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HHS proposes stricter patient privacy rules

New rules have been proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services to stregthen patient privacy protections.

9 Jul 2010

HHS to give states $25 million for HIV drugs; Researchers identify antibodies that may help in AIDS vaccine research

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday "that she would provide $25 million more to help states buy life-saving medications for people with H.I.V. or AIDS. Advocates for patients said the money was not nearly enough to eliminate waiting lists, which have surged to record levels as people have lost health insurance, along with their jobs, and states have cut their budgets. Ms. Sebelius said she was 'reallocating and transferring $25 million in existing resources' to provide medicines for people on waiting lists.

9 Jul 2010

Merck to lay off 15 percent of workers, close plants, research facilities

Drugmaker Merck announced it is closing eight research centers and eight manufacturing plants and laying off 15,000 people from its worldwide operations during the next two years because of its merger with Schering-Plough. "The restructuring is expected to save $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion in 2012, the company said. Meanwhile, the pretax cost of the initial phase of the cost-cutting program is expected to range from $3.5 billion to $4.3 billion, much of it in severance packages for employees."

9 Jul 2010

Second round of checks to close Medicare doughnut hole sent out

"The Obama administration is sending $250 checks to more than 300,000 older Americans who paid higher drug costs in the Medicare coverage gap known as the 'doughnut hole,' officials announced Thursday. The one-time, tax-free checks are the first tangible benefit of the health care package that became law this year."

9 Jul 2010

Study: Small fragment of RNA appears to protect rats against cocaine addiction

A specific and remarkably small fragment of RNA appears to protect rats against cocaine addiction-and may also protect humans, according to a recent study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The study was published today in the journal Nature.

9 Jul 2010

FASEB urges LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee to increase NIH budget to $37 billion

FASEB President William T. Talman, M.D. today sent a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee urging that the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) be $37 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2011. "The opportunities for continued progress have never been greater, but we need adequate resources to ensure that progress is not curtailed," Talman stated.

9 Jul 2010

First Edition: July 9, 2010

Today's health policy headlines include news about some little-known health reform provisions and how the Obama administration is using technology to help consumers navigate changes resulting from the health overhaul.

9 Jul 2010

NIAID announces $14M in first-year funding to establish 10 new malaria research centers

In an effort to accelerate the control of malaria and help eliminate it worldwide, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced approximately $14 million in first-year funding to establish 10 new malaria research centers around the world.

9 Jul 2010

Calif., R.I., move to strengthen review of health insurance rates; Ind. weighs changes in state employee health plans

The Los Angeles Times' Blog: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger moved Wednesday to implement a major element of the new national healthcare overhaul, seeking a $1-million federal grant to strengthen the state's review of health insurance rates. Much of the money would pay for actuaries to evaluate premium hikes sought by insurers.

9 Jul 2010

AHF denounces Obama administration plan to address AIDS drug crisis with $25M

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, will host a press teleconference tomorrow, Thursday, July 8th at 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern, to denounce an Obama administration plan to address AIDS drug crisis with an insufficient $25 million as "too little, too late."

8 Jul 2010

MicroRNA-212 plays key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction: Study

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have found that a particular type of genetic material plays a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction and may offer an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapies. In animal studies, the scientists found that a molecule called microRNA-212 was increased in the brains of test animals that had extended access to cocaine.

8 Jul 2010

HHS awards $390.5M to strengthen medical surge capability in hospitals and health care organizations

States, territories, and large metropolitan areas will receive grants totaling $390.5 million this month to help hospitals and other health care organizations strengthen the medical surge capability across the nation.

8 Jul 2010

HHS awards $10M to support public health efforts for reducing tobacco use and obesity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards of $10 million to 10 national non-profit organizations to support public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and reduce obesity through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

8 Jul 2010

Ingen to debut new Smart Nasal Cannula at 13th Annual Force Health Protection Conference

Ingen Technologies, Inc., a medical device manufacturer with an emerging new medical product line targeting the $8B respiratory market, announced today that the company's strategic government contract consultant, KGMA Business Solutions, has scheduled two major tradeshows for August and September, 2010.

8 Jul 2010

HHS Secretary releases $15M for operation of nurse managed health clinics

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the release of $15,000,000 for the operation of 10 nurse managed health clinics to support the education and training of nurse practitioners. Nurse managed health centers staffed by nurse practitioners provide comprehensive primary health care services to populations living in medically underserved communities.

7 Jul 2010

Health and Human Services News and Research

HHS proposes stricter patient privacy rules

HHS to give states $25 million for HIV drugs; Researchers identify antibodies that may help in AIDS vaccine research

Merck to lay off 15 percent of workers, close plants, research facilities

Second round of checks to close Medicare doughnut hole sent out

Study: Small fragment of RNA appears to protect rats against cocaine addiction

FASEB urges LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee to increase NIH budget to $37 billion

First Edition: July 9, 2010

NIAID announces $14M in first-year funding to establish 10 new malaria research centers

Calif., R.I., move to strengthen review of health insurance rates; Ind. weighs changes in state employee health plans

AHF denounces Obama administration plan to address AIDS drug crisis with $25M

MicroRNA-212 plays key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction: Study

HHS awards $390.5M to strengthen medical surge capability in hospitals and health care organizations

HHS awards $10M to support public health efforts for reducing tobacco use and obesity

Ingen to debut new Smart Nasal Cannula at 13th Annual Force Health Protection Conference

HHS Secretary releases $15M for operation of nurse managed health clinics

First Edition: July 6, 2010

MAXIMUS to introduce Health Insurance Exchange solutions

Psychiatrist shortage may soon reach crisis levels

State Roundup: Florida to investigate WellCare; Calif. budget cuts; Computer system helps states find Medicaid savings

Consumers examine government's new health care website, health insurers critical

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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