The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging both chambers to reject a proposal to pay for Stafford student loan subsidies with reductions in the Medicaid provider tax rates, also known as provider assessments.

Last week, House and Senate Republican leaders sent a letter to the President offering reduction in the Medicaid provider assessments as a way to offset the cost of keeping student loan interest rates low. The House of Representatives could vote on the measure as early as June 29.

A copy of the letter is below. [Read more…]

Enterologics, Inc., (OTCBB: ELGO.OB) a biotechnology company, is dedicated to the development of live biotherapeutic products for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that it believes are poorly addressed by current therapies. Key examples include pouchitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and Clostridium difficile infections.

Enterologics intends to license or acquire technology to build a product pipeline based on producing probiotic bacteria in novel, shelf-stable, high potency formulations that are delivered orally. Unlike probiotic bacteria that are sold over-the-counter as dietary supplements or in food products such as yogurt, we intend to develop products to meet the exacting standards necessary to gain FDA approval as prescription drugs and biologics, with demonstrated safety and clinical benefits for specific GI indications. [Read more…]

Buying health insurance coverage is a big decision. It’s complex, it’s costly, and it could have big monetary implications. Similar to a lot of other things, it’s simpler if you break up the job into lesser tasks and find your way out through them.

a) Create a list of solutions you and your household may need.
Take into consideration your gender, age, and family medical record. Are there any ongoing medical conditions? Is There anyone regular medical prescription?

At the lowest, plan to purchase ‘a high insurance deductible health plan’, which is usually termed as ‘catastrophic coverage’. Simply speaking, this coverage provides a reduced premium, and you make payment for most routine costs out of your pocket. If you’ve a critical accident or become severely ill, your insurance plan will activate when you attain your deductible. [Read more…]

Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced that it has received a contract to provide IT managed services to a new client, the American Red Cross, a leading provider of humanitarian services.

The contract has a potential value of approximately $80 million over its initial five-year term. It also has two one-year renewal options.

Under the terms of the contract, Unisys will provide a full range of customer support and data center managed services to support approximately 20,000 Red Cross workers throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The workers are engaged in disaster relief, blood-supply management and other activities critical to the organization’s humanitarian mission. [Read more…]

Registered Nurses from two Baystate Health System bargaining units will take action Saturday morning outside the Democratic State Convention in Springfield. The nurses will be joined by labor and community supporters. Convention delegates will be asked to join the nurses in condemning Baystate’s anti-union behavior.

Members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United who work at the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (BVNAH) in Springfield and Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) in Greenfield will highlight Baystate’s ongoing attempts to undercut their fundamental right to bargain over such basic issues as wages and health insurance.

Baystate also is attempting to force BFMC nurses to work mandatory overtime – even beyond twelve hours – a practice that has been shown to put nurses and patients at risk.

In addition, the National Labor Relations Board has determined that Baystate has repeatedly violated federal labor law in their anti-union campaign against nurses.

Solta Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLTM), the pioneer in fractional resurfacing and a global market leader in aesthetic treatments, has announced the availability of the Fraxel re:pair SST Laser Platform in the United States. The updated platform addresses the major needs of aging and sun-damaged skin and offers physicians unmatched versatility and customization to treat a broad range of clinical indications. It also offers patients a fast, single-pass single-treatment option providing impressive resurfacing results with more comfort and minimal healing time than a traditional Fraxel re:pair treatment.

Unlike any other fractional laser system, Fraxel re:pair SST has four unique handpieces: two fractional handpieces for both shallow and deep fractional skin resurfacing needs and two fully ablative handpieces for incisional, debulking and full-coverage skin resurfacing treatments. The fractional handpieces include the improved FMDA™ (Fractional Micro-Dermal Ablation) 600 micron handpiece that allows for a 20-minute, high-coverage, single-pass treatment to address sun damage, fine lines, texture and tone. This procedure is well tolerated with minimal downtime and remarkable clinical results in as little as one week. [Read more…]

Three dedicated leaders in health education will be honored by The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) as the 2012 Champions of Health Professions Diversity for their successful efforts to improve the health and wellness of California’s most underserved communities. Lawrence “Hy” Doyle of the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, provides skills and opportunities for disadvantaged students to enter and succeed in medical school. Peter Manoleas is an educator at the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley, mental health clinician in Oakland and health policy leader with a focus on ensuring access to mental health services. Angela Minniefield recently became vice president of strategic advancement at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and previously directed programs to increase the diversity of the health professions at the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development in Sacramento.

On June 12, 2012, TCWF will honor these three leaders at its tenth annual “Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award” ceremony in San Francisco. In recognition of their efforts to mentor and inspire students, increase access to higher education and better serve the health and well-being of California’s underserved and disadvantaged communities, each honoree will each receive a cash award of $25,000. [Read more…]

A great deal has been learned in the decade since the first results from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) were published on July 9, 2002. The WHI was the largest and longest trial of postmenopausal women using hormone therapy (HT). The 27,000 women were prescribed estrogen-alone therapy, estrogen-progestogen therapy, or a placebo for 5 to 7 years, respectively.

Researchers expected to find that hormones prevented chronic conditions of aging in women, including heart disease. Instead, they found that hormones produced a mix of risks and benefits. The subsequent data from the WHI suggest that the risks of HT vary with a woman’s age (safer if started soon after menopause). [Read more…]

A new nationwide poll finds that heavy majorities of voters across party lines believe that the legal system is increasing health care costs. The survey also found that 66 percent of voters favor taking medical claims out of the current legal system and putting them into new health courts with expert judges. The poll was conducted for Common Good by Clarus Research Group.

Among the poll’s key findings are the following:

— A strong majority of voters––75 percent––believe “lawsuits and legal fees are a major cause of high medical insurance rates.” Eighty-nine percent of Republicans, 76 percent of independents and 62 percent of Democrats agree on this.

— Sixty-eight percent agree that “plenty of good doctors are leaving the practice of medicine because of the number of lawsuits and the cost of liability insurance.” Seventy-eight percent of Republicans, 64 percent of Democrats and 61 percent of independents agree. [Read more…]

When it comes to how Idaho cares for its elderly and disabled, the state is ahead of the curve in some areas and right behind the eight ball in others, according to a new AARP report taking an in-depth review of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) in the Gem State.

The report analyzes the results of AARP’s long-term care scorecard for Idaho, finding the state earning an overall rank of 19 nationally, meaning 32 states scored lower – showing where Idaho leads and lags the nation on crucial elder care matters. Idaho was one of three states across the nation chosen as a case study state because, for the most part, Gem State LTSS rankings fell right in the middle. (Minnesota was also chosen because it ranked first overall and Georgia was picked because it ranked poorly).

The Good: Idaho ranked 8th in the nation for helping elderly and disabled residents to age in their setting of choice, excelling in balancing LTSS dollars in Medicaid toward providing home and community based services (HCBS), as opposed to costly nursing home care. [Read more…]

As Michigan continues to make economic progress, many residents still live without health insurance – with more than one million Michigan residents currently uninsured. Many of these people rely on locally-operated, nonprofit clinics as access points for healthcare. Through its “Strengthening the Safety Net” program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides continuous support for the uninsured and underinsured – and today the company announced it is again accepting requests for funding clinics in 2012. Applications from Michigan free clinics providing health care services to the state’s uninsured and underinsured populations will be accepted until July 9, 2012. Notice of Intent to Apply is due by June 21, 2012.

Free clinics can apply for non-competitive grants of at least $15,000 and/or a limited number of competitive grants of up to $50,000. Awarded funds can be earmarked for improvements or initiatives like streamlining office operations through technology upgrades, collaborating with area hospitals and other healthcare organizations to increase patient volume, or expanding clinic services to include women’s health care, dental care, behavioral health services, etc. [Read more…]

As America’s bishops and Catholic organizations around the country file lawsuits to protect their First Amendment rights from the government’s health care mandate, a new survey finds that a significant majority of Americans support the right to opt out of providing drugs, services and procedures for religious reasons.

According to the Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll, the survey found that three in four Americans (74 to 26 percent) say that freedom of religion should be protected, even if it conflicts with other laws. Majorities would also protect the First Amendment conscience rights of hospitals, health care workers and insurers.

Strong majorities would let individual health care providers and organizations opt out of providing: abortion (58 to 38 percent), abortion-inducing drugs (51 to 44 percent), in vitro fertilization treatments that could result in the death of an embryo (52 to 41 percent), medication to speed the death of a terminally ill patient (55 to 41 percent) and birth control pills (51 to 46 percent). The number supporting the right to opt out of providing birth control is particularly interesting given the fact that more than eight in 10 Americans (88 percent) believe contraception is morally acceptable. [Read more…]

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) and Discovery Education, in partnership with Sports Authority, today awarded schools in South Carolina, Arizona and Illinois with $50,000 in prizes as the winners of the 2012 Find Your Balance Challenge, a program designed to engage K-5 students in creating practical, long-term improvements in nutrition and physical activity at their school.

