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SRI International awarded $3.8M BARDA contract to develop a radiation assessment device

SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development institute, has received a $3.8M contract from the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). SRI will research and develop a device to triage individuals who may have been exposed to ionizing radiation after a radiological or nuclear incident.

24 Feb 2010

Officials crack down on Medicare fraud in Miami and Los Angeles

When it comes to health care fraud, schemes that target Medicare are among the most common and lucrative. That's because the $400 billion federal program is a fat and easy target. The Obama administration ... has requested an increase for an effort to crack down on Medicare fraud.

24 Feb 2010

MAXIMUS receives contract to review reconsiderations of Medicare Part D program

MAXIMUS, a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that its Federal Services subsidiary has been awarded a one-year contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue to serve as an independent review entity for reconsiderations of beneficiary appeals for the Medicare Part D program.

24 Feb 2010

FDA grants EUA for Longhorn Influenza A/H1N1-09 Prime RRT-PCR Assay in CLIA high complexity laboratories

Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics today announced it has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Longhorn Influenza A/H1N1-09 Prime RRT-PCR Assay™ in CLIA high complexity laboratories. . The Longhorn Influenza A/H1N1-09 Prime RRT-PCR Assay™ is a ready-use assay that requires no mixing prior to use and has been authorized for use on the ABI 7500.

24 Feb 2010

Jobs bill missing Medicaid money for states, governors call for change

The $15 billion jobs bill that passed the Senate Monday does not include additional matching funds for state Medicaid programs, but governors are continuing to ask for its inclusion as they look for other ways to plus state budget holes made from Medicaid liabilities.

23 Feb 2010

Access Systems awarded $3.5M contract to support HHS FTS2001-Networx Transition Program Management Office

Access Systems, Inc. (ACCESS), an information technology (IT) solutions provider, has been awarded a $3.5M contract by GSA's National Capital Region to support the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) FTS2001-Networx Transition Program Management Office. ACCESS and team partner, BCCP Consulting, LLC, will assist HHS to conduct Fair Opportunity for selecting the Networx vendors that will provide telecommunications and associated professional services to the HHS OPDIVs.

23 Feb 2010

USPSTF mammography recommendations: Avon Foundation for Women survey confirms states denying coverage

A recent Avon Foundation for Women survey confirms what the American College of Radiology and other experts warned would happen: states are using deeply flawed and widely discredited U.S. Preventative Services Task Force mammography recommendations to deny women coverage for mammograms, and many women are foregoing long proven, life-saving mammography care based on the mistaken USPSTF recommendations.

23 Feb 2010

Improving health care quality for children: HHS Secretary announces $100M grant to explore new technologies

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $100 million in federal grant funds to 10 states to improve health care quality and delivery systems for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

23 Feb 2010

Medquist to particpate as Implementer in the HIMSS10 Interoperability Showcase

Demonstrating the value of standards-based health information technologies, MedQuist Inc., a leading provider of technology-enabled clinical documentation services, is participating as an Implementer in the HIMSS10 Interoperability Showcase at booth #233 in Hall C of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Showcase is part of the 2010 Annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Conference & Exhibition being held from March 1-4.

23 Feb 2010

National public service campaign to raise mental health awareness in young African American adults

Officials from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation will unveil a national public service campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. The event is part of Black History Month and it is being held to coincide with the first annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Mental Health Awareness Day. The launch will be telecast to colleges and universities nationwide.

23 Feb 2010

Public option again gains steam; Cadillac tax would fall equally on non-union plans

The public option is gaining steam again, while a new study on the "Cadillac tax" suggests it would fall equally on union and non-union health plans.

23 Feb 2010

Eon Labs to pay $3.5M for resolving False Claims Act allegations concerning Nitroglycerin SR capsules

Eon Labs Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations relating to the company's drug Nitroglycerin Sustained Release (SR) capsules, the Justice Department announced today. Eon Labs is a subsidiary of Sando Inc., which is in turn a subsidiary of Novartis AG.

