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Kansas, Iowa pursue health law waivers

Meanwhile, The Hill reports that most of the denials resuting from early waiver requests went to unions. And, in other health reform implementation news, Politico Pro reports on what it describes as an "ACO dilemma."

23 May 2011

Roundup: Kan. exchange blueprint coming soon; 'Most favored nation' ban passes in Conn.; Anti-fraud repeal in Calif.

In a few months, the Kansas Insurance Department is expected to release a blueprint for how a health insurance exchange might work. "We still have a lot of work to do but, so far, the process has been going really, really well," said Linda Sheppard, head of the insurance department's accident and health accident and health division.

21 May 2011

China Ruitai first quarter 2011 total revenue decreases 6% to $9.6 million

China Ruitai International Holdings Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of cellulose ether additives for use in the production of pharmaceuticals, construction materials, PVC products, foods and beverages and cosmetics, today announced its results for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

20 May 2011

Gen-Probe seeks FDA regulatory clearance for PANTHER fully automated and integrated molecular testing system

Gen-Probe Incorporated announced today that the Company has filed a 510(k) application with the US Food and Drug Administration for its PANTHER system, a fully automated and integrated molecular testing system designed with the flexibility to handle a wide range of testing needs.

20 May 2011

People living with HIV/AIDS in China face discrimination when accessing health care, report says

HIV-positive people living in China "are routinely being denied medical treatment in mainstream hospitals due to fear and ignorance about the disease," according to a study based on interviews with 103 people living with HIV/AIDS and 23 health care workers that was conducted by the International Labor Organization and China's National Center for STD and AIDS Prevention and Control, Reuters reports.

19 May 2011

As Federal Gov't. hits debt limit, budget plans draw attention

Politico reports that a proposed cap on discretionary spending for labor, health and human services and education programs would be felt most acutely by poor people.

18 May 2011

First Edition: May 17, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Guy Gugliotta writes: "Minnesota state Rep. Steve Gottwalt, a three-term Republican with 10 years experience in the health care industry, is no fan of last year's health care law -- or its requirement that states set up insurance exchanges. But as chairman of the Health and Human Services Reform Committee, he decided he needed to weigh in on the exchange.

17 May 2011

Nutrastar first quarter revenue increases 21.6% to $5.80 million

Nutrastar International Inc., a leading producer and supplier of premium branded Traditional Chinese Medicine consumer products, today announced record financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

16 May 2011

First fetoscopic laser procedure to correct Twin-Twin Transfusion syndrome performed in Dallas

Jessica and Chad Browning were ecstatic last fall when they learned they were expecting twins. They had two children already, but wanted a third to round out their family. Twins were a bonus.

16 May 2011

Research roundup: Medicare costs in nursing homes; Docs reluctant to adopt EHRs; Health law to improve access to care

Medicare Expenditures Among Nursing Home Residents With Advanced Dementia -- Researchers followed 323 dementia patients in 22 nursing homes for up to 18 months and found that over an 18-month period, "total mean Medicare expenditures were $2303 per 90 days but were highly skewed; expenditures were less than $500 for 77.1% of the 90-day assessment periods and more than $12 000 for 5.5% of these periods.

13 May 2011

Debt talks continue with Medicare losing prominence in discourse

But GOP plans for the 2012 federal budget set the stage for significant cuts in health discretionary spending — which are among the programs that make up the core of President Barack Obama's domestic agenda.

13 May 2011

First Edition: May 12, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the upcoming speech by GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, during which he is expected to confront what many say is his main vulnerability: his home state's health reform.

12 May 2011

State roundup: Daniels signs Ind. law to ban Planned Parenthood funding

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican considering a run for president, signed legislation Tuesday to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding in his state, a move widely seen as a bid to woo influential social conservatives. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and the American Civil Liberties Union went to court to try to block the measure from taking effect.

12 May 2011

Winner Medical second quarter net sales increase 27% to $33.2 million

Winner Medical Group Inc., a leading manufacturer of medical dressings, medical disposables and non-woven fabric made from 100% natural PurCotton products in China, today reported consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2011.

11 May 2011

Retirees face big challenges on health costs

A survey by Sun Life Financial, released this week, found that 92 percent of workers said they don't know how much their health care will cost in retirement or vastly underestimated the amount. Only 8 percent were in the correct range, estimating costs of $200,000 or more. In fact, a 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need $230,000, on average, to cover medical expenses in retirement, according to a separate Fidelity Investments study released in March.

9 May 2011

U.N. officials recognize International Day of the Midwife

U.N. officials, recognizing the International Day of the Midwife on Thursday, lauded the efforts of midwives worldwide and "called for greater investment to ensure their life-saving services are available to all who need them around the world," the U.N. News Centre reports.

7 May 2011

U.S. Physical Therapy first quarter net revenue increases 12.6% to $56,741,000

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc., a national operator of outpatient physical therapy clinics, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

6 May 2011

SRS Medical announces pelvic health program for women

SRS Medical today announced the formation of Restore Continence™, a women's pelvic health program based on the use of a comprehensive suite of medical devices for diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence.

3 May 2011

PAREXEL third quarter revenue increases 3.5% to $301.4 million

PAREXEL International Corporation today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2011.

From Parexel 3 May 2011

Preventive measures needed to ensure protection from workplace hazards, ILO head says

Preventive measures are the best way to ensure people are protected from hazards in the workplace, U.N. International Labor Union Director-General Juan Somavia said in a message Thursday marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the U.N. News Centre reports.

30 Apr 2011