income patients with brain tumors are less likely to be referred to specialty hospitals

African-American, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged patients with brain tumors are significantly less likely to be referred to high-volume hospitals that specialize in neurosurgery than other patients of similar age, the same gender, and with similar comorbidities, according to new research by Johns Hopkins doctors.

17 Mar 2010

Reversal of aging in normal human cells

BioTime, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, today announced the publication of a scientific paper titled “Spontaneous Reversal of Developmental Aging in Normal Human Cells Following Transcriptional Reprogramming.”

17 Mar 2010

'Quiet corruption' impedes African development, World Bank report says

What the World Bank has dubbed "quiet corruption" in it's Africa Development Indicators 2010 report (.pdf) could be as significant a threat to the continent's development "as the graft scandals that frequently dominate newspaper headlines," Bloomberg/BusinessWeek reports (McGregor/Seria, 3/15).

17 Mar 2010

Nasal washes may help reduce sinus infection

Washing out your nose with a spray or spout of salt water is safe and might even get you back to work sooner after a cold or acute sinus infection. However, there is not enough evidence to show that it can reduce your symptoms significantly, according to a new research review.

17 Mar 2010

Health science professor urges institutions to establish zero tolerance policy to prevent workplace violence

When health care organizations don't establish effective measures to prevent violence and protect nurses, the result is compromised quality of care for patients. Establishing a zero tolerance policy for violence is the first step, according to Jean Henry, a health science researcher at the University of Arkansas.

17 Mar 2010

HCRS selected to provide IT support services for three states

HealthCare Resolution Services, Inc. (HCRS), a leading provider of program integrity support, health information technology (IT) services and professional medical and technical staffing, announced today that it has been accepted as a subcontractor for three contract vehicles serving the states of Maryland, Texas, and Florida.

17 Mar 2010

Pathway Genomics' personal Genetic Health Report now available

Pathway Genomics Inc., a U.S. based genetic testing company, announced the immediate availability of its personal Genetic Health Report. This customized and innovative personal genetic health report contains information on more than 70 health conditions, including pharmacogenetics (prescription medication response), propensity for complex disease, and carrier status (pre-pregnancy health).

17 Mar 2010

Global access to safe drinking water increased, sanitation lagging behind, WHO-UNICEF report finds

A report released Monday by the WHO and UNICEF documents mixed progress in improving drinking water and sanitation conditions worldwide, VOA News reports (Schlein, 3/15). "The report - presenting the latest data on improved sources of sanitation and drinking water in 209 countries or territories - is aimed at assisting policy-makers, donors, government and non-governmental agencies decide what needs to be done," U.N. News Centre writes (3/15).

17 Mar 2010

Colon cancer patients often not treated with recommended level of chemotherapy

New results from a major initiative on the quality of cancer care in the United States show that patients with a common type of colon cancer -- especially older patients -- often are not treated as aggressively with chemotherapy as research shows is necessary to improve survival.

17 Mar 2010

Congress should exempt Americans from excise tax on health care plans, says Teamsters President

"Now is the time to get this done. Teamster members have solid health care coverage, but the outrageous cost of insurance is hurting our employers and dragging down the economy.

17 Mar 2010

Health Care News and Research

Democrats take aim at deficit targets, continue to wait for CBO numbers on health overhaul

Dems newly-favored tactic to advance health measure draws GOP rage

As Medicare pay shrinks, some California doctors hike patient fees

Obama to appear on Fox News; Heath reform will be high on his topic list

Cut looms for Medicare payments to doctors

MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, DoctorDirectory.com enter into agreement to expand IncreaseRx promotion program

First Edition: March 17, 2010

Systemic underfunding of CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis puts millions of Americans' health at risk

Studies examine ways to increase healthcare personnel vaccination rates through social networking

Leading UK based public health services organization to use Kofax software

Low-income patients with brain tumors are less likely to be referred to specialty hospitals

Reversal of aging in normal human cells

'Quiet corruption' impedes African development, World Bank report says

Nasal washes may help reduce sinus infection

Health science professor urges institutions to establish zero tolerance policy to prevent workplace violence

HCRS selected to provide IT support services for three states

Pathway Genomics' personal Genetic Health Report now available

Global access to safe drinking water increased, sanitation lagging behind, WHO-UNICEF report finds

Colon cancer patients often not treated with recommended level of chemotherapy

Congress should exempt Americans from excise tax on health care plans, says Teamsters President

Event guide: 3rd Measuring Patient Engagement Summit eBook

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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