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VA's electronic health record system to be updated

The Veterans Affairs Department, which operates one of the largest medical systems in the world, is moving ahead with plans to modernize its electronic health- records using open-source software. ... U.S. hospitals and medical practices are preparing to digitize their health records, often using commercial products. ...

4 Apr 2011

Lack of specialists accepting Medicaid hampers care

Eight-year-old Draven Smith was expelled from school last year for disruptive behavior, and he is being expelled again this year. But his mother and his pediatrician cannot find a mental health specialist to treat him because he is on Medicaid, and the program, which provides health coverage for the poor, pays doctors so little that many refuse to take its patients.

4 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: 'Saving' Medicare; Dole on innovative vets' care; Texas 'death panel' on HIV?

(Rep. Paul) Ryan's plan reportedly will include steep Medicaid cuts, disguised as a proposal to turn the program into a "block grant" to the states. The net effect would be to leave even more Americans to the mercies of the private insurance market.

4 Apr 2011

Helping a loved one die at home

Many of us don't know much more than that about death until it comes to live in our own house. Friends may lose family members, but they rarely talk about the uglier aspects of dying.

4 Apr 2011

More waivers issued for insurance plans

Obama administration officials released new information on the number of businesses and other organizations that have received waivers on their insurance plans. Meanwhile, Republicans criticize the law's high risk pools.

4 Apr 2011

AtlantiCare to implement MEDai's Risk Navigator predictive analytic solution

AtlantiCare, the largest health system in southeastern New Jersey, will allow its healthcare providers to better manage patient populations and track clinical and financial objectives with quality-focused tools from Elsevier/MEDai, a leading provider of predictive analytic solutions.

4 Apr 2011

State Roundup: Budget cuts in Texas, Wash. State; Ariz. smoking, weight fees; Coping with Rx drug abuse

The Texas House voted 98-49 Sunday night to slash funding for public schools, nursing homes and college financial aid in a dramatic show by Republicans elected on a limited-government message in the face of a massive budget shortfall.

4 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 4, 2011

Today's health policy news coverage includes reports about Republican lawmakers' plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.

4 Apr 2011

BUSPH, The Partnership at Drugfree.org collaborate to increase 'Join Together' resource utilization

The Partnership at Drugfree.org, in cooperation with the Boston University School of Public Health, announced today that Join Together has become part of the 25-year-old nonprofit organization based in New York City.

4 Apr 2011

Optimer study highlights economic burden of acute and recurrent CDI in hospital patients

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of information from insurance claims and survey databases highlighting the unmet need for targeted therapies to treat subpopulations at high risk of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection.

4 Apr 2011

AtlantiCare to use MEDai's Risk Navigator solutions for patient management

4 Apr 2011

Experts to discuss on healthcare-associated infection at SHEA Annual Meeting

A special media phone briefing with leading infectious disease scientists and healthcare-associated infection experts who will headline the 2011 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America's Annual Meeting

4 Apr 2011

NAA joins with organizations worldwide to raise awareness about autism

The National Autism Association joins with organizations worldwide in recognizing April as Autism Awareness month. With one in 110 children now diagnosed with autism, and autism mortality rates doubling that of the general population, NAA is once again calling upon legislators and government health agencies to declare autism a national health emergency.

4 Apr 2011

World Medical Device Organization achieves its 100th online course

WMDO, the leading global provider of innovative online training for medical device professionals, announced today that it has achieved its 100th online course.

4 Apr 2011

Study finds increased carbapenem use in VA acute care health facilities over the last 5 years

A large, multi-year study of antibiotic use in Veterans Health Administration's acute care facilities demonstrates dramatically increased use of carbapenems, a powerful class of antibiotics, over the last five years.

4 Apr 2011

Study finds high utilization of CTC and Medicare coverage in recent years

Medicare coverage and nationwide utilization of computed tomographic colonography, commonly referred to as virtual colonoscopy, has tripled in recent years, according to a study in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

4 Apr 2011

FDA releases rules for restaurants to provide calorie information

The federal government on Friday released proposed rules requiring chain restaurants and other businesses that serve food to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards. But after objections from theater chains, the rules give a pass to those box-office snacks — even though a large popcorn and soda can contain as many calories as a typical person needs in a day.

4 Apr 2011

Lack of doctors accepting Medicaid could complicate health overhaul

As pressure mounts on state Medicaid budgets, the New York Times examines whether the programs can handle the influx expected under the new health law. And The Hill looks at the latest waivers awarded by the administration for insurance plans that don't meet the requirements of the law.

4 Apr 2011

Ryan: Major changes for Medicare, Medicaid in GOP's 2012 budget

Even as Congress faces a showdown this week on 2011 federal spending, both parties are gearing for the 2012 budget battle.

4 Apr 2011

GOP budget would aim to cut up to $4 trillion

As Republicans gear up to present their 2012 budget proposal, it has been revealed that the new budget would cut more than $4 trillion from federal spending projected over the next decade and transform the Medicare health program for the elderly.

3 Apr 2011