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VA's reliance on for-profit health care providers is straining medical center budgets, says Union

The American Federation of Government Employees today told Congress that the Department of Veterans Affairs' over reliance on private for-profit health care providers is straining medical center budgets and jeopardizing veterans' health care. AFGE represents 180,000 employees on the frontlines of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

1 Oct 2009

NCD recommends health care reform for disabled people

The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a report entitled The Current State of Health Care for People with Disabilities, calling for immediate health care reform for people with disabilities.

1 Oct 2009

Senate Committee rejects public insurance option

The Senate Finance Committee voted down Tuesday two amendments to include a public options for health insurance coverage in health care reform.

1 Oct 2009

METI Nurse Residency Program for reducing health care costs

METI, the Sarasota-based manufacturer of medical simulation products and educational software, today announced that it has begun rolling out its groundbreaking, experiential-based Nurse Residency Program at the first of many health care organizations throughout North America.

1 Oct 2009

Reconciliation: A health reform end-run with its own obstacles

Budget reconciliation, a procedural tool that allows the Senate to avoid filibusters with only 51 votes, has become increasingly attractive to Democrats who feel they can not rely on support from more conservative Democratic colleagues or Republicans, MSNBC explains. The potential use of the procedure is a political lightning rod, but in practice, it presents its own challenges, too.

1 Oct 2009

Consumer Watchdog urges Democrats to to support a robust public option in health insurance reform

Consumer Watchdog today called on Congressional Democrats to support a robust public option and rate regulation as a part of any health insurance reform.

1 Oct 2009

WHO: 2.7 is the new limit for indoor radon gas

The World Health Organization announced that they have established a new limit for indoor radon gas. The new maximum radon level is 2.7. This is a 32% reduction from the previously accepted "action level" of 4.0. http://www.mitigationsystem.com/releases/release/7166404/19723.htm

1 Oct 2009

The RMC foundation develops videos for schools on how to tackle swine flu

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the H1N1 swine flu could be severe enough to cause major staffing shortages and other workplace disruptions, the supply of vaccines to prevent the disease is taking longer to produce than originally forecast.

1 Oct 2009

HHS announces grants to help them find eligible uninsured children for Medicaid or CHIP

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $40 million in grants to 69 grantees in 41 states and the District of Columbia to help them find and enroll children who are uninsured but eligible for either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

1 Oct 2009

Stanford Hospital invests $3 million in technology for safe patient handling

Swaddled in a cushy green hammock, the patient began her ascent off the bed. While one nurse regulated the speed of the lifting device, two of his colleagues guided the patient toward a bedside chair. Within seconds, she was securely lowered onto a cushion, and ready to begin rehabilitation exercises.

1 Oct 2009

Public feels its voice is not heard in debate, Poll finds

News outlets report on issues surrounding support for health care reform including polls that find the public feels its voice is not being heard in the debate and that many people would support paying for reform.

1 Oct 2009

Mondial Assistance participates in global fundraising initiative

Mondial Assistance today announced its participation in a new global fundraising initiative, aptly named: MASSIVEGOOD. The aim of MASSIVEGOOD is to encourage consumers to make small, voluntary financial contributions (around $2, for example) when they make a travel-related purchase.

1 Oct 2009

The American Legion urges Congress to pass VA budget without delay

The leader of The American Legion expressed disappointment today at the failure of Congress to okay an appropriations bill to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs during this new fiscal year, though a Continuing Resolution (CR) to provide additional funding for VA medical accounts was approved.

1 Oct 2009

University of Michigan researchers say students need better curriculum

Less than half of graduating medical students in the U.S. say they received adequate training in understanding health care systems and the economics of practicing medicine, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Medical School.

1 Oct 2009

St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital and The Seltzer Group collaborate to provide medical insurance solutions

Schuylkill County’s The Seltzer Group, a member of Keystone Insurers Group, announces it has formed an alliance with St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital to provide medical insurance solutions and occupational health services to businesses in Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill Counties.

1 Oct 2009

Americans show significant interest in healthcare issues

The Keller Fay Group (www.kellerfay.com) today announced study results indicating that daily U.S. conversation during the summer months focused significantly on the topics of health insurance and the healthcare system, reflecting a dramatic shift since April of this year.

1 Oct 2009

Leading healthcare organizations choose DeviceAnywhere Test Center

As the Senate Finance Committee writes incentive bonuses for IT into the new “America’s Healthy Future Act” reform bill, there already exists a fast-growing roster of vendors and healthcare organizations delivering mobile applications that make health management more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective for the shared benefit of physicians, healthcare providers and consumers alike.

1 Oct 2009

UnitedHealth Group grants $2 million for CSUF's project

A $2 million grant from UnitedHealth Group will help fund California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Department of Nursing’s “Expanding Healthcare Access through Nursing” project.

1 Oct 2009

New provider management solution from Initiate Systems

Initiate Systems, Inc., a leader in data management solutions for the exchange of health information, announced today the launch of its Initiate® Provider Management solution, a unique offering that allows healthcare organizations to create a provider registry to ensure that all systems using provider data operate from the same up-to-date information.

1 Oct 2009

Press Ganey Associates approved as qualified HH-CAHPS survey vendor

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Press Ganey Associates, Inc. as a qualified survey vendor for the Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HH-CAHPS).

1 Oct 2009