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New West Physicians to provide health care services for Humana members

New West Physicians, a primary care group practice in the metro Denver area serving more than 250,000 patients, will now provide health care services to individuals and families enrolled in a commercial health plan with Humana Inc., under terms of a long-term agreement announced today.

21 Dec 2009

Task force's role in reform bills draws scrutiny in the wake of mammography guidelines

The Washington Post reports that the "once-obscure federal panel that triggered a firestorm with its new mammography guidelines would get far greater authority under the health-care reform proposals pending in Congress, sparking more debate about its power and independence. Critics of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force say that the panel would become a stealth tool for government bureaucrats bent on rationing health care.

21 Dec 2009

Winners, losers examined in Senate health bill tax treatment, insurer regulations

The Associated Press reports on some winners and losers in the Senate health reform bill including cosmetic surgeons who helped defeat a proposed 5 percent tax on their services and a handful of states getting more federal aid to help them afford a proposed Medicaid expansion.

21 Dec 2009

Technologies for optimizing medication adherence in older adults needed

Avoiding medication-related errors and improving medication adherence among older adults could save the nation billions of dollars and save thousands of lives, according to information included in "Technologies for Optimizing Medication Use in Older Adults," a recent report produced by the non-profit Center for Technology and Aging, and available at www.techandaging.org.

21 Dec 2009

Senate Democrats win overnight procedural vote; move one step closer to approving health bill by Christmas

The New York Times: "After a long day of acid, partisan debate, Senate Democrats held ranks early Monday in a dead-of-night procedural vote that proved they had locked in the decisive margin needed to pass a far-reaching overhaul of the nation's health care system."

21 Dec 2009

Requirement for Americans to get insurance is central to health overhaul

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in partnership with USA Today, writes about the mandate included in pending health reform proposals. "Both the House and Senate health care overhaul bills require most Americans to carry health insurance or pay a penalty.

21 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

We usually associate presidential leadership with the pursuit of goals that, though initially unpopular, serve America's long-term interests. Obama has reversed this (Robert Samuelson, 12/21).

21 Dec 2009

Walgreens discloses record first-quarter fiscal 2010 results

Walgreens today announced record earnings and sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010.

21 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 21, 2009

From today's headlines, the biggest overnight news is the Senate's vote to move its sweeping health reform bill one step closer to the finish line.

21 Dec 2009

Fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2009 results announced by Prospect Medical Holdings

Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates five community-based hospitals and manages the medical care of approximately 177,000 HMO enrollees in southern California, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and year ended September 30, 2009.

21 Dec 2009

Manager's amendment does not alleviate Americans' problems, says FRC

Early this morning, the U.S. Senate voted for cloture on the manager's amendment which includes abortion language that would force the federal government to pay premiums for private health plans that will cover any or all abortions while doing nothing to protect individual conscience rights.

21 Dec 2009

New Manager's amendment holds tax burdens that may raise Missouri premiums and subsidize other states

Yesterday, Senator Reid released his Manager's amendment to the health care reform legislation currently being discussed in the U.S. Senate. One provision in the amendment involved the $6.7 billion annual tax that will be levied on the health insurance industry.

21 Dec 2009

FreedomWorks opposes proposed health care legislation

While a blizzard paralyzed Washington, it did not slow down the health care legislative stampede on Capitol Hill. The bill being rushed through by Senator Harry Reid and Senate Democrat leadership will fundamentally alter American health care.

21 Dec 2009

Direct primary care amendment may offer affordable health care options for Americans

The U.S. Senate today made an important step that could expand health care coverage to more Americans while simultaneously reducing costs. The Manager's Amendment, introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this morning, includes a provision that would allow flat-fee direct primary care practices, in which patients pay a flat fee for primary and preventive care, to compete in the proposed insurance exchange. This will provide Americans more affordable health care options beyond traditional insurance.

21 Dec 2009

Abortion compromise does not address core problem in Senate health bill, says Cardinal DiNardo

The Senate health reform bill should not move forward in its current form, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City said December 19, as senators proceeded closer to a vote.

21 Dec 2009

Reid's amendment to Senate health care bill fails to meet abortion and life protections, Charmaine Yoest

Majority Leader Reid's amendment to the Senate health care bill absolutely fails to meet abortion and life protections that exist in current federal law and policy. It does not prevent federal funding of plans that include abortion coverage, it does not adequately protect health care providers who choose to exercise their rights of conscience, and it does not prevent government involvement in assisted suicide.

21 Dec 2009

FRC opposes Senator Reid's bill

Today Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) released his long awaited "manager's amendment" with new language dealing with the abortion issue. The new language is being trumpeted as including an opt-out provision that actually makes the opt-out provision in the original bill worse by requiring the state to either cover all abortions or opt out of all abortions.

21 Dec 2009

Statement on Senate health care reform legislation released by Karen Ignagni

The debate before the country is not whether insurance market reforms are needed. They are. The debate is not about whether all Americans should have health care coverage. They should. The debate is about whether the current legislation can work, bend the cost curve, and be sustained.

21 Dec 2009

With deal in hand, Senate Dems proceed on health bill

Reuters: "The White House on Sunday sought to preserve the fragile alliance of Democratic liberals and moderates backing broad healthcare reform legislation, with tough decisions looming on abortion and a new government-run insurance program.

21 Dec 2009

Nelson becomes the 60th vote as Senate Dems plod through a snowy work Saturday

The Washington Post: "Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the final Democratic holdout on health care, was prepared to announce to his caucus Saturday morning that he would support the Senate reform bill, clearing the way for final passage by Christmas."

21 Dec 2009

Health Care News and Research

New West Physicians to provide health care services for Humana members

Task force's role in reform bills draws scrutiny in the wake of mammography guidelines

Winners, losers examined in Senate health bill tax treatment, insurer regulations

Technologies for optimizing medication adherence in older adults needed

Senate Democrats win overnight procedural vote; move one step closer to approving health bill by Christmas

Requirement for Americans to get insurance is central to health overhaul

Today's opinions and editorials

Walgreens discloses record first-quarter fiscal 2010 results

First Edition: December 21, 2009

Fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2009 results announced by Prospect Medical Holdings

Manager's amendment does not alleviate Americans' problems, says FRC

New Manager's amendment holds tax burdens that may raise Missouri premiums and subsidize other states

FreedomWorks opposes proposed health care legislation

Direct primary care amendment may offer affordable health care options for Americans

Abortion compromise does not address core problem in Senate health bill, says Cardinal DiNardo

Reid's amendment to Senate health care bill fails to meet abortion and life protections, Charmaine Yoest

FRC opposes Senator Reid's bill

Statement on Senate health care reform legislation released by Karen Ignagni

With deal in hand, Senate Dems proceed on health bill

Nelson becomes the 60th vote as Senate Dems plod through a snowy work Saturday

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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