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America's Prostate Cancer Organizations release shared perspective on screening and treatment

America's Prostate Cancer Organizations today released the full text of written testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Committee will be holding a hearing on "Prostate Cancer: New Questions About Screening and Treatment" on March 4, 2010.

5 Mar 2010

FDA takes steps to protect consumers from potential Salmonella infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to protect the public following the early identification of Salmonella Tennessee in one company's supply of hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). This is a common ingredient used most frequently as a flavor enhancer in many processed foods, including soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressings.

5 Mar 2010

Men should discuss risks, benefits with doctor before undergoing prostate-cancer screening

Men who undergo prostate-cancer screening should discuss with a doctor the uncertainties, risks and benefits of the test before it is performed, says Edward Partridge, M.D., president-elect of the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center.

5 Mar 2010

Harmful health IT malfunctions

With the new health care IT technology already in use, preparation for the accompanying consequences should be on every family’s mind, advises Martine Ehrenclou, author of the multiple award-winning, self-help guide Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide To Get Your Loved One Out Alive (Lemon Grove Press).

5 Mar 2010

Health care not safe as it should be

Current health care is not as safe as it should be. In the current issue of Deutsches -rzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107[6]: 92-9), Barbara Hoffmann and Julia Rohe explain the reasons for adverse events, as well as measures to ensure better patient safety.

5 Mar 2010

2010 Federal Budget lacks substantive funding in support of heart health initiatives: HSF concerned

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) is concerned with the lack of any substantive funding in support of heart health initiatives as outlined in today's 2010 Federal Budget.

5 Mar 2010

ADA President outlines ways to improve oral health care access for underserved populations

American Dental Association President Dr. Ronald Tankersley testified today before an Institute of Medicine Committee on Oral Health Access to Services, outlining the ADA's efforts to address ways to improve access for underserved populations.

5 Mar 2010

NRF urges Congress to reject calls to use fast-track rules to push flawed health care reform legislation

The National Retail Federation today urged Congress to reject calls to use fast-track budget reconciliation rules to push flawed health care reform legislation through the House and Senate.

5 Mar 2010

Researchers develop new model to guide health care financing, resource allocation decisions in the U.S.

A new model that can be used to guide health care financing and resource allocation decisions in the U.S. has been developed by an international group of researchers led by a team from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

5 Mar 2010

Veterans Health Care Budget Reform: DAV honors Obama for support

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Commander Roberto "Bobby" Barrera today presented a personalized commemorative baseball bat to President Barack Obama to recognize his support for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act and going to bat for veterans.

5 Mar 2010

Health care freedom: Virginia first state to pass legislation

Today Virginia became the first state in the nation to enact legislation to protect their citizens from being forced to purchase health insurance or participate in any health care system against their will. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has identified 37 other states that have similar bills pending or have announced that they will introduce this legislation. Already, at least one house of the legislatures in Idaho, Missouri, and Tennessee have also passed such legislation.

5 Mar 2010

Common allergens that may cause contact dermatitis

Itchy irritated skin can leave some people scratching their heads trying to determine the cause of this bothersome condition. What did they touch? Is it just dry skin gone awry? Are they allergic to something in their home or workplace? The answers to these questions could require not only a little detective work, but the help of a dermatologist who can diagnose and treat the most likely culprit - contact dermatitis.

5 Mar 2010

Hospitals across the nation celebrate National Nutrition Month

Hospitals across the nation are celebrating National Nutrition Month by changing their food service offerings and staging events to draw more attention to their participation in the Health Care Without Harm Balanced Menus program, which advocates a "Less Meat, Better Meat" approach to hospital food service operations.

5 Mar 2010

UnitedHealth Group statement: Expand access to quality care for all Americans

We sought to make clear our longstanding commitment to expanding access to quality care for all Americans, and also to discuss the many factors that are driving up the cost of care for millions of people across the United States. To achieve true and sustainable reform, it is essential to first bring costs under control.

5 Mar 2010

Sebelius meets with insurance execs, challenges them to be transparent

Reuters: During a meeting today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pressed the CEOs of some of the nation's largest health insurers about increases in insurance premiums. "The meeting added more uncertainty for an industry that has already become Democrats' top target in their bid to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, and shares of health insurers continued to fall in late-morning trading."

5 Mar 2010

The White House full court press on health care

Reuters: President Obama is holding "two meetings with Democratic legislators at the White House on Thursday as he pushes for a vote this month on his healthcare overall plan." The first, which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EST, "is expected to include 11 left-leaning members and leaders of minority groups in the House of Representatives, a White House spokesman said." The second meeting "is with leaders of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of centrist Democrats. Seven U.S. representatives are expected to attend that meeting" (Zengerle, 3/4).

5 Mar 2010

Free CRC screening programs for uninsured

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women nationwide, yet only half of people who need CRC screening receive it. The American Gastroenterological Association Institute is working to educate patients about the importance of screening and to encourage everyone age 50 and older to get screened for CRC.

5 Mar 2010

Sebelius takes on health insurers

The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones: When health insurance executives meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the White House Thursday to discuss premiums, they will "face a regulator who is well-versed in the complexities of the industry." Sebelius, whose resume includes a stretch as a state insurance commissioner, "is taking aim at rising premium rates as she joins President Barack Obama's push for an overhaul of the nation's health-coverage laws.

5 Mar 2010

Abortion language in health care bills continues to rankle both sides

"Pro-life advocates say the Democrats' health care bill would send millions of dollars to community health care centers without restrictions to keep the money from being used to fund abortions, potentially expanding access to the procedure." The National Right to Life Group "calls the Senate bill, which could come up for a vote in the House, 'the most pro-abortion piece of legislation to come before the House of Representatives.'"

5 Mar 2010

Obama pushes reconciliation, action on health care overhaul

In his White House speech Wednesday afternoon, President Barack Obama outlined his updated health overhaul plan and endorsed a legislative maneuver meant to move the congressional efforts on health care reform forward.

4 Mar 2010