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Abortion coverage debate moves to the states

The debate over insurance coverage for abortion is moving to the state level, with "lawmakers in at least six states" pushing for a ban on the coverage that goes beyond provisions in the new health law, The Wall Street Journal reports.

9 Apr 2010

Bernanke warns: Trouble ahead for Medicare and Social Security

"Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned Wednesday that Americans may have to accept higher taxes or changes in cherished entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security if the nation is to avoid staggering budget deficits that threaten to choke off economic growth," The Washington Post reports. "'These choices are difficult, and it always seems easier to put them off -- until the day they cannot be put off anymore,' Bernanke said..."

9 Apr 2010

Tennessee removes about 100,000 people from Medicaid rolls

Anita Wadhwani reports for Kaiser Health News: "After losing the use of her arms and legs in a car accident five years ago, Jessica Pipkin received around-the-clock nursing care through Tennessee's Medicaid program.

9 Apr 2010

WTC FDNY Rescue Workers have not recovered normal lung function, yet

A study of nearly 13,000 rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) shows that the significant proportion who suffered acute lung damage after exposure to World Trade Center (WTC) dust have not recovered normal lung function in the years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

8 Apr 2010

Dealing with emotional impacts of bullying before it's too late

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) encourages parents to talk with teens about bullying before it's too late. A conversation can be an important first step in identifying a bullying problem and stopping the abuse before it goes too far.

8 Apr 2010

Merge Healthcare to exhibit expanded suite of women's imaging solutions at NCBC 2010

Merge Healthcare, a health IT solutions leader, today announced it will be showcasing it's expanded suite of innovative solutions and support of comprehensive continuing education programs for the advancement of women's imaging at the National Conference on Breast Cancer (NCBC) 2010. Additionally, Merge plans to introduce and collaborate with attendees on its Women's Healthcare Initiative, which builds partnerships with clinicians to provide broader access to training in the analysis and interpretation of these important studies.

8 Apr 2010

Political controversies surrounding healthcare reform law may continue

A comprehensive review of national opinion polls taken before and after Congressional voting and when President Obama signed into law a major healthcare reform bill last month has found that the law's signing did not lead the country to come together in support of this landmark legislation. Partisan differences are stark, according to researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) who analyzed 33 independent opinion polls in an effort to gauge public support for healthcare change.

8 Apr 2010

NHeLP launches the Campaign for Better Care

To ensure health reform works for those with the most at stake, the National Partnership for Women & Families, Community Catalyst and the National Health Law Program today launched the Campaign for Better Care, a multi-year initiative that will focus on improving health care quality, coordination and communication for older patients with multiple health problems and their family caregivers.

8 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 8, 2010

Today's health policy news coverage explores the political and policy implications of the new health reform law.

8 Apr 2010

Obese patients may receive higher rate of recommended care than normal-weight patients, but not lower

Despite a concern that obese or overweight patients may receive lower quality of health care, an analysis of eight common outpatient quality measures from a sample of nearly 70,000 patients finds no evidence that obese or overweight patients receive inferior care when compared with normal-weight patients, and in fact may receive a higher rate of recommended care on several measures, according to a study in the April 7 issue of JAMA.

8 Apr 2010

Tangent introduces Medix T22 point-of-care terminal for patients and practitioners

Tangent Inc., today announced the Medix T22, a medical grade, point-of-care terminal with a sharp and clear 22-inch wide-screen TFD display.

8 Apr 2010

CPhA expresses concern about Ontario drug system reform

The Canadian Pharmacists Association is concerned about the impact the cuts to local pharmacies, announced by the McGuinty Liberals, will have on the overall health of Ontarians.

8 Apr 2010

Pittsburgh managing diabetes more cost effectively than other states

Pittsburgh is treating diabetes more cost effectively than the rest of the state and nation, and its efforts to help people better manage their disease are paying dividends. Still, a gap exists between the region and the nation's top performers, according to the third annual Pittsburgh Business Group on Health Type 2 Diabetes Report.

8 Apr 2010

World Health Day: Addressing health and quality of life for city dwellers

This year's World Health Day theme, "Urbanization and Health: Urban Health Matters," reminds us that many of those people most at risk of poor health around the world live in cities.

8 Apr 2010

Health Affairs report shows value of patient-centered IT at Group Health

Hopes are high that health information technology will support care between office visits, boost efficiency and convenience, and help patients lead healthier lives. An evaluation in the April Health Affairs suggests how to make the most of this new approach: Routinely ask patients how they like it and what they want.

8 Apr 2010

USAID: World Health Day 2010 focuses on world's growing urban population

This year the focus of World Health Day is on the world's growing urban population. The theme, "1000 cities, 1000 lives" provides an opportunity to highlight the work that is being done to improve health in urban settings. The unprecedented rate of urban growth has far outstripped the ability of these cities to provide infrastructure for new residents.

8 Apr 2010

NCKU signs Letter of Intent with Kinmen County for establishing branch hospital

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has signed Letter of Intent with Kinmen County Government on April 7th to help elevate the medical standard of the off-shore island. With the establishment of NCKU Hospital Kinmen branch, Kinmen medical treatment will improve and the local citizens will enjoy a complete set of medical service.

8 Apr 2010

Reactions -- even threats -- continue to emerge over lawmakers' reform votes

Lawmakers are considering how health care reform will change their prospects for office as some tout the law amid threats from the public.

8 Apr 2010

U.S. Well-Being Report for March 2010

Please be advised that Gallup and Healthways, Inc. today released the Gallup-Healthways Monthly U.S. Well-Being Report for March 2010.

8 Apr 2010

Negative consequences of inadequate nursing handoffs: Best practices need to be identified

A systematic review of nursing handoff literature found that minimal research has been done to identify best practices, despite well-known negative consequences of inadequate nursing handoffs. The article was published in the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN).

8 Apr 2010