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First Edition: August 27, 2009

Today's news: Speculation begins regarding the impact Sen. Kennedy's death will have on the health reform debate and the Democrat's prospects for success.

27 Aug 2009

Trident(R) donates proceeds for children's oral health

Trident(R), the best selling sugar-free gum brand in the world[4], is donating a portion of its proceeds during the first week in September to Smiles Across America(R) (SAA), the signature program of Oral Health America that supports dental services to thousands of children in underserved communities nationwide.

27 Aug 2009

New study of diabetes patients across five European countries launched by GfK Healthcare

GfK Healthcare’s Roper Global Diabetes Programme, the definitive global perspective on diabetes, announced today the launch of its enhanced 2009/2010 Western Europe Patient Study. Offering a holistic perspective of the diabetes patient across five European countries, with robust insights into patients’ attitudes and behaviors towards treatments, testing and lifestyles, the study now makes available to marketers greater reporting frequency and focus across a variety of broad-based and niche diabetes patient groups.

27 Aug 2009

Interactive Intelligence's CIC communications software suite deployed at WRB Communications

WRB Communications, a medical information call center services company, has deployed the Interactive Intelligence (Nasdaq: ININ) all-in-one IP communications software suite, Customer Interaction Center® (CIC).

26 Aug 2009

Study reveals that Americans lack confidence in healthcare reforms

Americans lack confidence that healthcare reform will deliver more affordable or better quality medical care, according to a survey released today by the Thomson Reuters.

25 Aug 2009

Neurogen stockholders to receive $11 million in Ligand Pharmaceuticals common stock as part of acquisition deal

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND) and Neurogen Corporation (NASDAQ:NRGN) announced today they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Ligand will acquire Neurogen. Under the transaction, Neurogen stockholders will receive an estimated $11 million in Ligand common stock and will be granted Contingent Value Rights (“CVRs”) under four CVR agreements.

25 Aug 2009

Avacor teams up with HopeCuts and Team Continuum to provide help for cancer patients

Avacor(R )Products LLC (http://www.avacor.com), a leading product line in the hair re-growth industry, has recently teamed up with two charitable organizations, HopeCuts, a division of City of Hope (http://www.cityofhope.org), and Team Continuum (http://www.teamcontinuum.net). Avacor((R)) is teaming up with both charities in an effort to help those fighting cancer as well as to help find new ways to fight this prolific disease.

25 Aug 2009

Washington post examines spread of drug-resistant TB in Russia

The Washington Post examines the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Russia where "[p]reliminary surveys have recorded an uptick in infections," which could be the "start of a surge fueled by declining living standards and deteriorating medical care resulting from the country's worst economic slowdown in a decade," experts say.

24 Aug 2009

Aflac releases eighth new television commercial of 2009

Aflac today unveiled its eighth new television commercial of 2009, titled "Soccer." This commercial showcases the Aflac Duck as the web-footed star of the team, who helps provide a solid defense against unexpected medical bills. "Soccer" will debut on August 24, running nationally on CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, CNN, CNBC, Discover Channel, USA, Headline News and the History Channel.

24 Aug 2009

Synexus acquires three more clinical trial centres in Poland

Synexus’ expansion in Central and Eastern Europe has been boosted with the acquisition of three more clinical trial centres in Poland.

From AES - Accelerated Enrollment Solutions 24 Aug 2009

Dean Evans & Associates rolls out new versions of facility scheduling and resource management tools

Dean Evans & Associates today announced the official rollout of new versions of their facility scheduling and resource management products. Used at more than 3,600 customer sites in the U.S. and abroad, EMS (Event Management System) software provides powerful tools for helping organizations be more efficient at reserving rooms, resources and personnel for meetings and events, managing resource inventories and communicating details to staff, meeting organizers and attendees.

24 Aug 2009

Dems in conflict on health reform options, Mccain defends GOP 'end of life' claims

The Associated Press: "Some lawmakers have suggested that a separate bill with changes that are supported by Republicans and Democrats would be one route toward progress on the health care overhaul. But a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, says he doesn't see how lawmakers could get two health care bills through Congress and coordinate them well." Conrad spoke on CBS' "Face The Nation" (8/23).

23 Aug 2009

Coping with burn injuries

More than half a million Americans are treated for burn injuries every year, but many do not have the specific skills necessary to cope with the experience of living with a burn injury after they leave the hospital.

20 Aug 2009

Squabbling Democrats prepare to move ahead on health bills without GOP

The New York Times: "Democrats now say they see little chance of the minority's cooperation in approving any overhaul, and are increasingly focused on drawing support for a final plan from within their own ranks. Top Democrats said Tuesday that their go-it-alone view was being shaped by what they saw as Republicans' purposely strident tone against health care legislation during this month's Congressional recess, as well as remarks by leading Republicans that current proposals were flawed beyond repair."

20 Aug 2009

Compirion Healthcare Solutions webinar for improving hospital emergency department standards

A webinar on JCAHO Emergency Department Core Measures: Achieving Successful Quality Outcomes is being presented by Compirion Healthcare Solutions to aid Hospital Emergency Departments in instituting treatment standards as defined by the Joint Commission, for AMI, CHA and CAP patients. Compliance with JCAHO Core Measures produces better outcomes for the patient while assuring maximum MSI reimbursement to the hospital.

20 Aug 2009

H1N1 vaccine orders top 1 billion, WHO Says

"Northern hemisphere countries have so far ordered more than one billion doses of swine flu vaccine, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday, sparking warnings over shortages," Agence France-Presse reports. While some countries, including Greece, The Netherlands, Canada and Israel, have ordered enough vaccine to inoculate their citizens, "[o]thers, such as Germany, the United States, Britain and France, have put in orders that would cover between 30 and 78 percent of people," the news service writes.

19 Aug 2009

HealthHelp upgrades customer care technology with Qwest solutions

HealthHelp, a Houston-based radiology benefit-management company, recently upgraded its customer care technology with Qwest services. Now, physician offices can operate more efficiently with self-service, around-the-clock voice and data access to HealthHelp’s radiology benefit-management programs thanks to technology powered by Qwest Communications.

19 Aug 2009

Kyl says GOP won't support co-op proposal

"The number two Senate Republican said Tuesday replacing a public health care option with a nonprofit private cooperative wouldn't win any more Republican support, saying they are essentially the same thing," The Wall Street Journal reports. "Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.), said Republican objections were more fundamental than simply changing the name of a new national entity to compete with private medical insurers."

19 Aug 2009

New study suggests financial situation of U.S. hospitals improving

The median profit margin of U.S. hospitals increased from 0.17 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to an analysis of hospital finances published today by Thomson Reuters.

19 Aug 2009

Delay in appointing Medicare Chief baffles lawmakers

To the puzzlement of Congress and health care experts around the country, Mr. Obama has not named anyone to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services," The New York Times reports.

19 Aug 2009