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Detroit federal jury convicts doctor in Medicare fraud scheme

Farmington Hills, Mich., physician Jose Castro-Ramirez was convicted today by a Detroit federal jury on all 13 charged counts in connection with his role in an $18.3 million Medicare fraud scheme.

12 Mar 2010

Survey: Employers plan to shift more health costs to workers

The Washington Post: "Most big employers plan to shift a larger share of health-care costs to their workers next year, according to a survey to be released Thursday. ... Meanwhile, employees at many companies can expect significantly higher premiums, deductibles and co-payments, according to the annual survey by the National Business Group on Health, a coalition of big employers, and Towers Watson, a consulting firm that advises companies on employee benefits."

12 Mar 2010

Today's OpEds: Rove on reconciliation, an imagined plea from Kennedy, vulnerable Hispanics

The Trouble With 'Reconciliation' The Wall Street Journal House Democrats would be foolish to trust a process that has deeply alienated the American public. Republicans know that and are determined to make House Democrats think hard about the price they will pay for passing this health-care monstrosity (Karl Rove, 3/11).

12 Mar 2010

New insurance plan to link a patient's cost to effectiveness of treatments

Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby, working in collaboration with USA Today, writes about potentially controversial policies that are a trend toward value-based design.

11 Mar 2010

FDA warns healthcare professionals about bogus surgical mesh products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned health care providers and consumers about counterfeit surgical mesh being distributed in the United States under the C. R. Bard/Davol brand name. Surgical mesh products are used to reinforce soft tissue where weakness exists.

11 Mar 2010

AIDS 2010 to highlight epidemic in Eastern Europe, Central Asia regions

AIDS 2010, the International AIDS Conference to be held July 18-23 in Vienna, Austria, will "highlight the situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, regions experiencing fast growing [HIV/AIDS] epidemics largely through unsafe injecting drug use," conference organizers announced Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reports.

11 Mar 2010

NHS to improve response to violence against women and children

The role of the NHS in responding to violence against women and children is the subject of a new report by an independent taskforce of experts including Gene Feder, Professor of Primary Health Care at the University of Bristol.

11 Mar 2010

Response Biomedical's 2009 total revenues up 69%

Response Biomedical Corporation reported that it recorded total revenues of $9,946,269, an increase of 69% compared to $5,876,337 in 2008. Clinical products revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased 85% to $6,828,651 compared to $3,683,706 in 2008.

11 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 11, 2010

Today's headlines offer details of President Obama's continued full-court press on health reform with an appearance in Missouri. Meanwhile, work to move the bill toward a vote continues on Capitol Hill.

11 Mar 2010

DaVita recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Companies in 2010

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Companies in 2010 for the fifth consecutive year.

11 Mar 2010

DenMat's LUMINEERS Smile Design Studio to produce Snap-On Smile

DenMat Holdings, LLC, has recently announced its acquisition of the Snap-On Smile® brand and all intellectual property surrounding it. Snap-On Smile will be produced exclusively by DenMat's LUMINEERS® Smile Design Studio, an ISO 9001 certified laboratory offering a comprehensive range of superior esthetic and restorative services.

11 Mar 2010

Proposed rule to exchange EHR's without patients' consent will affect Americans' health privacy

The proposed federal rule to create and exchange electronic health records without patients' consent threatens Americans' health privacy, warns the Institute for Health Freedom.

11 Mar 2010

Over 250 institutions adopt Best Practice: Latest product for healthcare professionals at point of care

Over 100,000 practitioners now have access to Best Practice, the latest product from the BMJ Evidence Centre, which provides information for healthcare professionals at the point of care. It has been adopted by over 250 institutions in 25 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

11 Mar 2010

ACC endorses Emmi Solutions and online patient engagement programs to improve patient communication

When patients hear the words “heart failure” they often remember little of the discussion that follows. Stress, emotions, health literacy and even the patient’s condition itself can create a barrier for good communication between patients and their doctors. Studies show patients forget as much as 80% of their discussion with their doctor by the time they reach the parking garage.

11 Mar 2010

Save Flexible Spending Plans, WageWorks issue statement on FSA restrictions

President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress are currently planning to require restrictions on the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) – most significantly in the form of a $2,500 cap on FSA contributions and new limits on the use of the benefit to cover the cost of over-the-counter medications – to take effect next year.

11 Mar 2010

New policy document examines options to integrate care for dual eligible beneficiaries

The SCAN Foundation released a policy options document by the Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. (CHCS) summarizing four options to integrate care for dual eligibles, the nearly 9 million seniors and adults with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

11 Mar 2010

2010 AAOS conference highlights ways to prevent orthopaedic traumas in children

Over the years, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motocross motorcycles have gained popularity and marketed as toys to consumers. These high-velocity machines can weigh between 300 and 600 pounds, and run on average between 25 and 60 miles per hour, while some even reach maximum speeds of 75 miles per hour.

11 Mar 2010

RetireSafe: Seniors should call on Congress to stand up for better hospital care and lower hospital costs

Today RetireSafe, representing 400,000 senior citizen supporters across America, urged seniors nationwide to call on Congress to save high-quality physician hospitals from the restrictive health care reform language now pending in Congress. House and Senate "reform" efforts would ration high-quality physician hospital care to Medicare patients, as a "cost savings."

11 Mar 2010

New changes made to the Dose Conversion Guidelines on Fentanyl Transdermal Systems

The manufacturers of Fentanyl Transdermal Systems, in collaboration with Health Canada, would like to inform Canadians of important new changes made to the Dose Conversion Guidelines in the Product Monograph. These guidelines are used to help determine what dosage of Fentanyl Transdermal Systems is appropriate for each individual patient.

11 Mar 2010

National freeze on health insurance rates needed

Harvey Rosenfield, author of California's landmark insurance regulation Proposition 103—recognized as the most successful insurance regulation in the country—was joined today by people struggling to pay for health insurance in calling on President Obama and Congress to impose a national freeze on health insurance rates as part of the final round of votes on reform. Consumers must have a breather from yearly premium hikes like the 39% increase planned by Anthem Blue Cross, said Consumer Watchdog, which Rosenfield founded.

11 Mar 2010