Health and Human Services News and Research

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New series of 30-second PSAs on getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the Ad Council and the Jim Henson Company, has released a new series of 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) about the importance of getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Targeted to parents and children, the PSA campaign features 15 governors, a state first lady, a state chief medical officer and the main character from the PBS’ series “Sid the Science Kid” and reminds the public that getting vaccinated is the best way to stay healthy during this flu season.

24 Dec 2009

Boston Scientific to pay $22M for settlement of Guidant post-market survey investigation

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that it has entered into a civil settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the Department's investigation relating to certain post-market surveys conducted by Guidant Corporation before Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in 2006. Boston Scientific had previously disclosed the investigation, which was conducted by the United States Attorney's office in Boston.

24 Dec 2009

Eclipsys acute care EMR retains its No. 2 ranking in KLAS awards

Eclipsys Corporation®, The Outcomes Company®, today announced that the company’s focus on delivering an enterprise portfolio of high-quality health information software solutions is reflected in the findings of the 2009 “Top 20 Best in KLAS Award: Software and Professional Services” report (2009 Top 20 Best in KLAS Awards report).

24 Dec 2009

False Claims Act allegations: Visiting Physicians Association to pay $9.5M

Visiting Physicians Association, which is based in Farmington Hills, Mich., will pay the United States and the state of Michigan $9.5 million to settle allegations that the association violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare, TRICARE and the Michigan Medicaid program, the Justice Department announced today. Visiting Physicians Association is a Michigan professional corporation which has provided home health services at various times in Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Wisconsin.

24 Dec 2009

HHS announces additional grant programs to support health IT workforce

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today the availability of two additional grant programs to support the training and development of the skilled workforce required to support broad adoption and use of health information technology (health IT).

24 Dec 2009

Elusys Therapeutics receives contract to speed up drug development for Anthrax

The HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) today awarded a contract to Elusys Therapeutics, Inc. of Pine Brook, N.J., for the advanced development of a medication to treat inhalational anthrax, one of the top bioterrorism threats facing the nation.

23 Dec 2009

Achievements in lupus research, education and advocacy cause for celebration and hope

The year 2009 will be remembered as a year of many firsts for lupus, including the first successful phase III clinical trial of a potential new treatment for lupus, the launch of the first-ever Ad Council public awareness campaign for lupus, and the first comprehensive report on the barriers to lupus drug development. And it appears there are no signs of any slowing of momentum as we enter the New Year.

23 Dec 2009

St. John Health System to pay over $13M for settling False Claims Act allegations

St. John Health System, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., has agreed to pay the United States $13,229,348.88 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced today.

23 Dec 2009

Health experts offer recommendation to improve school meal programs

More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, less sodium and a limit on calories served per meal—those are just some of the recommendations a committee of experts has made on how to improve the nation’s school lunch and breakfast menus.

22 Dec 2009

AADA lauds indoor tanning tax in the health system reform legislation

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) applauds the decision of the U.S. Senate to substitute a 10 percent federal excise tax on indoor tanning services for the proposed tax on cosmetic procedures in the Senate's health system reform legislation (H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2009). The indoor tanning tax, as proposed to Senate leadership by the AADA, furthers its goal of promoting wellness and prevention, and removes the harmful unintended consequences associated with a tax on cosmetic surgery procedures.

22 Dec 2009

Select CVS/pharmacy locations and all MinuteClinic medical clinics offer H1N1 vaccinations

Select CVS/pharmacy locations and all MinuteClinic medical clinics throughout Arizona are now offering H1N1 vaccinations. H1N1 vaccine is now also available at select MinuteClinic locations in Illinois in the Chicago area and in Nevada in the Las Vegas area on demand seven days a week with no appointment necessary.

22 Dec 2009

Avatar clinical software solution implemented for Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division

Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services for health and human services organizations, recently completed implementation of its Avatar clinical software solution for the Monterey County (Calif.) Health Department Behavioral Health Division.

22 Dec 2009

Senate Democrats win overnight procedural vote; move one step closer to approving health bill by Christmas

The New York Times: "After a long day of acid, partisan debate, Senate Democrats held ranks early Monday in a dead-of-night procedural vote that proved they had locked in the decisive margin needed to pass a far-reaching overhaul of the nation's health care system."

21 Dec 2009

$4.2M Medicare fraud: Three Detroit-area residents plead guilty

Jackson, Mich., resident Terrence Hicks and Detroit residents Muhammed Al Mahdi and John Saunders pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan this week for their roles in a $4.2 million Medicare fraud scheme, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena of the FBI's Detroit Field Office and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today.

19 Dec 2009

HHS announces $60M to address barriers in adopting health IT

David Blumenthal, M.D., Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, today announced plans to make available $60 million to support the development of Strategic Health IT Advanced Research Projects (SHARP). SHARP projects will conduct focused research in critical areas where breakthrough advances are needed to address existing barriers to the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (health IT).

19 Dec 2009

BARDA awards $400M for developing tests and devices to determine radiation absorption after a nuclear/radiological incident

The HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is awarding nine contracts for the advanced research and development of more effective tests and devices to determine the level of radiation a person has absorbed after a nuclear or radiological incident. The contracts total $35 million for the initial phase and up to $400 million over five years.

19 Dec 2009

Three New York home health agencies to pay $24M for resolving Medicaid and Medicare fraud allegations

The Department of Justice announced today that the United States and the state of New York have entered into settlement agreements with three home health agencies to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to the New York Medicaid and Medicare programs.

18 Dec 2009

New issue brief discussing importance of strengthening independent Medicare commission released

Today, The Concord Coalition released a new issue brief discussing the importance of strengthening the independent Medicare commission created in the Senate legislation currently being debated.

18 Dec 2009

Genetic variant associated with reduced risk of COPD

What: Researchers have discovered evidence that suggests a genetic variant may be associated with better preserved lung function among children with asthma and adults who smoke, according to a new study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

18 Dec 2009

PRPS1 gene associated with DFN2 identified by researchers

A gene associated with a rare form of progressive deafness in males has been identified by an international team of researchers funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

17 Dec 2009

Health and Human Services News and Research

New series of 30-second PSAs on getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu

Boston Scientific to pay $22M for settlement of Guidant post-market survey investigation

Eclipsys acute care EMR retains its No. 2 ranking in KLAS awards

False Claims Act allegations: Visiting Physicians Association to pay $9.5M

HHS announces additional grant programs to support health IT workforce

Elusys Therapeutics receives contract to speed up drug development for Anthrax

Achievements in lupus research, education and advocacy cause for celebration and hope

St. John Health System to pay over $13M for settling False Claims Act allegations

Health experts offer recommendation to improve school meal programs

AADA lauds indoor tanning tax in the health system reform legislation

Select CVS/pharmacy locations and all MinuteClinic medical clinics offer H1N1 vaccinations

Avatar clinical software solution implemented for Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division

Senate Democrats win overnight procedural vote; move one step closer to approving health bill by Christmas

$4.2M Medicare fraud: Three Detroit-area residents plead guilty

HHS announces $60M to address barriers in adopting health IT

BARDA awards $400M for developing tests and devices to determine radiation absorption after a nuclear/radiological incident

Three New York home health agencies to pay $24M for resolving Medicaid and Medicare fraud allegations

New issue brief discussing importance of strengthening independent Medicare commission released

Genetic variant associated with reduced risk of COPD

PRPS1 gene associated with DFN2 identified by researchers

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