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Miami-area resident charged in $23M HIV infusion Medicare fraud scheme

A Miami-area resident who owned and operated an HIV infusion clinic was arrested today and charged for her alleged participation in a $23 million HIV infusion Medicare fraud scheme, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced.

15 May 2010

New research facility at Riley Hospital for Children to improve clinical research trials for children

A new research facility at Riley Hospital for Children will dramatically improve the process of turning the results of laboratory research into new treatments for sick children, federal and local officials said Friday.

15 May 2010

Computerized model for treating nicotine addiction wins first place at ISEF science competition

A project using cutting edge computer modeling to identify potential new medications for nicotine addiction won first place distinction at the annual Addiction Science Awards at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) --- the world's largest science competition for high school students.

15 May 2010

National study of factors related to unmet health needs among homeless people

The vast majority of homeless adults surveyed in a national study had trouble accessing at least one type of needed health care service in the preceding year, according to a study that will appear in the July American Journal of Public Health and is now available online.

15 May 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

As the 193 WHO member states gather at next week's World Health Assembly (WHA) "a draft global code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel will be on the agenda. Negotiation and adoption of a WHO code of practice is an unprecedented opportunity to advance global consensus to address the critical challenges of migration of health workers and its effect on health systems worldwide," the authors of a Lancet Comment write.

15 May 2010

GOP launches new challenge to health law with coordinated messaging

Republicans are starting a new bid to undermine Democratic attempts at touting a new health law. The GOP effort includes attacks on both President Barack Obama's pick to run Medicare and on claims that implementation is going smoothly.

15 May 2010

Obama administration cracks down on health care fraud

Modern Healthcare: "The government's efforts to rein in Medicare fraud and abuse recovered $2.5 billion for the program in fiscal 2009, up 29% from $1.9 billion the previous year, according to a new annual report. ... The $2.5 billion collected in fiscal 2009 is attributed to judgments and settlements in previous years as well as 2009, according to the report of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program.

14 May 2010

SAMHSA grants nearly $8 million for program to reduce chronic homelessness

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today that it is awarding up to four new grants totaling just under $8 million to local organizations working to prevent or reduce chronic homelessness in their communities. These grants are in addition to $81.5 million in grants awarded under this program in September 2009.

14 May 2010

Health reform implementation issues: Emergency room costs, consumer websites and small business questions

Kaiser Health News: The new health reform law guarantees insurance companies must cover emergency care for their beneficiaries at hospitals in- or out-of-network at the same rate. "The law also bars health plans from requiring prior authorization for emergency services. And it mandates that plans follow the 'prudent layperson' rule.

14 May 2010

Minnesota lawmakers debate budget, Medicaid expansion

More budget talks were expected Thursday as Minnesota's legislative session hurtled toward a midnight Sunday deadline with no deal on a $3 billion deficit. The Democratic-controlled Legislature defied another veto threat from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Wednesday and sent him a health and welfare package he opposes.

14 May 2010

Federal officials say crackdown on Medicare fraud recovers $2.5 billion

The Associated Press: "The government says it recovered $2.5 billion in overpayments for the Medicare trust fund last year as the Obama administration focused attention on fraud enforcement efforts in the health care industry. Investigators have new tools this year to help crack down on health care fraud, with the Justice Department and the Health and Human Services Department working cooperatively to police companies.

14 May 2010

HHS, DOJ officials to release new report on fraud prevention, enforcement efforts at press conference

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder will discuss the Obama Administration's efforts to fight fraud using new tools provided by the Affordable Care Act at a press conference on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. HHS and DOJ officials will also release a new report on fraud prevention and enforcement efforts.

13 May 2010

Study reveals increase in treatment admissions for drug abuse

From 1998 to 2008 there were marked changes in some patterns of substance use treatment admissions according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Although the concurrent abuse of both alcohol and drugs has remained widespread, the proportion of treatment admissions for the co-abuse of these substances has declined gradually yet significantly during this period - from 44 percent to 38 percent.

13 May 2010

Seriously mentally ill are three times more likely to be imprisoned than hospitalized, report finds

USA Today: "On average, a seriously mentally ill person in the USA is three times more likely to be incarcerated than hospitalized, a report concludes today. In no state was a seriously mentally ill person — someone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, for example — less likely to be incarcerated than hospitalized, the report by the National Sheriffs' Association and the Treatment Advocacy Center found.

13 May 2010

With campaign season taking off, White House offers Democrats help on selling health law

White House officials prepared a plan Tuesday to help Democrats sell the health reform law during the midterm election season that will focus on early deliverables to win over a skeptical public.

13 May 2010

Small businesses look for wellness grants in health reform law

Provisions in the new health reform law offer aid and cash to small businesses that encourage employees to be fitter and healthier, but the plans aren't without their own controversy, CNN Money reports.

13 May 2010

Blog Watch: The question of 'real benefits'

Kaiser Health News listens to the chatter in the blogsophere regarding recent events. "During his weekend address, President Barack Obama said that health reform is already delivering "real benefits" to the American people.

12 May 2010

MRSA Survivors Network to raise awareness on MRSA infections

More Americans die annually from invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections than from HIV/AIDS, H1N1 influenza and Parkinson's disease, yet the United States and many other countries' health officials continue to ignore the global crisis.

12 May 2010

Regenstrief Institute framework evaluates costs, effort and value of health internet

As the United States moves toward the goal of a secure nationwide health information network, a new study from the Regenstrief Institute provides a framework for evaluating the costs, effort and value of what is sometimes referred to as the health internet.

12 May 2010

PharmAthene first-quarter revenue decreases to $3.1 million

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, today reported financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

12 May 2010