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NAHCA says Medicare cuts to providers will undermine seniors' care

At a news conference during its annual National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) convention, America's front-line nursing home caregivers gathered to urge Congress to significantly scale back attempts to cut seniors' Medicare benefits in any final health reform bill, and said arguments being made that funding reductions to providers will not harm the quality of care provided to seniors is flatly incorrect.

18 Sep 2009

Small medical liability grant program will not be effective: U.S. Chamber

"While we are encouraged that the Obama Administration has made medical liability reform part of their overall health care package, the $25 million state grant program announced today amounts to about 1/40,000th of one percent of the cost of a one trillion dollar health care bill.

18 Sep 2009

Imaginary plans are an insult to the American people: Americans for Tax Reform

Last week, President Obama spoke at length about what he called "my plan" before a joint session of Congress. Since that time, he has talked about "my plan" quite a bit over the last several days. By our count he has mentioned the "plan":

18 Sep 2009

Survey on healthcare providers determines their technological readiness to implement healthcare changes

The dialogue on healthcare reform has focused on patients, but one company sees the issue from a totally different perspective. ReymannGroup recently surveyed healthcare providers nationwide to determine their technological readiness to implement healthcare changes.

18 Sep 2009

Researchers reveal reasons for low vaccination rates against influenza viruses

Less than one third of healthcare workers have themselves vaccinated against classic influenza. This reluctance is astounding, firstly because vaccination against influenza viruses is considered safe and effective and secondly because it has been proved to prevent nosocomial transmission of disease to patients—provided at least 50% of employees have been vaccinated.

18 Sep 2009

TFAH supports ARRA Prevention and Wellness Fund

Trust for America's Health (TFAH) applauds today's announcement of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) Prevention and Wellness Fund by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

18 Sep 2009

THHMHS finds place in Modern Healthcare's 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare list

For the second straight year, Modern Healthcare magazine has named Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake (THHMHS) one of the country's 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.

18 Sep 2009

VA warns veterans not to disclose personal information over telephone

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.

18 Sep 2009

White House says Baucus' 'building block' is not the end of the debate

President Barack Obama's spokesman, Robert Gibbs, called the health care reform plan released Wednesday by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus "an important building block" that "gets us closer to comprehensive health care reform" Roll Call reports.

18 Sep 2009

With Baucus Bill no longer a mystery, party leaders contemplate strategy

Now that the long-awaited Baucus health overhaul is out, Democratic leaders are pondering how they will collect the votes and support necessary to move a bill through Congress.

18 Sep 2009

UHC's Clinical Documentation Audit Profile assists hospitals with RAC reviews

University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) has announced the development of the Clinical Documentation Audit Profile, designed to assist hospitals with Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) reviews.

18 Sep 2009

Proposal renews calls for tax on sugary beverages

A proposal to tax sugary drinks as a way to improve the nation's health had been considered dead. But it was given new life Wednesday by a group of experts who published their idea to tax soft drinks at a rate of 1 cent per ounce.

18 Sep 2009

Premier Purchasing Partners offers agreements for bulk oxygen

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18 Sep 2009

HHS Secretary announces a funding opportunity for communities and tribes

Creating ways for healthful lifestyle habits to be the natural first choice for Americans is the goal of a $650 million initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, decrease obesity, and decrease smoking in U.S. communities.

18 Sep 2009

Some governors worry about proposals to expand Medicaid as part of reform effort

The provisions in health care reform legislation have caused concern among some governors who fear it could increase financial burdens on their states.

18 Sep 2009

Chairman Baucus' effort on health care reform applauded

"We are pleased that Chairman Baucus' bill is a meaningful step forward toward health insurance coverage for all Americans. We look forward to working with the chairman and senators to ensure the very best enrollment strategy for connecting to coverage all those who need it.

18 Sep 2009

U.S. healthcare system fraught with racial inequalities

Racial inequalities in health care access and quality added more than $50 billion a year in direct U.S. health care costs over a four-year period according to a study released today by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

18 Sep 2009

Health care leaders urge Congress to act on meaningful health reforms

More than 400 of the nation's most respected health care leaders today issued a joint Open Letter to Congress declaring that the health care system is in crisis and is unsustainable and calling on Congress to act now on meaningful reforms. They state that Congress has a moral and ethical obligation to improve healthcare for all our citizens now.

18 Sep 2009

NCPA and AADE collaborate to provide DSME/T program for community pharmacies

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) today announced a partnership that will expand counseling options for patients while offering community pharmacies a path to be compensated by Medicare and other insurers for diabetes management.

18 Sep 2009

Heart Institute's first LHIN program in Ontario for emergency heart attacks

Heart attack victims who live outside Ottawa's urban centre now are part of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute's (UOHI) far-reaching emergency life-saving program, ensuring urgent standardized treatment regardless of geography and, for the first time in Ontario, throughout an entire regional health district.

18 Sep 2009