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Lawmakers, others worry about stimulus funds, Medicaid money

As federal stimulus funds begin to run out, including enhanced federal support for swelling Medicaid rolls, lawmakers and others are worried that the U.S. economy could again stall. "[M]any important programs are losing funding. Among the most crucial is unemployment insurance. … Stimulus funds have also helped subsidize health benefits through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, which gives jobless workers an opportunity to continue their coverage at group rates for a limited time. Efforts to extend those provisions are stalled in Congress. The National Employment Law Project estimates that 1.63 million workers will exhaust their benefits by the end of this week, and at least 140,000 workers will lose COBRA coverage."

1 Jul 2010

First Edition: June 30, 2010

Today's headlines highlight the results of a new tracking poll that indicate that the health reform law has gained popularity among Americans while implementation advances for overhaul initiatives such as high-risk pools and the early retiree reinsurance program.

30 Jun 2010

Integra LifeSciences VP honored as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation announced today that Linda Littlejohns RN MSN CCRN CNRN, Vice President, Clinical Development at Integra, has been selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the most prestigious nursing organizations in the country. The Academy's Fellows include many of the nation's top nursing executives, policymakers, scholars, researchers and practitioners.

30 Jun 2010

Independence Blue Cross announces five new Personal Choice PPO plans

Beginning July 1, 2010, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer five new Personal Choice® PPO plan options for individuals – expanding the range of individual plan choices for health care consumers in the region. These medically underwritten plans are available in three popular formats: copay, deductible and health savings account (HSA) plan designs that enable consumers to choose the type of plan and pricing that fits their specific needs.

30 Jun 2010

Call for incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies

Three leading scientific and health policy organizations today launched a global drive for signatories to the Vienna Declaration, a statement seeking to improve community health and safety by calling for the incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies. Among those supporting the declaration and urging others to sign is 2008 Nobel Laureate and International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council member Prof. Fran-oise Barr--Sinoussi, co-discoverer of HIV.

30 Jun 2010

Majority of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine"

A survey by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers has found that 91 percent of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine," ordering more tests and procedures than necessary as a protective measure. The study, which questioned 2,416 physicians, is published in the June 28 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine.

30 Jun 2010

WHO's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities helps create healthy urban environments for older residents

Today, WHO launches the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities as part of a broader response to the rapid ageing of populations. Populations in almost every corner of the world are growing older. The greatest changes are occurring in less-developed countries. By 2050, it is estimated that 80% of the expected 2 billion people aged 60 years or over will live in low or middle income countries. The Network aims to help cities create urban environments that allow older people to remain active and healthy participants in society.

30 Jun 2010

Majority of German patients say public health system needs fundamental change

One patient in four in Germany is in favor of complete reform of the public health system. Most respondents in other nations are more satisfied.

30 Jun 2010

Humana launches ‘Points of Caregiving’ program

Humana Inc. today introduced Points of Caregiving, a comprehensive resource for the nation's 52 million caregivers. Designed as a complete caregiver's destination, the program includes an easy-to-use interactive website, telephonic support and customized reminders to help caregivers make decisions with confidence and to find support from peers.

30 Jun 2010

Poor clinical system performance impacts clinician productivity and adoption of EHR/EMR technology

Compuware Corporation today announced the findings of a survey of health care professionals to better understand the availability of their clinical information systems. The survey examined the length of time it takes for clinicians to log-in and how often they are required to log-in during an average work day.

30 Jun 2010

More awareness about advance care planning, and hospice and palliative care

Recent media coverage on the challenges patients and families face with overtreatment of a life-limiting illness brings the issues of hospice and palliative care and advance care planning to public attention.

30 Jun 2010

Complication rates for vaginal and C-section deliveries can vary across hospitals

Complication rates for vaginal and C-section deliveries can vary widely from one hospital to the next according to a study released today by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization.

30 Jun 2010

Ford may pay health debts with stock — a sign of possible weakness

The automaker Ford may pay part of the $859 million it owes a union health care fund using company stock, a move analysts say would show weakness, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

30 Jun 2010

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Three months after health reform was enacted, state leaders are beginning to make decisions about implementing the new law, Politico reports: "With the messy politics of health reform, the burden of balancing state budgets and the goal of expanding health coverage, lawmakers at the state level have had mixed reactions."

30 Jun 2010

When it comes to decision making, older adults fare as well as juniors

Many people believe that getting older means losing a mental edge, leading to poor decision-making. But a new study from North Carolina State University shows that when it comes to making intuitive decisions - using your "gut instincts" - older adults fare as well as their juniors.

30 Jun 2010

Geriatric population soars while NIH devotes modest resources to aging research

With a nudge from the new health care law and pressure from Medicare, hospitals, doctors and nurses are struggling to prepare for explosive growth in the numbers of high-risk elderly patients. More than 40 percent of adult patients in acute care hospital beds are 65 or older. Seventy million Americans will have turned 65 by 2030.

30 Jun 2010

Oil spill disaster raises concern in the Gulf region

Two months after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion caused the oil spill now globally acknowledged as the worst environmental disaster in our nation's history, the residents of the Gulf region immediately impacted are exhibiting dramatically high levels of anxiety, both among adults and children, about the future health and well-being of the region. Many children – and parents – still recovering from Katrina are now reeling from a second major trauma as a result of the oil catastrophe.

30 Jun 2010

Health experts to discuss OA prevention and treatment strategies at international Arthritis Summit

Hospital for Special Surgery plans to host a two-day international Osteoarthritis Summit in June 2011.

30 Jun 2010

Survey of doctors suggests widespread 'defensive medicine'

HealthDay/Bloomberg Businessweek reports that a new survey published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that 91 percent of 2,416 doctors believe their colleagues practice defensive medicine by giving patients more tests and treatments as a means of protecting themselves from lawsuits. "In addition, 90.7 percent of the respondents believe better protection against unwarranted malpractice suits is necessary to reduce the number of unnecessary medical tests" (Preidt, 6/28).

30 Jun 2010

News round up: UniCare will drop health coverage for Virginians; Hawaii concerned about lack of physicians

The Washington Post: "About 3,000 Virginians who have health insurance through UniCare, a private insurer, will lose that coverage Jan. 1, a UniCare spokesman said Monday. Most live in Northern Virginia and get their coverage through the individual market, officials said.

30 Jun 2010