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Electronic health records not yet making impact, patients turn to web for advice

As the United States launches "an ambitious program, backed by $19 billion in government incentives, to accelerate the adoption of computerized patient records in doctors' offices and hospitals," a new study of 3,000 hospitals "has found little difference in the cost and quality of care," The New York Times reports.

16 Nov 2009

Health lobbying ranges from below the radar to high profile

A Charlotte, N.C., law firm is operating a secretive group called Americans for Quality and Affordable Healthcare to attempt to shape lawmakers' and the public's opinions on health reform, the Associated Press reports.

16 Nov 2009

Drug makers hike prices, lobby hard as reform efforts progress

Drug makers are bracing for reform by raising their prices - by 9 percent in the last year, perhaps the fastest rate since 1992, The New York Times reports. This happened "even as drug makers promise to support Washington's health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation's drug costs after the legislation takes effect." The increases "will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year."

16 Nov 2009

Coming this week: New law to prevent discrimination based on genes

"The most important new antidiscrimination law in two decades — the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act — will take effect in the nation's workplaces next weekend, prohibiting employers from requesting genetic testing or considering someone's genetic background in hiring, firing or promotions," The New York Times reports.

16 Nov 2009

Insuring immigrants a sticking point between House, Senate health reform bills

The Washington Post reports that the question of how and if some immigrants will have access to care under health care reform remains one of the sticking points between the chambers as the Congressional debate unfolds.

16 Nov 2009

Both sides puzzle over abortion amendment in House health bill

Newspapers continue to report on the Stupak amendment to the House health bill and how it will affect access to abortion.

16 Nov 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Many liberals remain angry and disappointed that single-payer legislation never stood a chance in Washington. To them, a government-run health-care system seemed an obvious way to put patients ahead of profits. But a single-payer system would have put us at the mercy of whomever happened to take control of Washington (Maggie Mahar, 11/15).

16 Nov 2009

2009 report: False Medicare claims cost government more than $47 billion

The Associated Press: "The government paid more than $47 billion in questionable Medicare claims including medical treatment showing little relation to a patient's condition, wasting taxpayer dollars at a rate nearly three times the previous year.

16 Nov 2009

Eclipsys’ Sunrise Patient Flow solution activated successfully at Singapore General Hospital

Eclipsys Corporation®, The Outcomes Company®, today announced that Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore's oldest and largest acute tertiary hospital and national referral center, has successfully activated Eclipsys’ Sunrise Patient Flow™ solution.

16 Nov 2009

HIRC recognizes CDPHP for offering best disease management program in upstate New York

Health Dialog Services Corporation, a leading provider of healthcare decision programs, today announced that its client, Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. (CDPHP®), has been recognized by the Health Industries Research Cos. (HIRC) for offering the best disease management program in upstate New York.

16 Nov 2009

Bright Now! Dental announces the opening of Castle Dental office in Kyle

Bright Now! Dental Inc., the nation’s leading provider of business support services to dentists, announces the grand opening of a new Castle Dental office in Kyle. Located at 5103 Kyle Center Drive in the Kyle Corners Shopping Center, the office provides families with a convenient, comfortable environment where they can receive the latest in comprehensive, full-serve quality dental care.

16 Nov 2009

Neighborhood Healthcare selects eClinicalWorks EMR and PM solution

eClinicalWorks®, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Neighborhood Healthcare, which serves Riverside and San Diego counties, has selected eClinicalWorks unified electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management (PM) solution along with eClinicalWorks Enterprise Business Optimizer’s (eBO) enhanced reporting capabilities for its 115 providers across 11 locations.

16 Nov 2009

Alcohol mixed with energy drinks: Higher prevalence of sexual assault and injury in college students

Emergency physician Mary Claire O'Brien, M.D., of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has done extensive research on the risks and dangers of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs).

16 Nov 2009

WhereToFindCare web site offers tips for evaluating health care facilities and providers

Consumers now have a free, convenient way to gain control over their health care options. Through the use of the national Web site, WhereToFindCare.com, consumers who share their health care experiences will contribute to quality ratings of hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, diagnostic centers and other health care providers.

16 Nov 2009

Lack of hemophilia treatment in the developing world costing lives

When modern medicine finds a way to treat a medical condition, people often think that the problem is solved. But we also have to find ways to get that treatment into the hands of those who need it. For example, new research from North Carolina State University shows that much more needs to be done to help get existing treatment to hemophilia patients in the developing world, and that the current lack of treatment there is costing lives.

16 Nov 2009

First Edition: October 16, 2009

News reports continue to focus on the landmines that exist within health reform proposals.

16 Nov 2009

HealthAcheive2009 to discuss e-health, pandemic and leadership in the health care industry

Today, HealthAcheive2009 - one of North America's largest health care conference and exhibitions - features a number of high-profile speakers from across the continent, discussing hot topics including e-health, pandemic and leadership in the health care industry.

16 Nov 2009

Spine Care Institute established by Hospital for Special Surgery

Hospital for Special Surgery today announced the establishment of one of the most comprehensive centers of excellence in the country for the treatment of all nonoperative and operative spine disorders.

16 Nov 2009

HealthPartners' health plans ranked top in Minnesota

HealthPartners is among the top 25 best private health plans in the nation and the top ranked plan in Minnesota according to U.S. News & World Report/NCQA “America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2009-10.” The report measures how well health plans perform on 50 measures of health care and member satisfaction. Two hundred thirty nine health plans from across the nation are included in the report. The top 50 health plans, including HealthPartners, are listed in the Nov. 16, 2009 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.

16 Nov 2009

Department of Health to conduct statewide clinics to administer free H1N1 vaccine

The Department of Health today announced it will conduct statewide clinics from Nov. 20-22 to administer free H1N1 vaccine to individuals in the recommended target groups that have not had previous access to the vaccine.

16 Nov 2009