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Insurers under fire for denials of care, inadequate coverage

When people talk about revamping the health care system, among the often-mentioned reasons for change are unfair denials of care by insurance companies and medical debt, both of which are in the news today.

24 Nov 2009

New Medicare rules on home-oxygen affect patients, businesses

The Wall Street Journal: "New Medicare rules designed to reduce waste and fraud in medical-equipment reimbursements are driving some home-oxygen suppliers out of business and leaving patients scrambling to find new providers." The rules - scheduled to go into effect January 1, apply to people "who rely on Medicare to pay for oxygen services, which relieve the symptoms of conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

24 Nov 2009

Groups on both sides of abortion issue revived in Senate reform fight

The Wall Street Journal reports that abortion-rights groups are mobilizing to keep a provision that would toughen abortion restrictions out of a Senate health care reform bill. "Activists hope to flood Washington to rally and lobby on Dec. 2, during the week that Senate floor debate begins." Ads are running to criticize the restrictions and a new coalition — the Coalition to Pass Health Care Reform and Stop Stupak — is being formed, The Journal reports.

24 Nov 2009

Poll: Women in their 40's will still get mammograms, despite new guidelines

USA Today reports that "[a] vast majority of American women plan to ignore controversial new recommendations about mammograms, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows. The poll also shows that most women sharply overestimate their risk of developing the disease."

24 Nov 2009

National certification for interpreters initiated to ensure accurate communication and prevention of medical errors

Patients in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP) continue to face language barriers that threaten their health and undermine their well-being. But they are one step closer to equitable healthcare with the launch of the first National Certification for Medical Interpreters in October 2009. A culmination of an over 23-year effort, this first-of-its-kind national interpreting standard certifies that those interpreting are tested and competent as "Certified Medical Interpreters" (CMIs).

24 Nov 2009

VHA to participate in U.S. DOE's Hospital Energy Alliance initiative

VHA Inc., the national health care network that represents more than 1,400 not-for-profit hospitals across the country, has joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Hospital Energy Alliance. The HEA's mission is to promote evidence-based information on successful strategies for integrating technologies and processes that will reduce hospital energy consumption and operating costs.

24 Nov 2009

National Alliance for Hispanic Health to support Hispanic students interested in STEM fields

"Mr. President, you can count us in. With our community, foundation, and corporate partners the Alliance is proud to be a part of Educate to Innovate," said Adolph P. Falcon, Senior Vice President of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, after attending a White House meeting today where President Obama announced the commitment of companies and nonprofit groups nationwide to encourage students in the STEM fields.

24 Nov 2009

Americans with hepatitis C are at increased risk of developing liver cancer, says NVHR

New peer-reviewed data finding that fewer than one-fifth of the nearly 4 million Americans infected with chronic hepatitis C virus have received anti-viral therapy in recent years should be a wake-up call that Congress needs to move urgently on bipartisan legislation to support new state-based detection, research, and surveillance efforts, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) said today.

24 Nov 2009

Hallmark Insights to provide incentive rewards for TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution

The TriZetto Group, Inc. today announced that Hallmark Insights, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., will provide incentive rewards as an integrated component of TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution for healthcare payer organizations. Available in early 2010, TriZetto’s software solution will enable health plans using TriZetto’s enterprise administration systems to offer employers automated benefit programs that incent members to adopt healthier lifestyles and effectively manage chronic conditions.

24 Nov 2009

ProVation EHR and MD software to be implemented at North Shore Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Centers

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that North Shore Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Centers has selected its ProVation® MD software for procedure documentation and coding, and its ProVation® EHR electronic health record and patient charting solution. The software will be used at locations in Westlake and Garfield Heights, OH.

24 Nov 2009

C.A.R.E. Clinic in New Orleans attended by over 1000 patients

Organizers of a free health clinic for uninsured residents of Louisiana are pleased with its success today. Not only did the clinic see 1,000 patients, it may have saved the lives of some sick individuals. Many of the patients had not seen a physician since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005.

24 Nov 2009

Premier Purchasing Partners announces new agreements for flooring carpet and resilient

Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced new agreements for flooring carpet and resilient.

24 Nov 2009

Health reform bill: 10 key positive and negative consumer protection provisions

Consumer Watchdog released a list today of the 10 key positive and negative consumer protection provisions of the U.S. Senate health reform bill, HR 3590, which passed an important procedural vote this weekend.

24 Nov 2009

Healthcare organizations select McKesson’s cardiovascular information system for workflow efficiency

With the United States’ population growing older and cardiology patient volume expected to increase in the coming years, cardiology departments are being forced to do more work with the same staffing levels. To face this challenge, health systems large and small are turning to McKesson’s Horizon Cardiology™ cardiovascular information system (CVIS) to achieve a more efficient workflow.

24 Nov 2009

CareBot home care robot real world evaluation trials show satisfactory results during first week: GeckoSystems

GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) (http://www.geckosystems.com/) announced today that during their first week of real world evaluation trials, for their fully autonomous personal companion home care robot, the CareBot™, they have progressed nicely. GeckoSystems is a dynamic leader in the emerging Mobile Service Robot (MSR) industry revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions for Safety, Security and Service™."

24 Nov 2009

Healthcare News

Insurers under fire for denials of care, inadequate coverage

New Medicare rules on home-oxygen affect patients, businesses

Groups on both sides of abortion issue revived in Senate reform fight

Poll: Women in their 40's will still get mammograms, despite new guidelines

National certification for interpreters initiated to ensure accurate communication and prevention of medical errors

VHA to participate in U.S. DOE's Hospital Energy Alliance initiative

National Alliance for Hispanic Health to support Hispanic students interested in STEM fields

Americans with hepatitis C are at increased risk of developing liver cancer, says NVHR

Hallmark Insights to provide incentive rewards for TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution

ProVation EHR and MD software to be implemented at North Shore Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Centers

C.A.R.E. Clinic in New Orleans attended by over 1000 patients

Premier Purchasing Partners announces new agreements for flooring carpet and resilient

Health reform bill: 10 key positive and negative consumer protection provisions

Healthcare organizations select McKesson’s cardiovascular information system for workflow efficiency

CareBot home care robot real world evaluation trials show satisfactory results during first week: GeckoSystems

Cmed opens its second US office in Durham

Pain assessment and management may improve patient outcomes and lead to shorter ICU stays

Emergency dental solutions can ease pain and discomfort, according to survey

New study suggests financial incentives can affect the provision of patient-centered care

Reports highlighting the benefits of health insurance reform released

Precision in every drop: Inside Hamilton’s syringe technology

Exploring the Future of Neuroscience Drug Discovery

Genomic conservation in Thailand's mangroves

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