Health and Human Services News and Research

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IDF commends Illinois advisory committee for unanimous vote to recommend SCID Newborn Screening

The Illinois Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Department of Health screen all newborns for Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) - commonly known as bubble boy disease.

9 Feb 2011

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should continue encouraging state Medicaid programs to explore more affordable pharmacy solutions despite opposition from the independent drugstore lobby, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

9 Feb 2011

Sebelius signals readiness to tweak long-term care insurance program

The goal will be to ensure the program's fiscal sustainability into the future — a frequent criticism from GOP critics who hope to repeal the program.

9 Feb 2011

Vical announces issuance of US patent for HSV-2 vaccine

Vical Incorporated announced today the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,879,339, assigned to Vical and the University of Washington, covering DNA vaccines for herpes simplex virus type 2.

9 Feb 2011

GOP Govs seek flexibility in insurance exchanges

In a sharply worded letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the governors ask for six specific changes that would give states more control over the health law's exchange markets.

9 Feb 2011

Governors face painful budget choices

Health care programs are among those being slashed with many news organizations focusing on Florida Gov. Rick Scott's plans for Medicaid.

8 Feb 2011

Roundup: Fraying safety nets; Calif. mental health clinics; Texas obesity costs rising

Medicaid is one of the fastest growing parts of the state budget. To tackle rising health care costs, Gov. Deval Patrick's administration plans to stop paying hospitals with high rates of re-admissions when low-income patients return within 30 days.

8 Feb 2011

HHS Secretary reinforces commitment to move forward with implementation of CLASS Act

In a briefing today at the Kaiser Family Foundation on "Opportunities for Long-Term Services and Supports in the Health Reform Law," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reinforced the Administration's commitment to moving forward with the implementation of Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act.

8 Feb 2011

Survey finds most hospitals, birthing centers do not routinely screen for congenital heart defects

Only about two out of every 100 babies (1.8 percent) were screened at birth for congenital heart defects (CHDs) because the hospital or birthing center where the baby was born routinely screens all newborns for CHDs -- the number-one birth defect and leading killer of infants and newborns. This is according to a survey just released by Little Hearts, Inc., a national organization that provides support, education, resources, networking and hope to families affected by congenital heart defects.

8 Feb 2011

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial results and provided financial guidance for 2011.

8 Feb 2011

MTBC EMR v 5.0 achieves ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification as Complete EHR

MTBC, a unique healthcare IT company, is pleased to announce that its proprietary EHR, MTBC EMR v 5.0, is 2011/2012 compliant and was certified as a Complete EHR on February 2, 2011 by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®), an ONC Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB).

8 Feb 2011

Kaiser examines latest data and trends in Medicaid long-term services and supports

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) has released a package of resources that examine the latest data findings regarding Medicaid’s long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities.

7 Feb 2011

NQF annual conference to focus on population health

The passage of sweeping healthcare legislation and the recent election of the 112th Congress make these exciting but uncertain times for American healthcare. The National Quality Forum's annual conference, "Achieving Health of Individuals and Populations Within Their Communities," will focus on population health and bring together policymakers and key public- and private-sector stakeholders, each representing their own perspectives for improving health and healthcare throughout the country.

5 Feb 2011

USCA endorses decision of Judge Vinson holding health care reform law unconstitutional

The U.S. Citizens Association has endorsed the January 31 decision of U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson (Florida v. Department of Health and Human Services) holding the President's health care reform law unconstitutional because it exceeded the limits of the commerce clause.

5 Feb 2011

NFL, NDC, Gen YOUth Foundation collaborate to tackle childhood obesity

Some of our nation's principal thought leaders in child health, physical activity and education will converge today in North Texas, site of Super Bowl XLV, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines an unprecedented private-public partnership committed to child health and wellness.

5 Feb 2011

Uofl makes $6.8 million economic impact in four regions of Kentucky

Figures from a recently compiled report for 2009-2010 show that University of Louisville Health Sciences Center faculty and students made a $6.8 million economic impact in the four regions of Kentucky served by UofL Area Health Education Centers.

5 Feb 2011

Mental health, substance abuse spending grew more slowly than all other health spending: Study

Spending on psychiatric drugs grew by 5.6 percent from 2004 to 2005, down from the 27.3 percent growth from 1999 to 2000 according to a study published today in the February issue of Health Affairs.

5 Feb 2011

Blumenthal steps down from his post leading Obama's health IT office

Kaiser Health News staff writers Phil Galewitz and Christopher Weaver report: "Dr. David Blumenthal, appointed by President Barack Obama to speed the health care system's switch from paper to electronic records, announced Thursday that he is stepping down this spring to return to his teaching post at Harvard University".

5 Feb 2011

Researchers describe the complete genome of Daphnia

From an environmental perspective, Daphnia pulex -- the waterflea - is the best-studied organism on the planet. Scientists know how this species responds to pollution, predators, day and night, making it an important model for ecological and evolutionary research. Its genome, however, remained elusive, limiting understanding of how the environment and genes interact.

5 Feb 2011

Governors get advice from Obama administration on how to handle Medicaid

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius provided information Thursday to state officials explaining ways in which current law allows them to change the federal-state program — to gain savings without slashing eligibility.

4 Feb 2011

Health and Human Services News and Research

IDF commends Illinois advisory committee for unanimous vote to recommend SCID Newborn Screening

HHS Medicaid savings agenda must prevail despite opposition

Sebelius signals readiness to tweak long-term care insurance program

Vical announces issuance of US patent for HSV-2 vaccine

GOP Govs seek flexibility in insurance exchanges

Governors face painful budget choices

Roundup: Fraying safety nets; Calif. mental health clinics; Texas obesity costs rising

HHS Secretary reinforces commitment to move forward with implementation of CLASS Act

Survey finds most hospitals, birthing centers do not routinely screen for congenital heart defects

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

MTBC EMR v 5.0 achieves ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification as Complete EHR

Kaiser examines latest data and trends in Medicaid long-term services and supports

NQF annual conference to focus on population health

USCA endorses decision of Judge Vinson holding health care reform law unconstitutional

NFL, NDC, Gen YOUth Foundation collaborate to tackle childhood obesity

Uofl makes $6.8 million economic impact in four regions of Kentucky

Mental health, substance abuse spending grew more slowly than all other health spending: Study

Blumenthal steps down from his post leading Obama's health IT office

Researchers describe the complete genome of Daphnia

Governors get advice from Obama administration on how to handle Medicaid

Event guide: 6th Operationalize Expanded Access Programs Summit East eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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