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SEIU proposes a 44% increase in companies’ contributions to family health care coverage

First, these janitors are paid significantly higher wages and benefits than their counterparts in other major Midwestern cities. Second, their compensation package includes excellent health care coverage for which they pay less than 6% of the costs. Third, the union proposed un-affordably high pay increases in excess of 15% and other significant benefit changes, including, for example, a 44% increase in the companies’ contributions to family health care coverage.

25 Jan 2010

Isha Foundation wins the coveted $1mm online competition

On Thursday night, people from all over Southern India rallied to bring out the vote for Isha Foundation’s race to win the Chase Community Giving charity contest hosted on line by Facebook. The Isha Foundation, an international non-profit humanitarian social organization with U.S. headquarters in middle-Tennessee and international headquarters in Tamil Nadu, India worked tirelessly to win the coveted $1mm first place prize.

24 Jan 2010

Democrats float ideas on future of health reform

Politico: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have begun considering a list of changes to the Senate bill in hopes of making it acceptable to liberal House members, according to sources familiar with the situation.

24 Jan 2010

Connecticut relief agencies join forces to deliver medical aid

Save the Children and AmeriCares have partnered to bring medical aid to more than 85,000 Haitians affected by the earthquake. Westport-based Save the Children's emergency response team in Haiti has distributed more than 16.5 tons of medical supplies in the town of Leogane and at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince – supplies donated by AmeriCares, the global health and disaster relief organization based in Stamford, Conn.

24 Jan 2010

Democrats suggest efforts on health reform will continue

Politico has a compilation of comments by Washington officials on the Sunday morning talk shows, including discussions about the health care overhaul legislation, which is facing a serious challenge following the election last Tuesday of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate seat of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

24 Jan 2010

New book on fraud and abuse laws and regulations affecting health care industry published

BNA Books, a division of specialized news and information publisher BNA, announced today the publication of the 2009 Cumulative Supplement to Health Care Fraud and Abuse: Practical Perspectives, Second Edition.

23 Jan 2010

Heart research news and updates from University of Houston

Matters of the heart dominate in February with Valentine's Day and the American Heart Association's 'Heart Month' topping the list. As you consider story ideas ranging from heart disease to relationships, keep in mind these resources from the University of Houston.

23 Jan 2010

Renowned heart specialists to discuss new cardiovascular treatment and patient care at public forum

World-leading cardiovascular specialists, researchers, family physicians and the public will learn what's new in cardiovascular treatment, patient care and research at the second annual Peter Munk Cardiovascular Symposium, Partnerships in Integrative Patient Care, on January 29 and 30 at the Toronto Metropolitan Hotel.

23 Jan 2010

Insurance policy that allows acceleration of benefits to pay for critical health care needs

What if life insurance was designed to help policy owners live their lives, not just ease the financial burden at life's end? Quality of Life... Insurance(SM) from American General Life and Accident Insurance Company (AGLA) has taken this bold approach, which is paying off despite a volatile economy and a polarizing healthcare debate.

23 Jan 2010

U.S. blood banks have sufficient blood to meet the needs of Haiti victims

The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism has determined that the current blood supply in the United States is adequate to fill any requests received to support the present needs of Haitian hospitals, though ongoing infrastructure and transportation issues in Haiti could delay receipt of those supplies to patients.

23 Jan 2010

Health Care Freedom Act gains momentum

As the Obama Administration and the Washington D.C. forces pushing changes to American health care seek new alternatives in the wake of Scott Brown's game-changing victory in Massachusetts, one pathway to health care reform continues to gain momentum: the Health Care Freedom Act, modeled after the Arizona ballot initiative of the same name.

23 Jan 2010

Detroit jury convicts physician for healthcare fraud conspiracy

Troy, Mich., physician Toe Myint was convicted today by a Detroit jury of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in a $4.2 million Medicare Fraud scheme, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan; Special-Agent-in-Charge Andrew G. Arena of the FBI's Detroit Field Office; and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

23 Jan 2010

New ACS report outlines 21 challenges and needs for global tobacco control

A new American Cancer Society report outlines 21 challenges and needs for global tobacco control, covering the wide range of issues to be addressed and expertise needed to reduce the rising tide of tobacco use worldwide, particularly in the low- and middle-income nations that are the target of the multinational tobacco industry.

23 Jan 2010

New report describes state of lupus research, impact of disease and barriers to care

A major report on lupus from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the U.S. Congress this week reviews the state of the disease and documents the need for a comprehensive national provider health education program to help eliminate the barriers of racial disparities in the early medical diagnosis and treatment of lupus.

23 Jan 2010

Scidev.net feature addresses nutrition, food security

SciDev.net includes a special feature on the challenges associated with meeting the nutritional and food needs of people around the world.

23 Jan 2010

PAs play a key role in delivering high-quality patient care, says CMA

Canadian Medical Association (CMA) President Dr. Anne Doig decried the "disingenuous fearmongering" of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario concerning the role of physician assistants (PAs) in the delivery of high-quality health care services.

23 Jan 2010

NJHA honors professionals and organizations for sustainable healthcare

Several individuals and organizations were honored at the 91st Annual Meeting of the New Jersey Hospital Association today at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

23 Jan 2010

Americans are divided about health reform proposals overall, but the public, including critics, becomes more supportive when told about key provisions

A new Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds that Americans are divided over congressional health reform proposals, but also that large shares of people, including skeptics, become more supportive after being told about many of the major provisions in the bills.

23 Jan 2010

Health IT roundup: Provider-vendor relationships an issue, group uses racial info to customize care

Health News Florida/Kaiser Health News: "A group of Broward County doctors looking to switch to electronic medical records say the result has been a massive headache: surprise charges, inadequate training and even blocked access to patient files."

23 Jan 2010

Island Labs receives NHP approval for Stemcelex

Island Labs, a leader in natural dermatological products, has become the first company in Health Canada's history to receive Natural Health Product (NHP) approval.

23 Jan 2010