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Florida officials say Medicaid reimbursement formula will drive deficit

Florida state legislators have written to their U.S. Senators to urge them address what they called a "serious flaw" in the formula that determines of how much money the state's Medicaid program receives from the federal government, Health News Florida reports.

12 Nov 2009

AARP leader provides powerful voice for seniors and health care

John Rother tries to dispel myths and quell fears that seniors may have about health care reform as a leader at the powerful lobby and senior group AARP.

12 Nov 2009

Congressional Democrats seeking to maintain health overhaul momentum

The Senate could begin debate next week on a health care reform bill while House Democratic leadership is telling members to prepare to work deep into December.

12 Nov 2009

Abortion rights groups unite in fight against coverage restrictions

Politico reports that abortion-rights "advocates are calling in the cavalry to help fight off an anti-abortion provision House Democratic leaders swallowed in order to win passage of their health care reform bill."

12 Nov 2009

Will the health bill bend costs?

One cause for health reform anxiety is that no one is sure whether the legislation would achieve one of its most critical goals: lowering health care costs.

12 Nov 2009

Making end-of-life wishes known is rare; more hospice care could save Medicare money

Because Medicare beneficiaries account "for the vast majority of U.S. deaths" the treatment people receive "in the last year of life accounts for roughly a quarter of Medicare's budget." Dr. Joel Policzer, a medical director for a hospice, says that often "a dying elderly patient may have wanted less invasive care. But it doesn't happen.

12 Nov 2009

Activists worry immigration arguments will hamper hispanic health care

The Washington Post reports that Hispanic lawmakers and groups are "scrambling to develop a strategy to counter what they see as efforts to shortchange immigrants in health bills on Capitol Hill."

12 Nov 2009

HUD threatens to block Washington D.C.'s AIDS funding

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is threatening to halt federal funding for the Washington D.C.'s AIDS programs after a Washington Post investigation found many delivered faulty services and failed to account for their work.

12 Nov 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

After months of discussion and debate, the House has passed its version of health care reform. But as many observers, including me, have already noted, health care reform has primarily become health insurance reform over the course of the year (Gail Wilensky, 11/12).

12 Nov 2009

"Doctors Speak Out" series to discuss today's health issues

How can counting cancer cells in the blood make a difference in treatment? Can a potent hormone that fuels some breast cancers be used to fire back against the disease? These critical questions are being answered via innovative laboratory and clinical research underway at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. A renowned pharmacologist who discovered a leading treatment for cancer and a physician treating patients in cutting edge clinical trials will discuss these and other life-enhancing discoveries during Doctors Speak Out, a series of conversations with physicians and researchers on today’s most pressing health issues.

12 Nov 2009

First Edition: October 12, 2009

Today's headlines continue to focus on certain aspects of pending health overhaul measures, while also noting that the timeline for Capitol Hill action is now stretching closer to the Christmas holiday.

12 Nov 2009

Jonathan Richman to present at FDA public hearing on promoting medical devices using the Internet

Bridge Worldwide announced today that Jonathan Richman, Director of Strategic Planning, will present at the public hearing on "Promotion of FDA-Regulated Medical Products Using the Internet and Social Media Tools," to be held on November 12 and 13, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Richman is scheduled to speak on Friday, November 13, at 11:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. for 10 minutes per time slot. To listen to a free, live webcast of the hearing, go to: www.capitolconnection.net/capcon/fda/111209/FDAlive.htm.

12 Nov 2009

Posey StaySafe Bed for European markets

The Posey Company, a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative and reliable patient safety solutions, today officially announced the availability of the Posey StaySafe(TM) Bed, Model 8080, for European markets. The bed has been designed for sale in Holland, France, and Germany; sales to additional European country markets will follow.

12 Nov 2009

Contact lenses prescribed for longer replacement intervals can lead to undesirable clinical outcomes

Contact lenses prescribed for longer replacement intervals can lead to more extreme over wear (stretching) that could lead to undesirable clinical effects, new research shows.

12 Nov 2009

Pioneering cardiologist and inventor in heart medicine passed away

William Ganz, M.D., an internationally-recognized leader and inventor in heart medicine, died Tuesday night of natural causes. He was 90.

12 Nov 2009

Resources to help understand stroke and carotid artery disease

The Society of Interventional Radiology offers numerous resources-including publications and the first-ever Catheter Lysis of Thromboembolic Stroke (CLOTS) course-for interventional radiologists, neuroradiologists, neurointerventionists, body interventionalists, and IR and INR fellows to aid in the understanding of stroke and carotid artery disease.

12 Nov 2009

First pediatric hospital to discharge child with mechanical heart assist device

Texas Children's Hospital is the nation's first pediatric hospital to discharge a child while on an intracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD), a feat previously accomplished only at adult institutions. The patient, 16-year-old Francisco "Frank" De Santiago, who was implanted with a mechanical heart pump called the HeartMate II on May 19, 2009, was discharged on Oct. 29, 2009.

12 Nov 2009

Impact of health insurance reform on Americans with diabetes: HHS report

As the nation marks American Diabetes Month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report today, Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America. The report comes one day after Sebelius toured the East Manatee Family Healthcare Center in Bradenton, Fla. At the center, Sebelius met with patients and Floridians who care for people with diabetes.

12 Nov 2009

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian named as the most preferred hospital by Orange County residents

For the 14th consecutive year, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has been named the most preferred hospital by Orange County residents based on a consumer study by National Research Corporation (NRC). The award identifies hospitals that health care consumers in each region have selected as having the highest quality and image in over 300 markets throughout the U.S.

12 Nov 2009

Best Buy stores offer broad selection of health and fitness equipment

New technologies are emerging daily to help people plan, monitor, and enhance their health and fitness activities. Yet finding the ways and the time to stay fit and motivated can seem more complicated than ever before. Starting today, Best Buy customers in select markets from Washington, DC to Denver can turn to the nation’s largest consumer electronics retailer for help in satisfying their health and fitness equipment and management needs.

From Garmin 12 Nov 2009