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First sequence-based map of large-scale structural variation across the human genome

A nationwide team of researchers, funded in part by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has produced the first sequence-based map of large-scale structural variation across the human genome. The work, published today in the journal Nature, provides a starting point to examine how such DNA variation contributes to human health and disease.

30 Apr 2008

Human protein may offer novel target for blocking HIV infection

A research group supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has uncovered a new route for attacking the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that may offer a way to circumvent problems with drug resistance. In findings published today in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers report that they have blocked HIV infection in the test tube by inactivating a human protein expressed in key immune cells.

29 Apr 2008

CQ's Carey looks at genetic anti-discrimination measure, legislation to block Medicaid rules implementation, FDA hearings

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ HealthBeat, examines Senate approval of genetic nondiscrimination legislation, House passage of a measure to block implementation of new Medicaid rules and hearings about FDA's need for increased inspection resources in this week's "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ."

28 Apr 2008

Appeals Court decision restores more than $1 million in HIV/AIDS funds to New York counties

The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday ruled that HHS should restore more than $1 million in Ryan White Program funding to Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York state, the Long Island Newsday reports.

28 Apr 2008

HHS Secretary Leavitt says rising Medicare costs will cause generational divide

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt in an interview with the Washington Times said he is concerned that rising Medicare spending could "divide our nation along generational lines."

26 Apr 2008

Leavitt calls on successor to continue Bush administration's 'Four Cornerstones' plan

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Wednesday urged his successor to continue with the Bush administration's "four cornerstones" initiative that promotes collaborative efforts to improve the national health care system and reduce costs, CQ HealthBeat reports.

24 Apr 2008

House votes 349-62 to approve legislation that would block new Medicaid regulations

Despite a veto threat from the White House, the House on Wednesday voted 349-62 to approve legislation (HR 5613) that would place a one-year moratorium on seven new Medicaid regulations, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports (Abrams, AP/Houston Chronicle, 4/24).

24 Apr 2008

White House issues formal veto threat against legislation that would delay Medicaid regulations

The Bush administration on Tuesday issued a formal veto threat against legislation (HR 5613) that would place a one-year moratorium on seven new Medicaid regulations, CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 4/22).

23 Apr 2008

NACDS seeks passage of E-prescribing bill to finance Medicaid reimbursement rule change

National Association of Chain Drug Stores CEO Steven Anderson on Tuesday in a letter asked lawmakers to pass a bill (HR 4296) that would require physicians who participate in Medicare to adopt e-prescribing by 2011 to finance legislation (S 1951, HR 3700) that would revise a new rule related to Medicaid reimbursements to pharmacies, CongressDaily reports (Edney, CongressDaily, 4/23).

23 Apr 2008

Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals brain circuitry associated with social status

Human imaging studies have for the first time identified brain circuitry associated with social status, according to researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.

23 Apr 2008

U.S. and China at loggerheads over contaminated Heparin

Health officials in the U.S. appear to be at loggerheads with Chinese officials over the contamination of the blood-thinning drug Heparin.

22 Apr 2008

HHS appeals decision that requires release of Medicare physician claims data

HHS last week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia filed an appeal of an August 2007 court decision that requires the department to release Medicare claims data on more than 40 million beneficiaries and 700,000 physicians, the Los Angeles Times reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, 4/19).

21 Apr 2008

HHS Secretary Leavitt meets with health officials in Vietnam to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Thursday met with health officials in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS, Thanhnien News reports.

21 Apr 2008

New national ad campaign encourages men to take preventive steps in their health care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) joined with The Advertising Council today to launch a national public service campaign designed to raise awareness among middle-aged men about the importance of preventive medical testing.

21 Apr 2008

Dental sealants still offer best protection against tooth decay says the BC Dental Association

Dental sealants remain one of the best methods for protection against tooth decay in children, says the BC Dental Association. The Association supports Health Canada's announcement that bisphenol-A (BPA) in dental resin materials poses no significant health threat.

20 Apr 2008

Health and Human Services News and Research

First sequence-based map of large-scale structural variation across the human genome

Human protein may offer novel target for blocking HIV infection

CQ's Carey looks at genetic anti-discrimination measure, legislation to block Medicaid rules implementation, FDA hearings

Appeals Court decision restores more than $1 million in HIV/AIDS funds to New York counties

HHS Secretary Leavitt says rising Medicare costs will cause generational divide

Leavitt calls on successor to continue Bush administration's 'Four Cornerstones' plan

House votes 349-62 to approve legislation that would block new Medicaid regulations

White House issues formal veto threat against legislation that would delay Medicaid regulations

NACDS seeks passage of E-prescribing bill to finance Medicaid reimbursement rule change

Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals brain circuitry associated with social status

U.S. and China at loggerheads over contaminated Heparin

HHS appeals decision that requires release of Medicare physician claims data

HHS Secretary Leavitt meets with health officials in Vietnam to discuss health issues, including HIV/AIDS

New national ad campaign encourages men to take preventive steps in their health care

Dental sealants still offer best protection against tooth decay says the BC Dental Association

Draft legislation aimed at overhauling FDA would require more inspections, change user fees

New Democrat coalition, New York City officials announce proposal for Federal health care IT program

Study details cost-effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis treatments for Medicare recipients

Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics

Giving patients greater choice over who provides their care

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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