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Utah tries to improve state health insurance exhange; Mich. plans for doctor shortage

The Salt Lake Tribune: "State health reform got a boost Tuesday with House passage of a fix-it bill to improve the Utah Health Exchange, an online tool for purchasing health insurance. Pitched as a free-market approach to lowering costs for small businesses, the exchange has had limited success. Only 400 people are receiving health insurance in its experimental first stage. And some of its 66 plans are up to 130 percent more expensive than what some companies were already paying. That's because insurers are calculating premiums differently 'inside' and 'outside' the exchange, said House Speaker Dave Clark" (Stewart, 2/16).

17 Feb 2010

ACP urges Congress and Obama to enact comprehensive health care reform

"The unfortunate truth is that by many measures, the State of America's health care is in decline," Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP), reported today at ACP's annual State of the Nation's Health Care briefing. "We have too many uninsured, too few primary care physicians, and the cost of health care is rising faster than we can afford."

17 Feb 2010

COBRA expansion, Medicare payments to doctors 'fix' looming over Congress

Lawmakers seek ways to expand COBRA and address the Medicare doctor payment "fix."

17 Feb 2010

NCOA survey: Communication about safety of medical imaging for patients is often inadequate

Today, the National Council on Aging released the results of a national survey of older adults, caregivers and health care providers evaluating knowledge and awareness of medical imaging safety. The survey, which focused largely on electronic implantable device patients and their caregivers, reveals that communication about the safety of medical imaging for patients with these devices is often inadequate.

17 Feb 2010

Physicians of New York Walk In Medical Group open new center in New York City

The physicians of New York Walk In Medical Group, PC, are opening the doors today at the fifth "DR Walk-In Medical Center" in a Duane Reade Pharmacy in New York City. The "Doctor on Premises" center will open at 10:00 a.m. at the new Duane Reade at 17th Street and Eighth Avenue in the Chelsea section of Manhattan.

17 Feb 2010

Walgreen acquires Duane Reade for total enterprise value of $1.075 billion

Walgreen Co. and New York-based drugstore chain Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. today announced a definitive agreement under which Walgreens will acquire Duane Reade from affiliates of Oak Hill Capital Partners in a cash transaction for a total enterprise value of $1.075 billion, which includes the assumption of debt.

17 Feb 2010

Nebraska laws to protect patients and healthcare providers against unfair prescription insurance practices

Dozens of patients and state and national advocacy and healthcare groups, including Nebraska Medical Association and Nebraska Nurses Association, today urged passage of two precedent-setting consumer protection healthcare bills during a hearing at the Nebraska State Capitol. These laws would be the first in the nation to protect patients and healthcare providers against unfair prescription insurance practices.

17 Feb 2010

AAFA launches national PSA on "Two Main Causes of Asthma"

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is launching a national public service announcement (PSA) supported by GlaxoSmithKline titled "Two Main Causes of Asthma." The PSA goal is to communicate an important message to the millions of Americans with asthma: that treating the two main causes of asthma symptoms may help prevent symptoms before they begin. Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest tightness.

17 Feb 2010

Patients and doctors differ when it comes to daily health activities

When it comes to daily health activities such as diet and exercise, Americans and their doctors may not always see eye to eye.

17 Feb 2010

Canada's first-ever national physiotherapy advertising campaign

Today marks the launch of the first-ever national advertising campaign in the 90-year history of physiotherapy in Canada. Commercials about physiotherapy will air on the CTV national network, TSN, and Sportsnet during coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver when large numbers of Canadians will be tuning in. The ads will also be appearing on CBC's News Network and TVA's Salut Bonjour. A companion print ad will follow to extend the reach of the message, in time for May, which is National Physiotherapy Month.

17 Feb 2010

Migraine is seen more frequently in women with MS than those without: Study

Migraine is seen more frequently in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) than those without, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.

17 Feb 2010

Medical journal finds divide between doctors and patients on new mammogram recommendations

News outlets explore confusion about cancer screening guidelines and questions raised about the effects of high tech procedures on health care costs and quality.

17 Feb 2010

Advice on decoding and correcting medical bills

The Los Angeles Times offers advice to consumers on how to understand and correct medical bills.

16 Feb 2010

Any new pressure in upper body can signal heart attack

Not everyone who suffers a heart attack clutches their chest and falls to the floor. "I woke up and felt like a pill was stuck in my throat," says Betsy, a 68-year-old patient from Upper Providence. "I was taking antibiotics at the time and really didn't think much of it," she adds. "So I tried drinking water and when the "stuck" feeling didn't go away after 45 minutes, I thought something might be wrong."

15 Feb 2010

Plagiocephaly babies need to be screened and monitored early in life for possible cognitive, motor delays

In a new study, infants averaging six months of age who exhibited positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational tests used to evaluate cognitive and motor development. Positional or deformational plagiocephaly may occur when external forces shape an infant's skull while it is still soft and malleable, such as extended time spent lying on a hard surface or in one position. This is the first controlled study to suggest that babies who have flattened areas on the back of their heads during the first year of life may be at risk for developmental delay.

15 Feb 2010

Indian Health Service director Roubideaux: 'We have a lot to teach the country'

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jessica Marcy talks to IHS director Yvette Roubideaux, who knows first-hand the difficulties faced by patients of the Indian Health Service.

15 Feb 2010

Texas whistle-blowing nurse is acquitted

The New York Times: "A West Texas jury took but an hour Thursday to acquit a nurse who had been charged with a felony after alerting the state medical board that a doctor at her hospital was practicing unsafe medicine. The uncommon prosecution had ignited deep concern among health care workers and advocates for whistle-blowers about a potential chilling effect on the reporting of malpractice.

15 Feb 2010

Wyoming lawkmaker pushes for reform, Mississippi Governor bans certain over-the-counter drugs

Associated Press/CNBC: "A veteran Wyoming state senator for the third time is pushing a bill he says would offer health insurance to people who couldn't afford it on the open market and also serve as an example to the rest of the nation of how to tackle rising health care costs. Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, has proposed a pilot program that calls for allowing 500 participants to enroll in Medicaid beginning in July. It would be limited to people whose family income is below 250 percent of the federal poverty level — $55,125 for a family of four.

15 Feb 2010

2 Seattle doctors accused of Medicare fraud; CNN offers advice for patients on checking out their doctors

Two Seattle-area doctors are accused of stealing millions from Medicare through fraudulent billing. "In separate grand jury indictments filed in U.S. District Court, federal authorities contend both men followed identical schemes in setting up shell companies designed to defraud the Medicare system."

14 Feb 2010

First Edition: February 12, 2010

Today's headlines highlight the continuing flap over Anthem Blue Cross' planned rate hike as well as GOP and Democratic responses to President Obama's proposed health summit.

12 Feb 2010