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Nationwide 'Medicare Fraud Strike Force' focuses on driving down cost

A "Medicare Fraud Strike Force," which started in south Florida, has now expanded across the country to indict more than 300 on fraudulent Medicare billing charges, The Washington Times reports. Officials say the strike force has broken up operations that attempted to defraud Medicare of more than $700 million.

1 Dec 2009

With health reform, Reid faces political challenges on the Hill and at home in Nevada

While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is busy trying to gather all the Senate Democrats into supporting health care reform, Nevada Republicans are seizing on the opportunity to try to take control of his seat, USA Today reports.

1 Dec 2009

Medicaid funding subject of lawsuits in Massachusetts, Idaho

Some hospitals are suing Massachusetts' Medicaid program for underpaying. Idaho health agencies are broadening their own lawsuit against the state on Medicaid payment rules.

1 Dec 2009

To influence Senate health debate, lobbyists' public voices getting louder

As the Senate commences its health care debate, lobbyists are lining up, Roll Call reports. Tactics include television ads, memos, factsheets, abortion-rights activists' "DC Lobby Day," and signs in Washington's subway stations.

1 Dec 2009

Mystery surrounds possibilities for public option compromise in Senate health bill

Controversy regarding the public option provision in the Senate's health bill remains fierce, leading many to wonder what a compromise would look like, The Christian Science Monitor reports. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs to win a majority of centrist votes for health care reform in the Senate to get to a filibuster-proof 60 votes.

1 Dec 2009

CHS introduces the Optic onsite health care solution

Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (CHS), a leading national workforce health management company specializing in onsite health care solutions, announced today the successful deployment of Optic™, the next iteration of its wireless, paperless technology platform that provides electronic health record and enterprise practice management functionality, predictive modeling, clinical reporting, evidence-based medicine compliance reporting, and advanced financial outcome reporting.

1 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Every debate in health care would benefit from more transparency about what things really cost and who gets paid what (Steven Syre, 12/1).

1 Dec 2009

Abortion-rights group gear up for Senate debate

Abortion-rights groups are holding a lobby day on Wednesday to fight language in the House healthcare bill that would impose greater restrictions on access to the controversial procedure. The amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), adopted before House passage on Nov. 21, would prohibit women who receive government subsidies for healthcare from purchasing insurance that covers abortions, and it would prohibit coverage of the procedure in government-run health plans.

1 Dec 2009

CBO: Most Americans wouldn't see a post-reform premium cost increase

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office suggests that insurance premiums for most Americans would not cost more after a health care overhaul.

1 Dec 2009

Questions circle over health reform's effect on rising costs

"The White House has started to aggressively push back against a growing narrative that pending health reform legislation doesn't do enough to control spiraling health costs," Politico reports. Peter Orszag said reporters who go "on buzz and sort of loose talk," instead of doing "the hard work," were partly to blame for the pending narrative.

1 Dec 2009

Unemployed who are losing COBRA subsidy face dramatically higher insurance payments

The temporary federal subsidy program that helped thousands of unemployed people cover the costs of their health insurance is coming to a close, but government officials are looking for ways to continue it.

1 Dec 2009

'Budget reconciliation' still part of health bill strategy discussions

Talk about using budget reconciliation to pass healthcare reform in the Senate has faded from public view, but Democratic leaders continue to hang the threat over centrists in private. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) discussed reconciliation with wavering centrists before an important procedural vote to begin debate on healthcare reform.

1 Dec 2009

Positive data from Provectus Pharmaceuticals' psoriasis and atopic dermatitis trials

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, announced preliminary data for the company’s PH-10 Phase 2 clinical trial for Psoriasis as well as for its Phase 2 clinical trial for Atopic Dermatitis.

1 Dec 2009

Toshiba launches new education plan for healthcare staff

In today’s fast-paced health care environment, it is critical that hospitals keep their staff updated on using the latest imaging technology available. Currently, most facilities receive the majority of their diagnostic imaging equipment training when a new system is delivered. Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. recognizes the importance of maintaining that training edge and now is providing customers with an option – Performance Plus.

1 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 1, 2009

Today's headlines focus on the Senate, where that chamber's official health overhaul debate started amid sharp tones and divisive issues just as the Congressional Budget Office issues a report on projected premium costs under the bill being considered.

1 Dec 2009

WellPoint's NextRx subsidiaries acquired by Express Scripts

Express Scripts, Inc., and WellPoint, Inc., announced today the closing of Express Scripts' acquisition of WellPoint's NextRx subsidiaries.

1 Dec 2009

Free medications to people after heart attack will increase length of their life

Providing free medications to people after heart attack could add years to patients' lives at a relatively low cost for provincial governments, according to a new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

1 Dec 2009

Aurora Wilkinson Clinic installs Toshiba America Medical Systems' RADREX-i X-ray system

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., an industry leader in X-ray technology, reached a significant milestone in installing its 100th RADREXTM-i X-ray system worldwide at Aurora Health Care’s newly opened Aurora Wilkinson Clinic. The system’s patient-focused design enables health care facilities to automate X-ray examinations, improving patient care and enhancing departmental workflow.

1 Dec 2009

New research highlights need for national strategy on HIV prevention education

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that well over one million people in the United States are infected with HIV/AIDS. New research from North Carolina State University shows that many of those infected are minorities and do not have health insurance, and highlights the need for a national strategy to facilitate education and prevention efforts in minority and low-income populations.

1 Dec 2009

Researchers identify better strategies to control weight in adolescents

Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States.

1 Dec 2009