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MedPAC 'doc fix' could undermine seniors' care, jeopardize local jobs, and destabilize key health sector

Commenting on an initial outline from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to address the sustainable growth rate formula used to fund physicians, the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care said news reports of proposed Medicare cuts of $49 billion over ten years for post-acute care providers -- on top of the many cuts already in effect -- would severely undermine seniors' care, jeopardize local jobs, and further destabilize a key U.S. health sector already reeling from a series of budgetary and regulatory actions.

17 Sep 2011

House Republicans launch new attacks on health law regulations

The medical-loss ratio requirement is one of the prime GOP targets. Democrats responded that Republicans were trying to roll-back key consumer protections. In other health law implementation news, HHS announced new funding for community health centers, and groups interested in setting up health insurance co-ops are seeking certain HHS "tweaks" in the regulations.

17 Sep 2011

Deficit panel moves deliberations behind closed doors

The 12-member 'super committee' held a private meeting Thursday and emerged with few details, though a co-chair acknowledged that their work won't be easy. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, are signaling the different courses they want to see the panel follow. Also, congressional Democrats are getting increasingly worried about what might become of Medicare and Medicaid.

17 Sep 2011

Bayonne Medical Center resolves outstanding issues with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bayonne Medical Center (BMC), announced today that it has resolved all outstanding issues with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest provider of health insurance in the state of New Jersey. As of October 1, 2011, Bayonne Medical Center will be considered in-network for all services for Horizon subscribers.

17 Sep 2011

Afghanistan facing challenges in effort to eradicate polio by end of 2012

"Afghanistan is intensifying efforts to eradicate polio by the end of next year, but security remains a major challenge especially in the southern provinces where the virus is localized, says" Arshad Quddus, head of the WHO polio program in Afghanistan, IRIN reports.

17 Sep 2011

House members launch first-ever bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus

Democratic and Republican House members at a press briefing on Thursday formally introduced the first-ever bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, along with its funding proposals, the Washington Independent reports.

17 Sep 2011

Funding for international family planning programs critical for reproductive health efforts

In an opinion piece in Population Service International's "Impact" magazine, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) writes, "Unfortunately, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives has empowered extremists with zeal for both broad, haphazard budget cuts and a commitment to rolling back women's health rights,"

17 Sep 2011

Viewpoints: Support for HPV vaccinations; Compassion and GOP debates

Imagine that scientists invented a vaccine that was proved to safely prevent cancer. Imagine that it was licensed and recommended in the U.S. for all preadolescent girls and available to boys as well, yet five years later only 11 percent of children were receiving the full course of shots.

17 Sep 2011

The 4th annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day takes place on September 18

The AIDS Institute (TAI) is proud to announce that the 4th annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD) will take place on September 18th. The campaign theme is "Aging is a part of life; HIV doesn't have to be."

17 Sep 2011

NHS hospitals in their current form are failing and need to “change or disappear completely”: Report

In a report published by Reform, Professor Paul Corrigan, who was a health special advisor to Tony Blair, argues that “the old model and concept of the hospital are failing”, leading to poor standards of care in far too many bankrupt institutions. “Hospitals will have to change or disappear completely” to “provide better, safer healthcare”.

16 Sep 2011

Midwife shortages across UK

According to a warning from the Royal College of Midwives parts of England are facing a dangerous shortage of midwives as Britain's birthrate climbs. The RCM added that while shortages are seen across the country, some areas are worse than others, putting mothers and babies at risk.

16 Sep 2011

Two reports reveal sad state of affairs in some UK hospitals

Nurses at some institutions are serving up people’s evening meals at 3pm – just because it is more convenient, inspectors found. And several hospitals do not have enough nurses on wards to feed or wash patients, or help move them to prevent bedsores. Nurses arrive unannounced at elderly patients’ bedsides and strap blood pressure monitors round their arms without telling them what they are doing.

16 Sep 2011

Georgia reminds adults to get vaccinated

Vaccines aren't just for kids, adults need protection too! September 18 kick starts National Adult Immunization Awareness Week and the Georgia Department of Public Health reminds Georgians that you never outgrow the need for vaccines.

16 Sep 2011

Simple strategies prevent bloodstream infections and save hundreds of patient lives

Following some basic rules of central line hygiene and maintenance, Johns Hopkins Children's Center and 87 other pediatric hospitals have, over five years, saved hundreds of patient lives and more than $100 million by preventing nearly 3,000 central line bloodstream infections, hospital officials announced on Monday, Sept. 12.

16 Sep 2011

Advocates ramp up efforts to protect Medicaid from 'super committee' trims

State Medicaid directors as well as patient and consumer advocates are detailing the harms that would result from various Medicaid changes under discussion.

16 Sep 2011

Policies needed to prepare individuals, society for earlier diagnosis and high risk of Alzheimer's

The changing tide of Alzheimer's diagnosis presents new challenges to the public, physicians and lawmakers: if you could find out your Alzheimer's risk, would you want to know? How should doctors tell you your risk? And what does it mean for the many newly diagnosed Americans still in the workplace?

16 Sep 2011

Scientists, policymakers meet to present recent AIDS vaccine developments

In this post in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's "Impatient Optimists" blog, Jose Esparza, deputy director of vaccines and HIV at the Gates Foundation, reports on AIDS Vaccine 2011, a conference being held this week in Bangkok, Thailand, that is expected to draw more than 800 scientists and policymakers from around the world.

16 Sep 2011

Cydcor raises over $150,000 for Operation Smile

Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, has raised more than $150,000 for Operation Smile along with its network of independently-owned sales offices across the United States and Canada. Operation Smile is a children's medical charity that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgeries worldwide. The $150,000 will fund a medical mission to a remote locale in Peru, Cambodia, or Rwanda.

16 Sep 2011

First Edition: September 16, 2011

In today's headlines, reports that, despite dire predictions by health law opponents about the Medicare Advantage program, its premiums are falling and its enrollment is rising.

16 Sep 2011

Life Technologies praises Obama's signing of the America Invents Act

Life Technologies Corporation applauds the signing by President Barack Obama of "The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act" (H.R. 1249). President Obama will sign the bill today at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.

16 Sep 2011