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Connecticut increases tax on cigarettes to prevent kids from becoming addicted adult smokers

Connecticut's leaders have taken decisive action to protect the state's kids and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco use by increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 to $3.00 per pack, making it the second highest state cigarette tax in the nation (Rhode Island's tax is $3.46 per pack).

3 Sep 2009

Asparity extends free usage period for PlanSmartChoice online tool for federal employees

Asparity Decision Solutions is pleased to announce that www.PlanSmartChoice.com will continue to be available free to all federal employees during the 2010 open season, which begins November 9, 2009.

3 Sep 2009

Rural states with much to gain under reform also feature most vocal opponents

The Los Angeles Times reports: "Some of the most vociferous opposition to the proposals before the House and Senate comes from residents of rural states that could benefit most if the present system is revamped.

3 Sep 2009

Health systems, HIV/AIDS, malaria discussed at WHO Regional Committee meeting

Luis Gomes Sambo, WHO regional director for Africa, on Tuesday at the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, presented a nine-point guide suggesting malaria control strategies for African countries, Agencia AngolaPress reports. Suggested approaches include updating policies and strategic plans, strengthening research and scaling up supplies of medicines (9/1).

3 Sep 2009

Riverside Medical Center adds two more doctors

Internal Medicine Physician Rahul Deepankar, M.D. and Pediatrician Jane Kapral, M.D. are the two newest team members to join the Riverside Medical Center - West Campus in Coal City.

3 Sep 2009

Wellness program helps company control health care costs

"Healthy Quest is designed to focus on health issues that 'drive a lot of costs, and drive a lot of lost productivity,' like obesity, smoking and stress, [Steve Burton, vice president of health and wellness services at Quest Diagnostics] said."

3 Sep 2009

Moveon plans heath care vigils tonight

The Washington Post reports: "MoveOn.org says it expects to attract 50,000 participants to 350 health-care 'vigils' around the country tonight.

3 Sep 2009

Pioneer in the eHealth industry calls for calm in healthcare debate

In the midst of a tempestuous healthcare debate, one private citizen is proving you don't have to shout to be heard. A pioneer in the eHealth industry, Steve Parker, Jr., speaks with the calm voice of reason. His online call for a careful, strategic approach to reform is attracting the attention of business leaders inside and outside the healthcare industry, as well as everyday Americans currently struggling to pay their medical bills.

3 Sep 2009

The AARP seeks a more neutral image after shedding thousands of members

AARP, the seniors' lobby, has shed as many as 60,000 members in two months over its implicit support for health reform that some members say could lead to Medicare cuts, USA Today reports. The group will launch a campaign next week in hopes of regaining ground with seniors and reestablishing a politically neutral image.

3 Sep 2009

Grassley aide disputes White House complaints, says finance talks will continue

An aide to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, responded Wednesday to a complaint by White House adviser David Axelrod that Grassley and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo, two Finance Committee members involved in bipartisan negotiations on health care reform, were not acting in good faith.

3 Sep 2009

Healthcare-acquired infection costs $1 billion per annum

Infections caught in hospital are costing the Australian healthcare system more than 850,000 lost bed days, according to a new study by Queensland University of Technology.

3 Sep 2009

Members of Congress say they will advocate for more health funding in Rwanda

Five members of Congress who are visiting Rwanda said they will advocate for more funding for the country's health sector, New Times/allAfrica.com reports. The delegation includes Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), and Melvin Watt (D-N.C.) (Musoni, 9/1).

3 Sep 2009

Pfizer to pay $2.3 billion for health care fraud settlement

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.

3 Sep 2009

Senate Republicans prepare robust objections to stall Democrat's health reform bill

Republicans are preparing a spate of procedural objections to use in the event Senate Democrats try to employ budget reconciliation rules to advance their health reform proposals.

3 Sep 2009

Ohio state to expand Medicaid program to more counties

Unison Health Plan of Ohio announced the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will extend a contract that will enable Unison to offer its programs for aged, blind and disabled (ABD) Medicaid recipients in 18 additional Northwest Ohio counties.

3 Sep 2009

New York Times examines efforts to stop spread of dengue in Asia

"While emerging diseases like influenza A(H1N1), also known as swine flu, continue to dominate the headlines, experts say dengue is not only thriving in many endemic areas, it is also spreading to countries previously unaffected by the disease," New York Times writes.

3 Sep 2009

Research reveals that 21% of death claims are rejected by California's largest private insurers

More than one of every five requests for medical claims for insured patients, even when recommended by a patient's physician, are rejected by California's largest private insurers, amounting to very real death panels in practice daily in the nation's biggest state, according to data released today by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee.

3 Sep 2009

Molecular pathology laboratories gear up for swift swine flu detection

Dr. Jan Nowak, President of the Association for Molecular Pathology presented public comments today at the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee meeting.

3 Sep 2009

Obama set to reveal specific health reform details in strategy shift

After an August recess that saw Democrats take a beating on their message and calls from lawmakers to provide more leadership, President Obama is likely to change course on his approach to health reform legislation.

3 Sep 2009

Obama urges Americans to take precautions to protect themselves from H1N1

After a day of meetings with senior White House officials to discuss the U.S. preparations for H1N1 (swine) flu Tuesday, President Obama urged Americans to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from infection, the Associated Press/Boston Herald reports (9/1).

3 Sep 2009