Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Lilly Oncology, NCCS to launch 2012 art competition and exhibition

Get your canvases, paintbrushes and cameras ready -- the subject is cancer and you are the storyteller. Lilly Oncology and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) today announced the launch of the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition.

17 Mar 2012

Feds begin funding cuts to Texas Women's Health Program

Federal officials said they would begin to phase out their 90-percent portion of the Texas Women's Health Program as they had promised to do after Texas lawmakers banned Planned Parenthood from the program. CMS officials said the reductions would be gradual.

17 Mar 2012

HHS proposes options for contraception coverage rule

The Obama administration on Friday suggested a number of ways it might arrange for insurers to pay for the contraception of employees of religious organizations without using any premium money from those groups.

17 Mar 2012

Ethisphere Institute recognizes HCA among 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies

Hospital Corporation of America which has 163 hospitals and 111 ambulatory surgery centers in 20 states and London, England, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies.

17 Mar 2012

House Republicans slow fight against birth control coverage rule

And, on the Senate side, a group of Republicans introduced a bill that would end traditional Medicare and allow seniors to join the insurance plans that are available to members of Congress.

17 Mar 2012

CBO report: Employer-based health insurance could decline under health law

A new Congressional Budget Office report about employer-based health insurance coverage is generating controversy, and the CBO's director is weighing in.

17 Mar 2012

SBMT announces 2012 recipients of Pioneers in Medicine, Technology and Healthcare Policy Awards

Today, the Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics announced the 2012 recipients of the organization's prestigious Pioneers in Medicine, Technology, and Healthcare Policy Awards.

17 Mar 2012

Administration lawyers shift Supreme Court arguments to draw support from key justices

Part of their challenge is to convince the justices the health care marketplace is "unique." Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius talked to Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill about "alternatives" to the individual mandate if it were struck down. And The Wall Street Journal reports the oral arguments before the Supreme Court may be the hottest show in Washington.

17 Mar 2012

WASM, Philips partner to raise awareness of sleep disorders

Royal Philips Electronics will join with the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) as an official sponsor of World Sleep Day 2012, held on Friday, March 16. This year's theme– 'Breathe Easily, Sleep Well' – centers on raising awareness of sleep disorders that affect a person's breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

17 Mar 2012

Researchers describe preparation of chitosan nanoparticles

Nanoparticles containing chitosan have been shown to have effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. The materials could be used as a protective wound-healing material to avoid opportunistic infection as well as working to facilitate wound healing.

17 Mar 2012

State roundup: Minnesota tort reform; Calif. prepares - or not - for newly insured; Reducing C-sections in Oregon

A roundup of health policy news from Minnesota, California, Kansas, Connecticut, Oregon, Missouri, Washington D.C. and Colorado.

17 Mar 2012

Only 21 states require public reporting of hospital data on surgical site infections

Only 21 states require public reporting of hospital data on surgical site infections and, even when disclosure is mandated, the information is often not easily accessible to patients who could use it to make decisions about their medical care, according to new Johns Hopkins research.

17 Mar 2012

Harrington HealthCare introduces Strengthening Our Future campaign

Harrington HealthCare System today formally launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department at its Webster campus, Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard. The $8.8 million Strengthening Our Future campaign will enable Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard to continue to deliver the highest quality care to its patients.

17 Mar 2012

The Medical Letter introduces mobile apps for iPad, Android

The Medical Letter – recognized since 1959 as the most trusted source of unbiased prescription drug information and drug facts - announces the launch of its mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android.

17 Mar 2012

MedPAC urges repeal of SGR, recommends Medicare payment cuts for hospitals, nursing homes, home health companies

The Medicare Payment Advisory Board on Thursday recommended cutting payments for hospitals and nursing homes while encouraging use of generic drugs. The panel's March report to Congress reiterates calls for reimbursing doctors' visits at the same rate whether they take place in a hospital or a physician's office. MedPAC says Medicare currently pays 80 percent more for the same routine visit if it takes place in a hospital setting, costing the program anywhere from $1 billion to $5 billion over five years

17 Mar 2012

Baptist Health South Florida named one of 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies

Baptist Health South Florida announced today that Ethisphere Institute has named it as one of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies - marking the second straight such honor for Baptist Health.

17 Mar 2012

Tarsa advances OSTORA NDA filing through $28M Series B financing

Tarsa Therapeutics, Inc. today announced completion of a $28 million Series B equity financing led by new investor Foresite Capital.

17 Mar 2012

PURE Bioscience second quarter revenue increases to $221,000

PURE Bioscience, creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended January 31, 2012.

17 Mar 2012

Medicaid commission report quantifies program's 'historic size,' recommends initiatives to improve quality of care, reduce costs

According to news outlets, the report focused on the care of patients with disabilities, and steps to make sure anti-fraud efforts don't add to states' burdens.

17 Mar 2012

Dental hygiene critical for preventing endocarditis in patients with congenital heart disease

Poor dental hygiene behaviours in patients with congenital heart disease are increasing their risk of endocarditis. Teens with congenital heart disease floss, brush and visit the dentist less than their peers. But they have healthier behaviours when it comes to alcohol, cigarettes and illicit drugs.

16 Mar 2012