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ASAM issues white paper to halt medical marijuana use

Citing the dangers of marijuana, the lack of clinical research on a controlled substance with a high potential for abuse, and the physician's oath to "first, do no harm," the American Society of Addiction Medicine today issued a white paper recommending a halt to using the weed as a medicine in states where it has been declared legal.

24 Mar 2011

News reports discuss Japan's disaster preparedness, health situations on the ground

According to a report published in the Lancet on Tuesday, Japan's medical and aid response to the earthquake and tsunami is being challenged by "the sheer scale of the devastation, widespread damage to supply routes and concerns about radiation leaks from a stricken nuclear power plant".

24 Mar 2011

HighRoads survey provides insights into how acute health systems respond to ACA

A HighRoads survey of hospital industry employers shows 2011 health care costs for both hospital employers and employees are increasing, and hospitals are looking at leaner budgets and further cost control, as a result.

24 Mar 2011

CCA: Incentives needed to control health care demands

Incentives to work smarter, not more money, is what's needed to curb escalating health care demands on the federal purse, said the Canadian Chiropractic Association today in response to the release of the Federal Budget.

24 Mar 2011

Lack of laws governing newborn screening programs in Australia threaten public trust

The absence of specific laws which define the ownership, storage and use of blood drops taken from every Australian baby since 1971 could threaten public trust in newborn screening (NBS) programs in Australia, a University of Melbourne academic has warned.

24 Mar 2011

Money matters: Some of the health law's big winners, possible costs emerge

MarketWatch reports that insurance companies appear to be coming out in the win column. Meanwhile, a new industry report details some of the health law's "hidden" costs.

24 Mar 2011

Loyola to open new nursing center for Collaborative Learning

Loyola University Chicago will break ground for the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Center for Collaborative Learning from 4-6 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at the health sciences campus at 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, Ill.

24 Mar 2011

Restricting sodium consumption important in lowering blood pressure among sedentary people

The more physically active you are, the less your blood pressure rises in response to a high-salt diet, researchers reported at the American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism/Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Sessions.

24 Mar 2011

Most clinicians feel systems and procedures for preventing hospital readmissions ineffective

More than nine out of ten clinicians believe that reducing readmissions is an important topic, but few have the resources at hand to tackle it, according to a new study from QuantiaMD®, the leading mobile and online physician community, and the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM).

24 Mar 2011

House small business panel takes on health law waivers

During the committee hearing, GOP panel members "demanded to know" about the process used by federal officials to approve more than 1,000 waivers for companies, labor unions and states.

24 Mar 2011

House bill proposes immunity for negligent drug manufacturers

Rep. Johnathan Rhyne, Republican Chairman of the NC House Select Committee on Tort Reform, today launched an assault on patients rights, adding provisions to favor insurance companies and drug manufacturers to a controversial Senate bill.

24 Mar 2011

Modern healthcare: CMS priorities won't change, even if its leader does

If the Obama administration were to nominate Marilyn Tavenner, principal deputy administrator and chief operating officer of the CMS, to lead that agency instead of Dr. Donald Berwick, the current administrator who has been renominated, its priorities would not change in the coming years, she said.

24 Mar 2011

DISCUSS survey findings highlight need to prioritize GERD dialogue

According to findings from the new nationwide DISCUSS Survey, many people surveyed report that their gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or persistent heartburn symptoms significantly disrupt their lives.

24 Mar 2011

At one-year mark, political players draw lines in the sand

Politico reports on how Democrats, who find themselves under siege, are not getting as much help as they expected from big name health overhaul supporters. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers and presidential hopefuls are using this landmark day to make clear their opposition.

24 Mar 2011

Altarum's analysis reveals 4.4% increase in health spending in January 2011

Analysis by Altarum Institute's Center for Studying Health Spending indicates that health spending in January 2011 grew by 4.4 percent compared to January 2010—the 28th consecutive month of historically low growth.

24 Mar 2011

Kentucky, Minn., Florida, Texas facing tough Medicaid, budget decisions

Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky has given lawmakers less than two weeks to approve his plan to come up with $165 million for Medicaid or he'll cut payments. The first-term Democrat, who took office in January 2008, faces a local variation on a problem vexing governors across the U.S.: when Kentucky lawmakers approved an $18 billion biennial budget last year, they overestimated federal Medicaid funding.

24 Mar 2011

Department of Health acting Secretary stresses need to raise TB awareness

Department of Health acting Secretary Dr. Eli Avila today stressed the need to raise public awareness of tuberculosis, or TB, and the importance of efforts to control—and eventually eliminate—the infectious airborne disease.

24 Mar 2011

American Heart Association: 81.8% of obese women underestimate their weight

Overweight and obese mothers and their children think they weigh less than their actual weight, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism/Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Sessions.

24 Mar 2011

Prescription Solutions launches unique online service to streamline Prior Authorization requests

Prescription Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefits management organization and UnitedHealth Group company, has launched a unique online service to streamline submission, review and approval of Prior Authorization requests.

24 Mar 2011