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CAHI releases statement on Senate health care reform proposal

Critics are up in arms over America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) daring to speak the truth about the Senate health care reform proposal, and we applaud the organization's efforts. If anything AHIP's analysis of health premium increases is too low. Supporters of the health bills are simply ignoring years of states' evidence of many of these proposed Senate and House health reforms.

14 Oct 2009

Finance Democrats approve overhaul measure with boost from Snowe

The Senate Finance Committee approved its long-anticipated version of the health-care overhaul legislation in a 14-9 vote Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, joined the panels 13 Democrats to support the bill.

14 Oct 2009

Senate Finance Committee to vote today on health care reform overhaul

After months of negotiation, haggling, posturing and talking, the Senate Finance Committee votes today on a health care reform bill.

14 Oct 2009

Mayo's decision to limit patients makes it a poor model, critics say

The Mayo Clinic has started limiting the number of Medicare and Medicaid patients it admits and critics argue that such restrictions have made Mayo too selective to serve as a model for health-care reform.

14 Oct 2009

Consumer Watchdog urges Congress should embrace "prior approval" regulation of health care rates

The White House and Congress should embrace "prior approval" regulation of health care rates in response to the health insurance industry's threat that costs will increase under a reform plan being considered by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee today.

14 Oct 2009

Children's dental care gets boost in health reform plans

Kaiser Health News reporter Jessica Marcy reports on on the prospects in pending health reform proposals for improving access pediatric dental care.

14 Oct 2009

Is universal coverage goal 'slipping away?'

"As a key Senate committee prepares today to pass its plan to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, senior Democrats are acknowledging that it may be impossible to provide coverage to all Americans -- a central goal of President Obama and his congressional allies," The Los Angeles Times reports.

14 Oct 2009

Unapproved codeine sulfate tablets: FDA warns four companies to stop marketing

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned four companies that they must stop marketing unapproved codeine sulfate tablets. These drugs are opioid analgesics, commonly called narcotics, that are widely used to treat pain.

14 Oct 2009

Committee nears vote, with boost from Snowe

As the Senate Finance Committee moved towards a vote on its health care bill - expected this afternoon - its chairman, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., implored lawmakers to "get the job done" and called the meeting a "historic moment," USA Today reports. "Passage would mark the biggest step forward yet for President Obama's top domestic priority," according to the report.

14 Oct 2009

Also in Global Health News: Ban addresses women's health; Afghanistan's health services; PMI Africa grants; Q&As

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Monday called for countries around the world to "renew their commitment to educate girls, end sexual violence, and provide access to modern birth control," the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.

14 Oct 2009

Financial advisers help wealthy Americans navigate Medicare

Wealthy Americans are increasingly seeking help on how to navigate the Medicare system from financial advisers.

14 Oct 2009

Centric Health Resources launches unique marketing campaign to reach out to patients

With an ongoing dedication to improving the quality of life for people nationwide with rare, orphan, and ultra-orphan, chronic genetic disorders, Centric Health Resources, Inc. (www.centrichealthresources.com) announces the launch of its ground-breaking, direct response marketing campaign, which utilizes MP3 players loaded with informative podcasts about Centric’s patient-centered approach to all phases of its specialty drug programs.

14 Oct 2009

Approaching today's Finance Committee vote, predictions take the spotlight

Senate Finance Committee members Tuesday are preparing to cast their votes on health reform, with some offering predictions on the final outcome.

14 Oct 2009

News outlets examine East African drought

Sky News examines the drought in East Africa, focusing on its impact in Kenya. In "[o]ne of the worst-affected areas," 70 percent of the "herds of cattle and goats have died in the past year, threatening the survival of entire communities who depend on them for their food and income," according to Sky News (Hurd, 10/12).

14 Oct 2009

Abortion law will cause serious and irreversible harm to teens: ACLU

Citing "serious and irreversible harm to teens," the American Civil Liberties Union asked an Illinois court to strike down a newly effective law that prevents teens from having an abortion unless they notify a parent or go to court.

14 Oct 2009

Aetna ends two Medicare advantage programs while a Medicare experiment grabs attention

A health insurer ends two Medicare Advantage programs in Connecticut, while providers nationwide examine a Medicare demonstration program in Texas.

14 Oct 2009

Global food price increases are 'realistic possibility,' FAO says at high-level forum

There is a "realistic possibility" that the world could see a repeat of the 2007-2008 upsurge in food prices that "caused a sharp rise in the number of hungry people around the world," the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday at a forum of experts who are meeting in Rome through Tuesday, Reuters reports. "Food commodities prices are likely to stay high and volatile in the medium term," according to the FAO.

14 Oct 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

"Yes, we are going to crack down on health insurance company abuses and extend health insurance coverage. But, just as important, we are going to give our citizens access to a 21st century health care system — one that is focused on preventing obesity and disease, and helping us to live healthy, active, productive lives" (Sen. Tom Harkin, 10/12).

14 Oct 2009

Department of Veterans Affairs selects Aquilent for health IT support

Aquilent, the recognized leading provider of Web-based solutions shaping the next generation of technology for the federal government, today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has chosen Aquilent for two health IT support contracts valued at more than $2.7M combined. Under the terms of the contracts, Aquilent will provide healthcare revenue data migration and health risk assessment solutions.

14 Oct 2009

States eye budget cuts and health reform

Pennsylvania's hospitals got a small piece of good news when an overdue budget came with smaller than expected cuts. But there and in other states, programs continue to find programs and budgets on the chopping block.

14 Oct 2009