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Driving for Quality Care petition tour for securing stable Medicaid, Medicare funding

As the extension of emergency Medicaid relief moves from the Senate to the House of Representatives, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living's nationwide Driving for Quality Care petition tour for securing adequate, stable Medicaid and Medicare funding for long term and rehabilitative care for America's seniors and disabled citizens continues to draw significant support from legislators and coverage from local media.

7 Aug 2010

Rotech Healthcare second-quarter adjusted EBITDA increases to $29.2 million

Rotech Healthcare Inc. today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

5 Aug 2010

Inpatient rehab helps patient to regain functions lost from injury, illness

After a person receives acute care in a "regular" hospital for catastrophic illness, traumatic injury or a debilitating chronic condition, the next step in the process of recovery often involves a stay at an inpatient rehabilitation, or rehab, facility.Patients often have little warning when they're quickly moved to a rehab facility from acute care. Those who envision a long, leisurely recovery in a hospital or at home may find that the abrupt transition-and new responsibilities in rehab-leaves their heads spinning.

2 Aug 2010

Hospitals accomodate obese patients by purchasing new, larger equipment

Hospitals are accommodating the increasing number of obese patients by buying larger medical equipment, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

30 Jul 2010

Unique device helps disabled people navigate wheelchairs by sniffing

A unique device based on sniffing - inhaling and exhaling through the nose - might enable numerous disabled people to navigate wheelchairs or communicate with their loved ones. Sniffing technology might even be used in the future to create a sort of 'third hand,' to assist healthy surgeons or pilots.

27 Jul 2010

Braun Corporation presents key themes, recommendations discussed at symposium for the disabled

The Braun Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans, ramps and wheelchair lifts, today published key insights from a symposium hosted recently in Washington, D.C. titled "ADA 20/20: Looking Back, Looking Forward on Mobility." In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the panel of key thought leaders from government, medicine, academia and business exchanged insights on current thinking around future mobility needs for Americans with disabilities.

27 Jul 2010

Today's OpEds: Health reform and long-term care; Health care incentives; Reasons for optimism or repeal and replace?

Our system of long-term care does not provide adequate or coordinated human services and medical treatment for our growing aging population. … Thanks to a provision of the new health care law known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, tomorrow's continuum of care does not have to be so unforgiving. For the first time, a voluntary public insurance program will be available to help adults and families pay for long-term care services (Bruce Chernof, 7/23).

26 Jul 2010

Patient advocacy groups, home medical associations call for end to Medicare competitive bidding program

In a letter signed by 58 patient advocacy groups and home medical equipment associations, the American Association for Homecare urged Congress to pass H.R. 3790, a bill to repeal the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment in a budget-neutral manner. The bill currently has 252 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.

17 Jul 2010

PPMD to provide grant to clinical sites participating in Phase 2 study of ACE-031

Patricia A. Furlong, Founding President and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest non-profit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announced that PPMD will provide a grant to clinical sites participating in Acceleron Pharma's Phase 2 clinical study of ACE-031. These grants will help patients' families cover travel costs to and from the study site, and hotel rooms and meals during study visits.

15 Jul 2010

New circular external fixator device for diabetic Charcot foot treatment

The alarming increase of morbidly obese diabetics is causing more new cases of a debilitating foot deformity called Charcot foot.Charcot foot can make walking difficult or impossible, and in severe cases can require amputation.But a surgical technique that secures foot bones with an external frame has enabled more than 90 percent of patients to walk normally again.

15 Jul 2010

Circular external fixator enables over 90% of Charcot foot patients to walk normally again

The alarming increase of morbidly obese diabetics is causing more new cases of a debilitating foot deformity called Charcot foot.

14 Jul 2010

Rotech Healthcare accepts 17 CMS contracts in Round 1 Rebid of Medicare Competitive Bidding Program

Rotech Healthcare Inc. today announced that it has accepted 17 contracts awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the Round 1 Rebid of the national Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. The Round 1 Rebid included nine metropolitan statistical areas. Only contracted suppliers can service Medicare patients for the competitively-bid product categories in these locations, with a few exceptions. The new contracts awarded in Round 1 have a three-year term and are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2011.

13 Jul 2010

Thousands of people with disabilities expected to attend Abilities Expo

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, July 9, through Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

7 Jul 2010

Senate Democrats tax prosthetic limbs, other vital medical devices, refuse to exempt veterans

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day with parades and barbecues, America's veterans face a new tax on prosthetic limbs and other vital medical devices.

3 Jul 2010

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

Hospital for Special Surgery announced the receipt of a $5 million commitment from CA Technologies, an IT management software and solutions company, at its 27th Annual Tribute Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on June 21, 2010.

28 Jun 2010

Cellonis' stem cells diabetes treatment helps reconstruct natural insulin production

Cellonis, a Beijing and HK-based biotech company, with its new personalized diabetes treatment concept has demonstrated an amazing improvement in their treated patients' conditions. The ongoing clinical study shows the treatment's best case could reconstruct a patient's natural insulin production and even reverse later complications like kidney failure. Treated patients may have the chance to return to the normal activities non-diabetes sufferers take for granted.

24 Jun 2010

United Seating & Mobility launches new redesigned website, expands e-commerce store

United Seating & Mobility, the nation's largest privately-owned mobility and rehab equipment supplier, has launched a newly redesigned website at www.UnitedSeating.com. The new site features in-depth information for clients and families, providing easy to follow information on today's mobility options, as well as background company information and coverage explanations for healthcare professionals and health care plan employees.

24 Jun 2010

Researchers identify promising gene therapy for DMD

CureDuchenne, the Orange County non-profit focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one step closer to that goal through the work of Dr. Jeff Chamberlain.

23 Jun 2010

Beneficial effects of LifeVantage's Protandim on DMD mouse model published in Journal of Dietary Supplements

LifeVantage Corporation, the maker of Protandim®, a patented, science-based solution to oxidative stress, announced today that a peer-reviewed manuscript was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements examining the beneficial effects of Protandim® on a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked inherited disease affecting one in 3,500 males.

22 Jun 2010

Children with special health care needs at increased risk of oral diseases

At the beginning of 2010, as many as 17 percent of children in the United States were reported as having special health care needs. Behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, genetic disorders and systemic diseases may increase a child's risk of developing oral disease, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.