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The immediate effects of the health reform bill

Kaiser Health News staff writers Julie Appleby and Kate Steadman write about the provisions in the health bill that will take effect soon. "Obama administration officials and wonks call them 'early deliverables.'

23 Mar 2010

Cinergy Health expresses concern for house healthcare bill

Cinergy Health, a nationwide provider of health insurance benefit programs for the consumer market, expressed its concern for the house healthcare bill that passed Sunday, March 21st.

23 Mar 2010

Health care reform will create significant improvements in long-term care: NCCNHR

The House of Representatives' passage last night of health care reform will create the most significant improvements and changes in long-term care in a generation. NCCNHR, which led the effort to pass the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, championed provisions in the bill that will increase transparency of nursing home operations and quality; improve the safety of people receiving care in long-term care facilities and their homes; and strengthen agencies that investigate neglect and abuse of the elderly, including the long-term care ombudsman program.

23 Mar 2010

Administration official discusses Obama's commitment to Africa's food security in Reuters interview

Food security is central to President Barack Obama's Africa policy, "the administration's top official for Africa," Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, said in an interview with Reuters. "We want to see the food security initiative take on greater momentum as more African countries are drawn into this program," Carson said.

23 Mar 2010

Republicans start assault on new health bill

Almost instantly after the successful passing of the health bill by the Democrats in Congress, the Republicans have started opposing it. In Florida the legal battle is led by Attorney General Bill McCollum, who happens to be a Republican running for governor. In a statement made at a news conference Bill McCollum told the press that a lawsuit would be filed once the health care bill was signed by President Obama and turned into Law.

23 Mar 2010

Sodexo uses ENERGY STAR database to reduce environmental impact of its hospital clients

In an effort reduce the environmental impact of its hospital clients, Sodexo, Inc., a leader in Quality of Life Services solutions, is using the ENERGY STAR database to measure environmental impacts at eight out of ten of the more than 100 hospitals for whom Sodexo provides Facility Solutions.

23 Mar 2010

Most sweeping healthcare legislation in over 45 years passed, says NBCSL

Representative Calvin Smyre (GA), President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), applauds the passage of the Health Care Reform Act and issues the following statement. “Late yesterday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the most sweeping healthcare legislation in over 45 years.”

23 Mar 2010

On World Water Day, news outlets examine U.N. reports on water, sanitation conditions worldwide

"Human beings are flushing millions of tonnes of solid waste into rivers and oceans every day, poisoning marine life and spreading diseases that kill" 1.8 million children each year, according to a U.N. report (.pdf) released on Monday, Reuters reports.

23 Mar 2010

University Physicians & Surgeons select McKesson for managing medical billing and practice management processes

University Physicians & Surgeons, Inc., the faculty practice of Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, has chosen McKesson to manage its medical billing and practice management processes, citing McKesson’s market longevity and reputation for excellence as deciding factors in its choice.

23 Mar 2010

Utilization rates of noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedures for Medicare population vary regionally

The utilization rates of noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedures such as computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography for the Medicare population vary substantially from region to region, with Atlanta, GA, having the highest utilization rate and Seattle, WA, having the lowest, according to a study in the April issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

23 Mar 2010

Pelosi talks on Senate health insurance reform bill at enrollment ceremony

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Leaders, and Committee Chairs held an enrollment ceremony in the Capitol today to sign the Senate health insurance reform bill and send it to President Obama for his signature into law. Yesterday, the House passed the passed the Senate bill by a vote of 219 to 212.

23 Mar 2010

Short of specialists and cancer care

Associate Professor Bogda Koczwara, from the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, conducted the survey which found just 19 per cent of all those diagnosed with cancer were receiving chemotherapy.

23 Mar 2010

TFAH applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Trust for America's Health applauds the action of the United States House of Representatives, which passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act late last night. The bill expands coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, establishes a national prevention strategy, and creates a reliable funding stream through the creation of a Public Health Investment Fund.

23 Mar 2010

Passage of comprehensive health care reform legislation: AMCP praises Congress

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy congratulates Congress for passing historic, comprehensive health care reform legislation. The Academy is pleased that the final product will reflect a commitment to making quality health care available to millions of currently uninsured Americans. AMCP has long advocated for reforms that ensure safe, high quality, accessible and affordable health care services for all Americans.

23 Mar 2010

Bligh Vs Langbroek on asset sales

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh in a new opinion poll seems to have lost the trust votes of more than 50% voters. They appear to be dissatisfied with her performance but she seems to be still a preferred leader over LNP opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek, with 40 per cent choosing Ms Bligh - a slight increase for the Labor leader.

23 Mar 2010

Senate Parliamentarian set to rule as debate shifts to upper chamber

The Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin met with Democrats and Republicans Monday afternoon on a Republican challenge to Democrats' reconciliation legislation.

23 Mar 2010

States ponder impacts of health bill

News outlets examine how lawmakers from different states voted and what states have to gain and loss from the national overhaul.

23 Mar 2010

Former Presidents Bush, Clinton visit Haiti to highlight need for aid

Former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are visiting Haiti on Monday "to spotlight the dramatic need ahead of a critical March 31 U.N. donors conference in New York, where Haitian officials will ask for $11.5 billion in reconstruction help," the Associated Press/New York Times reports. "It is the first joint visit to the impoverished Caribbean nation for the two former leaders, who were tasked by President Barack Obama with leading the U.S. fundraising effort" after the January 12 earthquake according to the news service.

23 Mar 2010

athenahealth introduces new patient communication service

athenahealth, Inc., a leading provider of Internet-based business services to physician practices, today announced the launch of athenaCommunicator, a new patient communication service that is fully integrated with athenahealth’s established web-based physician practice management and electronic health record services.

23 Mar 2010

Some industry groups see boon in health bill

The New York Times reports that the 32 million additional Americans who would be covered by health insurance by 2019 "would mean millions more Americans buying private health insurance and better able to pay for their hospital stays, doctors' visits, prescription drugs and medical devices. And some analysts said as the vote neared that the final legislation was shaping up as much kinder to the industry than many initially feared.

23 Mar 2010