The Grand Prize winner from Myrtle Beach Intermediate School in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will receive $30,000 in sporting equipment and cash awards from Sports Authority for their program on the importance of balancing calories-in with calories-out. Principal Dana Penick entered on behalf of the school and recruited a Healthy Challenge Team from her fourth and fifth grade students. An entirely student-led and student-written entry, Myrtle Beach Intermediate School recognized a need for energy balance education and set a goal to increase healthy snacking and physical activity.

Integrating HWCF and Discovery Education’s Energy Balance 101 curriculum, students encouraged participation by creating an “exercise menu” and giving their peers choices for how to expend energy. The students engaged the entire community in their efforts through donations from the local Food Lion, asking parents to encourage exercise on weekends, hosting an event at the local recreation center and working with the cafeteria staff to provide more fruit and vegetable snack options. [Read more…]

A new Consumer Reports poll shows overwhelming public support for strong medical device safety oversight. The poll was released just as House and Senate Committees have issued draft legislation to reauthorize the statute governing medical devices and at a time when the FDA’s process for reviewing new implants has come under intense criticism.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee’s draft bill would significantly weaken device safety oversight and should be rejected by Congress, according to Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. While the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee’s draft bill provides some additional protections for patients once devices are on the market, it misses the opportunity to enact a clear process for preventing unsafe devices from being sold in the first place.

The medical device industry has been pushing Congress to scale back oversight of implants and other devices, which it claims is necessary to promote innovation and make it easier to get new devices approved. But according to the new Consumer Reports poll, 82 percent of Americans believe that preventing safety problems is more important than limiting safety testing in order to prevent delays and encourage innovation. [Read more…]

The S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index indicates that the average per capita cost of healthcare services covered by commercial insurance and Medicare programs increased by 5.21% over the 12-months ending January 2012. This was a decline from the +5.30% annual growth rate posted for December 2011.

As measured by the S&P Healthcare Economic Commercial Index, healthcare costs covered by commercial insurance plans increased by 7.05% over the year ending January 2012, down from the +7.11% reported for December 2011. Growth rates in Medicare claim costs rose by 2.40%, as measured by the S&P Healthcare Economic Medicare Index, down from the +2.52% reported for December. The Professional Services Index’s annual growth rate also decelerated from its +5.37% December 2011 rate, increasing by 5.13% in January. The broad Hospital Index’s annual growth rate increased slightly to 5.03% in January from its +4.99% December pace. [Read more…]

Mevion Medical Systems, a radiation therapy company dedicated to advancing the treatment of cancer, has received CE Marking certification for the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System. This important commercial milestone indicates that Mevion has completed its development in compliance with the European Union’s Medical Device Directive. The CE Marking allows the MEVION S250 to be marketed, sold, and installed in the European Union and in any country recognizing CE Mark approval. [Read more…]

Unilife Corporation (“Unilife” or “Company”) (NASDAQ: UNIS; ASX: UNS) has released its investor relations app, now available for free at the App Store™ on the iPhone®.

The Unilife investor relations app for iPhone allows users to navigate the Company’s investor relations materials, as well as receive a stock quote and other important stock information. Developed and powered by KCSA Strategic Communications, the Unilife app features the latest press releases and SEC filings as well as background information, videos and presentations from the Company. [Read more…]

HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE:HLS) today announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $16.25 per share on its 6.5% Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on April 16, 2012, to holders of record on April 2, 2012. [Read more…]

Earlier today the federal district court denied our motion for a preliminary injunction against the DEA’s immediate suspension of our license to ship controlled substances from our Lakeland, Fla., distribution center. We disagree with this decision and have noticed our appeal of this decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Our contingency plans will be immediately activated, and we will make every effort to meet our customers’ needs with minimal disruption. [Read more…]

Crothall Healthcare announced the name change of its operating division from Clinical Equipment Services to Clinical Equipment Solutions (CES). The new name emphasizes Crothall’s intent to focus management and oversight resources on the entire cycle of healthcare technology rather than the traditional “fix it” approach of clinical equipment services programs.

Crothall’s CES division will continue to focus on safety, risk management, technical support of medical devices and clinical technologies, financial stewardship, and management of healthcare technologies that are integrated and interoperable. [Read more…]

Today, the Health Council of Canada releases Turning what we know into action: A commentary on the National Symposium on Patient Engagement , calling for the inclusion of the patient voice when designing, planning and delivering health care services in Canada. The goal of the symposium is to raise awareness of the potential of patient engagement as a means of improving the health care system.

In October 2011, the Health Council of Canada held a national symposium on patient engagement. Patients, representatives from patient organizations, provincial and federal government representatives, researchers, health system administrators and health care providers shared their perspectives on patient-centred care. [Read more…]

Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisors, LLC (MCRA), a leading independently-operated medical technology consulting firm focused exclusively on serving the worldwide neuro-musculoskeletal industry, announced today that Joseph “Chip” Thomas, M.D., former Medical Director for leading commercial insurance organizations, has joined the firm’s Health Economics, Reimbursement & Public Policy team. [Read more…]

Researchers led by a senior investigator at Hofstra-North Shore LIJ School of Medicine and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have released initial findings from a first-of-a-kind clinical trial in adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for head and neck cancer. The trial, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, provides evidence that ART may benefit patients with less technical difficulty than previously believed. The findings of this trial were released online in advance of publication in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics. [Read more…]

All major surgical operations present both benefits and risks. The key to mitigating those risks is choosing a team of surgeons with a proven track record of safety. Dr. Feiz & Associates is a widely respected source for weight loss in Los Angeles , not just because of their success rate, but also because of their enduring commitment to the highest safety standards. Dr. Michael Feiz and his team have never had a mortality in all their years, and maintain a complication rate of 1%, significantly lower than the national rate of 3-4%. Again, there is no silver bullet. There is no single operation that carries no risks. But as with any comparison shopping, there are products and services that are more reliable than others. A little legwork helps identify the most credible options. [Read more…]

The United States health care system is undergoing many notable changes. Among them are the incentives for hospitals to implement electronic health records (EHRs) by 2015. The purpose of this legislation is not to simply move a patient’s data from a paper chart to an electronic version, but to use these records in a “meaningful” way: to achieve significant improvements in quality, safety and care coordination.

While some hospitals are working to implement EHRs, many rural and community hospitals have lagged behind large urban and university hospitals. “Understandably, smaller facilities are concerned about the effect steep implementation costs could have on already strained budgets,” said John Glaser, Ph.D., CEO, Siemens Healthcare, Health Services Business Unit. “However, it is important for small community hospitals to understand that investing in an EHR system is not only feasible but can help control and reduce costs—two benefits that are especially valuable to providers and patient care.”

EHRs help improve efficiencies for both the provider and patient, including:

• More accurate billing and better coordination with insurance companies to reduce costs associated with rework;

• Quicker, more comprehensive access to patient information, helping ensure better care for more patients;

• The possibility to view a patient’s history and potentially eliminate duplicate tests, thereby reducing costs and increasing patient satisfaction;

• The ability to record patient notes faster with a seamless and uniform EHR throughout the hospital, eliminating the timely steps of the traditional pen-and-paper process.

Smaller facilities can now capitalize on the opportunity of EHRs through funding options and government incentives that make the transition more feasible. Millions of dollars of grant money have already been awarded by the government to support the adoption of EHRs among rural and community hospitals. Additionally, there are solutions available for these hospitals to cut costs, such as turning to medical-grade cloud computing for remote hosting. Remote hosting, for example, allows hospital servers to be maintained by a vendor, thereby reducing the need to hire and train additional IT staff.

Today, smaller facilities can overcome concerns about cost and resources to make EHRs a reality.

Chief Medical Information Officers (CMIOs) are playing increasingly key roles in their healthcare organizations with EMR projects and the move toward ACOs and most expect to receive a raise and a bonus this year, according to the CMIO Compensation Survey 2012 published in the February issue of CMIO.

CMIO Snapshot

Male (87%)
41-45 years old (25%)
Works in Southern U.S. (30%)
Employed by a Multi-Hospital Organization/IDN (44%)
Reports to CIO (35%) or CMO (28%)
Physician (70%); Specialty: Family Practice (23%)
In current position for 1-3 years (42%)
Spends 90%-100% performing CMIO duties (24%)

CMIO Compensation

Average Annual Salary: $200,000-250,000 (22%)
Most CMIOs expect to receive a raise this year (66%)
Most CMIOs expect to receive a financial bonus this year (53%)

The number of CMIOs on the high end of the salary scale remained about the same as last year’s survey, with about 17 percent earning salaries of $300,000 to more than $400,000. In 2012, most CMIO respondents earn salaries in the $200,000 to $300,000 range (43 percent). Only 14 percent earn an annual salary of $100,000 for CMIO duties. This is the third year that CMIO, the leading publication for CMIOs and clinical IT leaders, has conducted the CMIO Annual Compensation Survey.

