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Private sleuths take time referring fraud cases to Medicare

The Associated Press: While President Barack Obama "has set a high priority on battling health care fraud and waste" in Medicare, private contractors are slow in referring cases to law enforcement. "According to congressional investigators, the exact average was 178 days [to refer the case for prosecution].

10 Aug 2010

Increase of alcohol taxes can reduce alcohol-related deaths

Adjusting the alcohol tax in Florida to account for inflation since 1983 would prevent 600 to 800 deaths each year in that state from diseases caused by chronic heavy alcohol use, according to a new study from the University of Florida. The Florida legislature last increased alcohol taxes in 1983.

10 Aug 2010

South Australia budget cuts would mean loss of 4,000 health jobs

A savings target of $450 million has been proposed by the Sustainable Budget Commission says the South Australia Health Department CEO Tony Sherbon. As a result of this a State parliamentary inquiry has been told that up to 4,000 South Australian health jobs could be lost. This Commission was employed for effective cost cutting measures.

9 Aug 2010

U.N. says nearly 14M Pakistanis affected by floods

On Monday the U.N. said that 13.8 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan as the death toll has now reached 1,600, Agence France-Presse reports.

9 Aug 2010

Insurers to help doctors, hospitals buy health IT

The Wall Street Journal: Health insurance companies are moving to help doctors and hospitals adopt electronic medical records with subsidies, bonuses for adoption and, in some cases, digital products to improve quality and disease management. "The lure: the estimated 80% of U.S. physicians and 90% of hospitals whose records are still on paper, and the $27 billion in federal stimulus money available to help these holdouts switch.

9 Aug 2010

Measurable medical errors cost U.S. economy $19.5 billion in 2008: Report

Findings from a new study released today estimate that measurable medical errors cost the U.S. economy $19.5 billion in 2008. Commissioned by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and completed by consultants with Milliman, Inc., the report used claims data to provide an actuarially sound measurement of costs for avoidable medical injuries. Of the approximately $80 billion in costs associated with medical injuries, around 25 percent were the result of avoidable medical errors.

9 Aug 2010

Also in Global Health News: Food production and climate change; Poverty and hunger in India; Composting toilets in Malawi

A new discussion paper, led by a researcher from the University of Nairobi and produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute, examines how 10 sub-Saharan African countries have adapted food production to mitigate the effects of climate change, IRIN reports. The paper found that most countries use crops that mature faster and are tolerant of frequent and intense droughts.

9 Aug 2010

KHN column -- Senate dysfunction and health care cost control: In private sector we trust?

In his latest Kaiser Health New column, Austin Frakt writes: "There's good news and bad news. The good news is that if cost-saving provisions of the new health reform law work, Medicare solvency will be extended by 12 years, according to the program's trustees.

9 Aug 2010

Today's OpEds: U.S. vs. Nordic health care; Medicare solvency; Patients and health costs; Mystery of ACOs

Beginning, like the United States, with excellent intentions, [each of the Nordic countries'] health care system evolved similarly. Initially, all care was covered. But costs rose. The government covered fewer illnesses. Expensive treatments increased government spending. ... This is not an evolution that the U.S. can avoid (Mark B. Constantian, 8/8).

9 Aug 2010

Lowell PHO implements MedVentive's technology to manage risk, quality performance

Lowell General Physician-Hospital Organization, a 280-physician integrated delivery system providing outstanding quality care to patients in the Greater Lowell (Massachusetts) area, has implemented MedVentive's award-winning technology platform to manage risk and quality performance. To effectively manage its capitated and incentive-based quality contracts with multiple payers, Lowell PHO sought a comprehensive, flexible technology platform to manage risk, identify improvement opportunities, and proactively outreach to its physicians and patients.

9 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 9, 2010

Today's health policy headlines include dispatches from the campaign trail, news of the President's weekly address and developments from the health care marketplace.

9 Aug 2010

Pharmacy Network transaction connectivity links myMatrixx, Starr Comprehensive Solutions at Texas A&M System

The Texas A&M University System's workers' compensation pharmacy benefit management strategy with Tampa, FL based myMatrixx, which integrates clinical pharmacy services with advanced technology to optimize recovery outcomes, features a collaborative connectivity arrangement assuring continuation of the Texas A&M System's compliance with state eBilling requirements.

9 Aug 2010

China Jo-Jo Drugstores announces new store openings

China Jo-Jo Drugstores, Inc.("Jo-Jo Drugstores" or the "Company"), which operates a retail pharmacy chain in Zhejiang Province, today announced store openings in the cities of Quzhou and Hangzhou, increasing Jo-Jo Drugstores' total store count to 42 locations.

9 Aug 2010

Study: Catholic, other church-owned health systems show more efficient care than for-profit health systems

A study released today by Thomson Reuters found that Catholic and other church-owned health systems demonstrated significantly better, more efficient care than for-profit health systems.

9 Aug 2010

New Irish collaborative seaweed cultivation project

Stop anyone in the street and ask them which country is the most famous for eating seaweed, and nine times out of ten, the answer will be "Japan". But did you know that Ireland has at least a 900-year old tradition of eating seaweed!

9 Aug 2010

Obama: Health reform law boosts future of Medicare

The Washington Post: "President Obama on Saturday took credit for placing Medicare on a more certain fiscal path and pledged to American seniors that they would see more help soon paying for drug costs in a direct appeal to an important segment of the midterm electorate. Citing a report issued this week by the Medicare trustees, Obama said the health-care overhaul he pushed through Congress this year has added at least a dozen years to Medicare's solvency".

9 Aug 2010

Active outreach may enhance kids’ ability to get health insurance

A new review of existing research suggests that health system workers can boost the number of children with medical insurance by providing application materials to parents and helping them fill out the forms.

9 Aug 2010

Mental health debate continues

According to Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry the federal government’s failure to aid mental health resources is a “national obscenity.” He said in an interview, “It's a national obscenity that we're neglecting this issue. We have the solutions in our hands, and we need to put them on deck tomorrow.”

8 Aug 2010

ONA-PCE announces list of endorsed candidates for November General Election

The Ohio Nurses Association's Political Contributing Entity (ONA-PCE) announced today its list of endorsed candidates for the November General Election.

7 Aug 2010

Skilled Healthcare Group files Motion for Mistrial on grounds of juror misconduct

Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. filed a Motion for Mistrial or New Trial on Grounds of Juror Misconduct with the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Humboldt, earlier today in the case entitled VINNIE LAVENDER, by and through her Conservator, WANDA BAKER, WALTER SIMON; JACQUELYN VILCHINSKY vs. SKILLED HEALTHCARE GROUP, INC., et al (and 22 individually-named California nursing facilities receiving administrative services from Skilled Healthcare, LLC).

7 Aug 2010