23 Feb 2010

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

NPR: "In California, it's been seven months since some 3 million poor and disabled adults lost their dental coverage to budget cuts. ... While the recession may be easing, California and other states across the country continue to face eye-popping budget deficits. As a result, states are cutting deep into public health programs, and dental benefits for Medicaid recipients top the list. ... Before the state budget cuts, Medicaid patients here could get annual exams, cleanings and, if needed, root canals to save their teeth.

23 Feb 2010

Obama's health plan to target insurers' rates

President Obama will propose a regulatory crack down on insurers' rate hikes this morning, as the administration seeks to set the stage for a week-long push to reinvigorate the health care debate, The New York Times reports.

22 Feb 2010

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

Thank you, Tom. I also want to thank NACCHO for hosting this important conference and for inviting me to speak here today. Public health is a top priority for this administration. So is strengthening our partnerships across government. So I’m glad I could come talk with you about how we can work together to keep Americans healthy and safe.

22 Feb 2010

Four key elements essential for transforming health care delivery to be discussed at stakeholder's meeting

As the patient centered medical home moves onto the front burner as a model for transforming health care delivery, thought leaders are focusing on four key elements essential to making the model successful. These elements—care coordination, expanded access, meaningful health IT and new financial models—will be the foundation for the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative's March 30 Stakeholder's Meeting in Washington, DC at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.

22 Feb 2010

During open enrollment Medicare recipients may make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage

Medicare recipients may still make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage during open enrollment period, which runs Jan. 1 to March 31.

22 Feb 2010

As health insurance premiums rise sharply, lawmakers and consumers face tough choices

Steep increases in individual health insurance premiums are sparking reactions across the country.

21 Feb 2010

Pelosi releases statement on HHS Secretary's decision to increase aid to states for Medicare Part D payment

I applaud the Administration's decision, which will mean much-needed relief to states facing severe budget constraints in light of the tough economic climate. The California Congressional delegation's diligence in raising this issue with HHS has paid dividends for California, which will be rewarded with an additional $680 million, all due to the FMAP increase included in the Recovery Act that we passed a year ago.

20 Feb 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

The Infectious Diseases Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog examines U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric Goosby's recent address to the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) where he reemphasized the Obama administration's commitment to "'maintaining, extending and increasing' the U.S. response to global AIDS." Goosby reflected on the lessons drawn from PEPFAR to date and presented components of the 5-year PEPFAR strategy, the blog notes.

20 Feb 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

SRI International awarded $3.8M BARDA contract to develop a radiation assessment device

Officials crack down on Medicare fraud in Miami and Los Angeles

MAXIMUS receives contract to review reconsiderations of Medicare Part D program

FDA grants EUA for Longhorn Influenza A/H1N1-09 Prime RRT-PCR Assay in CLIA high complexity laboratories

Jobs bill missing Medicaid money for states, governors call for change

Access Systems awarded $3.5M contract to support HHS FTS2001-Networx Transition Program Management Office

USPSTF mammography recommendations: Avon Foundation for Women survey confirms states denying coverage

Improving health care quality for children: HHS Secretary announces $100M grant to explore new technologies

Medquist to particpate as Implementer in the HIMSS10 Interoperability Showcase

National public service campaign to raise mental health awareness in young African American adults

Public option again gains steam; Cadillac tax would fall equally on non-union plans

Eon Labs to pay $3.5M for resolving False Claims Act allegations concerning Nitroglycerin SR capsules

Medicaid cuts hurt Calif. dental coverage, drive away doctors in Okla; Public hospitals in NYC fear possible reductions

Obama's health plan to target insurers' rates

HHS Secretary reviews H1N1 response at NACCHO conference

Four key elements essential for transforming health care delivery to be discussed at stakeholder's meeting

During open enrollment Medicare recipients may make changes to their Medicare Advantage coverage

As health insurance premiums rise sharply, lawmakers and consumers face tough choices

Pelosi releases statement on HHS Secretary's decision to increase aid to states for Medicare Part D payment

Recent releases in Global Health

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

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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