Salaries will be on the rise again this year, with two-thirds of CMIO respondents expecting a raise in 2012. Similar optimism is seen with financial bonuses, with more than half of CMIOs expecting to get a bonus in 2012—and 27 percent are hopeful it will be larger than last year. These numbers suggest that CMIOs are demonstrating value to institutions and therefore, they anticipate financial recognition.

In terms of background, most CMIO respondents are licensed physicians, although nearly a quarter are not currently practicing medicine. Most work for a multi-hospital organization/IDN (44 percent) in a mid-size facility of 200 to 500 beds (37 percent), with another large percentage harkening from large facilities with more than 1,000 beds (23 percent).

A few things surprised the editors of CMIO. Whether job stress due to the demands of playing leader and peacemaker with demanding physician IT adoption or the U.S. economic crisis are to blame, some CMIOs are less pleased with their wages than last year: 26 percent report being somewhat or very dissatisfied with their salary. Of the group saying they were dissatisfied, about 41 percent say they’d like to change positions this year.

For full details on the survey results, please visit the February issue of CMIO available at CMIO.net.

NTC welcomed two members to its full-time staff, David Ferguson and Maureen Kvam. They bring a wealth of knowledge to NTC and will form the basis of an entirely new department, the Business Development Team. This new department will be responsible for building relationships with corporate, government and non-profit sponsors that are interested in being associated with teaching important life skills to students, teachers and families.

With programs dealing with health care, financial literacy, electrical safety, water awareness, smoking prevention, recycling, wise energy use, renewable energy, nutrition, bullying prevention, and more – NTC is proof that theatre can educate even as it entertains. Its outreach programs are entirely underwritten by corporate, non-profit and governmental sponsors who want to be associated with delivering healthy-living messages to students and their families. Some of these sponsors include Duke Energy, AEP, Bank of the West, TVA, American Water and more. NTC performs over 7,000 times a year throughout the country, actively engaging 2.8 million students and parents through its programming. And that number is rising.

Maureen joins NTC after many years working in the television industry as the Vice President and Sales Manager at Avery Knodel and SelTel in NYC. She also served on the Board of Directors and has an extensive background as a professional volunteer in schools coordinating programs such as Destination ImagiNation and Curtain Call Club. As a Director of Business Development in Health and Wellness at NTC, Maureen will be responsible for developing client relationships for touring programs in the areas of obesity prevention, personal hygiene, smoking prevention and bullying-prevention (among others).

Prior to joining NTC, David spent over 20 years in the promotional marketing and financial industries. He enjoyed roles of increasing responsibility, leading to Vice President, Sales positions. He was instrumental in the rapid growth of Young America Corporation by contributing thought leadership and adding major national accounts, such as Walgreens, P&G, Sears, Lexmark and OfficeMax, to the company’s portfolio of clients. As Director, Business Development for Financial Education, David will focus his efforts on developing sponsorships for NTC’s financial literacy and investor education programs.

The national headquarters of Susan G. Komen reversed its decision regarding funding to Planned Parenthood. The organization apologized to the American public for decisions that cast doubt upon their commitment to their mission of saving lives.

While the decision would have not affected local access to breast health services, “At the Pittsburgh Affiliate we listened to the residents of our 30-county service area and relayed their wishes to the national headquarters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure,” says Kathy Purcell, executive director of the Pittsburgh Affiliate of Komen. “We are grateful that local affiliates across the country were successful in communicating to the national headquarters our desire and our constituents’ desire to have their decision reversed.”

Susan G. Komen revised its funding policy to specify that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health insurance companies in Arizona are pursuing double-digit premium increases for more than 30 insurance health plans in the state.

Officials from AARP Arizona are weighing-in with the Arizona Department of Insurance on the transparency of health insurance plan rate reviews. The department is currently reviewing the process for rate reviews of health insurance plans. AARP believes consumers should have the opportunity to be more engaged in the process.

AARP would like to see proposed rate increases posted online for public comment before the rate increases are considered “reasonable or unreasonable,” and that policyholders are notified of potential rate increases before they are classified as such.

In addition, AARP supports the adoption of an alert system similar to that which the state of Minnesota currently uses. “We believe policyholders should be allowed to enroll in an alert system that automatically indicates when rate hikes are submitted for review by the department,” Mitchell added. “We think informing policyholders is not only important, but that the notices should be easy to understand, state the implications of the increase and what options are available to policyholders.”

The Arizona Department of Insurance is currently gathering comments from various stakeholder groups on this issue. “AARP strongly supports the opportunity for consumers to be active participants in the insurance market and we applaud the Arizona Department of Insurance for their continued work in this area,” said Mitchell.

For more information about AARP in Arizona go to www.aarp.org/az or check out AARP Arizona on Facebook.

Citing the significant quality of life benefits that oral chemotherapy drugs can provide over intravenously (IV) administered chemotherapy, Maryland’s cancer community, patient advocacy representatives and patients themselves called on the state legislature this week to pass key legislation that would ensure Maryland’s cancer patients are able to access their prescribed chemotherapy regimen of choice.

IV chemotherapy can lead to side effects including pain, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and anemia, and can lead to added costs and logistical issues as patients must travel to cancer care facilities for treatment. Although oral chemotherapy drugs taken at home often result in fewer side effects, many health insurance plans’ coverage of orally administered chemotherapy is prohibitive due to higher copays, expensive deductibles or restrictive coverage limits.

The Kathleen A. Mathias Chemotherapy Parity Act of 2012 (Senate Bill 179) would prohibit insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from covering orally administered cancer chemotherapy on terms that are less favorable than coverage for IV administered cancer chemotherapy. The bill is named in honor of the late Kathy Mathias, wife of Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38), who lost her 14-year battle with cancer last August. The legislation currently has 26 cosponsors in the Senate and will be heard before the Maryland House Health and Government Operations Committee on February 9.

In testimony this week before the Maryland Senate Finance Committee, Larry L. Lanier, NPAF Vice President of State Government Affairs, noted that parity in chemotherapy drug coverage remains an important issue for patients, with many contacting PAF on a regular basis in need of assistance to cover the cost of oral chemotherapy medications. Additional testimony was provided by representatives from The Maryland/District of Columbia Society of Clinical Oncology, the Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), additional Maryland-based advocates, and patients who would benefit from the passage of this legislation.

In the current environment, medical education groups are faced with the challenge of holding down costs while adding new programs and expanding into emerging markets. As a result, pharmaceutical and medical device leaders are beginning to leverage their resources in these emerging areas, such as China and India, in order to help fuel overall growth.

Medical Device companies only allocate 7.5% of their Medical Education FTEs to the Asia-emerging areas and an even smaller percentage of their Medical Education budget, 6.4%, according to primary research on “Professional Medical Education Excellence: Structures, Resources, Services & Performance Levels to Optimize” conducted by Best Practices, LLC. Similarly, pharmaceutical companies offer even greater potential for growth into emerging markets, as they currently dedicate only 1.9% of their Medical Education FTEs and budget to these geographic areas.

Download a complimentary white paper at http://www3.best-in-class.com/rr1143.htm that includes selected best practices drawn from extensive primary research with executives from 35 leading companies, including 10 medical device firms and 25 pharma companies. In addition, more than 80 percent of the benchmark class includes executives at the Vice President and Director levels.

The full 85-page report contains over 350 benchmark metrics and more than 17 narratives, delivering benchmarks around medical education groups’ geographic focus, utilization of staff, and outsourcing of program creation and deployment provided by 40 top medical education leaders.

On Feb. 3, 2012, Cardinal Health was granted a temporary restraining order against the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) immediate suspension order of its Lakeland, Fla. DEA registration.

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Reggie B. Walton granted the temporary restraining order that allows Cardinal Health to immediately resume shipments of controlled medicines from its Lakeland facility to hospital and pharmacy customers pending a preliminary injunction hearing currently scheduled for February 13.

The order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is available here: http://ecom.cardinalhealth.com/cardinalhealth/attachments/order.pdf.

In 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors amid an emotionally charged debate regarding how to treat childhood cancer. At that time, few children with the most common form of childhood cancer survived, and many physicians believed treatment was futile. St. Jude physicians and researchers took a radically different approach, and these efforts proved pivotal in changing the way the world treats childhood cancer. St. Jude is recognized for playing a significant role in improving overall survival rates for childhood cancer, which have increased from 20 percent in 1962 to 80 percent today.

