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AUL Action opposes health care bill

The U.S. Senate voted today to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, which would have maintained existing law by prohibiting both federal funding of abortion and government-mandated abortion coverage. Without the explicit ban on abortion funding, Americans United for Life Action will now oppose the final health care bill.

9 Dec 2009

IQWiG's report on autologous stem cell transplantation for soft tissue sarcoma

Due to a lack of suitable studies, it is unclear whether patients with soft tissue sarcoma can benefit from autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With this type of therapy, some of the patient's own (autologous) stem cells are removed at a convenient time and generally re-implanted after a course of high-dose chemotherapy.

9 Dec 2009

Despite rising costs of U.S. health care, quality lags in ambulatory care

Most primary care physicians active in the Medicare program work in practices with too few patients to reliably measure significant differences in common measures of quality and cost performance, according to a study in the December 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Dec 2009

Researchers find striking disparities in HPV vaccine awareness among low-income population

Results of two separate studies show lower rates of HPV vaccination in low-income populations, and identify vaccination barriers and tailored interventions that may help to increase HPV vaccine uptake rates.

9 Dec 2009

CPS calls for national child poverty strategy to address disparities in income and opportunities

The Canadian Paediatric Society is calling upon governments at all levels to commit themselves to ending child and youth poverty in Canada. As part of its new report, Are We Doing Enough?, the CPS calls for a national child poverty strategy, with provincial/territorial targets and timetables to address disparities in income and opportunities.

9 Dec 2009

Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital receives AACVPR Innovation Award

For their unique Return to Work Lab which focuses on individualized rehabilitation for younger, more active cardiac patients, the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital was recently awarded the Innovation Award from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

8 Dec 2009

Senate Democrats continue pursuit of health care deal

The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones: "Senate Democrats worked to forge agreement Tuesday on health-care overhaul legislation, as they finalized major new provisions to the bill that would expand the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

8 Dec 2009

Reid: 'Broad agreement' reached by Senate Democrats on health bill

The Associated Press: "After days of secret talks, Senate Democrats tentatively agreed Tuesday night to drop a government-run insurance option from sweeping health care legislation, several officials said, a concession to party moderates whose votes are critical to passage of President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

8 Dec 2009

House Democrats criticize recent increases in brand-name drug prices

The Wall Street Journal: "Reports of prescription drug-price increases have congressional Democrats complaining about price gouging and questioning whether drug companies are reneging on a pledge to provide billions of savings as part of a U.S. health-care overhaul sought by President Barack Obama.

8 Dec 2009

RIVA System effective in automatically compounding IV doses in syringes with minimal contamination

A recent study demonstrated the RIVA System (Robotic Intravenous Automation) - a self-contained unit for aseptic compounding from Intelligent Hospital Systems (IH Systems) - is an effective tool in automatically compounding IV doses in syringes and bags with minimal drug contamination.

8 Dec 2009

Lieberman draws increasing ire from Democrats, Reid criticized for GOP/slavery comments

News organizations are honing in on key players in the health reform debate.

8 Dec 2009

Personal stories highlight how reform will affect some individuals

News outlets are focusing on the stories of individual consumers to explain how health care reform legislation may affect the lives and health of people around the nation.

8 Dec 2009

Utah project seeks to reduce 'overuse of health care'

News outlets report on a pilot project in Utah to reduce overuse of services and Medicaid cuts in Kansas.

8 Dec 2009

Senate vote on abortion amendment - a major hurdle to health bill - could occur today

The Washington Post reports that lawmakers in the Senate began consideration Monday "of an amendment to restrict abortion coverage" and a vote is expected today. The provision, "co-sponsored by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), would bar individuals who receive federal insurance subsidies from purchasing private policies that cover elective abortions. It also would ban abortion coverage under a government plan" (Murray, 12/8).

8 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

As a society, we have to make choices. Do we want our doctors to be well-qualified practitioners using their experience and judgment to help as many patients as they can? Or do we want detached, disenfranchised doctors looking to their next career while practicing medicine with the mentality of postal workers? (Soumi Eachempati 12/7).

8 Dec 2009

Consumer reports details the screening tests that may be unneccesary

Consumer Reports/The Washington Post: "Many Americans -- and their doctors -- seem to think that better health means more health care, including as many screening tests as possible. But many researchers are questioning that notion, saying that some common screening tests are unproven and can not only waste your time and money but also cause more harm than good."

8 Dec 2009

New report: CBO underestimates savings from health bills but economists worry savings aren't enough

"Previous analyses have underestimated the potential cost-saving effects of the House and Senate health reform bill, according to a new report co-authored by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Commonwealth Fund," Modern Healthcare reports.

8 Dec 2009

QuantRx Biomedical launches its new flagship POC diagnostic reader device at MEDICA 2009

QuantRx® Biomedical Corporation, a broad-based diagnostic company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative diagnostic products, announced today the successful debut of its new flagship point-of-care (POC) diagnostic reader device, Q-Reader™, at MEDICA 2009 on November 18-21, 2009, in Düsseldorf, Germany.

8 Dec 2009

Health IT: W.Va. savings forecast; federal official foresees private-sector dominance

West Virginia could save $1.1 billion in health spending by government agencies, private insurers and consumers, if the health system would switch to electronic records and do a better job centralizing patient care, according to a new report by the West Virginia Health Care Authority, a governmental group, The Associated Press/New York Times reports.

8 Dec 2009

An unexpected ally for health reform: The restaurant industry

"While many small businesses are fighting to block passage of health care reform, restaurant owners have decided to work for something they can support," Politico reports.

8 Dec 2009

Health Care News and Research

AUL Action opposes health care bill

IQWiG's report on autologous stem cell transplantation for soft tissue sarcoma

Despite rising costs of U.S. health care, quality lags in ambulatory care

Researchers find striking disparities in HPV vaccine awareness among low-income population

CPS calls for national child poverty strategy to address disparities in income and opportunities

Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital receives AACVPR Innovation Award

Senate Democrats continue pursuit of health care deal

Reid: 'Broad agreement' reached by Senate Democrats on health bill

House Democrats criticize recent increases in brand-name drug prices

RIVA System effective in automatically compounding IV doses in syringes with minimal contamination

Lieberman draws increasing ire from Democrats, Reid criticized for GOP/slavery comments

Personal stories highlight how reform will affect some individuals

Utah project seeks to reduce 'overuse of health care'

Senate vote on abortion amendment - a major hurdle to health bill - could occur today

Today's opinions and editorials

Consumer reports details the screening tests that may be unneccesary

New report: CBO underestimates savings from health bills but economists worry savings aren't enough

QuantRx Biomedical launches its new flagship POC diagnostic reader device at MEDICA 2009

Health IT: W.Va. savings forecast; federal official foresees private-sector dominance

An unexpected ally for health reform: The restaurant industry

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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