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ASH Annual Meeting to showcase latest research and treatments for blood disorders

The American Society of Hematology (ASH), the world's largest professional association of blood specialists, expects more than 20,000 attendees at the 51st ASH Annual Meeting from December 5-8, 2009, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. The meeting will showcase the latest research and treatments for blood disorders.

2 Dec 2009

Despite price transparency legislation in California, uninsured patients do not receive price estimates

Uninsured patients in California are unable to successfully obtain information about the cost of medical care at hospitals despite recent state legislation intended to improve price transparency, according to a new study.

2 Dec 2009

AANS and CNS join other surgical organizations to oppose 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act'

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) have joined 17 other surgical organizations in opposing the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

2 Dec 2009

New patented technology to combat healthcare-associated infections

Independent testing performed at ATS Labs, an internationally recognized antimicrobial testing laboratory, demonstrated that PerfectClean with Micrillon wipers eliminated biological contaminants in a very short time. This promising technology has the potential to impact disinfection practices in the healthcare market.

2 Dec 2009

Emerging Healthcare Solutions announces their American health care initiative

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. today announced their American health care initiative. Fifty million new patients are set to explode on the healthcare system with the passage of national healthcare legislation.

1 Dec 2009

Women's insurance amendment slated for Senate's first health bill vote

As the Senate debates the health reform legislation, amendments are being advanced and Senators are reacting to the bill.

1 Dec 2009

Seniors can be reluctant to switch Medicare drug plans

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, in collaboration with The Washington Post, writes about the decisions seniors face regarding their health coverage.

1 Dec 2009

Political squabbles mark opening day of Senate health debate

The Senate on Monday began its health bill debate amid speculation regarding how long the floor consideration would last and how much the bill will change before a final vote is taken.

1 Dec 2009

Nationwide 'Medicare Fraud Strike Force' focuses on driving down cost

A "Medicare Fraud Strike Force," which started in south Florida, has now expanded across the country to indict more than 300 on fraudulent Medicare billing charges, The Washington Times reports. Officials say the strike force has broken up operations that attempted to defraud Medicare of more than $700 million.

1 Dec 2009

Questions circle over health reform's effect on rising costs

"The White House has started to aggressively push back against a growing narrative that pending health reform legislation doesn't do enough to control spiraling health costs," Politico reports. Peter Orszag said reporters who go "on buzz and sort of loose talk," instead of doing "the hard work," were partly to blame for the pending narrative.

1 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 1, 2009

Today's headlines focus on the Senate, where that chamber's official health overhaul debate started amid sharp tones and divisive issues just as the Congressional Budget Office issues a report on projected premium costs under the bill being considered.

1 Dec 2009

WellPoint's NextRx subsidiaries acquired by Express Scripts

Express Scripts, Inc., and WellPoint, Inc., announced today the closing of Express Scripts' acquisition of WellPoint's NextRx subsidiaries.

1 Dec 2009

New research highlights need for national strategy on HIV prevention education

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that well over one million people in the United States are infected with HIV/AIDS. New research from North Carolina State University shows that many of those infected are minorities and do not have health insurance, and highlights the need for a national strategy to facilitate education and prevention efforts in minority and low-income populations.

1 Dec 2009

Insurance customers have intentions to switch their Medicare coverage, finds study

A new study has found that 27% of Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Medicare insurance customers have a current intention to shop for and possibly switch their Medicare coverage.

1 Dec 2009

Verisk Health announces the release of DxCG Risk Solutions 3.0

Verisk Health, Inc., a global leader in healthcare data analytics, today announced the release of DxCG Risk Solutions 3.0, a suite of risk adjustment and predictive modeling products that enable organizations to analyze, predict, manage, and minimize healthcare risk and costs associated with commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid populations.

1 Dec 2009

New Medicare advantage plans for affordable and quality health care

HealthPlus of Michigan today announced the launch of two new HealthPlus MedicarePlus plans designed for Medicare-eligible people looking for affordable benefit choices and convenient access to quality health care.

1 Dec 2009

Senate health debate begins, Reid warns of weekend work

The Associated Press: The Senate opened debate Monday on landmark health care legislation that would extend coverage to millions of uninsured and ban onerous insurance practices, with Democrats vowing to work weekends to deliver on President Barack Obama's domestic initiative by year's end.

30 Nov 2009

South Florida Medicare fraud offers lesson for national health care reform

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that leaders in Washington are studying South Florida and its highest-in-the-nation rate of Medicare fraud for "lessons on how to stem Medicare fraud to help pay for a health care overhaul."

30 Nov 2009

Senate Democrats face rocky road on the way to the health reform finish line

"The 60 votes aren't there any more," The Associated Press reports: "With the Senate set to begin debate Monday on health care overhaul, the all-hands-on-deck Democratic coalition that allowed the bill to advance is fracturing already. Yet majority Democrats will need 60 votes again to finish."

30 Nov 2009

Massachusetts may require colleges to insure students; Hawaii plans to opt out of health overhaul

News outlets report on a proposal in Massachusetts to require colleges and universities to insure students, an insurer in Massachusetts that is expected to try to alter the "fee for service" model and a plan in Hawaii to opt out of the national health care overhaul.

30 Nov 2009