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N.J. nurses sue over abortion policy; St. Paul hospital discontinues abortions

A dozen nurses say the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey violated laws by mandating they help with abortion patients. Meanwhile, Regions Hospital in St. Paul will stop providing abortions in December.

29 Nov 2011

Ariz. insurer to offer ACOs for small biz; Md. plans rated by state; Calif. maternity rules

Aetna will roll out a new health-insurance plan with Banner Health that will pay the health provider based on measures of quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction.

29 Nov 2011

Report highlights improvement in children's well-being, but health organizations call for stronger political commitment to maintain progress

"Children's well-being has improved dramatically thanks to increased global political will and efficient supportive programs and policies, according to a report released [Wednesday] by [UNICEF] and Save the Children U.K., but it also warns that benefits need to reach the most disadvantaged children for gains to be sustainable," the U.N. News Centre reports.

29 Nov 2011

Quick impact interventions have not benefited health MDGs equally

Serious global discussions have begun in the lead-up to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) deadline of 2015. Governments and international agencies are asking what has been achieved, what still needs to be done and how best to proceed after the deadline.

29 Nov 2011

Harvest improves in North Korea but malnutrition concerns remain, U.N. food agencies say

"A United Nations assessment published [Friday] finds that the main annual harvest in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has improved compared to last year but serious nutrition concerns persist, especially among young children," the U.N. News Centre reports.

29 Nov 2011

Washington must lead search for additional financing, more cost-effective strategies in fight against AIDS

This New York Times editorial responds to the latest UNAIDS report (.pdf), which it says "reveals substantial success by some measures and stagnation by others," writing, "The challenge, in tough times, that must be met is to find enough resources to capitalize on scientific breakthroughs and keep the campaign moving forward."

29 Nov 2011

Most heart attack patients not transported quickly enough for angioplasty

Most heart attack patients transferred between hospitals for the emergency artery-opening procedure called angioplasty are not transported as quickly as they should be, Yale School of medicine researchers report in the first national study of "door-in door-out" time for transfer patients.

29 Nov 2011

Pediatricians frequently asked to provide alternative childhood vaccine schedules

Seventy-seven percent of Washington state pediatricians report that they are sometimes or frequently asked to provide alternative childhood vaccine schedules for their patients, according to a new study from Seattle Children's Research Institute.

29 Nov 2011

Despite limitations of global fund programs, dangers of cutting funding are worse

In this Financial Times opinion piece, journalist Andrew Jack examines how, "[a]fter a period of fast expansion, and strong progress in tackling AIDS, [tuberculosis (TB)] and malaria alike," the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria "has become a target in the era of austerity.

29 Nov 2011

New research institute at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Academic and government leaders announced today the establishment of a major new research institute at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that will blend the best attributes of academic and industrial research to identify and validate new cancer targets, convert such scientific knowledge into new cancer drugs, and advance these novel agents into innovative clinical trials.

29 Nov 2011

CMS chief announces resignation, Obama administration taps his deputy as successor

Marilyn Tavenner was named last week by the White House to succeed Donald Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but it is unclear how her nomination will be received by Congress.

29 Nov 2011

URMC earns Gold Seal of Approval for Palliative Care Program

In the latest development in its decades-long leadership in the area of palliative care, the University of Rochester Medical Center's Palliative Care Program is one of the first nationwide to earn advanced certification from the Joint Commission, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

29 Nov 2011

African countries lose billions of dollars training doctors who then leave for developed nations, study says

Nine African countries -- Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – "have lost approximately $2 billion in their investment in doctors who have subsequently migrated abroad," with South Africa and Zimbabwe suffering "the greatest economic losses," according to a study published Friday in BMJ, VOA's "Breaking News" blog reports (11/25).

29 Nov 2011

Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala make progress against river blindness

Global health consultant Alanna Shaikh writes in this post on the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases' "End the Neglect" blog about the elimination of river blindness, or onchoceriasis, from Colombia and progress made against the disease in Mexico and Guatemala.

29 Nov 2011

Drawing attention to ending gender-based violence

A post in the U.S. Department of State's "DipNote" blog highlights the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, commemorated on November 25, and the 16 Days Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.

29 Nov 2011

Partisanship a part of demands for certain justices to recuse themselves from health law case

House Democrats recently demanded that Justice Clarence Thomas step aside while Senate Republicans have increased their calls for Justice Elena Kagan to take herself off the case. Meanwhile, lobbying efforts are expected to increase as part of efforts to shape the high court's decision.

29 Nov 2011

Caregivers have stress reactions that put them at greater risk for physical health problems

When a person with mild cognitive impairment is agitated or restless, caregivers can expect to find they are more edgy as well. According to research conducted at Virginia Tech, the more a caregiver's day is disrupted by the unsettled behaviors of their loved one, the more they find themselves unable to meet or balance their own home and family work loads.

29 Nov 2011

Third Annual Transplant Symposium to be held on Dec. 2 in New York City

"Transplantation: Part of the Fabric of America" is the theme of the Third Annual Transplant Symposium sponsored by the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation. The conference will be held on Friday, December 2 at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City.

29 Nov 2011

Next on Capitol Hill's budget agenda: Skirmishes over tax breaks, spending bills and the 'doc fix'

The Associated Press terms it a "symbol" of the "federal government's budget dysfunction" because physicians again are facing a steep cut in Medicare payments unless Congress intervenes. This time, though, such action will be considered in the context of other difficult budget questions.

29 Nov 2011

QUT to study why futile medical treatment is provided to dying patients

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) will undertake a study into why futile medical treatment is, at times, provided to dying patients.

29 Nov 2011

Healthcare News

N.J. nurses sue over abortion policy; St. Paul hospital discontinues abortions

Ariz. insurer to offer ACOs for small biz; Md. plans rated by state; Calif. maternity rules

Report highlights improvement in children's well-being, but health organizations call for stronger political commitment to maintain progress

Quick impact interventions have not benefited health MDGs equally

Harvest improves in North Korea but malnutrition concerns remain, U.N. food agencies say

Washington must lead search for additional financing, more cost-effective strategies in fight against AIDS

Most heart attack patients not transported quickly enough for angioplasty

Pediatricians frequently asked to provide alternative childhood vaccine schedules

Despite limitations of global fund programs, dangers of cutting funding are worse

New research institute at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

CMS chief announces resignation, Obama administration taps his deputy as successor

URMC earns Gold Seal of Approval for Palliative Care Program

African countries lose billions of dollars training doctors who then leave for developed nations, study says

Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala make progress against river blindness

Drawing attention to ending gender-based violence

Partisanship a part of demands for certain justices to recuse themselves from health law case

Caregivers have stress reactions that put them at greater risk for physical health problems

Third Annual Transplant Symposium to be held on Dec. 2 in New York City

Next on Capitol Hill's budget agenda: Skirmishes over tax breaks, spending bills and the 'doc fix'

QUT to study why futile medical treatment is provided to dying patients

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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