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Young people speak out regarding efforts to overhaul the health care system

"As the health care debate winds its way through Congress, everyone can agree on at least this much: Bringing more young adults into the health care system would balance out the costs for everyone else because the young use the least amount of care," The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

27 Oct 2009

AARP dual role in health reform: Advocate and insurance business

The Washington Post reports on questions raised about AARP's dual role in health reform. It profits from sales of health insurance policies to seniors and is strongly supporting reform legislation. "The nation's preeminent seniors group, AARP, has put the weight of its 40 million members behind health-care reform, saying many of the proposals will lower costs and increase the quality of care for older Americans," according to the Post.

27 Oct 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Health Reform Will Increase Medicaid Costs The Philadelphia Inquirer The financial stakes are high for the states, nearly all of which are struggling just to discharge their current Medicaid commitments (Laura Katz Olson, 10/27).

27 Oct 2009

State watch: Uninsured kids in Dallas, Louisianna Medicaid rates cut, Massachusetts feeling squeezed

Today's state round-up includes coverage of uninsured children in Dallas, the Massachusetts state budget and a Medicaid rate cut in Louisiana.

27 Oct 2009

Lawmakers press Obama to 'speak out' for health bills

Liberal legislators feel that their leaders have done their job, and now it's time for President Obama to step up to the plate, Politico reports.

27 Oct 2009

Quebec City to host Conference of the Canadian Association of Wound Care

Quebec City this week hosts of one of Canada's largest health care conferences, as over 1,000 delegates meet at the annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC).

27 Oct 2009

BJC HealthCare to purchase Solos Endoscopy's MammoView line of products

Solos Endoscopy, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Company has received purchase orders for its MammoView(TM) line of surgical endoscopy instruments from BJC HealthCare, St. Louis Missouri. BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions.

27 Oct 2009

Economic Adviser Romer goes to bat for 'Cadillac tax,' ways to control costs

ABC News reports that Christina D. Romer, chair of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, "went to bat on Monday for a tax on high-priced insurance plans, the so-called 'Cadillac tax,' calling it 'probably the number one item that health economists across the ideological spectrum believe is likely to stem the explosion of health-care costs.'"

27 Oct 2009

AFL-CIO to push even harder for health reform, may bend on 'Cadillac tax'

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is "willing to consider a tax on high-value health insurance plans — something labor has vehemently opposed — if middle-class workers aren't hurt, The Associated Press reports. The flexibility is notable because "[l]abor leaders worry that workers would be affected even though lawmakers aimed the proposed tax at insurance plans offering the richest benefits" (Werner, 10/26).

27 Oct 2009

Kansas to introduce constitutional amendment to protect individual rights to purchase health insurance

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation's largest individual membership association of state legislators, congratulates Kansas Representatives Peggy Mast and Brenda Landwehr and Kansas Senator Mary Pilcher Cook for announcing their intent to introduce a constitutional amendment to protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices. Kansas now becomes the 19th state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.

27 Oct 2009

Issues inside health care not addressed in health care reform

Everyone is talking about health care reform but no one is addressing the inside of health care, where the problems really lie. The question we should be asking is: Can you really trust your doctors and their staff to do what's right for you?

27 Oct 2009

Report on healthcare procedure costs published

For the first time, Virginians have access to information on what health care procedures cost -- before they receive medical care. Virginia Health Information has published a report showing the average amounts that health insurers in Virginia pay for 31 procedures -- including preventive, emergency, outpatient, and hospital inpatient care.

27 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 27, 2009

Based on today's headlines, it's fair to say that -- at least for the Senate -- it's all about Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement regarding the public option.

27 Oct 2009

New report on healthcare information technology market released

MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of Kalorama Information's new report, "Healthcare Computer System Markets and Trends In HIT Buying (Forecasts for System, Service and Support Revenues, Areas of Interest, Major Competitor Profiles)," to their collection of Healthcare market reports.

27 Oct 2009

Insurer contracting policies can jeopardize health care system, says NNCC study

A study conducted by National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) has found that nearly half (48%) of all major managed-care organizations in the United States do not credential or contract with nurse practitioners as primary care providers.

27 Oct 2009

CCPM coalition members urge Congress to fix or drop the current biogenerics provision

The Coalition for a Competitive Pharmaceutical Market (CCPM), its allied organizations, representing several hundred million Americans, join experts from the medical and research communities, economists and thought leaders appealing to Congress to fix the excessive 12-year market exclusivity and ever-greening provisions for biologics or drop it altogether.

27 Oct 2009

Study: Minimally invasive procedure reduces cost and complications compared to open surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery today announced results from two newly published studies that demonstrate a minimally invasive approach in three common procedures resulted in a reduced rate of complications and lower overall cost of care, including a difference of more than $15,000 on average for minimally invasive colectomies, when compared to open surgery.

27 Oct 2009

Vaccination rates need improvement; racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage

More teenagers are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal meningitis and pertussis (whooping cough), though the rates are still too low, according to recently released government data and a panel of experts convened by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

27 Oct 2009

Studies highlight race- and gender-specific disparities in gastrointestinal disease

Three studies presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego underscore the growing disparities in gastrointestinal disease, particularly colon cancer and Barrett's Esophagus, among certain ethnic and gender populations, including African Americans, Latinos and women. These race- and gender-specific disparities underscore the need for education and vigilance among these populations and perhaps more aggressive screening tactics than the population in general.

27 Oct 2009

Bayshore Home Health acquires Nightingale Nursing Group

Bayshore Home Health announced today the purchase of Saskatoon-based home health care company Nightingale Nursing Group Inc. The acquisition expands Bayshore's presence in the province, complements its existing office in Regina, and provides an opportunity to service additional remote northern communities.

27 Oct 2009