In recognition of this impact over the past 50 years, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam declared February “St. Jude Month” in the state of Tennessee. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, the hospital opened February 4, 1962.

St. Jude Recognitions

1995

Charles Sherr, M.D., Ph.D., of St. Jude Tumor Cell Biology, is elected into the National Academy of Sciences.

1996

Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., then chair of the St. Jude Department of Immunology, wins the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his work that led to a better understanding of the immune response.

2006

St. Jude is named the No. 1 “Best Place to Work in Academia” by The Scientist magazine.

2007

St. Jude is designated one of six Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

2008

St. Jude is designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, making it the first and only cancer center solely focused on pediatric cancer to receive this distinction.

2009

Parents magazine names St. Jude as the No. 1 pediatric cancer care hospital in the country, based on the magazine’s survey of more than 100 children’s hospitals.

2009

St. Jude scientists who represent the interdisciplinary team studying ALL receive the Team Science Award from the American Association for Cancer Research.

2010

Nurses and staff in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Jude are recognized in 2009 and 2010 by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses with the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence.

2010

St. Jude is named the nation’s top children’s cancer hospital, according to the 2010-11 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.

2012

In 2011 and 2012, St. Jude is named one of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” by FORTUNE magazine.

The Obama administration, to justify its widely criticized mandate for contraception and sterilization coverage in private health plans, has posted a set of false and misleading claims on the White House blog (“Health Reform, Preventive Services, and Religious Institutions,” February 1). In what follows, each White House claim is quoted with a response.

Claim: “Churches are exempt from the new rules: Churches and other houses of worship will be exempt from the requirement to offer insurance that covers contraception.”

Response: This is not entirely true. To be eligible, even churches and houses of worship must show the government that they hire and serve primarily people of their own faith and have the inculcation of religious values as their purpose. Some churches may have service to the broader community as a major focus, for example, by providing direct service to the poor regardless of faith. Such churches would be denied an exemption precisely because their service to the common good is so great. More importantly, the vast array of other religious organizations – schools, hospitals, universities, charitable institutions – will clearly not be exempt.

Claim: “No individual health care provider will be forced to prescribe contraception: The President and this Administration have previously and continue to express strong support for existing conscience protections. For example, no Catholic doctor is forced to write a prescription for contraception.” [Read more…]

Argos Therapeutics Inc. recently announced that updated results from an open label Phase 2 study of its Arcelis™ immunotherapy, AGS-003, in combination with sunitinib in patients with unfavorable risk, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), had demonstrated prolonged survival. Based upon these results, the company is planning to initiate the international Phase 3 ADAPT study. Data from the open-label Phase 2 study were presented in a poster and oral session at the 2012 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.

Twenty-one patients with newly diagnosed, metastatic clear cell RCC were enrolled in this Phase 2 study. Following nephrectomy or metastasectomy to harvest tumor mRNA, autologous monocytes were collected by leukapheresis, in order to produce RNA-loaded dendritic cells specific to each patient’s disease. Treatment consisted of six-week cycles of sunitinib, four weeks on and two weeks off, plus AGS-003, which was administered as an intradermal injection every three weeks for five doses, and then every 12 weeks until progression in combination with sunitinib. Immune responses were evaluated at baseline and following five doses of AGS-003 using multiparametric flow cytometry, to assess the induction of anti-tumor, CD28+ memory T cell responses.

Results indicate that multiple partial responses were observed with this combination regimen, while 11 of 15 (73%) patients with serial immune assessments demonstrated increases in their CD28+ memory T cells. These immune responses correlated directly with prolonged survival in this study. Overall, the median progression-free survival was 11.2 months and estimated Kaplan-Meier median overall survival was 29.3 months in this study, based upon follow-up through January 2012. In addition, AGS-003 was well tolerated in combination with sunitinib, with no immunotherapy related serious adverse events observed.

Currently, there are more than 112,000 patients on the national organ transplant waiting list. These candidates often endure difficult yet necessary life-sustaining treatments while waiting for potential organ matches. Nineteen people die every day while waiting, and those that are eventually transplanted can endure wait times that can extend anywhere from 5-9 years.

The need for life-saving organ transplants was recently highlighted when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shared his friend and long-time coach is in need of a kidney transplant. The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations applauds Brady for the attention he has brought to living donation specifically and to all organ and tissue donation in general.

Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) are the national stewards of the precious gift of life. During 2011 the 58 federally designated OPOs helped more than 8,000 deceased donors and their families give the gift of organ donation. Several OPOs, in collaboration with their local transplant centers also have programs that support and facilitate living organ donation.

The most effective way to save lives through organ donation is by registering your personal decision through your state designated donor registry. Each state has a Uniform Anatomical Gift law that protects and facilitates deceased donation. For more information about donation or how to become a designated donor in your state, please visit Donate Life America at http://donatelife.net.

A burgeoning market for healthcare peripherals and increasing smartphone processing power will result in the number of patients monitored by mobile networks to rise to 3 million by 2016, finds Juniper Research’s latest report on the mHealth sector.

Remote patient monitoring, using the smartphone as a hub, will also lower the cost of mHealth services by reducing the need for costly tailored devices. [Read more…]

The TIGR system was recently named one of the top 10 technologies of 2011 for empowering patients and their families through the recovery process. With “meaningful use” and patient satisfaction policies changing hospital reimbursements, hospitals have begun expanding the use of these systems to address other challenges such as readmissions, service recovery, and revenue generation. The system will aid the two Centra hospitals through consistent education practices across the system, advanced discharge planning, EMR integration with their McKesson solution, and patient satisfaction.

TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced that it has partnered with Centra Health (Centra) to deploy the TIGR interactive patient education system across the health system’s acute care facilities. Centra is a technology driven, award-winning health system with state-of-the-art hospitals and health center facilities well known nationwide for their excellence in clinical and patient care. The partnership is focused on developing resources to transform patient care at Centra Lynchburg General and Centra Virginia Baptist Hospitals. In a campaign to motivate patient involvement in their recovery and educating patients about their role in the process, Centra has integrated the system across 1060 beds in the system as well as interoperability with their McKesson EMR system. [Read more…]

How many people do you know who have been affected by heart disease or stroke? How many have been your family members? Fifty-five-year-old Gail had lost nearly everyone in her family to cardiovascular disease and when she lost her father, too, she fell into poor eating habits that made her cholesterol and blood pressure levels soar. Her risk for heart disease and stroke had never been higher.

The Problem

Heart attacks and strokes cause one of every three deaths in the U.S. Americans suffer more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year, and every day, 2,200 people die from cardiovascular disease. If you’re over 20, there’s a 50 percent chance that you, like Gail, have at least one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke—high blood pressure, high cholesterol or you smoke. [Read more…]

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed what they believe to be the first clinical application of a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors. The unique test could preclude the need for surgery in patients whose tumors are located in areas of the brain too dangerous to biopsy.

This new magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) technique provides a definitive diagnosis of cancer based on imaging of a protein associated with a mutated gene found in 80 percent of low- and intermediate-grade gliomas. Presence of the mutation also means a better prognosis. [Read more…]

TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient engagement solutions, is partnering with Piedmont Healthcare (PHC) in implementing a comprehensive, customized patient-centered environment designed to improve patient education and provide interactive communication. These technological and process enhancements will help speed patient recovery, reduce readmissions and length of stay and involve patients more directly in better understanding and managing their care.

Piedmont Healthcare sought a solutions provider that embraced utilizing the latest in technology to enhance quality of care. Knowing that improved patient engagement reduces preventable readmissions and could help them meet their care coordination objectives, the system decided to implement a system-wide interactive patient education system. By aiding education adherence during key transitional periods during the recovery, patients are better equipped to manage their conditions and health behaviors. Based on their ability to provide a full technology solution and a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry, Piedmont immediately turned to long-time partner provider, TeleHealth Services.

TeleHealth is equipping the system with a full enterprise TIGR™ system, providing on-demand patient education and patient engagement solutions to the hospitals in the system. Additionally, the TIGR system features patient surveying and reporting to facilitate immediate service recovery and aid in Piedmont’s quality and patient satisfaction efforts. Piedmont’s patient-centered solution also includes enhancements to their healthcare television system. Samsung healthcare-grade televisions and new Curbell Gen4™ direct-access pillow speakers will help to create a home-like atmosphere for patients, while providing scalability for future entertainment options. [Read more…]

While only one person could be named the official winner of the 25th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon, all who showed up to Zuma Beach left with a sense of victory as the competition raised more than $1.1 million for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. With attendees and competitors including celebrities, athletes, philanthropists and organizations, a good time was had by all with a common good cause in mind.

