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Increasing health costs hurt coverage of medical workers, too

Even members of the health industry are feeling the pain of increasing health costs as they insure their employees, according to the Detroit News. "To combat rising costs, major health organizations are trimming medical benefits, tacking on surcharges for smoking and passing more out-of-pocket costs onto workers. Nurses, technicians and hospital workers are paying higher copayments and deductibles. … For many health providers, these cost-containing moves come out of necessity. They, too, have seen business taper off as a result of the recession, with many of their own patients losing coverage because of job losses."

3 Mar 2010

Concentra expands customer base and reach with the acquisition of Health Now

Effective March 1, Concentra, a national provider of urgent care services, has expanded its customer base and reach with the acquisition of the assets of Cherry Hill Health Care Associates, P.A. in Pennsauken, N.J.

3 Mar 2010

GOP Senators worry about backlash from COBRA extension filibuster

Los Angeles Times' D.C. Now: "Sen. Jim Bunning, the Republican from Kentucky whom Democrats love to blame for preventing passage of an extension of unemployment benefits, again blocked the Senate from taking up the measure on Tuesday." He says he supports the legislation's goals but will oppose it "until it is fully funded without increasing the federal deficit. In a one-person filibuster [that started last Thursday], Bunning has blocked the bill that, in addition to extending benefits, would also ... prevent a big cut in Medicare payments to doctors" (Muskal, 3/2).

3 Mar 2010

Bunning continues block of COBRA subsidy extension, Medicare 'doc fix'

Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., is blocking a bill that would temporarily extend unemployment benefits and federal subsidies for some health insurance benefits.

2 Mar 2010

Doctors issue warnings about reduced access as Congressional inaction cuts Medicare pay

A political deadlock in the Senate has triggered a 21 percent Medicare pay reduction to doctors who say they may have to limit care for older Americans unless the reduction is reversed.

2 Mar 2010

Aesyntix Health offers web-based reimbursement solution for dermatology industry

Aesyntix Health, Inc., a leading provider of solutions for dermatologists, today announced it will be offering the first-ever payer benchmarking for the Dermatology industry.

2 Mar 2010

GOP, Dems continue battle over using 'reconciliation' to move health reform forward

Democrats are defending the use of the budget reconciliation in a health care overhaul as "nothing extraordinary" while Republicans are accusing them of "trying to ram through legislation using a parliamentary trick that Republicans say was never designed for such a big bill," The Wall Street Journal reports.

2 Mar 2010

Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C., limits spouses' health insurance

The Washington Post: Employees at Catholic Charities were told Monday that the social services organization is changing its health coverage to avoid offering benefits to same-sex partners of its workers. ... Starting Tuesday, Catholic Charities will not offer benefits to spouses of new employees or to spouses of current employees who are not already enrolled in the plan. A letter describing the change in health benefits was e-mailed to employees Monday, two days before same-sex marriage will become legal in the District."

2 Mar 2010

Not getting enough sleep can cause fat to accumulate around organs, say researchers

Not getting enough sleep does more damage than just leaving you with puffy eyes. It can cause fat to accumulate around your organs - more dangerous, researchers say, than those pesky love handles and jiggly thighs.

2 Mar 2010

Concerns about unnecessary scans and radiation risk prompt reviews by doctors

Business Week reports on a study that finds 1 in 4 MRI and CT scans are inappropriately recommended by doctors. The study appears in the March issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. The researchers analyzed 459 scans at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

2 Mar 2010

N.H. lawmakers consider rate-setting commission for hospitals

A proposed cost-control commission would attempt to spread hospital costs more evenly across New Hampshire's population and protect the uninsured from high charges, but the state's hospitals are unhappy about the plan, The Concord Monitor reports. "The 4,700-word bill would create a three-person commission, appointed by the governor, to set rates for procedures in every New Hampshire hospital.

2 Mar 2010

Irregular work schedules can play havoc on sleep patterns

With pressure from the tough economy to bring in extra dollars, more people are sacrificing sleep to work night shifts or two jobs in order to make ends meet, says Raman Malhotra, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Saint Louis University and director of the SLU Sleep Disorders Center.

