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VA addresses health concerns including possible HIV exposure and Veterans' general poor health

"The Democratic chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee lambasted the Obama administration over its handling of an incident at a St. Louis VA center in which more than 1,800 veterans were told they may have been exposed to HIV. ... The Department of Veterans Affairs last month sent a letter to 1,812 patients informing them that could have been exposed to HIV and other deadly viruses because of dental equipment that was insufficiently sterilized over a period of 13 months."

7 Jul 2010

Dell hedging on health IT investment; Privacy concerns remain

The Wall Street Journal: Dell is hoping to capitalize on its purchase of health technology firm Perot Systems by providing services to new clients such as the 2,600-doctor Methodist Hospital System in Houston. Dell has contracted to create an electronic medical records system for Methodist, a new foray into IT services for the hardware-focused firm.

7 Jul 2010

Some patients pay more at Madison clinic to subsidize others

At the Our Lady of Hope Clinic in Madison, Wis., some patients — about half — pay a premium for boutique -- or concierge -- services, which pays for care for the other half -- those without insurance at all. "Now one year old, the clinic started off slowly but is gaining momentum and seems to be a viable business model, clinic officials said. The clinic has 110 paying patients, called benefactors, and serves about two dozen uninsured people weekly."

7 Jul 2010

Labor pushes in Mass. and Minn.; Nurses struggle with job hunt despite shortage

Massachusetts's largest health care union is going to try to pull workers at Boston's leading medical centers: Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel Deaconess and Tufts hospitals, The Boston Globe reports. The union, led by Veronica Turner since last month, forged a deal in 2009 with Caritas Christi Health Care that gave 3,000 employees raises and bonuses.

7 Jul 2010

Medical waste: A rising challenge for health industry

The New York Times: The health care industry generates billions of pounds of garbage each year, and disposing of it all has become a problem. "The problem, fueled by a shift toward the use of disposables that made it simple to keep treatment practices sterile, has been an open secret for years, but getting the health care industry to change its habits has not been easy. No organization currently tracks how much medical trash the United States produces — the last known estimate, from the early 1990s, was two million tons a year."

7 Jul 2010

Emergency room visits increase in Mass., plus more hospital news

The Boston Globe: In Massachusetts, "[t]he number of people visiting hospital emergency rooms has climbed … despite the enactment of nearly universal health insurance that some hoped would reduce expensive emergency department use. According to state data released last week, emergency room visits rose by 9 percent from 2004 to 2008, to about 3 million visits a year.

7 Jul 2010

Redwood Healthcare Staffing opens new territories for sale

Redwood Healthcare Staffing, a provider of temporary nurse staffing and travel nursing, has announced the offering of new franchise opportunities. The staffing firm has open territories for sale in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado. Redwood Healthcare Staffing, a Los Angeles based temporary healthcare staffing company, was formed in 2010 by CEO Veerpal Brar to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals by providing prospective franchisees a guided way into understanding how to create a competitive advantage in the medical staffing industry.

7 Jul 2010

Medicare patients battle tight rules while doctors express frustrations about payment issues

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on how high costs and rigorous rules affect Medicare patients and examines the case of Fran Bogom, 86, a widow with mild dementia who broke her arm after falling from a bed.

7 Jul 2010

Battling medical jargon in doctor's office may improve patient health

The Wall Street Journal reports on efforts to make the language used in doctors' offices easier for patients to understand.

7 Jul 2010

Some state insurance commissioners push back on Fed premium rate reviews

Politico: Some state insurance commissioners are not happy with a proposal that would give the federal government the authority to centralize premium rate reviews of health insurance.

7 Jul 2010

Questions surround Republican leaders' level of support for health reform repeal efforts

The Hill: Some Republican leaders may not be fully embracing a Senate bill aimed at repealing the health reform overhaul despite other GOP endorsements. "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), GOP Conference Chair Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and Conference Vice Chair Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have all argued that the reforms — passed in March without Republican support — will hike costs and erode services, and therefore should be scrapped.

7 Jul 2010

Obama and High Court at odds; Health law could be at stake

The Los Angeles Times explores the "deep divide" between President Barack Obama's administration and the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts. "The president and congressional Democrats have embarked on an ambitious drive to regulate corporations, banks, health insurers and the energy industry.

7 Jul 2010

AIDS Healthcare Foundation presses Obama Administration on PEPFAR funding

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), "[t]he largest global AIDS organization[,] accused the Obama administration and Congress on Friday of falling short on promised funding and oversight in the worldwide fight against the epidemic," The Hill's "Healthwatch" blog reports.

7 Jul 2010

Payroll woes may spread to other systems if incorporated: Auditor General’s report

There have been massive errors in the newly introduced payroll system of the Queensland health care staff since March this year. It left many workers under, over or un-paid for weeks.

6 Jul 2010

Epworth Manor celebrates 90 years of community care on July 8, 2010

From its humble beginnings in 1919 as a home for 14 residents, to the now seven-acre campus housing and caring for up to 172 seniors, Epworth Manor will be celebrating 90 years of being part of the Tyrone and central Pennsylvania community. An outdoor celebration will take place on July 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include a big band concert by the Hallmark's, refreshments, photographs and memorabilia. The celebration will take place on the Epworth campus located at 951 Washington Ave., Tyrone, Pa.

6 Jul 2010

First Edition: July 6, 2010

Today's health policy headlines include news about GOP efforts to repeal the health reform law as well as state-related developments.

6 Jul 2010

Elsevier releases 'Infectious Diseases,' 3rd edition

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, proudly announces the release of Infectious Diseases, 3rd Edition.

6 Jul 2010

Elsevier, SIOG launch Journal of Geriatric Oncology

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, and the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) announced today the launch of the Journal of Geriatric Oncology. The journal is focused on advancing research in the pathogenesis, biology, treatment, and survivorship issues of older adults with cancer. It covers all aspects of geriatric oncology, from basic scientific research through to clinical research, as well as research that is relevant to education and policy development.

6 Jul 2010

MAXIMUS to introduce Health Insurance Exchange solutions

MAXIMUS, Inc., a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that it has launched its Health Insurance Exchange offerings to help states address the federal regulatory requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

6 Jul 2010

Breathing system filters used in anaesthesia allow passage of bacterial, yeast infections

Doctors have highlighted potential problems with the breathing system filters used in anaesthesia, including intensive care units, after demonstrating that they don't provide protection from harmful bacteria and yeast when they become wet.

6 Jul 2010