In addition to the abundance of spectators, stars came out to support and compete in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Ali Vincent came in first in the celebrity female division with a time of 2:09:21, and Ryan Sutter came in first in the celebrity male division with a time of 1:33:04. Team The Lying Game brought home the victory in the Celebrity Co-Ed Relay Division with a time of 1:26:30. Also competing in the Celebrity Division were: Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson, Jon Cryer, Mark Paul Gosselaar, Chris Harrison, Natalie Morales and Tiffani Thiessen, to name a few. [Read more…]

Are you currently cut out for caregiving? Is Alzheimer’s disease within your midst, prodding ideas on how very best to soothe your degenerating mother or father? Whether or not the latter resides with you, or at assisted-living or nursing residences, each of you require sustenance.

Getting been her full-time caregiver, I’m grateful that my Alzheimer’s-affected mother, Mary, bestowed upon me that privilege. Over the previous decade, I concentrated on fulfilling her palliative needs. When she died a few months back, I was overwhelmed by mingled sorrow and awe. The realization stored striking me, how often her unconditional love for me had poured through her, regardless of her eroded brain. I’d never have already been graced with potent, surfacing expressions of my mother’s devotion, had I not chosen the role of dominant guardianship.

Is definitely an inchoate call nudging you, to minister for your elder’s suffering, within close proximity to pain, on the round-the-clock basis? Understanding is key.

(A) Self-Query For each 4 Considerations:

Alzheimer’s will be the most typical kind of dementia. The duration and intensity of the affliction, and the individual’s behavior patterns differ. Insurance eligibility obstacles and insufficient income exacerbate an already worrisome scenario. It is noted that near to $175,000 (and it is escalating) in subsistence costs will be expended throughout an Alzheimer’s patient’s lifetime. Presently, since 2002, the amount of instances has crested to five million from four million. More households really feel submerged by conflicted goals. Let’s ponder if an at-home program seems possible for you personally as main attendant.

Initial, Your Feeling of Objective: Does the thought of home treatment evoke a feeling of vocation – or of obligation? Is your relationship together with your mother or father such, that aged inner wounds have healed, and can not jeopardize pragmatic chores? Will you react with patience, fortitude, compassion? Is your real motive, guilt or filial love? Will other instant kin really feel displaced, through the essential ferocity of concentrate you’ll immediate towards the invalid?

Your Aptitude For Tending: Would you stay motivated, throughout intervals – and there will be – when siblings, family members, buddies, can’t or will not proffer assistance? Do you think you can operate devices this kind of as these testing blood sugar? Are you currently as well squeamish to handle injections, bathing, dressing, feeding the shut-in? You love your parent, but do you want her or him – like enough, to relieve the hefty boredom that threatens to plunge the bed-ridden one into despair? Would you read the newspaper for your father, despite the fact you have only had two hrs rest, after allaying his fears all evening? Would you amuse your mom with silly jokes, while secretly dispirited, getting just deciphered the most recent lab reviews on her impairment? Would you remind your self throughout a crisis, whenever your ward rebuffs, even insults you, that it is the illness babbling, not your revered mother or father? Do you emanate balance, trusting when to insist on rules, and when to deviate? Is there sufficient discipline in you to organize doctor appointments, and adhere to fixed intervals for administering medicines? Would you be able to dealing at times, with the ungovernable mind, yours along with the dependent’s?

Your Resilience: Do you encounter claustrophobia, whereby being detained bedside, for hrs on end, would affect you adversely? Have you the stamina to push a wheelchair through a mall? Do you have the physical vigor to lift your mother or father from chair to bed to chair to bed, ad infinitum, throughout the day? Do you have creative inner resources, that will assist you muster fun and laughter for the each of you? For instance, I refused to view my mother like a victim; she was hampered by Alzheimer’s although not exclusively defined by it. Humor and lightheartedness, her essence, would always be considered a component of her life, I had vowed.

Your Learning Capacities: Does a every day routine, a highly structured lifestyle, bore or benefit you? Would you think about your self informed, avid for geriatric research, to ensure that you may confer confidently with experts, for each their diagnoses and recommendations?

Also, could you separate your loved 1 from the realm of figures? Would you uncover the degree to which this unique individual emits what I expression an R and T” element – being Reachable and Teachable? To my delight, my mom diligently recited her name, Mary, and recalled it at any time after. Would you instruct a resilient, and prepared parent? My mom had been an independent person. Confirming my instincts, she welcomed avenues, nevertheless minor, by which I could relinquish control to her. I would cut her food, then create a serving spoon, with which she could scoop the morsels and steer them to her mouth. When radically enfeebled her last couple of weeks, confined towards the armchair she favored more than hospital-type beds, she allow me to curl her fingers about the utensil. Subtly I guided her hand, so that she felt she was feeding herself. It’ll startle you, witnessing a muted personality heralding by itself in opposition to immense odds on uncommon occasions.

Your Modified Relationship: Could you bear residing with someone you realize, who doesn’t know you? Will you accept your unsettling new identity, like a stranger who now must generate affection, previously an offspring’s entitlement? Will you risk interactions, with somebody you love who will decide whether or to not adore you back again? Are you able to remain centered, even contented, within the current second, where the dear one resides?

Therefore, are you suited for caregiving? If so, as well as your desire to protect matches, if recognized, your parent’s wishes, and your income sources accommodate the choice, you and your cost are really blessed.

If conditions dictate or else, this type of boon is not unique to at-home environs. You may transfer home treatment abilities to professional facilities. Your purposefulness in showering empathy, inside your responsiveness to particulars others overlook, will matter certainly (going to frequently, unwrapping treasures this kind of as baby-soft blankets; re-adjusting the slant of mattress whenever you surmise your parent’s discomfort; re-filling the water cup, quenching thirst prior to asked; scrutinizing the attentiveness of staff, or just sitting quietly, stroking his/her brow). Your fidelity immeasurably elevates the quality of residing for an or else isolated, inactive, frequently speech-impaired frail becoming.

The proposals beneath may still be germane to your situation, in feeding, guarding, and stabilizing conditions for the mother or father, throughout every of your encounters. Moreover, they enhance the importance of self-care. Even if you dwell a sizeable distance from failing relatives, their fluctuating viability probably weighs palpably in your mind, and also you deserve to feel uplifted.

(B) Preparation:

Peruse publications, books, and web sites on the topic of caregiving. Look for out support groups, to heed the dilemmas and irony of parenting your own parent. If possible, enroll in a class on CPR methods. Discuss with doctors, the merits of depression-screening to avoid confusion with dementia. Evaluate visiting-nurse ramifications. If caregiving is not an option, appraise the value of Alzheimer’s-geared assisted-living over nursing houses; go on-line and Google Alzheimer’s placement referral services” if need be.

Access intelligible content articles from web sites this kind of as alzinfo.org; alznews.org; and AlzheimersDementiaInfo.com. Learn about an intriguing discovery, SORL 1, a potential gene factor that might trigger Alzheimer’s. Discern actions appropriate for early phases, this kind of as strolling, or crossword puzzle-solving.

Investigate totally free transportation along with other services, that governmental agencies implement. A few social, groups sponsor a one-day small scholarship, which means a compensated, carefree caregiver’s vacation spent any way envisioned – purchasing a book, viewing a film, dining inside a café, whatever respite is most life-affirming for you.

Also, consult with close family members and friends. Permit them to vent objections, and also to reveal how they’d prefer to contribute. The greater everyone fathoms Alzheimer’s disordered progression, and what to anticipate from every other, the more harmonious, the outcome.

(C) Value Unexpected Marvels:

All through your services to your parent, recognize the intangible jewels embedded in the experience. Indeed, Alzheimer’s brings beauty also as load.

Since you are supervising 24/7, you may witness wondrous occurrences unavailable to those that sporadically visit. Alzheimer’s drowns memory. In my mother’s case, I perceived that the insidious amnesia was not continuous; forgetfulness flowed in waves. There were moments of billowing joy for us, when she suddenly would turn lucid, pat my cheek, utter my title, and hug me. Numerous days, weeks, months might ebb, prior to cognition upsurged again. But those idyllic moments of re-connection, sustained me.

(D) Accept Stops, And Beginnings:

Because the illness advances, symptoms change, and no two illnesses mirror every other. The weakening results of Alzheimer’s may creep along or erupt in stunning form. A few weeks prior to my mother departed, her legs gave way without any forewarning. I’m thankful that till then, she could appreciate shuffling to the wheelchair, with my help. Before her final 24 months of tribulation, she displayed sufficient agility to stroll with me for early morning constitutionals” 12 months after year.