2 Mar 2010

Activists and lobbyists ramp up efforts in possible final health care push

"In the absence of clear next steps, outside groups have stepped in to beat the drum, keeping time while the leadership meets behind closed doors to write the next movement. ... Progressive advocacy groups like Health Care for America Now and Families USA are organizing supporters and protests across the country, reminding Americans and lawmakers why inaction is unacceptable."

2 Mar 2010

Seeking undecided Dems, Obama's latest health proposal will focus on cost

The New York Times: "President Obama this week will begin a climactic push to rally restive Congressional Democrats to pass major health care legislation by hammering the argument that the costs of failure will be higher insurance premiums and lost coverage for individuals and businesses. ... he will contrast Democrats' proposals for expanding coverage and for regulating insurance company practices with what he sees as the shortcomings of the Republicans' incremental plans."

2 Mar 2010

Study reveals most consumers are unclear about dietary nutrients

When it comes to dietary nutrients, most consumers don't know the whole story. A recent study by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy revealed that the fact that milk delivers much more than calcium to the diet is new "news" to consumers.

2 Mar 2010

Critical follow-up evaluations provide opportunity to help physicians best evaluate their HF patients

Heart failure is by far the most prevalent chronic cardiac condition. Around 30 million people in Europe have heart failure and its incidence is still increasing: more cases are being identified, more people are living to an old age, and more are surviving a heart attack but with damage to the heart muscle.

2 Mar 2010

Use of at-home medical devices can help patients and physicians efficiently manage chronic conditions

The use of at-home medical devices to connect doctors and patients via the Internet can help patients and their physicians work more efficiently together to manage chronic conditions, according to research at Cleveland Clinic.

2 Mar 2010

Tampa hospital allows use of electronic cigarettes

As special interest groups and politicians continue to make weak claims against the electric cigarette, another hospital in Tampa, Florida made the decision last week to allow the use of electronic cigarettes within their facility. Smoking is a recreational privilege that while banned in most public places, can be done with the alternative E-cigarette without offending others. This new invention allows the smoker to get their nicotine fix just like the coffee or soda drinkers get their caffeine fix.

2 Mar 2010

FDA announces membership, meeting information for TPSAC; Committee to provide advice on tobacco-related issues

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced membership and meeting information for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. The Committee, required through the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act), will provide advice, information, and recommendations to FDA on a wide range of tobacco-related issues.

2 Mar 2010

InterAmerican College announces the approval and certification of Master of Science in Nursing Program

InterAmerican College is pleased to announce the approval and certification of the Master of Science in Nursing Program by the Board of Registered Nursing in California. The certification is being lauded as a major milestone for InterAmerican College (IAC) and its nursing students.

2 Mar 2010

Healthcare News

Increasing health costs hurt coverage of medical workers, too

Concentra expands customer base and reach with the acquisition of Health Now

GOP Senators worry about backlash from COBRA extension filibuster

Bunning continues block of COBRA subsidy extension, Medicare 'doc fix'

Doctors issue warnings about reduced access as Congressional inaction cuts Medicare pay

Aesyntix Health offers web-based reimbursement solution for dermatology industry

GOP, Dems continue battle over using 'reconciliation' to move health reform forward

Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C., limits spouses' health insurance

Not getting enough sleep can cause fat to accumulate around organs, say researchers

Concerns about unnecessary scans and radiation risk prompt reviews by doctors

N.H. lawmakers consider rate-setting commission for hospitals

Irregular work schedules can play havoc on sleep patterns

Activists and lobbyists ramp up efforts in possible final health care push

Seeking undecided Dems, Obama's latest health proposal will focus on cost

Study reveals most consumers are unclear about dietary nutrients

Critical follow-up evaluations provide opportunity to help physicians best evaluate their HF patients

Use of at-home medical devices can help patients and physicians efficiently manage chronic conditions

Tampa hospital allows use of electronic cigarettes

FDA announces membership, meeting information for TPSAC; Committee to provide advice on tobacco-related issues

InterAmerican College announces the approval and certification of Master of Science in Nursing Program

Digital pathology and the PathoVerse: A conversation with Dr. Singh

Bioprocess Efficiency with Cell Density Monitoring

Exploring electron microscopy for plant and microbial imaging at the John Innes Centre

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