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Today's opinions and editorials

Californians need to ask themselves why, when other states and the federal government are making children's health a priority, the Golden State may be adding another half-million children … to the ranks of the uninsured next year (1/7).

9 Jan 2010

Misonix signs new distribution agreement with Thimar Al Jazirah Health Care

Misonix, Inc., a developer of minimally invasive ultrasonic medical device technology, which in Europe is used for the ablation of tumors and worldwide for other acute health conditions, has entered into a new, three year distribution agreement with Thimar Al Jazirah Health Care, based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the distribution of the SonaStar(TM) Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator and the BoneScalpel(TM) Ultrasonic Bone Cutter.

9 Jan 2010

Possible loopholes, insurance costs in Senate health bill

"A critical loophole in the current version of the Senate health-care bill would allow insurers to charge more for those who don't participate in wellness programs, essentially negating the measure's key goal of eliminating higher costs for those with pre-existing conditions, a group of health experts said Thursday," MarketWatch reports.

8 Jan 2010

Hurdles to clear in the Senate's reform endgame, and possible 2010 consequences

President Barack Obama met Thursday with Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., the chairmen who steered the Senate's version of the health overhaul through the finance and health committees, Roll Call reports. It is one sign of Obama becoming an increasingly active participant as the debate nears its endgame (Drucker and Koffler, 1/7).

8 Jan 2010

Three new retail stores of China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals opened in 2009

China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals" or the "Company"), is a leading manufacturer, distributor and retailer of Chinese traditional medicines, pharmaceutical products, natural health products, health food, cosmetics, and medical equipment in Northeastern China. The Company today announced that it had opened three new stores in 2009.

8 Jan 2010

Health policy research roundup: Long-term care, diabetes disparities, health IT

Annals of Internal Medicine: Cultural Competency Training and Performance Reports to Improve Diabetes Care for Black Patients - In this study, researchers measure the effects cultural competency training and performance training for physicians has on the clinical outcomes for black patients with diabetes.

8 Jan 2010

White House rallies Democratic governors around health reform

Politico: "One day after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, delivered a stinging attack on federal health care reform, Obama administration officials huddled with his Democratic counterparts to address their complaints about the legislation — and enlist them in the public campaign to support it.

8 Jan 2010

About 3 million lose health coverage in California

About 3 million poor Californians lost health benefits or access to health care, and thousands more lost their jobs due to state budget cuts imposed six months ago, according to a report released Thursday.

8 Jan 2010

John C. Lechleiter to deliver keynote address on human dimensions of medical innovation

John C. Lechleiter, PhD, Chairman, President & CEO, Eli Lilly and Company, will deliver a keynote address, "Lifespans and Livelihoods: The Human Dimensions of Medical Innovation," to TOWN HALL Los Angeles on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

8 Jan 2010

First Edition: January 8, 2010

Today's headlines reflect the continuing developments as congressional Democrats discuss policy specifics and take steps toward finalizing their health overhaul.

8 Jan 2010

New Jersey nonprofit bucks the trend of skyrocketing health insurance costs

One New Jersey nonprofit is bucking the trend of skyrocketing health insurance costs while Congress wrangles with health care reform. Through an entrepreneurial business model, self-insurance and the use of a Voluntary Employee Benefits Association (VEBA), Community Access Unlimited (CAU) has limited increases in health insurance costs to just 3.3 percent in each of the last five years and saved more than $1 million during that time. CAU will have a 0.0 percent increase in 2010 and will expand coverage.

8 Jan 2010

Growth and profitability of health insurers continue to be under pressure

As health insurers struggle with pricing resistance from employers and decreases in enrollment in group health employee benefit plans, health insurer growth and profitability continues to be under pressure, according to a new industry forecast by Conning Research & Consulting.

8 Jan 2010

Manual of ethical best practices for healthcare documentation businesses now available

Heightened privacy and security concerns, increased calls for transparency of operations, and a growing home-based workforce have prompted The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) and The Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) to create their Manual of Ethical Best Practices for the Healthcare Documentation Sector.

8 Jan 2010

Survey reveals compliance spending remains stronger than anticipated

Anyone doubting the commitment of business to compliance and ethics will be surprised by the findings of a survey which reveals spending on compliance has remained stronger than anticipated. Roughly three out of four companies either kept compliance spending even or actually increased it in 2009, and for 2010 the prognosis is even brighter.

8 Jan 2010

ACP urges legislators to include provisions in health reform bill that support primary care workforce

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today sent a letter to key legislators urging them to ensure that the final health care reform bill includes provisions to support the primary care workforce.

8 Jan 2010

Use of technology that expands access to qualified radiologist leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Use of technology that expands access to the most qualified radiologist will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, said MedSolutions, a leading provider of medical cost management services.

8 Jan 2010

King Center to host second annual 'Health and Wellness Forum'

The King Center announced that it will officially launch the 2010 MLK Birthday Observance on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 by hosting and co-sponsoring its second annual “Health and Wellness Forum.” It is being co-sponsored by a $50,000 grant from Aetna, which also funded last year’s inaugural program.

8 Jan 2010

Ongoing state budget cuts continue to impact health care services in California

Ongoing state budget cuts continue to negatively impact health care services in California. The latest round of budget cuts has eliminated additional health-services programs, including a prominent program for incarcerated women who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse.

8 Jan 2010

Non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes do not benefit from glucose self-monitoring

Contrary to the widely-held belief, there is no proof that non-insulin-dependent patients with type 2 diabetes benefit from glucose self-monitoring. Moreover, it remains unclear whether an additional benefit is displayed by the blood test compared to the urine test or vice versa, in other words, whether one or other of the tests might offer an advantage to patients.

8 Jan 2010

MUHC unveils new Lung Cancer Navigation Program

A diagnosis of lung cancer can come as a hard blow. The disease has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers and the sheer complexity of therapy - often involving radiation, chemotherapy and surgery - can leave patients feeling confused and isolated. To help these patients navigate through the complicated treatment process and medical appointments, the MUHC has unveiled its new Lung Cancer Navigation Program (LCNP).

8 Jan 2010