In the preliminary levels of Alzheimer’s, not only my mom but numerous others who remain cellular might tumble into terrifying phases of running away, or hiding. Only uninterrupted monitoring of their whereabouts will anchor them to safe surroundings. A childlike urge to pry goads them. If nonetheless powerful, they may straddle the banister; climb out windows; toss a bowl in the t.v. display to capture the attention with the people trapped within. They may turn out to be caught in the act of tasting inedible curiosities, such like a packet of dishwasher gel my mom chewed, which garnered her a swift go to towards the hospital. You may need to re-think home design and customs. Clearing lower cabinets, fastening safety locks atop bathroom doors, inserting durable gates at stairways. At dinner, no chicken bones, no hefty glassware. How would you safeguard a toddler? Create the same mind-set.

In the acute phases, a persistent discomfort inexplicably might vanish. Occasionally, your loved 1 might appear to rally, only to relapse, then re-group once more. To avert a traumatic jolting from a untrue sense of desire, don’t shed sight of the uninvited but inevitable big image. Unless a new remedy abruptly materializes, a medication or wonder intervenes, overall path for the invalid is downward. Whether you are religious or not, the well-known prayer, Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot alter, the courage to change what I can, and also the knowledge to know the main difference, proves consoling for many caregivers. I understand it had been and it is for me. Once the second of parting arises, an consciousness fortifies you, which you had supplied, not only an effective home-based hospice, but a haven, for the cherished one.

Within the days before her passing, for precious intervals, my mother would grip my wrist, whilst laboring to formulate the phrase “love.” Our partnership had swirled full circle, with her maternal impulses roused, intent on emboldening me for whatever the future unveiled. Whether or not at the end she was asserting our biological ties or anointing me her “honorary” daughter, our hyperlink proves insoluble.

If you have spiritual inclinations, I encourage you to maintain a constructive, even Larger Image in thoughts – in the event you believe in, as I do, in divine love, a tremendous reassurance will envelop you, With gratitude, we may sense that those whose passing we’ll mourn, shall explore a greater unseen eternal reality, savoring a vast capacity to become present to us, and cherish us. May you and your cherished 1 resonate with peace.

Welcome to the writings – Trusting they help. C. Gia is really a professional free-lance author. The latter has drawn upon, per this essay, over a decade’s encounter, in hands-on overseeing the welfare of her Alzheimer’s mother or father. A brand new website highlighting her varied columns will be furnished within the close to future.

Among the issues that is essential to think about whenever you leave company America for your freedom of one’s personal company is inexpensive wellness insurance coverage. Actually, the reason most often cited for NOT taking the plunge into self-employment will be the absence of cheap wellness insurance options for people who are not employed by an organization that will offer more affordable rates on wellness insurance via a group health insurance plan.

In the event you do determine to brave it and be your own boss, there are lots of places where you are able to reduce corners. Letting yourself or your loved ones go without health insurance isn’t certainly one of them. Right here are some common options that will make wellness insurance inexpensive if you are a self-employed entrepreneur or crafter. [Read more…]

Giselle Singh is a 28 year-old single mom who struggled with her weight for years, trying nearly every weight-loss approach including dieting, exercise and weight-loss pills before changing her life with the Lap-Band® procedure.

“Starting at around 21, I began to gain weight, and it kept increasing each year,” she says. At my heaviest, I weighed close to three hundred pounds!” says Giselle, who is 5’9″ tall. “I tried to lose weight by eating much less, but always ‘rebounded’ and ate even more. I tried over-the-counter diet pills, and eventually managed to lose about 80 pounds. Then I got pregnant and started to pile the weight back on. I had my son in 2007, and was back up to 260 pounds and still gaining.”

Giselle says that after having her baby she decided to do her best to lose weight again. “I bought a set of home workout DVD’s, but I just couldn’t motivate myself to lose the weight. I’d lose maybe 5 pounds, then gain 10 right back.” To make matters worse, Giselle says she also suffered from post-partum depression. “When I looked at myself in the mirror before starting to work out, I’d think ‘Look at me, why even try?'”

Giselle remembers driving by a 1-800-GET-THIN billboard near her home. “Each time I passed that billboard I thought to myself, ‘I could never be that lucky person whose insurance would be accepted and be able to lose the weight. I couldn’t really do it.'” But Giselle realized she had to try something that could work, and she eventually decided to call 1-800-GET-THIN to learn more about the Lap-Band®. She attended a free seminar in her area. “Everyone was so helpful,” she says. “They helped me with my insurance, and after I got approval I was able to schedule my Lap-Band® to be done last October. My doctor was very attentive and he has been watching me closely since having my procedure. And you know what? I’ve already lost 100 pounds in 5 months. I never thought of myself as being healthy, but now I do. I’m really motivated to keep the weight off and now I’m exercising every day at home. I have transformed my life!”

1800GetThin.com has helped thousands of people to take the first steps to a new, healthier life. And with a study recently reported on CBS News showing that obesity now affects 25% of California’s population, The Lap-Band® may be the right answer for those who have failed with diet and exercise.

For information on weight loss, lifestyle changes and the Lap-Band®, call 1-800-GET-THIN or visit www.1800getthin.com. All individuals should consult their physician prior to any weight loss program. Studies indicate that individuals can achieve 30-50% excess weight loss at 3 years. 1 800 GET THIN does not provide any medical services, hire any doctors or operate any medical facilities.

SOURCE 1-800-GET-THIN

LUNGevity Foundation applauds the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent approval of XALKORI® (crizotinib) to treat lung cancer. The drug, introduced by Pfizer, Inc. showed such promise in early trials that it was given “fast track” status by the FDA.

LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris called the FDA’s approval of XALKORI incredibly positive, saying: “The trial results are remarkable, strengthening the body of evidence that targeted therapies hold great promise in treating this deadly cancer. Lung cancer is the nation’s number one cancer killer. The federal government and the private sector need to invest in accelerating all of the other promising research now underway that can change the way we diagnose and treat lung cancer and save lives.” [Read more…]

“In preparation for Hurricane Irene and for the safety of Duane Reade’s associates and customers, Duane Reade stores will begin closing at noon on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Selected locations will remain open until 9pm ET and all store locations will remain closed throughout the weekend. Please contact your local Duane Reade to check the store’s hours for today.

“Duane Reade anticipates reopening each store location on Monday morning, resuming normal business hours. However, each store reopening will be dependant upon the availability of mass transit and electricity at that location.

“Customers needing essential prescriptions are urged to contact their local Duane Reade pharmacy as early as possible today to ensure that they are able to obtain their prescriptions.

“In addition, taking into account the suspension of mass transit today beginning at noon, Duane Reade has a plan in place to ensure that all employees can safely get home this evening before the impending storm.”

SOURCE Duane Reade

Saying the nation’s Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) sector has contributed substantially to advancing well being care reform and deficit reduction in the encounter of serious state Medicaid funding pressures along with other main budgetary problems, the Alliance for High quality Nursing House Care these days expressed alarm about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) newly-published Final Rule [“Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Experienced Nursing Amenities for FY 2012”], and stated it’ll dangerously destabilize the nation’s 2nd biggest health facility employer, place patients and their care at deep risk, and put tens of 1000’s of well being jobs in instant jeopardy. [Read more…]

TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced a master agreement with Sentara Healthcare as part of the health system’s strategy to advance the patient experience and quality of healthcare in their facilities. Striving to enhance their patient-centered model, the Virginia-based not-for-profit health system determined the need for securing a partner who could provide improved patient comfort and care while adding efficiency to clinical workflows.

Sentara, one of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations, creates innovative systems of care that help people achieve and maintain their best possible state of health. As a part of this mission and enhancing its overall patient experience, Sentara embarked on a detailed search process for a new patient education and entertainment system provider. After comparing providers, Sentara chose TeleHealth Services because they offered the only platform that had a three-tiered integrated solution for future scalability, system-wide enterprise architecture and a robust entertainment offering. TeleHealth Services’ reputation of providing leading support and flexible financing options also played a big role in the decision. [Read more…]

StreetDirectory.com has a great article about the unwiring of the healthcare industry.

“Visit any hospital in Asia and you will see physicians walking along corridors of white anesthetized rooms visiting patients while holding flipcharts, scribbling observations and recommendations. Attending nurses move to and from their station answering calls, paging physicians and following up on patient medication.

Most departments from administration, finance, purchasing, nurse stations, resident physicians and laboratories have computers networked together to allow authorized staff to view documents online.

Advances in technology and business processes have reached the point where real benefits can be achieved through the convergence of computing and communications. It’s no longer the realm of science fiction and healthcare institutions with very deep pockets, healthcare providers of different sizes, even those specializing in niche areas of healthcare provision, have discovered the payback of computing and the hard benefits of going wireless.”

