Health and Human Services News and Research

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Health IT Blotter: Extension center choices, Medicaid meaningful use, 'build or buy' shift

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected the final two of 62 regional extension centers (REC), which will help small, rural hospitals and private physicians with the nationwide rollout of electronic medical records (EMR) systems.

30 Sep 2010

Kaiser Permanente donates Convergent Medical Terminology for open access

Kaiser Permanente is donating its Convergent Medical Terminology (CMT) for open access to help facilitate the nation's transition from paper-based medical records to Electronic Health Records (EHR). CMT was designed by clinicians to facilitate the use of EHRs by clinicians and patients. Kaiser Permanente has the world's largest private sector electronic health record.

29 Sep 2010

NINDS establishes new sites as part of Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health, has established two new sites as part of the Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research. The NINDS grants will provide a five-year investment totaling more than $16 million for Emory University in Atlanta and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y.

29 Sep 2010

AMIA calls out specific challenges to proposed modifications to HIPAA Privacy and Enforcement Rules

In comments sent to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association) called out 10 specific challenges to proposed modifications to HIPAA Privacy and Enforcement Rules. AMIA's comments, sent on behalf of its membership of 4,000 informatics professionals, detail key issues of concern related to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on HIPAA modifications, along with suggestions for models of change.

29 Sep 2010

Some Democrats, including Reid, embrace health law as fall campaign battles continue

Politico: Some House Democrats are touting the new health law — and their support of it — as a positive in their fights to keep their seats in midterm elections this fall. The Democrats are "framing key provisions as a 'Patient's Bill of Rights.' Spurred by last week's release of a series of rigid insurance rules, the lawmakers are defying this election season's conventional wisdom placing by health care front and center." Among them are Reps. Dina Titus and Shelley Berkley or Nevada.

29 Sep 2010

HHS announces grants to help seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers navigate long term care options

Modern Healthcare: As part of the new health law, HHS is distributing $68 million in grants "to help people navigate their health and long-term-care options. The grants will be going to states, territories, tribal and community-based organizations to help seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers make more-informed decisions about their health and long-term care.

29 Sep 2010

Early initiation of ART may prevent immune system damage in HIV patients: Study

HIV-infected individuals who begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after acquiring the virus may have stronger immune responses to other pathogens than HIV-infected individuals who begin ART later, a new study from the National Institutes of Health has found. This finding suggests that early initiation of ART may prevent irreversible immune system damage and adds to the body of evidence showing significant health benefits from early ART.

29 Sep 2010

Today's Opinions: Challenging health law critics' words; The case for Calif. health exchange; Holes in the GOP pledge

If critics really want to go back to the days when insurance companies ran wild with no accountability, they should have the courage to say so openly instead of hiding behind distracting attacks. In the meantime, we're going to keep standing up for American families and small business owners who deserve a system that works for them (Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, 9/28).

29 Sep 2010

Study finds that 90% of EDs nationwide also offer preventive-care services

People go to emergency departments when they've broken a leg, been stabbed or otherwise need urgent care. But a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine finds that 90 percent of EDs nationwide also offer preventive-care services.

28 Sep 2010

State Roundup: N.Y. small businesses protest health insurance premium hikes; Arizona Medicaid crisis; a new payment system for Massachusetts?

Massachusetts officials are reviving the state's ambitious plan to change how doctors and hospitals are paid, aiming to hand the Legislature a specific proposal by Jan. 1 to end disagreement over controlling health spending.

28 Sep 2010

RPSPP for health benefits accepted into federal program

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that the Retired Pennsylvania State Police Program for health benefits has been accepted into a federal program to help offset the rising health care costs for retirees.

28 Sep 2010

HHS pumps up rhetoric but eases rules on health insurance for kids

Politico reports that the administration "is taking health insurers to task again, this time for choosing to no longer sell plans intended to cover sick children." Insurers "have said in recent weeks that they would stop selling 'child only' insurance plans because the overhaul requires them to accept all applicants, even if they apply for coverage at the last minute before treatment." In a letter to industry groups, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighted the "plight of millions of parents who desperately want to provide health coverage and critical treatments" in the face of insurer decisions.

28 Sep 2010

HHS Secretary announces $30M to expand HIV prevention efforts under President's NHAS

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that CDC has allocated $30 million of the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund to expand HIV prevention efforts under the President's National HIV/AIDS Strategy. This includes $21.6 million in grants to state and local health departments.

27 Sep 2010

HHS announces grants to support public health programs

Six months after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighted another important facet of the law today with the announcement of nearly $100 million in grants made possible primarily by the new law's Prevention and Public Health Fund.

27 Sep 2010

HHS awards grant to promote better primary care services for mentally-ill patients

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today awarded more than $26.2 million in grants to support and promote better primary care and behavioral health services for individuals with mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

27 Sep 2010

Health law affecting insurers, employers and comparative effectiveness research

Kaiser Health News has a list of eight provisions in the new health law that took effect this week as insurers, businesses and employers sort out what the new changes mean for them.

27 Sep 2010

Insurers irked by latest draft of spending requirements

"One of the most critical aspects of the federal health overhaul for insurers is shaping up as a mixed bag for the industry, as regulators issued draft rules Thursday on how the companies must account for how much they spend directly on patients' medical care," The Wall Street Journal reports. At issue is which expenses count as medical, versus administrative.

24 Sep 2010

Maine receives federal grants to upgrade electronic public health systems, scores of criminals provide home health care in Cal.

The Boston Globe: "Caritas Christi Health Care executives have told union negotiators they will shutter St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton and Carney Hospital in Dorchester if they can't close a deal for the six-hospital chain to be bought by a New York private equity firm. The warning was made during contract talks last week with the Massachusetts Nurses Association, according to two people who attended the meeting.

24 Sep 2010

Concerted effort yields significant progress in reducing depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis in women

A concerted effort to boost research on women's health over the last two decades has lessened the burden of disease and reduced deaths among women due to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and cervical cancer, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The effort has yielded less but still significant progress in reducing the effects of depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis on women, added the committee that wrote the report.

24 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 24, 2010

In today's news, more reports regarding the health reform provisions that took effect yesterday and more details on the GOP's "Pledge To America."

24 Sep 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

Health IT Blotter: Extension center choices, Medicaid meaningful use, 'build or buy' shift

Kaiser Permanente donates Convergent Medical Terminology for open access

NINDS establishes new sites as part of Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research

AMIA calls out specific challenges to proposed modifications to HIPAA Privacy and Enforcement Rules

Some Democrats, including Reid, embrace health law as fall campaign battles continue

HHS announces grants to help seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers navigate long term care options

Early initiation of ART may prevent immune system damage in HIV patients: Study

Today's Opinions: Challenging health law critics' words; The case for Calif. health exchange; Holes in the GOP pledge

Study finds that 90% of EDs nationwide also offer preventive-care services

State Roundup: N.Y. small businesses protest health insurance premium hikes; Arizona Medicaid crisis; a new payment system for Massachusetts?

RPSPP for health benefits accepted into federal program

HHS pumps up rhetoric but eases rules on health insurance for kids

HHS Secretary announces $30M to expand HIV prevention efforts under President's NHAS

HHS announces grants to support public health programs

HHS awards grant to promote better primary care services for mentally-ill patients

Health law affecting insurers, employers and comparative effectiveness research

Insurers irked by latest draft of spending requirements

Maine receives federal grants to upgrade electronic public health systems, scores of criminals provide home health care in Cal.

Concerted effort yields significant progress in reducing depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis in women

First Edition: September 24, 2010

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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