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Feds crack down on health care fraud in California, Florida

The Sacramento Bee reports: "Three Sacramento-area residents are among 11 people, including five doctors, accused of participating in a Medicare fraud ring. ... From February 2006 through August 2008, the defendants are alleged to have operated three health-care clinics -- in Sacramento, Carmichael and Richmond -- that submitted more than $5 million in allegedly fraudulent claims to Medicare" (Locke, 5/25).

27 May 2010

Incidence of pediatric mobility aid-related injuries in the U.S.

Children and adolescents with an injury or disability may use mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to help them move around more easily. However, use of these aids has been associated with risk for injury.

25 May 2010

Aging-at-home concept should provide mobility assistance, says AAHomecare president

At a town hall meeting a year ago, President Obama said that home-based care could play a major role in controlling Medicare costs by keeping older people out of more expensive institutional care.

25 May 2010

Young Faces of ALS campaign to raise awareness on ALS

The ALS Therapy Development Institute announced today that it is supporting a new awareness campaign driven by several ALS patients diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease before the age of 30. This campaign, called "Young Faces of ALS," is designed and led by a group of seven young men and women and will consist of a group effort to visit each of the 30 Major League Baseball parks during the 2010 baseball season.

21 May 2010

Ariz. tax hike only a band-aid, and other state tales of budget woes

The Wall Street Journal: States are being squeezed by "shrinking state budgets and rising health-care costs" and often vulnerable residents are paying the price. Barbara Hickey, 67 of Florence, S.C., is one of them. She is confined to a motorized wheelchair, lives alone and "relies on certified nurse's assistants to get her in and out of bed, bathed, clothed and fed."

21 May 2010

Tel Aviv University researcher develops tool to measure tissue damage in bed-ridden, paralyzed patients

There's currently no reliable tool to help prosthetic developers fit artificial limbs without ensuing discomfort or pain, or tell medical personnel when bed-ridden patients need to be moved to avoid bedsores and other problems.

19 May 2010

Schwarzenegger budget proposal cuts in-home care

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled his latest spending plan for the financially strapped state on Friday, and news coverage focused on the deep cuts he is proposing.

17 May 2010

NIH awards UF scientists $7.5M for study of MRI technology in evaluating children with DMD

Duchenne muscular dystrophy research at the University of Florida got a major boost with the award of $7.5 million in National Institutes of Health funding to study the use of magnetic resonance imaging in determining the natural progression of the disease.

10 May 2010

Researchers analyze role of gender in treatment and outcome of patients with MMD

Moyamoya disease is an uncommon, progressive cerebrovascular disease in which the main arteries feeding the brain (the intracranial internal carotid arteries/ICA and Circle of Willis) are narrowed or occluded on both sides, reducing blood flow to the brain. This causes transient episodes of reversible stroke with loss of neurologic function in the form of weakness of a limb, sensory disturbances, epileptic seizures or headaches.

5 May 2010

MU researcher develops test to pinpoint neurological origins of dysphagia

Muscle degeneration and confinement to a wheelchair are the hallmarks of Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy and other neurodegenerative diseases. One of the silent, and most serious, symptoms of these diseases is losing the ability to swallow.

29 Apr 2010

Vascular surgeon successfully bypasses torn aorta

Rhonda Mullen was 38 years old and in perfect health when she suddenly felt a searing pain between her shoulder blades. A few hours later, Mullen was being wheeled into an operating room at Loyola University Hospital for emergency surgery to repair an unusual tear in her aorta, the body's main blood vessel.

29 Apr 2010

Mass. court orders state's two largest health insurers to submit insurance rates; N.C. Governor restores funding for some mental health programs

The Boston Globe: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge yesterday ordered two of the state's largest health insurers to submit April 2009 rates for insurance covering individuals and small businesses, the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the state and carriers over premium increases. Both companies said they would comply, even as they proceed with administrative appeals in an effort to charge higher rates.

23 Apr 2010

Stemedica receives FDA IND approval for ischemic stroke clinical trial using allogeneic stem cells

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a world leader in stem cell research and manufacturing, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Investigational New Drug (IND) for a clinical trial for ischemic stroke using Stemedica's high potency proprietary allogeneic stem cells (adult human).

21 Apr 2010

Medex signs binding letter of intent to acquire BEE Mobile

Medex, Inc., today announced the signing of a binding letter of intent to acquire privately held BEE Mobile, Inc. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Medicare accredited BEE Mobile services and rents power wheelchairs and scooters as well as high end rehabilitation equipment.

13 Apr 2010

Stimulating care homes can help people living with dementia

New research by Kingston University has revealed how design can improve the quality of life for people with dementia. The University hopes the new study will form a blueprint for future building, lay-out and management of care homes.

9 Apr 2010

People with disabilities to attend Abilities Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, April 9, through Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.

6 Apr 2010

Free online training program for saving individuals with disabilities during fire emergencies

United Spinal Association has developed a free online training program designed to save the lives of individuals with disabilities and mobility impairments during fire emergencies.

5 Apr 2010

Enobia Pharma unveils findings from first HPP self-reported patient survey at ACMG 2010

Enobia Pharma Inc. unveiled findings from the first hypophosphatasia self-reported patient survey intended to evaluate the burden of illness associated with HPP at the 2010 American College of Medical Genetics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting.

30 Mar 2010

Muscular dystrophy: $1M grant for study of erectile dysfunction drugs in improving muscle blood flow

A Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute cardiologist has been awarded a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to study whether drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction could also be used to improve muscle blood flow and reduce fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients.

26 Mar 2010

Cardiologist receives grant to study impact of erectile dysfunction drugs on muscular dystrophy patients

25 Mar 2010