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University of Florida to build a new research facility in Orlando

The University of Florida (UF) has reached a milestone in its efforts to build a research facility in Orlando at the emerging Lake Nona Medical City. A ceremony marking the official signing of the agreements was held immediately preceding the formal dedication of Burnham Institute for Medical Research’s (Burnham) Lake Nona campus.

13 Oct 2009

Health care reform should include transparency requirements for PBMs: Consumer groups

More than 30 groups representing consumer, labor and Medicare beneficiaries have joined a growing coalition urging Congress to support transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress.

13 Oct 2009

Sandata Technologies and Allscripts sign agreement to implement Santrax

Sandata Technologies, Inc., a leading nationwide provider of information technology solutions to the home healthcare and social services communities, today announced an agreement with Allscripts the leader in software, services, information, and connectivity solutions for physicians, hospitals and post-acute providers, making Santrax the preferred electronic time and attendance provider for current and future home care agency clients of Allscripts.

13 Oct 2009

Democrats and reform advocates lash back at insurers

Reactions and Democratic push back are beginning to be evident after the release Monday of an insurance industry-sponsored report (.pdf) that warns premiums could wind up costing $4,000 more by the end of decade if a proposed health overhaul is implemented, the Associated Press reports. The report isn't "worth the paper it's written on," AARP Executive Vice President John Rother said. The retiree's association has supported health reform (Alonso-Zaldivar and Werner, 10/12).

12 Oct 2009

Enroll NY website helps New York State's largest public and private health plans with valuable leads

Six of New York State’s largest public and private health plans are receiving valuable leads for their Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus programs, thanks to a new Web site that allows New Yorkers to quickly screen for public health insurance program eligibility.

12 Oct 2009

WellPoint honored for its "Journey Forward" initiative

WellPoint, Inc. was recognized today as a 2009 BlueWorks® award winner. BlueWorks is a unique partnership between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and the Harvard Medical School Department of Health Care Policy that honors health care innovation that improves the quality and value of health care for consumers.

12 Oct 2009

Fully insured members of AvMed Health to receive coverage for H1N1 flu administration fees

AvMed Health Plans announced that it will cover H1N1 flu administration fees for all of its fully insured members. Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles will not apply for administration of the H1N1 vaccine even if they have a benefit plan that does not include immunizations.

12 Oct 2009

Medical interpreters to bring equitable healthcare to LEP patients closer

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 today they are one step closer to quality, equitable healthcare with the launch of the first National Certification for Medical Interpreters.

12 Oct 2009

Thousands of patients, workers and families threatened by proposed cutbacks

Congress is considering a measure that would drastically reduce Medicare dollars available to states for skilled nursing care. Such a move would be especially devastating to the states like Illinois where the Medicaid rates are substantially less than the actual cost of providing care.

12 Oct 2009

Health on the hill

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd of the Kaiser Family Foundation about the impact an insurance industry report could have on this week's much anticipated health overhaul action.

12 Oct 2009

New U.S. agricultural research institute launched; global food aid examined

The Obama administration recently launched the National Institute of Food (NIFA), "a new agricultural research institute ... but farm lobbyists and others warned that its success depends on whether Congress agrees to substantially increase funding for farm research," Government Executive reports.

12 Oct 2009

Low-, middle-income countries could receive donated H1N1 vaccine shipments by November, WHO says

About 100 low- and middle-income countries could receive donated shipments of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine as early as November, Marie-Paule Kieny, of the WHO, told journalists Monday, Agence France-Presse reports. "Dozens of millions of doses are being lined up following offers from pharmaceutical companies," including Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline and MedImmune, as well as a coalition of developed nations "that have pledged to release 10 percent of their vaccine purchases for poor nations," the news service writes (10/12).

12 Oct 2009

Also in global health news: HIV immigration rules; Global Fund Aid in Kenya; water shortage in Yemen; testing for TB

NPR examines U.S. policy for HIV-positive visitors and immigrants. While "Congress has removed the statute, and the Department of Health and Human Services is working on a more lenient immigration rule,"

12 Oct 2009

News outlets examine efforts to improve sanitation worldwide

The Washington Post examines how the "No Toilet, No Bride" campaign in India is helping to increase access to home toilets in rural India. According to the newspaper, "About 665 million people in India -- about half the population -- lack access to latrines." Yet, since the campaign launched two years ago, "1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state's health department" - a movement that women's rights activists hail as "a revolution."

12 Oct 2009

Study lawmakers' support for health reform not necessarily based on constituent needs

The Los Angeles Times reports on a new study that finds a paradox: some lawmakers, whose constituents stand to benefit most from health reform, are the ones opposing the bill while some whose consitutents will likely pay more are the biggest supporters.

12 Oct 2009

States experiment with reform, but gaps suggests some national changes needed

Vermont scores high marks for a new experiment in coordinating care, as well as the overall quality of its health system.

12 Oct 2009

Free web-based e-prescribing solution for Iowa physicians

Iowa's largest integrated health care system and the nation's largest provider of electronic prescribing software today announced the launch of an initiative to convert a majority of the state's physicians from paper prescriptions -- known to be the cause of costly medical errors -- to electronic prescribing.

12 Oct 2009

Senate finance members weigh their health bill votes

Senators are trying to get a count ahead of the Senate Finance Committee's vote on a health reform proposal Tuesday, but several members are refusing to tip their hand. Meanwhile, in the background, House lawmakers continue their work.

12 Oct 2009

DNC pulls health reform ad after Dole complains

After a group of Republicans voiced support for health reform last week, the Democratic National Committee produced an ad featuring those comments - but, withdrew it at the request of former Senate Majority leader, Bob Dole, R-Kan., The Associated Press/The Boston Globe reports. Dole and other Republicans were quoted in the commercial, with Dole saying "I want this to pass. … We've got to do something."

12 Oct 2009

Benefits of health overhaul won't be immediate

Mechanisms to make health insurance more affordable for families and low- and middle-income households won't start until 2013 if health care reform passes.

12 Oct 2009