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Amerinet enters strategic partnership with Indiana Federation of Ambulatory Surgical Centers

The Indiana Federation of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (IFASC) has signed a new sole-source agreement with Amerinet Inc., a leading national healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO).

26 Aug 2009

Customized health plan introduced by American Community

As Nebraska employers seek out additional ways to reduce rising healthcare costs, American Community Mutual Insurance Company announced today the addition of Latitude(TM), a small group product that allows employers to customize a health plan with the benefits that employees want at a price that business owners can afford.

26 Aug 2009

Democrats talk of moving reform bill without republicans, plan rallies

Democrats are preparing to move ahead without Republicans on health care reform, a leading House Democrat said Monday, The Hill reports.

26 Aug 2009

Veterans receive false health scare

USA Today reports: "More than 1,800 Gulf War veterans were sent letters from the Veterans Administration this month informing them that they had Lou Gehrig's disease — a fatal neurological disease. But at least some of the letters — and the diagnoses — were a mistake."

26 Aug 2009

Fear mongering abounds in health debate

"What many people say they fear most from an overhaul of the health care system [is] the prospect of the federal government's limiting the medical care they receive," the New York Times reports. Policy experts say people are right to worry about health care costs, but this fear of rationing is unrealistic. "[T]here is nothing in the current proposals in Washington to suggest that the country is likely to embark on a system of medical rationing anytime soon," the Times reports.

26 Aug 2009

U.S. troops serving overseas to be tested for H1N1 infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that allows a 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test to be used to detect the virus in troops serving overseas.

26 Aug 2009

CPM’s physician relationship management system implemented by Advocate Health Care System

CPM Marketing Group (CPM), the market leader for healthcare customer relationship management (CRM) and strategic marketing solutions, announced today that Advocate Health Care System, the largest health care provider in Illinois, has implemented CPM’s physician relationship management (PRM) system to assist its hospitals in building and maintaining relationships with physicians.

26 Aug 2009

Medicare's Part D program subsidizes cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries

Medicare's Part D program, designed to subsidize the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, has been the subject of much debate. Proponents have touted the plan's ability to expand access to prescription drugs to seniors; critics have long questioned its design and user-friendly appeal.

26 Aug 2009

Prescription assistance program helps Iowa residents to save money on drugs

Iowa residents have saved over $800,000 on prescription drugs through Iowa Drug Card since the launch of the free statewide prescription assistance program. The program, which offers free discount drug cards to Iowa residents, was launched in June, 2008. Every resident of Iowa is eligible to participate in the prescription assistance program.

26 Aug 2009

Grassley: 'Government is not a competitor, it's a predator'

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, 75, is presenting new skepticism about reform plans, The Wall Street Journal reports. "(S)peaking in front of a mostly friendly audience of about 250, Mr. Grassley stressed the distance between the two parties and what he thinks wouldn't work. 'Government is not a competitor, it's a predator,' he said of the public option that has been embraced by key congressional Democrats.

26 Aug 2009

Mental health in the news: Foreclosures spur depression

Nearly half of people questioned who were in foreclosure proceedings in Philadelphia showed some signs of depression, The Washington Post reports.

26 Aug 2009

Arizona awards health care contract to Aetna

Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced today that it was awarded a contract to provide health care benefits to Arizona’s state employees. The contract becomes effective on October 1, 2009.

26 Aug 2009

Experts in government healthcare from Affiliated Computer Services to aid state Medicaid programs

As state agencies navigate unprecedented economic challenges, Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS) is working to help state Medicaid programs maximize federal stimulus dollars and to prepare for the economic rebound.

26 Aug 2009

Aetna promotes patient safety measures through informative website

Aetna (NYSE:AET) is strengthening its efforts to promote patient safety with easy-to-find online information for members. New policies also require health care facilities, physicians and other health care professionals to take action to prevent medical errors and changes the way they are paid when medical errors do occur.

26 Aug 2009

Young Obama supporters missing from health reform debate

Obama's tech-savvy young activists, who were instrumental in getting him elected, are not as active on health care reform, a gap Obama will have to fix if he is to regain momentum for his top domestic priority, The Associated Press reports.

26 Aug 2009

GOP unveils latest salvo in health reform battle: seniors' bill of rights

Republicans unveiled what they've termed the "Health Care Bill of Right for Seniors" Monday in an attempt to tailor their messages to the elderly, The Washington Post reports.

26 Aug 2009

Hospitals find openness about mistakes improves safety, reduces lawsuits

"Medical errors kill as many as 98,000 Americans each year," writes Laura Landro in the Wall Street Journal's "Informed Patient" column. "Now, some hospitals are hoping to stem the tide of lawsuits by being more open with aggrieved patients and their families. While some experts warn that disclosure will lead to an increase in litigation and costs, there are some indications that patients are less likely to sue if they receive full disclosure and an apology, along with an offer of compensation."

26 Aug 2009

Healthcare information technology to enable clinicians spend more time on patient care

Healthcare reform, a current hot button headline, is not a new issue. In fact, the concept has been kicking around the Hill since Teddy Roosevelt, who started the discussion of a national health insurance program in the early 1900s.

25 Aug 2009

Aastra's CC:LifeLine provides virtual call center for pandemic response planning

Aastra, a leading provider of IP-Telephony and Contact Center solutions, offers a solution for contact centers needing an alternative for premises-based agents if it is necessary to close the call center due to a disaster or flu epidemic. Aastra’s CC:LifeLine™ (www.aastraondemand.com/solutions-cclifeline2.asp) provides a virtual call center environment ensuring that agents can serve customers even if the physical call center is inaccessible.

25 Aug 2009

Americans' hand-washing habits has not changed despite H1N1 virus reveals a national survey

Worries about the H1N1 virus haven't changed most Americans' hand washing habits, says a national survey by Bradley Corporation, a leading manufacturer of commercial bathroom and locker room furnishings.

25 Aug 2009