This afternoon, the Virginia Autism Project joined families and communities in Virginia in applauding Governor Robert McDonnell in signing Home Bill 2467 and Senate Bill 1062, which will become law effective January 1, 2012.

This new law demands insurance companies to offer evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies for children ages 2 thru 6 with a $35,000 annual cap. Sponsored by Senator Janet Howell (Fairfax-D) and Delegates Tim Hugo (Fairfax-R), Tom Rust (Fairfax/Loudoun-R), and Tag Greason (Loudoun-R), this reform passed the General Assembly with overwhelming support last month following 11 years of failed attempts.

[Read more…]

Travel Insurance is insurance that’s intended to cover medical expenses and monetary (such as cash invested in nonrefundable pre-payments) along with other losses incurred whilst traveling, either within one’s own country, or internationally.

We advise passengers who are going on a trip to purchase a Travel Insurance policy that includes adequate coverage for lost or stolen baggage and it is contents.

We strongly suggest that the passenger(s) consider purchasing travel and trip cancellation insurance to protect their travel investment, in case the passenger(s) might discover it essential to delay or cancel component of or the entire trip. [Read more…]

The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an Order that settles charges that NBTY, NatureSmart, and Rexall Sundown made false and unsupported claims that their Disney and Marvel Heroes line of children’s multivitamins contained a significant amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an Omega-3 fatty acid) and promoted healthy brain and eye development in children. As part of the settlement in this case, which was first announced in December 2010, NBTY, Inc. and two subsidiaries, NatureSmart LLC and Rexall Sundown, Inc have agreed to pay $2.1 million to provide refunds to consumers who purchased these multivitamins.

Part of the Order is listed below:

The Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of certain acts and practices of the respondents named in the caption hereof, and the respondents having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of complaint which the Bureau of Consumer Protection proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge the respondents with violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and The respondents and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by the respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft complaint, a statement that the signing of the agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that any of the facts as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true, and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission’s Rules; and

The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that the respondents have violated the Act, and that complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days for the receipt and consideration of public comments, and having duly considered the comments received from interested persons, now in further conformity with the procedure described in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings, and issues the following order:

1. Respondent NBTY, Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business

located at 2100 Smithtown Ave., Ronkonkoma, New York 11779.

2. Respondent NatureSmart LLC is a Colorado limited liability company with its principal place of business at 2100 Smithtown Ave., Ronkonkoma, New York 11779.

3. Respondent Rexall Sundown, Inc., also doing business as Sundown, Inc., is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business at 2100 Smithtown Ave., Ronkonkoma, New York 11779.

4. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondents and this proceeding is in the public interest. [Read more…]

The U.S. Department of Justice, via a request by the FTC, has asked a federal district court to impose civil penalties upon an herbal products company named “Daniel Chapter One (DCO)” and its principal, James Feijo, for allegedly violating an FTC Order.

The civil penalty action also seeks a preliminary injunction to stop DCO and Feijo from continuing to make deceptive claims on the company’s daily radio show and website about the supposed cancer-fighting properties of its supplements, and to require DCO and Feijo to send a notice to purchasers explaining the FTC’s findings that the advertisements were unsubstantiated, as required by the FTC Order.

Daniel Chapter One and Feijo deceptively advertised that four dietary supplements – BioShark, 7 Herb Formula, GDU, and BioMixx – inhibit tumor formation or growth, eliminate tumors, treat or cure cancer, or heal the effects of radiation or chemotherapy. An administrative trial took place in April 2009, and the Administrative Law Judge found that the defendants were making deceptive claims. The Commission upheld the ALJ’s initial decision in December 2009.

As part of the FTC Order issued in December 2009, Daniel Chapter One and Feijo were required to stop making the deceptive claims, and to send a notice to purchasers explaining the FTC’s findings that advertising claims for the supplements were unsubstantiated, and that consumers should consult with health care providers before using any herbal product, to ensure that all aspects of their medical treatment work together.

According to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and CVS Caremark, “Dispense as Written” Prescriptions costs the health care system up to $7.7 billion annually.

About 5 percent of prescriptions submitted by CVS Caremark Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) members in a 30-day period during 2009 included a “dispense as written” (DAW) designation. According to CVS Carmark, this “practice – whereby doctors or patients demand the dispensing of a specific brand-name drug and not a generic alternative – costs the health care system up to $7.7 billion annually, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and CVS Caremark. Moreover, these requests reduce the likelihood that patients actually fill new prescriptions for essential chronic conditions.”

The study reviewed 5.6 million prescriptions adjudicated by CVS Caremark for two million patients from January 1 to January 31, 2009. The review found that 2.7 percent of those prescriptions were designated DAW by doctors, while another two percent were requested DAW by patients.

If existing safe and effective generic alternatives had been provided in place of those brand-specific prescriptions, patients would have saved $1.7 million and health plans would have spent $10.6 million less for the medications. The researchers said that assuming a similar rate of DAW requests for the more than 3.6 billion prescriptions filled in the U.S. annually, patient costs could be reduced by $1.2 billion and overall health system costs could be reduced by $7.7 billion.

The study is a product of CVS Caremark’s previously announced three-year collaboration with Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital to research pharmacy claims data in order to better understand patient behavior, particularly around medication adherence. Annual excess health care costs due to medication non-adherence in the U.S. have been estimated to be as much as $290 billion annually.

Topamax (topiramate), when taken by pregnant women, greatly increases the risk that their babies will develop birth defects, like cleft lips and cleft palates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned recently. Alternative medications have lower risks of causing birth defects, and women treated with Topamax during pregnancy whose children were born with birth defects are increasingly filing suit to be compensated. Johnson Law Group is evaluating and accepting Topamax cases now.

“More than 4.3 million patients filled Topamax prescriptions in the U.S. in the last four years,” said Attorney Nick Johnson, founder of Johnson Law Group. “That includes a significant number of women who may never have known how dangerous Topamax could be for their developing infants. Those women and children deserve justice.”

The FDA has said, “…topiramate is being placed in Pregnancy Category D. Pregnancy Category D means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk … an increased risk for oral clefts … based on human data.” Previously the drug was listed as a Category C drug, which recognizes that animal studies “suggested potential fetal risk.”

Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant medication used, sometimes in conjunction with other medications, to treat epilepsy patients with certain types of seizures, and sometimes to prevent migraine headaches.

If you would like to file a complaint, or simply need more information about the birth defects caused by Topamax, call 1-800-217-9891 or visit: http://pharmaceuticals.johnsonlawgroup.com/topamax-and-birth-defects.

Johnson Law Group is comprised of experienced personal injury attorneys. The firm offers legal and medical professional investigative skills, expert witnesses, cutting-edge technology, and state-of-the-art techniques for maximum recovery. Nick Johnson leads the Johnson Law Group. He graduated from Duke University and the University of Houston Law Center. Mr. Johnson practices in all areas of personal injury law, with a primary focus on pharmaceutical and asbestos related lung cancer cases.

TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced an extended partnership with Beloit Health System. Building upon a service relationship that TeleHealth acquired in their acquisition of SVI, Beloit has chosen TeleHealth Services as their interactive patient education and entertainment partner in the hospital’s “Experience the Difference” patient care initiative.

In an effort to enhance the Beloit’s patient-centered approach and provide the highest quality of clinical care, the hospital began their “Experience the Difference” campaign. Two primary focuses of this initiative are increasing patient satisfaction, and expanding the capabilities of their caregivers through the use of integrated healthcare technology. TeleHealth Services interactive education solution can help Beloit achieve these goals.

“The TIGR V7 interactive patient education system is a full turnkey solution that has already made a large impact on enhancing the patient experience, as well as streamlining our clinical workflows. With TIGR V7, patients can use the system to control the room environment, order food or gift shop items, utilize online applications, or learn about their disease and treatment options from information we have entered into the EMR. The on-demand education at the bedside makes the patient and their families active participants in the recovery process,” stated Judy Cramer, Director of Education at Beloit Health System. “The clinical technology integration into our ADT and EMR systems provides our staff the ability to completely automate several workflows. With this task removed from their daily workload, our clinicians can focus on the quality of care they are providing, resulting in increased staff satisfaction.” [Read more…]

The alluring prize of the $25,000 marketing program awaits a health care organization through a unique initiative provided by the Stevens & Tate Marketing agency. Via its “Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway” contest, the agency will blend its marketing and media strategies, Internet strategies, creative, ad messaging, website development, social media, competitive advantages development, identity and branding skills in preparing a comprehensive, customized plan based on the winner’s advertising communications needs. The contest is open to any not-for-profit or for-profit organization that is involved in the delivery of well being care or well being information.

Dan Gartlan, president of Stevens & Tate, said, “The winning organization must demonstrate strong leadership skills in its industry and in the region it serves. Additionally, it should be able to significantly benefit from agency solutions and have the infrastructure to implement the final creative project.”

