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CVS agrees to record fine to settle meth suit

The CVS retail pharmacy chain agreed Thursday to pay a record fine to settle a civil case brought by federal prosecutors who said the company had allowed criminals to buy large amounts of methamphetamine ingredients over the counter.

18 Oct 2010

Catholic officials approve Caritas sale in Mass., Boston and Milwaukee hospitals strengthen their financial standing

Catholic church officials have signed off on the sale of Caritas Christi Health Care to a private equity firm, according to a document filed with the Supreme Judicial Court.

18 Oct 2010

Researchers study anti-inflammatory effects of food on healthy individuals

For the first time researchers have found out what effect multiple, rather than just single, foods with anti-inflammatory effects have on healthy individuals. The results of a diet study show that bad cholesterol was reduced by 33 per cent, blood lipids by 14 per cent, blood pressure by 8 per cent and a risk marker for blood clots by 26 per cent. A marker of inflammation in the body was also greatly reduced, while memory and cognitive function were improved.

18 Oct 2010

ASA to salute U.S. military members at 2010 Annual Meeting

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) will salute its military members as well as all U.S. service members and their families during the Society's 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, October 16 - 20.

18 Oct 2010

Malpractice claims against hospitals pick up

The pace of malpractice claims against hospitals is picking up, according to a recent report from Aon Risk Solutions and the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management.

18 Oct 2010

TOPS program helps in losing weight: Study

In the battle against obesity, new research has found that it may not be necessary to spend a lot on a weight loss program when cheaper, nonprofit alternatives may work just as well.

18 Oct 2010

Today's Op-Eds: Critiques of 'Obamacare,' Skyrocketing brand name drug prices, pay-for-performance

People are less negative about some of the specifics than they are about the package as a whole. But does this imply that those who understand the law like it better. Despite their political views, the well-informed share a strong opposition to the new law.

18 Oct 2010

Victorian abortion clinics ask for exclusion zones

There is a proposal for exclusion zones around Victorian abortion clinics to stop protesters harassing patients and staff.

17 Oct 2010

Elective surgeries routed to private health system to ease burden

According to the Australian Medical Association, the ACT Government's elective surgery plan is not a long term solution. The plan will see 200 public patients undergoing elective surgery at two private health facilities. The Government has planned to clear up the backlog of elective surgery by using the private health system. At present there is a focus on ear, nose and throat procedures, urology and orthopedic procedures.

17 Oct 2010

AMA selects Quest Diagnostics' Care360 EHR for new online physician platform

Quest Diagnostics' healthcare information (IT) technology subsidiary MedPlus and the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest physician organization, today announced they are partnering to expand the adoption of health information technology by offering Care360™ EHR, a web-based electronic health record, on the AMA's new online platform for physicians.

From Quest Diagnostics 15 Oct 2010

Tips to help keep teeth and gums healthy

Good nutrition and healthy eating habits are essential to maintaining optimal oral and overall health. With Halloween just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) encourages parents to be mindful of the amount of candy their children are consuming, and to use this holiday as an opportunity to remind them about the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums.

15 Oct 2010

New analysis examines guiding principles for policymakers to fight health care fraud

In light of the recent historic Medicare fraud bust, a new analysis that examines the "Seven Guiding Principles for Policymakers" to fighting health care fraud invites new questions about legislative efforts to reduce accountability and oversight of independent pharmacies, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

15 Oct 2010

CDC: Hispanics more likely to have HIV than whites, but live longer

The Associated Press: Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "estimate that 1 in 22 black Americans will be diagnosed with the AIDS virus in their lifetime — more than twice the risk for Hispanics and eight times that of whites. ... the lifetime risk is 1 in 52 for Hispanics, and 1 in 170 for whites. Asian-Americans had the lowest lifetime risk, at about 1 in 222" (10/14).

15 Oct 2010

GE Healthcare successfully links EMR solution with non-GE inpatient systems

GE Healthcare has successfully linked its electronic medical records (EMR) solution with several non-GE inpatient systems, providing a single view of the patient record that will go beyond the requirements of meaningful use. The interoperability solution is set to debut at beta sites Capital Region Healthcare (N.H.) and Decatur Memorial Hospital (Ill.) in early 2011 with general availability expected later that year.

15 Oct 2010

Report: Fewer people than expected chose COBRA subsidy

Fewer people than expected chose to use the COBRA subsidy offered by the federal government, according to an analysis by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, The New York Times Prescriptions blog reports.

15 Oct 2010

UnitedHealth proposes managed-care plan for those who get both Medicare and Medicaid

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is proposing a managed-care plan for dual recipients of Medicare and Medicaid.

15 Oct 2010

MasterCard, Interpol partner to prevent online supply of illegal and counterfeit drugs, medicines

MasterCard Worldwide recently partnered with Interpol to support the global police organization's efforts to prevent websites from supplying illegal and counterfeit prescription drugs and medicines to consumers. Named "Operation Pangea III," the week-long effort covered 45 participating countries and resulted in 76 arrests to date. Additionally, 290 websites have been shut down and nearly 11,000 packages of contraband have been seized or detained.

15 Oct 2010

Abortion, health law heat up campaign debates around the country

Running for re-election, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Thursday charged that Republican Carly Fiorina's stance on abortion is "'a direct threat' to the rights of women in California and the nation ...," the Los Angeles Times reports. "'Overturning Roe vs. Wade would turn women and doctors into criminals,' Boxer said. 'The most extreme anti-choice groups have found their candidate in Carly Fiorina.'

15 Oct 2010

New rates and benefits for 2011 from APWU Health Plan

APWU Health Plan announces new rates and benefits for 2011. APWU Health Plan continues to offer comprehensive health care to America's Workforce at a competitive premium. The average rate increase for the FEHB Program in 2011 is 7.2 percent. For the tenth straight year, the APWU Health Plan's rate increase was below the FEHB average.

15 Oct 2010

ACDI/VOCA observes World Food Day

This World Food Day, Oct. 16, the global community has good news to celebrate. Recent agricultural and economic gains have pushed the number of hungry people below 1 billion. That drop is a 9.6 percent decline since last year according to the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

15 Oct 2010