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Consumer Watchdog highlights the flaws in the proposed Senate Finance Committee health reforms

The consumer group that pioneered the most successful insurance premium regulation law in the nation, which has saved California drivers $62 billion on auto insurance rates since 1988, released a report today outlining the deep flaws in the proposed Senate Finance Committee health reforms.

9 Sep 2009

Senators return to full plate, featuring health bills

"The focus on health care as Congress reconvenes Tuesday after its monthlong recess is nearly all-consuming," The Associated Press reports. "At stake, beyond the future of health care, is an accomplishment Democrats need to convince voters they deserve to remain in power." Financial legislation, consumer protections and clean energy are also still on the table in the Senate (Abrams, 9/8).

9 Sep 2009

AARP members urge Congress to tackle health care reform

As Members of Congress have just returned to Washington D.C. after their summer break, Decatur AARP members are making sure they don't forget to make reforming health care a top priority. With a giant inflatable Rx bottle as backdrop, and prescription bottles filled with constituents' personal health care stories, AARP members hosted a press conference today in Decatur to deliver a strong 'message in a bottle' to Congressman Phil Hare: Health Care Reform Now.

9 Sep 2009

Humana Military announces the URAC re-accreditation for its Case Management Program

Humana Military Healthcare Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), recently received re-accreditation for its Case Management Program from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the industry.

9 Sep 2009

Ross: I will oppose legislation with a public plan

"In a fresh sign of divisions in the president's own party," Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., on Tuesday came out against including a public insurance plan in health reform legislation, the Associated Press reports. Ross said he could not support a public plan after hearing from constituents during the August recess (Werner, 9/8).

9 Sep 2009

Lockton forms health reform advisory practice to help clients deal with changes in health system

Lockton Companies, the world's largest private insurance broker, is offering insights on the impact of health reform through its newly formed Lockton Health Reform Advisory Practice. Lockton's new team provides employers with information, advice, and practical approaches as they respond to health reform legislation and understand impact on their employees and businesses.

9 Sep 2009

Health Integrated to implement behavioral health management services for Blue Cross of Idaho

Health Integrated, a leading provider of Health Management Solutions, has entered a new agreement with Blue Cross of Idaho as the health plan integrates the management of behavioral health benefits into its core operations.

9 Sep 2009

Advocacy campaign to fight reimbursement cuts for POC urine drug screen devices

Millennium Laboratories, a leading provider of therapeutic drug monitoring and education to physicians and staff treating chronic pain patients, has announced the launch of an advocacy campaign to fight reimbursement cuts to point-of-care (POC) urine drug screen devices.

9 Sep 2009

Baucus sends $900 billion health care proposal to 'gang of six'

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has sent his "gang of six" colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee a health overhaul proposal that would cost under $900 billion.

9 Sep 2009

Global AIDS Coordinator Goosby believes Zimbabwe's ailing health system can be strengthened

Concluding his recent trip to Zimbabwe, the Global AIDS Coordinator for PEPFAR Eric Goosby said the country can rebuild and strengthen its health care delivery systems, the Zimbabwean reports. "I have seen fatigue in health care delivery in the country. A fatigue that that has come out of sustaining the response (to HIV and AIDS) with diminishing resources, but at the same time a feeling of hope and anticipation that they have hit bottom and are now on the return," Goosby said (9/4).

9 Sep 2009

PBS special report on health care reform

With President Obama scheduled to give a major address on healthcare to a joint session of Congress this Wednesday, the hallmark PBS programs NOW ON PBS, TAVIS SMILEY and NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT are collaborating to provide a timely and much-needed in-depth look at health care reform in America and the latest government proposals to address the issue.

9 Sep 2009

Nexus launches Healthcare Practice

Nexus, a leading provider of advanced technology and network integration, announced the launch of a focused Healthcare Practice. Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries today and currently generates a large percentage of Nexus' revenue.

9 Sep 2009

Majority of Americans are complacent about problems with their health plans: Study

Having problems with your health plan? If you speak up about it — or move on to another plan — you are a very unusual consumer, according to a new study.

9 Sep 2009

Hospitals in U.S. urban cities deliver low healthcare value

According to the most recent Hospital Value Index™ results, a study that analyzed data from more than 4,500 hospitals across the United States, hospitals in the largest U.S. cities generally offer a low value of patient care compared to elsewhere in the country.

9 Sep 2009

Increase in number of domestic H1N1 cases concerns China's Minister of Health

"China faces a grim situation in containing the H1N1 [swine] flu, as schools start up again and the number of domestic cases, as well as clusters of cases, rises, China's Minister of Health said on Tuesday," Reuters reports.

9 Sep 2009

Misleading information in hospital report cards can impact patients’ health care

A key statistic that consumer groups and the media often use when compiling hospital report cards and national rankings can be misleading, researchers report in a new study.

9 Sep 2009

Primers: What's really going on with health reform?

As Congress returns from its August recess for what promises to be a dramatic health care finale, a few papers offer refreshers on what's contained in the bills lawmakers and the president are preparing to debate, and how they will affect millions of citizens. Three news reports compare key proposals, and suggest key questions for reformers.

9 Sep 2009

Adventist Medical Center supports the health of communities

Adventist Medical Center (AMC), a not-for-profit, faith-based health system operating a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services in the Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., areas, has saved more than 120 tons (239,075 lbs.) of paper through shredding and recycling during the past 12 months.

9 Sep 2009

Newspapers across the country cover state health issues

Newspapers across the country report on health issues at the state level. Stories include the loss of health insurance for working parents in Arizona, a rise in the number of uninsured seeking help at nonprofit clinics in Kansas, the expansion of a program for children's insurance in Alabama, a decline in the number of uninsured in New York City, fears about a financial blow for health providers in Louisiana and union activism for the uninsured in Florida.

9 Sep 2009

Obama hopes to reconquer high-stakes health debate

President Obama is hoping to give a boost to congressional Democrats who are reconvening after a recess beleaguered by harsh criticism, plummeting public opinion, and divisions within the majority party.

9 Sep 2009