Applications can be obtained and completed online at the agency’s website, www.stevens-tate.com/LendAhand. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2011. The winning organization will receive $25,000 in solutions performed by advertising specialists with extensive experience in the health care field.

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of Stevens & Tate directors. Finalists will be notified and interviewed the final week of March. The winner will be selected and notified by April 21. Company work will begin immediately and proceed through June 2011. [Read more…]

TeleHealth Solutions, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient training solutions, lately told Well being Plan Information that it has partnered with Nash Well being Care Methods as part of the hospital’s strategy to increase patient satisfaction and advance their interactive healthcare initiatives. In an work to further balance their affected person engagement efforts with their EMR technique, Nash determined the require for securing a companion who could provide a complete turnkey answer and elevated interactivity with other hospital technologies.

Looking to enhance its facility operations, Nash started a complete technique to improve the hospital expertise by being progressive and consumer responsive. Nash sought to make a multi-sensory education plan to aid in meeting their “meaningful use” standards for affected person and family engagement, and began a thorough search for an interactive patient training and entertainment system provider. After evaluating providers, Nash chose TeleHealth due to their substantial track record in the healthcare business, their robust enjoyment and patient training offerings as well as their full service solutions mantra. TeleHealth Services’ integrated patient education options combined with leading support and flexible financing options had been forefront within the choice.

“Excellent healthcare these days is defined not just by clinical services, but by the high quality with the patient experience,” said Vandora Holt, Director of Patient Training for Nash Well being Care Systems. “We desired to provide the best expertise available, inside a way that flawlessly meets the desires and needs of our sufferers. TeleHealth Services understands the healthcare setting and it is the ideal companion to assist us utilize a patient-driven model to attain that objective. Although exceptional care is already a significant part with the Nash culture, we are committed to addressing the constantly altering needs of our sufferers. Healthcare is much more consumer-driven than ever before, and also the key to continued success is evaluating our business through the eyes of our patients and shifting our technique to meet their needs.” [Read more…]

— Circadian and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (“Cincinnati Children’s”) commences offering of first blood test diagnostic for LAM – a serious lung disease that is often undiagnosed.

— Number of tests expected to exceed 25,000 within the next few years.

TOORAK, Australia, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Circadian Technologies (ASX.CIR) has announced today that in conjunction with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center it has begun offering its LAM diagnostic, which is offered as a laboratory test compliant with CAP (College of American Pathologists) /CLIA regulations.

This is the first blood based diagnostic available to test for the disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The blood sample based diagnostic was developed by Cincinnati Children’s, using Circadian’s VEGF-D technology, following the discovery that high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-D, or VEGF-D – to which Circadian owns intellectual property rights – holds the key to detecting the disease.

LAM is a serious lung disease that causes shortness of breath and lung collapse. It affects mostly women, often striking in their 30s or child bearing years, and the only known treatment is a lung transplant.

Although only a small number of patients have been diagnosed with LAM to date, the recent discovery of a link between LAM and genetic abnormality, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), causing the disease, has led scientists to estimate that more than 250,000 women worldwide are unaware they have LAM.

The availability of the test, and subsequent increasing knowledge of the disease amongst the general medical community, is predicted to increase screening for LAM in patients, with the number of tests estimated to exceed 25,000 within the next few years.

Doctors in the U.S. can now order this test through the Translational Trials Development and Support Laboratory of Cincinnati Children’s.

Robert Klupacs, CEO of Circadian Technologies said he is very proud that the collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s has achieved its goal of making a test available that offers straightforward and accurate identification of LAM, which to date has been difficult and expensive to diagnose.

“LAM is a serious but often misunderstood or misdiagnosed disease, which has a huge impact on the quality of life for the women it affects. We are confident that with greater awareness and the availability of this test that more women who show symptoms or who have the TSC gene will be able to have LAM diagnosed early and better manage their condition.

“Circadian is very excited about the launch of this test. It is the first product to emerge from our extensive VEGF technology portfolio, and hopefully the first of many, to become available from the range of diagnostics in development by Circadian and our partners. Diagnostics are an important part of Circadian’s business that we are progressing in parallel to our drug discovery activity, as a source of early revenue and to complement our product portfolio.”

The findings of the diagnostic link between LAM and VEGF-D by the team of scientists at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children’s led by Dr. Lisa Young and Dr. Frank McCormack, Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at UC were published in the August 2010 edition of CHEST(1).

Dr. McCormack said, “We are optimistic that serum VEGF-D will join the ranks of diagnostic tests for lung disease, reduce the need for surgical lung biopsy and allow for intervention and trial recruitment earlier in the disease course.”

Cincinnati Children’s have commenced offering the diagnostic test for LAM in the United States. Circadian retains the rights to the rest of the world and is working towards approval in other markets.

(1) Chest. 2010 Sep;138(3):674-81.

About Circadian Technologies Limited

Circadian (ASX:CIR) is a biologics drug developer focusing on cancer therapies. It controls exclusive worldwide rights to a significant intellectual property portfolio around Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) C and D. The applications for the VEGF technology, which functions in regulating blood and lymphatic vessel growth, are substantial and broad. Circadian’s internal product development programs are focussed on novel anti-cancer therapeutics for large unmet needs. Circadian has also licensed rights to some parts of its intellectual property portfolio for the development of other products to ImClone Systems (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company – NYSE: LLY). ImClone Systems is currently developing an antibody-based drug targeting VEGFR-3 for the treatment of solid tumours.

SOURCE Circadian Technologies

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Following a recent recall of potentially contaminated non-sterile alcohol prep pads, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today reminded health care professionals about the safe use of non-sterile alcohol prep pads to clean and disinfect the surface of the skin.

On Jan. 5, 2011, The Triad Group of Hartland, Wis., recalled all lots of its alcohol prep pads and swabs citing concerns about the product’s potential contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can be harmful to humans.

“Health care professionals should always check the labeling on a prep pad to determine if it is sterile or non-sterile,” said Karen Weiss, M.D., director of the Safe Use Initiative in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Non-sterile pads are not intended to prep patients prior to procedures requiring strict sterility measures and should not be used on patients with a depressed immune system, to prep patients for catheter insertion, or to prep patients prior to surgery.”

Weiss said many patients in hospitals are particularly susceptible to infections, and the FDA recommends sterile antiseptics (including chlorhexidine gluconate, alcohol or iodine applicators, pads, and swabs) in that setting.

Manufacturers often package a prep pad with an injectable drug, selling them as a kit. But not all marketed pads are sterile. Some are marketed as non-sterile alcohol pads. If a pad does not state “sterile” on the label, health care professionals should be aware that they are using a non-sterile pad.

Health care professionals and consumers should check the label to confirm that the product is sterile, and may also want to consider washing the area with soap and water prior to using the antiseptic for skin surface preparation.

For more information:

Triad Group Press Relea se on Recall of Alcohol Prep P a ds

CDC – Guideline for Prevention of Surgic a l Site Infect i on

WHO – Best Prac tices for Injectio n s and Related Procedures Toolkit

Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301 796 4676, [email protected]

Consumer Inquiries: 888 INFO FDA

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Just as Blue Shield policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates arrived at Blue Shield’s San Francisco headquarters today, the company announced it would delay its massive rate hikes by 60 days. Previously, the company had refused Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ request for a delay, even as several other insurers agreed to a temporary reprieve.

Hundreds of nurses and patients protested outside of Blue Shield holding signs declaring: “Shame On You” and chanting “Steal The Shield, Crush The Snake” as the company barricaded its headquarters. Joining the California Nurses Association and Consumer Watchdog were Blue Shield policyholders Patrick Killelea and Kerry Abukhalaf who provided personal perspectives on the impact of Blue Shield’s hikes. Killelea explained: “There is no market for health insurance. Your choices are: 1. Pay whatever they say. 2. Die.”

The groups applauded Commissioner Jones for securing the delay, pointing out the real savings from two additional months before the hikes take effect. The groups said, however, that the delay does not solve the problem of out of control rates and that they will continue to challenge Blue Shield until there are real reforms in California.

California Nurses Association Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro said: “We can do more to crack down on these renegade and heartless insurers, but we’ll never have real health reform until we have guaranteed healthcare for all and a more cost efficient, humane system by expanding Medicare to cover everyone.”

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court said: “Blue Shield delayed the rate hikes today when protesters showed up at their doorsteps. But they can raise rates in 60 days or any day after until we have tough laws that let regulators stop them and give consumers a public option to the private market.” [Read more…]

If you’re a lady along with your mother had a stroke, you might have a risk of heart attack in addition to a higher threat of stroke, in accordance to new research on family members history and heart disease published within the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics. [Read more…]