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Myths surrounding the hybrid model of concierge care

With an estimated 50 million people potentially entering the healthcare system if coverage for the uninsured is expanded, industry leaders nationwide are concerned about how to provide primary care coverage to new and existing patients. Research indicates that many areas of the country already have severe shortages of primary care physicians (PCP); many in primary care are moving to other specialties or limiting new patients; and the number of medical students entering primary care programs continues to dwindle.

23 Sep 2009

Congressional Black Caucus Spouses to host 4th Annual Community Health Breakfast

On September 24, 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses will continue their tradition of direct community involvement by hosting its 4th Annual Community Health Breakfast at So Others Might Eat (SOME) from 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., 71 O Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

23 Sep 2009

OMA's first ever media campaign to focus on the issue of patient safety

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) Section on General & Family Practice (SGFP) held a media conference today to announce the launch of its first ever media campaign.

23 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 23, 2009

Today's headlines mark the opening day of the Senate Finance Committee's health bill mark up as well as a new round up of changes to the chairman's mark.

23 Sep 2009

Clinical informatics solution for health care providers and pharmaceutical firms

Humedica, a next-generation health care informatics company, today announced the company’s official launch, along with the previous completion of its $30 million round of venture capital and the roll-out of its ground-breaking clinical analytics platform.

23 Sep 2009

Dr. John Clarke polls more than 50,000 votes to win the 2009 H1N1 PSA contest

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sebelius and Department of Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan today announced that Dr. John Clarke of Baldwin, N.Y., is the winner of the 2009 H1N1 PSA Contest. More than 50,000 votes were cast by Americans across the country on YouTube. Dr. Clarke will receive a $2,500 cash prize and his ad will be broadcast on national television.

23 Sep 2009

Breach notification regulations take effect, HIPAA-covered entities to notify affected individuals if PHI is breached

Today breach notification regulations take effect under the HITECH Act. HIPAA-covered entities, including healthcare providers and business associates, are now required to notify affected individuals, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and sometimes the media, if a patient's unsecured protected health information (PHI) is breached.

23 Sep 2009

New York State enacts a law to make affordable healthcare available to freelancers

Based on a health insurance model pioneered by Freelancers Union, New York State has enacted a law that will create a demonstration program to provide independent workers – a third of the country’s workforce – with the same quality of health care traditionally offered by employer insurance plans.

23 Sep 2009

DMAA Awards for Beaumont Hospitals and Independence Blue Cross

Health Dialog, a leading provider of healthcare decision programs, today announced that two of its customers received DMAA Awards for excellence in improving overall population-based healthcare.

23 Sep 2009

Aetna selected as sole provider of Medicare Advantage PPO plans to retired state employees

Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced today that it has been selected by the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF) as the sole provider of Medicare Advantage PPO plans to retired state employees. Aetna will be one of three health plans providing Medicare Advantage HMO plans. The contract takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.

23 Sep 2009

Statement from David Kears regarding Legislative Bill AB 1422

I would like to thank my fellow commissioners, Executive Director Kris Perry and the First 5 California staff for stepping forward with other like-minded partners to ensure the Healthy Family Program's survival in the coming year.

23 Sep 2009

Benefitfocus and USAble Life announce multi-year partnership

Benefitfocus® and USAble Life announced today a multi-year partnership through 2013 that leverages the Benefitfocus suite of solutions to transform the way group and voluntary benefits are sold, enrolled, billed and serviced.

23 Sep 2009

U.S. voters oppose proposed healthcare reform fearing loss of control

U.S. voters and physicians are opposed to the Obama administration’s proposed healthcare reform because they perceive a loss of control and choice, reports a new study conducted by SenseUs®, a polling system that measures emotion response.

23 Sep 2009

NCPA supports proposal for adopting PBM transparency

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) today praised U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for authoring an amendment to lower health care costs by adopting common-sense disclosure requirements for any pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) participating in the health insurance exchanges envisioned under a proposal by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT).

23 Sep 2009

Small business leader say affordability is key to health reform

NPR reports: "Under various health care overhaul bills on Capitol Hill, small-business owners would be required to insure themselves. Amanda Austin, director of federal public policy for the National Federation of Independent Business, says affordability is the key if the government mandates health coverage."

23 Sep 2009

MMI to provide sign language interpreters for deaf or hard-of-hearing patients

Under a voluntary resolution agreement reached with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), deaf or hard-of-hearing patients at the Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute (MMI) of Frederick, Md., will be screened and provided with sign language interpreters whenever interpreter services are necessary for effective communication. MMI is an 11-physician orthopedic practice with offices in Frederick and Hagerstown, Md., serving approximately 1,000 patients per month.

23 Sep 2009

ASADI to focus on maternal and child healthcare this year

The fifth annual international conference of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) will be held Nov. 9-11 in Accra, Ghana, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. The theme of this year's conference will be improving maternal, newborn, and child health in Africa, which will be discussed by top experts from around the world.

23 Sep 2009