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APIC, 3M Health Care call upon Congress to recognize IIPW 2009

To bring greater attention to the critical need to protect patients and the public from the risk of healthcare-associated infections, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), in collaboration with 3M Health Care, is urging nationwide recognition of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) October 18-24, 2009. Through the theme “Infection prevention is everyone’s business,” APIC is calling upon all 50 states and Congress to issue proclamations recognizing IIPW 2009.

30 Sep 2009

New 'movements' seek to introduce preventive, mental health care in new settings

A nationwide effort to coordinate mental health with primary care is underway, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "The idea is to give simple interventions in 15- to 30-minute visits that will address behavioral issues ranging from stress to traumatic reactions that often go untreated." Some clinics have coupled licensed social workers with their other clinical staff; the mental health experts provide services while patients and family members receive physical care.

30 Sep 2009

Opinion: 'Microland' to fight poverty; ensuring quality, timely drugs for Africa

In a Forbes column, Elisabeth Eaves, deputy editor at Forbes, examines the concept of "'microland:' securing rights to small plots of land for the world's poorest."

30 Sep 2009

States nervous, anxious for health reform in face of rising costs

Governors express nervousness about about Congress' pending health reform proposals. In Green Bay, residents watched costs rise, again, this year according to a new survey, and in Hawaii, most state workers saw soaring premiums, while teachers got off the hook by means of an innovative alternative insurance plan. In Massachusetts, 60 doctors accepted speaking fees from a drug giant.

30 Sep 2009

Also in global health news: Drought in East Africa; improving food processing in Africa; Hajj pilgrims must take polio vaccine; fighting insecticide-resistant mosquitoes

"A severe and persistent five-year drought" is pushing "[m]ore than 23 million people ... towards severe hunger and destitution across East Africa, international aid agency Oxfam has warned as it launches a £9.5 million [about $15 million] emergency appeal," the U.K. Press Association reports (9/29). According to Reuters/New York Times, "Malnutrition is now above emergency levels in some areas and hundreds of thousands of valuable cattle are dying" (Wallis, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Reuters examines how HIV vaccine trial results will guide future studies

Reuters reports on how the results of an experimental AIDS vaccine, which showed modest potential for preventing infection, are leading researchers back "to the drawing board" as they try to better understand how the AIDS vaccine works.

30 Sep 2009

Promised e-health improvements also come with shortcomings, risks

Efforts to achieve greater efficiency and higher quality in health care through new health information technologies are not without new risks as well.

30 Sep 2009

Poll: Support for Democratic health plan hits new low

"Just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That's down two points from a week ago and the lowest level of support yet measured," Rasmussen reports on its latest poll.

30 Sep 2009

Medical students increasingly spurning primary care

The Baltimore Sun reports: "Ryan Circh's heart is drawn to family medicine, but his head - fixated on his daunting student loans and the uncertainties of health care reform - is leading him toward emergency or sports medicine. The 24-year-old studying medicine at the University of Maryland is probably another potential primary care physician lost. In the school's most recent graduating medical school class, more than a third pursued internal and family medicine."

30 Sep 2009

Democrats ready to battle amongst themselves over public plan

Democrats are set to spar — among themselves — on inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance coverage during Finance Committee action today.

30 Sep 2009

PAIRO partners with Ministry of Health to organize Health Professionals Recruitment Tour

Over the coming weeks, the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO) will play host to over 90 Ontario communities in need during the Health Professionals Recruitment Tour. Communities, experiencing a shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers will take the opportunity to showcase lifestyle, educational and employment opportunities available. Last year, over 1200 students, residents and established healthcare professionals visited the job fair.

30 Sep 2009

Two new short term health insurance plans to meet people’s needs

UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Company is introducing two new short term health insurance plans in North Carolina and West Virginia designed to meet people’s needs for more flexible and cost-effective approaches to coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Fact checking anecdotes: Obama wrong on particulars in cancer and acne insurance denial case

When President Obama recently recounted the story of a woman he said was denied coverage for failure to own up to a skin condition when she enrolled in a plan, he was incorrect, The Associated Press reports.

30 Sep 2009

Measure to protect older insured could impact the young

In most states, insurers charge older people much higher health insurance premiums than their younger counterparts, a practice companies say is "an unavoidable business decision" because the risk of getting sick rises with age, the Associated Press reports.

30 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

It is the Republicans' right to choose this course of hard-line opposition. But, just as surely, Democrats are the majority party in Congress. And we have a responsibility to lead (Sen. Tom Harkin, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Aetna announces first-dollar coverage for H1N1 flu vaccine administration

Aetna announced today that it will provide first-dollar coverage for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine for all of its fully-insured health plan members, and for all members of self-funded plans unless directed otherwise by the plan sponsor. Aetna is offering this coverage even in instances where members’ plans do not include coverage for preventive care or have limits on such coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Liberals sponsor anti-Baucus ad, former lawmakers call for civility

A new ad from a liberal group attacks Sen. Max Baucus' position on the public option. Meanwhile, some former lawmakers want to tone down the rhetoric in the debate.

30 Sep 2009

New poll shows 59% Massachusetts residents support state's health reform legislation

A new poll by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Boston Globe finds 59% of Massachusetts residents who are aware of the state's health reform legislation, which was enacted in 2006, support it. A little more than one in four oppose it (28%), and 13% are not sure. The level of public support for the law has declined somewhat in the last year, from 69% saying they support the law in 2008 to 59% in the current poll.

30 Sep 2009

Finance Senators picking sides as panel continues health bill markup

Politico: "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus faces multiple challenges as he gavels in another week of work on health care Tuesday. High on the list: controlling the drama in the hearing room."

30 Sep 2009

Is using health resources less expensively "rationing?"

Critics of the Democrats' health care overhaul effort see veiled "rationing" schemes behind plans to curb misused and overused tests, treatments and drugs that drive up medical costs without helping patients, The Washington Post reports.

30 Sep 2009