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States step up legislative, legal action against federal overhaul

State legislatures are considering bills to undermine the sweeping health overhaul. In addition, a Virginia court promises speedy action in a pending legal challenge. And, of course, the concept of "waivers" continues to draw interest.

28 Jan 2011

Tobacco smoke exposure still a major cause for asthma attacks in kids: National Poll

Exposure to smokers is still a major cause of asthma attacks in kids, according to results of a poll released today by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

28 Jan 2011

Racial disparities exist between kidney disease patients and physicians: Study

Significant disparities exist between the race of kidney disease patients and that of the physicians who will care for them, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology.

28 Jan 2011

CBO projections, deficit reduction talk causes Medicare nerves

The need to take steps to reduce the federal deficit is leading some to experience "Medicare jitters."

28 Jan 2011

Early dental visit is important for good oral health in children

Good oral health is a key component of good overall health in children, which is why an early visit to the dentist is very important, says Temple University pediatric dentist Mark Helpin.

28 Jan 2011

GOP focuses health law attacks during two House hearings

The hearings represent the first of what will likely be a long list of hearings and new legislation designed to question and denounce the new health law. With the measure in the spotlight, the debate surrounding its fiscal impact also is a "hot topic." Meanwhile, some Democrats who last year opposed the health overhaul are starting to find value in it.

27 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. wrestles with prison health costs; Texas legislator challenges GOP thinking; Mass. Gov. seeks remedy for municipal workers' health expenses

Amid California's budget crisis, the receiver put in charge of the prison health system by a federal judge has spent $82 million on blueprints for medical facilities that have been largely scrapped, more than $50,000 a month on an architectural consultant and millions hiring medical professionals — more per inmate than in many other states.

27 Jan 2011

Scrutiny about New York State's Medicaid program continues

The Wall Street Journal reports on the program's fraud unit while KHN explores the plans for New York's plans to revamp the entire program.

27 Jan 2011

NHS reforms & proposed spending questioned

According to John Appleby, Chief Economist at the King’s Fund, deaths from heart attacks and cancer in the UK are falling despite lower spending on health than in countries such as France. This, he said calls attention to the Government’s claim that poor outcomes justify a £1.4 billion restructuring of the NHS that will pass control of budgets from managers to GPs. He said, “Comparing health outcomes across countries is complex and not simply down to healthcare spending, but these trends must challenge one of the government’s key justifications for reforming the NHS.”

27 Jan 2011

Appalling report on Victoria’s mental healthcare services

In a new revealing report, a Victorian Government official – from the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), spoke about the declining level of care and protection provided to those with a mental disability. The OPA report entitled “Violence against People with Cognitive Impairments” analyzed 86 cases of abuse in government-funded and private support facilities over four years and reported mistreatment including instances of physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse - sometimes by carers themselves. The report said police often believe the perpetrator of the abuse, rather than the mentally impaired victim.

27 Jan 2011

Major changes at Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology

The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology-the monthly, peer-reviewed flagship publication of the Society of Interventional Radiology-announced several major changes for 2011-all directed at highlighting the global impact of this minimally invasive medical specialty and its lead journal.

27 Jan 2011

Study examines primary care capacity challenges that states will face when Medicaid eligibility expands

A new article released online January 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine, authored by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services and supported by the Geiger Gibson/ RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, examines primary care capacity challenges that states will face when Medicaid eligibility expands in 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

27 Jan 2011

Premera Home Visit Program helps reduce unneeded ER visits

When a physician's office is closed or an urgent care facility is not available, many people in need of non-emergency medical care turn to the very place they shouldn't have to - the emergency room of the closest hospital. There they may face long waits while life-threatening conditions take precedence. It's inconvenient and uncomfortable, and it results in potentially higher than needed treatment costs for patients - and for employers who provide health benefits.

27 Jan 2011

GE to establish Global Pathology Imaging Centre of Excellence in Ontario

GE announced an agreement to establish its first Global Pathology Imaging Centre of Excellence in Toronto, Ontario. GE and its digital pathology joint venture, Omnyx™, will invest $7.75M along with a $2.25M grant from the Health Technology Commercialization Program created by HTX and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation.

27 Jan 2011

Blue Shield of California implements MedeAnalytics' Medical Management Analytics

MedeAnalytics, a leading provider of healthcare performance management solutions, announced today that Blue Shield of California is now live with MedeAnalytics' Medical Management Analytics for use within its Healthcare Services Division. Blue Shield's goal is to provide its medical directors and case managers with actionable information to drive improvements in how clinical services are utilized.

27 Jan 2011

The Food Integrity and Traceability Conference to take place at Queen's University Belfast

As food scares, such as the recent detection of dioxins in eggs from Germany, become more frequent, the public should be reassured that advances in science are helping reduce the risks from eating contaminated foods.

27 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 27, 2011

In today's headlines, a range of health policy news -- including House hearings advanced by the GOP to further their repeal efforts and more reports about the budget deficit.

27 Jan 2011

'Alzheimer's has the power to bring the country to its financial knees'

Starting this year, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65. As these baby boomers age, one of out of eight of them will develop Alzheimer's – a devastating, costly, heartbreaking disease. Increasingly for these Baby Boomers, it will no longer be their grandparents and parents who have Alzheimer's – it will be them.

27 Jan 2011

PHDcic, Aetna receive Health Service Journal award for programme to create systemic change in primary care

An innovative group of GPs in the West Midlands is proving that starting small can produce big changes — and their efforts are not going unnoticed. Pathfinder Healthcare Developments cic (PHDcic) together with Aetna Health Services UK (Aetna) have secured their latest award from the Health Service Journal for a programme that aims to create systemic change in primary care.

27 Jan 2011

Workers in high hazardous jobs can benefit from hands-on safety training, say researchers

Hands-on safety training for workers in highly hazardous jobs is most effective at improving safe work behavior, according to psychologists who analyzed close to 40 years of research. However, less engaging training can be just as effective in preparing workers to avoid accidents when jobs are less dangerous.

27 Jan 2011