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GAVI chair calls for greater reductions in vaccine prices for developing countries

On Monday, the same day the GAVI Alliance helped oversee the roll out of a routine pneumococcal vaccine in Kenya, GAVI chairman Dagfinn Hoybraten highlighted the need for greater reductions in vaccine prices in developing countries during an interview with Reuters, the news service reports. The piece examines the funding mechanism in place to finance the pneumococcal vaccines, known as Advance Market Commitment (AMC), as well as the budget shortfall facing the group (Kelland, 2/14).

16 Feb 2011

Study: Expedited medical device reviews account for majority of recalls

The analysis, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, connected the Food and Drug Administration's most urgent medical device recalls with high-risk devices that were subject to "speedy" review.

16 Feb 2011

AHF condemns budget move by House Republicans for global AIDS programs

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which provides AIDS medical care and services to more than 152,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide, today strongly condemned a move by House Republicans, who on Friday proposed slashing President Obama's 2011 funding for global AIDS programs by $813 million.

16 Feb 2011

Medicare pay cut for docs already drawing fire

Critics said the method used in the budget blueprint would cause serious problems. But some news reports indicate the inclusion of this Medicare "doc fix" would help build support within the physician community for the president's health care agenda.

16 Feb 2011

New report examines impact of Affordable Care Act on national immunization policy

A new report issued by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services analyzes the impact of Affordable Care Act on national immunization policy. The report examines a wide range of reforms that are aimed at strengthening immunization policy and practice.

16 Feb 2011

CR still under consideration as House GOP vehicle to defund health law

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said this plan is still under discussion. Meanwhile, as the House considers this Continuing Resolution, which would provide current year funding for the federal government, it will do so under new rules for debate.

16 Feb 2011

Obama's 2012 budget proposal requests boost for GHI funding, slight core budget increases for State, USAID

President Barack Obama "released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 on Monday," the New York Times reports. The president's "fiscal 2012 budget allocates $47 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which reflects only a 1 percent increase over 2010 levels for the core budget," National Journal writes.

16 Feb 2011

Obama budget draws GOP criticism for not taking on entitlements

Although reports indicate President Barack Obama's proposed budget would reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion over 10 years, it did not offer major changes to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security — which total about 40 percent of federal spending.

16 Feb 2011

Graham plans health law opt-out legislation for states

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday he would introduce legislation in the Senate to "free states" from the overhaul's mandates, including provisions requiring individuals and businesses to buy health coverage as well as the law's Medicaid expansions.

16 Feb 2011

Budget pushes health law implementation, provides some limited — but not easy — increases

However, news outlets report that funding gains within the Department of Health and Human Services come at a steep price.

16 Feb 2011

New study: CHG cloths more effective in reducing risk of hospital-acquired infections

A new study from Rhode Island Hospital has found a reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections when using two percent chlorhexidine gluconate cloths for daily bathing instead of soap and water.

16 Feb 2011

New study finds peer support greatly reduces symptoms of depression

Peer support offers promise as an effective, low-cost tool for fighting depression, a new study by the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and University of Michigan Health System finds.

16 Feb 2011

GOP point of interest: Selling insurance across state lines

Republicans have introduced legislation to allow consumers to buy health insurance beyond their state borders. Meanwhile, Stateline explores how the health law might impact the job security of brokers.

16 Feb 2011

AML patient raises awareness in community about national stem cell registry

By the age of 28, Dana Severson was already an Iraq war veteran, an accomplished clinical engineer, a wife and mother. Days following her daughter Genevieve's first birthday, Severson was faced with a reality that would turn her life upside down. After several weeks of experiencing severe headaches and extreme exhaustion, the young mother was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

16 Feb 2011

Benchmark signs definitive agreement to form $890 million partnership with Health Care REIT

Benchmark Senior Living, the leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to form an $890 million partnership with Health Care REIT, Inc., an S&P 500 company that invests across the full spectrum of senior housing and health care real estate.

16 Feb 2011

Medicaid's home health challenges

It's common sense: It is generally better to help the disabled or elderly stay in their homes and communities than to put them in institutionalized care. At home, they have a higher quality of life and a social support system.

16 Feb 2011

Non-specialist mental health staff can treat depression with psychotherapy

Depression can be treated effectively with psychotherapy by mental health nurses with minimal training, according to new preliminary research findings.

16 Feb 2011

Roundup: States grapple with high health costs, Medicaid squeeze

Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill would give his administration sweeping powers to reshape state health programs covering more than 1 million state residents. Under the bill, the administration's rewrite of the Medicaid program would be reviewed only by the Legislature's budget committee, which has a broader margin of control for majority Republican lawmakers than any other legislative committee.

16 Feb 2011

ODA offers tips on how to handle winter-related dental injury

Family Day is a chance for parents and kids to enjoy the last few weeks of snowfall, which means tobogganing, skating and snowball fights. But any winter activity comes with a risk of injury to the teeth and mouth. The Ontario Dental Association wants to remind parents to take extra precautions during this holiday and learn what to do in case of a dental injury.

16 Feb 2011

UMB achieves 35% increase in health spending accounts

UMB Healthcare Services, a division of UMB Financial Corporation, announced today that it has achieved a 35 percent increase in the number of its health spending accounts.

15 Feb 2011