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State roundup: N.Y.'s retiree health benefits crisis; Colorado referendum

The New York Times: "The cities, counties and authorities of New York have promised more than $200 billion worth of health benefits to their retirees while setting aside almost nothing, putting the public work force on a collision course with the taxpayers who are expected to foot the bill. … The total cost appears in a report to be issued on Wednesday by the Empire Center for New York State Policy, a research organization that studies fiscal policy.

14 Oct 2010

Today's Opeds: Individual mandate in court, on ballot and in campaigns

The first federal court decision on the constitutionality of the new health care reform law upheld its validity and dealt a well-deserved setback to opponents who are trying to overturn it.

14 Oct 2010

NHS bonuses under scanner

The NHS bonus scheme is being criticized. The scheme originated in 1948 when the NHS was created. They are available to consultants and are designed to reward excellence in research, teaching and, of course, clinical care.

13 Oct 2010

AusBiotech 2010 set to demystify the impact of US Healthcare Reforms on Australian biotech

Australian biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are seeking to understand the implications of the US Healthcare Reform Bill, says Australia’s biotechnology industry organisation, AusBiotech. In order to remain compliant and globally competitive, biotechs need to identify and work within a gamut of new requirements, complications and hurdles imposed by this new regulatory environment.

13 Oct 2010

ALFA sponsors short films competition about ageism in America

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), representing senior living providers and the seniors and families they serve, is sponsoring a short films competition about ageism in America. Ageism includes discriminatory and prejudicial practices, attitudes and stereotypes perpetuated particularly against seniors.

13 Oct 2010

Four British Columbia students awarded 2010 UCBeyond Scholarship

For four students from British Columbia, their stories of perseverance in pursuing their hopes and dreams despite their illnesses is why they have been awarded $5,000 CAN each as the 2010 recipients of the UCBeyond Scholarship.

13 Oct 2010

NCQA reports two new findings on nation's health care

The new State of Health Care Quality report from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has two new findings about the nation's health care.

13 Oct 2010

Studies highlight high Medicare costs for people in nursing homes

Kaiser Health News staff writer Aimee Miles reports on three new studies exploring Medicare costs for beneficiaries living in long-term care facilities.

13 Oct 2010

Humanitas Clinic treats first cancer patient using TrueBeam technology

A 54-year-old head & neck cancer patient has become the first person in Italy to be treated using a revolutionary new linear accelerator that can deliver radiotherapy twice as fast as conventional therapy machines. The Humanitas Clinic in Rozzano-Milan carried out the treatment last week, becoming only the third hospital in Europe to begin clinical treatments using TrueBeam from Varian Medical Systems.

13 Oct 2010

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awards HP $26M task order to maintain IDR

HP Enterprise Services today announced it has been awarded a task order worth up to $26 million by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to maintain its Integrated Data Repository (IDR) and provide data quality services to improve the accuracy of Medicare payment data.

13 Oct 2010

OptiMedica to feature Catalys Precision Laser System at Ophthalmology annual meeting

Global ophthalmic device company OptiMedica Corp. has announced that its Catalys Precision Laser System will be featured as part of four clinical presentations at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in Chicago on October 16, 17 and 18.

13 Oct 2010

Hospitals lure doctors away from private practice

Kaiser Health News writer Jenny Gold, in collaboration with NPR, examines the growing trend of doctors opting not to open a private practice but work instead for a hospital.

13 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 13, 2010

Today's early morning highlights from major news organizations looks at the number of people denied health coverage by major insurers, arguments before the Supreme Court on the right to sue vaccine makers, concerns about the FDA's plans on reviewing medical devices and doctors moving from private practice to hospital work.

13 Oct 2010

KHN column: Changes wrought by health reform? Well, maybe not.

In his latest KHN column, Jonathan Cohn writes: "So far, the big McDonald's controversy is turning out to be a big nothingburger. ... But that hasn't stopped the McDonald's story from becoming propaganda in the campaign to discredit and, eventually, repeal health care reform" (10/13).

13 Oct 2010

Canadian Cancer Society announces 'Feast for the Fight' fundraising event

Torontonians along parts of Yonge Street will have the chance to feel good while enjoying a night on the town with Feast for the Fight, a new fundraising event by the Canadian Cancer Society. Like a meal paired with fine wine, Feast for the Fight matches some of Toronto's finest restaurateurs with the country's leading cancer charity, culminating in a philanthropic dining experience.

13 Oct 2010

Beryl technology improves relationship between health care providers and consumers

Amongst the many priorities spelled out in the healthcare reform law, one is that hospitals will need to find ways to forge closer relationships with patients. One way to accomplish this is by proactively managing care outside of the hospital setting. Hundreds of hospitals nationwide are using Beryl, a technology-focused patient experience services company dedicated to improving relationships between health care providers and consumers, to proactively contact former and potential patients to encourage them to access free screenings, new service offerings and to schedule annual exams.

13 Oct 2010

Collaboration between different specialties needed to realize potential of Patient Centered Medical Home

In order to realize the full potential of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of patient care to improve coordination and integration, the cooperation of subspecialist physicians and other health care professionals must be ensured, says a new policy paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP).

13 Oct 2010

IOM report recommends sweeping changes for improving the nursing profession

Still hampered by workforce shortages and barriers that impede their ranks from delivering health care to the full extent of their education and training, nurses may have gotten the much-needed shot in the arm they need to transform their profession with the release of an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report recommending sweeping changes for improving their profession.

13 Oct 2010

Nurses can advocate for better healthcare and services for LGBTIQ teenagers

Five American teenagers, all bullied because they were gay, have committed suicide over the past few weeks. The deaths have caused a media storm and raised a critical question: Did the social or healthcare system fail these adolescents? "Absolutely," says Concordia University Professor Deborah Dysart-Gale. "Bullying and such resulting suicides are avoidable. Healthcare workers have tools that can help queer teens - no one needs to die because of their sexual orientation."

13 Oct 2010

Sargento releases Reduced Sodium natural cheeses

According to the Institute of Medicine, the average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium day, about 50 percent more than the daily sodium recommendation set by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

13 Oct 2010