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More physicians opting for salaries, other health care industry news

Even as a girl, Dr. Kate Dewar seemed destined to inherit the small-town medical practice of her grandfather and father. ... But when she finishes residency this summer, Dr. Dewar, 31, will not be going home. Instead, she will take a job as a salaried emergency room doctor at a hospital in Elmira, N.Y., two hours away.

5 Apr 2011

Health plans cut out expensive doctors and hospitals

The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses includes some major US corporations.

5 Apr 2011

Long hours at work damages heart: Study

According to British scientists, people who regularly work long hours may be significantly increasing their risk of developing heart disease that could eventually kill them.

5 Apr 2011

Boehringer Ingelheim receives FDA approval for Viramune XR to treat HIV-1 infection

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Viramune XR extended-release tablets, a one-pill, once-daily formulation of nevirapine for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

5 Apr 2011

Medical industry veteran set to play key role as Microvisk gears up to launch Smartstrip®

Microvisk Technologies, the developer of a handheld system to monitor the blood clotting status of patients taking the drug Warfarin, today announced that it has strengthened its Board with the appointment of medical industry veteran, Bill Moffitt, as Chairman and Peter Whitehouse as CFO.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

VSP launches mobile version for members to access vision care information

VSP Vision Care today launched the mobile version of vsp.com that allows members to access their vision care information from anywhere. Using a smartphone device, VSP members have access to features including: find a doctor, check your benefits, access your vision card and browse the eyewear gallery.

2 Apr 2011

National survey: 76% of parents trust child's doctor for vaccine-safety information

Most parents get their information about vaccines from their children's doctors, but some also consider public health officials, other parents, friends and family members and even celebrities as sources of vaccine information.

2 Apr 2011

Oncologist issues 'Emergency Radiation Medical Handbook'

Quickly responding to international demand due to Japan's disabled nuclear power reactors, James W. Forsythe, M.D., H.M.D., has issued an "Emergency Radiation Medical Handbook" for use worldwide.

2 Apr 2011

Reimbursement for surgical services has declined in recent years

In recent years reimbursement for surgical services has declined, failing to keep up with inflation and economic growth. Financial incentives aimed at re-distributing reimbursement from procedural specialties to primary care specialties have been ineffective thus far, and the financial returns of being a physician continue to decrease, according to new research published in the April 2011 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

2 Apr 2011

Ariz. Governor announces plan to cut Medicaid but restore some transplant funding

Gov. Jan Brewer asks HHS to approve proposal that would cut some enrollees and increase their cost sharing.

2 Apr 2011

Long-awaited federal rule for accountable care organizations outlines 'gains and risks' for doctors, hospitals

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick announced the release of the proposed rule Thursday, offering insights into how the administration hopes to encourage doctors and hospitals to collaborate more closely to improve patient care.

2 Apr 2011

Minnesota medical spending reached $17.4 billion in 2010

Health costs per person in Minnesota rose only 2.6 percent in 2010, about half the national average. Key factors in controlling costs were innovations by Minnesota's health plans – for example, more effective management of care for those with chronic diseases – and reduced demand for health care in a slow economy.

2 Apr 2011

Colorectal cancer screening vital for prevention and early detection

We're all familiar with messages like this one – "men and women aged 50 and older should have regular colorectal cancer screening tests." We read this message in our community newspapers and hear it on television and radio. Why is there so much media attention on colorectal cancer screening? Well, here's a message you might not have seen: over the last decade, in part due to increased screening, rates of new cases and deaths from colorectal cancer have been on the decline.

1 Apr 2011

Some local thoughts on ACOs

A Minneapolis hospital and California physician group association react to the ACO regulations.

1 Apr 2011

Pediatrician suggests tips to combat allergic symptoms

One of the problems that parents may have during the springtime is deciphering whether their children's sneezing is due to a cold or allergies.

1 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

In hearings Friday, some of my former congressional colleagues are due to explore the operations of the AARP, the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Americans age 50 and older. Specifically, the hearing is to examine the group's tax status, evaluating it in view of its management structure and funding.

1 Apr 2011

Roundup: Fla. moves closer to Medicaid overhaul; Abortion provisions advance in Va., Kan. and Iowa

The Florida House on Thursday approved a statewide proposal to shift Medicaid beneficiaries into managed-care plans. ... Supporters said the plan would improve care for Medicaid beneficiaries, reduce widespread fraud and control costs in the $20 billion program.

1 Apr 2011

New lifesaving technology can combat cancer

Imagine the benefits if there was technology that pinpointed exactly which chemotherapy drugs work best in fighting each individual's type of cancer. No more guessing. No more trial and error. The good news is that such lifesaving technology is on its way to becoming reality.

1 Apr 2011