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Maine law could be at odds with federal overhaul

A new law, which Maine's governor signed Tuesday, allows interstate insurance sales and insurers to set rates based on age, location and occupation.

19 May 2011

CitiusTech receives ONC-ATCB certification for BI-Clinical 10.3 EHR Module

CitiusTech announced today that BI-Clinical Framework 10.3 is 2011/2012 compliant and was certified as an EHR Module on May 12, 2011 by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, an ONC-ATCB, in accordance with the applicable Eligible Hospital certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

18 May 2011

IOM workshops explore new digital technologies to improve health care

A series of workshops held by the Institute of Medicine explored what is necessary to enable health professionals and organizations to harness the full potential of new digital technologies such as tablets and electronic health records to increase efficiency and apply knowledge to real-time care decisions.

18 May 2011

As Federal Gov't. hits debt limit, budget plans draw attention

Politico reports that a proposed cap on discretionary spending for labor, health and human services and education programs would be felt most acutely by poor people.

18 May 2011

TFAH warns about impact of CDC budget cuts on America's future health

The Trust for America's Health warns that cuts to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal public health programs puts America's future health at risk.

18 May 2011

State roundup: Gov. Brown offers revisions to health budget

A new state department would be formed to manage California's violence-plagued mental hospitals under a proposal in the governor's Monday budget revision. The push to create a Department of State Hospitals — and eventually do away with the Department of Mental Health, which now oversees the facilities — comes as lawmakers and employee unions press for changes to address increasing patient assaults on fellow patients and staff.

18 May 2011

Bill Gates urges wiser vaccine coverage worldwide to save millions

Tuesday this week, Bill Gates called for strengthened immunization programs against infectious diseases to save 4 million lives by 2015 and 10 million lives by 2020, calling it the best possible investment in global health. He was addressing the annual assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, attended by health ministers from the U.N. agency's 193 member states.

17 May 2011

First Edition: May 17, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Guy Gugliotta writes: "Minnesota state Rep. Steve Gottwalt, a three-term Republican with 10 years experience in the health care industry, is no fan of last year's health care law -- or its requirement that states set up insurance exchanges. But as chairman of the Health and Human Services Reform Committee, he decided he needed to weigh in on the exchange.

17 May 2011

Medsphere achieves complete EHR certification for OpenVista solution

Medsphere Systems Corporation, the leading provider of open-source healthcare enterprise solutions, today announced complete electronic health record certification in inpatient settings for the company's OpenVista electronic health record.

17 May 2011

Connecture, MAXIMUS partner to deliver comprehensive government Health Insurance Exchange solution

MAXIMUS, Inc., a leading provider of government services worldwide, and Connecture, the leader in Web-based marketplaces and administration solutions for health insurance distribution, announced today that the two companies have entered into a strategic alliance.

17 May 2011

Fits and starts continue for health law implementation

News outlets report on a variety of aspects of the health law ranging from the IPAB and ACOs to the two states to most recently gain waivers from the Department of Health and Human Services.

17 May 2011

Medicare trustees: Funds will run out sooner than expected

Last Friday, the Medicare trustees offered their annual take on the fiscal fitness of the health insurance program for senior citizens and the disabled. The reviews were worse than last year's projections.

17 May 2011

FDA warns consumers about look like antimicrobial dietary supplements

The FDA is warning consumers not to use products marketed as dietary supplements that also claim to be antimicrobial (antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral) drugs. These illegal products are falsely promoted with claims to treat illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and the common cold.

16 May 2011

State news: La. House passes abortion measure; Ga. faces sharp deficits in health plans; Calif. GOP offers budget plan

The House voted 96-0 for a bill that would require abortion providers to post additional information in public spaces; compel the state health agency to develop a new website on termination procedures; and alter the state's conscience protection clause that allows health-care professionals to opt out of certain tasks. Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive counseling and services, including abortions at clinics located outside Louisiana, opposes House Bill 636 as intrusive and unnecessary.

16 May 2011

Viewpoints: Snappy headlines, prose on Romney and Medicare dominate Today's opinions and editorials

The first question he got from the audience after his speech Thursday was the right one: What's to prevent states from a "race to the bottom," where they cut their costs by slashing spending on health care? Romney had no good answer beyond a vague assertion that Americans are a "generous people" who would not deny health coverage to their fellow citizens.

16 May 2011

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Victrelis (boceprevir) to treat certain adults with chronic hepatitis C. Victrelis is used for patients who still have some liver function, and who either have not been previously treated with drug therapy for their hepatitis C or who have failed such treatment.

16 May 2011

Comprehensive report finds many U.S. children lack insurance duration, quality health care

A comprehensive report based on the National Survey of Children's Health conducted by children's health researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau finds insurance duration, consistency and adequacy, and the corresponding access to health care, are lacking for many U.S. children and have a detrimental effect on their health and well-being.

13 May 2011

Debt talks continue with Medicare losing prominence in discourse

But GOP plans for the 2012 federal budget set the stage for significant cuts in health discretionary spending — which are among the programs that make up the core of President Barack Obama's domestic agenda.

13 May 2011

Leading public health experts agree: Menthol ban could save thousands of lives

Today, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to weigh a potential menthol ban, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, Center for American Progress and Legacy called for menthol cigarettes to be taken off the market, citing key findings published today in the American Journal of Public Health.

13 May 2011

TFAH applauds HHS for new strategic approach to prevent viral hepatitis

The Trust for America's Health applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for unveiling a new strategic approach to dealing with the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis today.

13 May 2011