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Exercise counseling and fitness center training effective for type 2 diabetic patients

Physical therapist-directed exercise counseling combined with fitness center-based exercise training can improve muscular strength and exercise capacity in people with type 2 diabetes, with outcomes similar to those of supervised exercise, according to a randomized clinical trial published in the September issue of Physical Therapy, the scientific journal of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

23 Sep 2009

New finding reveals that majority of Americans feel that recession is not over

An overwhelming majority of Americans appear to disagree with Fed Chairman Bernanke's statement that the recession is 'likely over' as 78% say it isn't, according to the latest American Pulse Survey of 6,976 Americans. 76% of Democrats, 84% of Republicans and 75.6% of Independents concur, making this one subject that all parties can agree upon.

23 Sep 2009

For some families, 'Cadillac' health insurance is priceless

Also part of the special series, "Are You Covered?" Kaiser Health News and NPR report that "for two families, 'gold-plated' health insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they receive. But it's not always the rich who get these benefits, and they worry about what a possible tax on plans would do to their health coverage (Gold, 9/22).

23 Sep 2009

Pelosi says House health bill will have public option

'No bill can pass the House of Representatives without a public option in it,' Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a press conference after a private tour of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with a group of physicians and local Congressional Democrats.

23 Sep 2009

Many amendments already introduced to Senate Finance bill

The Salt Lake Tribune: "Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has 51 ways he wants to change the latest health reform proposal including one amendment that would ease a tax on high-end insurance plans for 'any state with a name that begins with the letter 'U.'

23 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Political intimidation has always been part of the current Congress's health-care strategy: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu" is tattooed on every lobbyist and industry rep in Washington. But Max Baucus's latest bullying tactics are hard to believe by even these standards, as the Senate Finance Chairman has sicced federal regulators on the insurer Humana Inc. for daring to criticize one part of his health bill (9/22).

23 Sep 2009

After criticisms, Baucus expects big changes to health bill

The Senate Finance Committee is meeting beginning today to consider chairman Max Baucus' health proposal and is very likely to make substantial changes.

23 Sep 2009

'The Dr. Oz Show' and NAFC collaborate to hold an enormous free clinic

"The Dr. Oz Show," the new daily syndicated show hosted by cardiac surgeon and health expert Dr. Mehmet Oz, and the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC), will hold an enormous free clinic at the Reliant Convention Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday September 26, 2009 to provide medical care to hundreds of people who have no form of basic health insurance.

22 Sep 2009

Interactive Health Insurance Buyer's Guide launched

Today, eHealthInsurance launched a new Interactive Health Insurance Buyer's Guide. Designed for consumers considering all of their options during the traditional open enrollment season, the interactive tool helps consumers make informed decisions when buying their own health coverage.

22 Sep 2009

Small business operators worried over proposed health care legislation

The U.S. Congress is back in session with Health Care legislation dominating the attention of lawmakers and the public. The current proposed health care legislation will mandate small business with payrolls more than $250,000 to provide health insurance to their workers or pay a fine.

22 Sep 2009

AAA Assurance Corporation of Vietnam and International Medical Group sign historic agreement

International Medical Group®, Inc. (IMG®), a worldwide leader in designing, distributing and administering global health care benefits, signed a historic agreement in Ho Chi Minh City with the joint stock company, AAA Assurance Corporation of Vietnam.

22 Sep 2009

HTH Worldwide announces TripProtector insurance plans with sickness and accident benefits

HTH Worldwide, a global health and safety services company, today announced that its TripProtector(SM) insurance plans are now available with sickness, accident and medical evacuation benefits up to $1 million and medical assistance services that include direct payment to participating doctors and hospitals in over 180 countries.

22 Sep 2009

NYC Health Insurance Link launches new website for high quality health insurance access

HealthConnect Systems, the leading online network for buyers and sellers of health insurance and employee benefits, announced today that its technology powers the NYC Health Insurance Link (www.nyc.gov/HILink), which went live today at a ceremony hosted by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. New York City’s Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (OCHIA) and Management Information Systems (MIS), divisions of NYC’s Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS), developed this innovative website to bring high quality health insurance access to New York City residents and small businesses.

22 Sep 2009

50% jump in electronic claims submission by health care providers

Three out of every four insurance claims from health care providers are being submitted electronically to AmeriHealth New Jersey. That’s an increase of 50 percent over the past three years, the insurer said today.

22 Sep 2009

Health of American workers trending downwards

In the midst of the most vigorous national health care debate in 15 years, and at a time of heightened economic insecurity, new data on employers show that the health of employed American workers is trending downward in a number of important areas. The State of Health in the American Workforce, a report released today by the Families and Work Institute (FWI), finds that only 28% of employees today report that their overall health is "excellent," down from 34% just six years ago.

22 Sep 2009

CED urges Senate Finance Committee to adopt "Free Choice" amendment in health bill

The Committee for Economic Development (CED) today urged the Senate Finance Committee to amend the America's Health Future Act (sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT)) by adopting the "Free Choice" amendment submitted Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The "Free Choice" amendment is a key element of the Healthy Americans Act (S. 391) which was endorsed by CED in June of this year.

22 Sep 2009

Baucus: Bill will change to make premiums more affordable

"Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said Monday he intends to ease what he called the financial burden his health bill would impose on middle-income families, making adjustments financed in part by paring back the amount of deficit reduction in the legislation," The Wall Street Journal reports. "In an interview, the Montana Democrat said some $28 billion of the funds now dedicated to deficit reduction could be diverted into proposals that would make the bill more affordable to working-class Americans."

22 Sep 2009

Some religious groups seek health care for illegal immigrants

NPR reports: "In the Hispanic community, there are issues in the debate over health care that spill over into the debate over immigration policy."

21 Sep 2009

Obama pushes new message while opposition continues

In his Sunday talk show offensive (related story: Obama Blankets Airwaves To Push For Health Reform) President Barack Obama called for civility, advertised his willingness to consider malpractice reform, said a proposed tax on health benefits would not have a large impact on working people and reiterated that illegal immigrants would not receive government coverage under the plans, the Washington Post reports.

21 Sep 2009

Illinois court to weigh how much charity nonprofit hospitals must perform

Illinois' highest court on Wednesday will consider how much charity care a nonprofit hospital must provide to earn its property tax exemption, the Chicago Tribune reports. Nonprofit hospitals provide charity care in the form of unreimbursed services to low-income people and the uninsured, and in exchange, receive tax benefits.

21 Sep 2009