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LehmanMillet honored with four prestigious industry awards

HealthSTAR's LehmanMillet, the leading agency devoted to working with health care companies changing standards of care, today announced it has won four prestigious industry awards: an MM&M (Medical Marketing & Media Magazine) Gold Award for work done on behalf of Abbott Nutrition; a First Place DxMA (Diagnostic Marketing Association) award for work done on behalf of Abbott Diagnostics; a First Place DxMA Award for work done on behalf of BRAHMS USA; and a PM360 Pharma Choice Bronze Award.

9 Jan 2010

Today's opinions and editorials

Californians need to ask themselves why, when other states and the federal government are making children's health a priority, the Golden State may be adding another half-million children … to the ranks of the uninsured next year (1/7).

9 Jan 2010

Economist examines innovative mechanisms for funding global health programs

The Economist examines the "dramatic" change in funding for projects aimed at fighting diseases in the developing world. "In 1990 more than two-thirds of the $5.6 billion spent on global health assistance came from governments.

9 Jan 2010

One million seniors get more generous prescription drug benefits

As of Jan. 1, more than 1 million low-income seniors "are newly eligible for more generous prescription drug benefits under the 'extra help' program" in Medicare, The Associated Press reports.

9 Jan 2010

VA expected to move soon to cover more effects of Agent Orange

The Department of Veterans Affairs may need to pay heavily to treat veterans who have been adversely affected by Agent Orange. McClatchy/Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette report: "The cost of war -- on veterans' health and taxpayer wallets -- will loom a little larger in the new year when the Department of Veterans Affairs issues a final rule to claim adjudicators to presume three more diseases of Vietnam veterans, including heart disease, were caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

8 Jan 2010

Possible loopholes, insurance costs in Senate health bill

"A critical loophole in the current version of the Senate health-care bill would allow insurers to charge more for those who don't participate in wellness programs, essentially negating the measure's key goal of eliminating higher costs for those with pre-existing conditions, a group of health experts said Thursday," MarketWatch reports.

8 Jan 2010

Hurdles to clear in the Senate's reform endgame, and possible 2010 consequences

President Barack Obama met Thursday with Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., the chairmen who steered the Senate's version of the health overhaul through the finance and health committees, Roll Call reports. It is one sign of Obama becoming an increasingly active participant as the debate nears its endgame (Drucker and Koffler, 1/7).

8 Jan 2010

Health policy research roundup: Long-term care, diabetes disparities, health IT

Annals of Internal Medicine: Cultural Competency Training and Performance Reports to Improve Diabetes Care for Black Patients - In this study, researchers measure the effects cultural competency training and performance training for physicians has on the clinical outcomes for black patients with diabetes.

8 Jan 2010

White House rallies Democratic governors around health reform

Politico: "One day after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, delivered a stinging attack on federal health care reform, Obama administration officials huddled with his Democratic counterparts to address their complaints about the legislation — and enlist them in the public campaign to support it.

8 Jan 2010

About 3 million lose health coverage in California

About 3 million poor Californians lost health benefits or access to health care, and thousands more lost their jobs due to state budget cuts imposed six months ago, according to a report released Thursday.

8 Jan 2010

TeamHealth acquires Anesthetix Management LLC

TeamHealth (NYSE: TMH) announced today the acquisition of Anesthetix Management LLC ("Anesthetix"), a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive anesthesiology and pain management service solutions to hospitals and surgery centers throughout the United States.

8 Jan 2010

SEIU ULTCW comments on recommended cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program

Laphonza Butler, Co-Trustee of SEIU ULTCW released the following statement regarding Governor Schwarzenegger's recommended cuts to the state's In-Home Supportive Services program in his FY 10-11 proposed budget today.

8 Jan 2010

John C. Lechleiter to deliver keynote address on human dimensions of medical innovation

John C. Lechleiter, PhD, Chairman, President & CEO, Eli Lilly and Company, will deliver a keynote address, "Lifespans and Livelihoods: The Human Dimensions of Medical Innovation," to TOWN HALL Los Angeles on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

8 Jan 2010

First Edition: January 8, 2010

Today's headlines reflect the continuing developments as congressional Democrats discuss policy specifics and take steps toward finalizing their health overhaul.

8 Jan 2010

Medicare documentation requirements for power wheelchairs must be improved, federal report

A federal report released last week on Medicare claims for power wheelchairs confirms that the regulatory documentation requirements are confusing, onerous, and must be improved, says the American Association for Homecare, the nation's largest association representing providers of durable medical equipment and services, including wheelchairs.

8 Jan 2010

New Jersey nonprofit bucks the trend of skyrocketing health insurance costs

One New Jersey nonprofit is bucking the trend of skyrocketing health insurance costs while Congress wrangles with health care reform. Through an entrepreneurial business model, self-insurance and the use of a Voluntary Employee Benefits Association (VEBA), Community Access Unlimited (CAU) has limited increases in health insurance costs to just 3.3 percent in each of the last five years and saved more than $1 million during that time. CAU will have a 0.0 percent increase in 2010 and will expand coverage.

8 Jan 2010

New MOU between UNECE and EC for follow-up activities of ageing strategy

The European Centre has been mandated since 2002 to undertake follow-up activities of the "Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing" (MIPPAA). The work had been undertaken with a formal collaboration and the assistance of the UNECE, Geneva.

8 Jan 2010

Growth and profitability of health insurers continue to be under pressure

As health insurers struggle with pricing resistance from employers and decreases in enrollment in group health employee benefit plans, health insurer growth and profitability continues to be under pressure, according to a new industry forecast by Conning Research & Consulting.

8 Jan 2010

Manual of ethical best practices for healthcare documentation businesses now available

Heightened privacy and security concerns, increased calls for transparency of operations, and a growing home-based workforce have prompted The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) and The Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) to create their Manual of Ethical Best Practices for the Healthcare Documentation Sector.

8 Jan 2010

TCRH expands its McKesson Paragon hospital information system to improve patient safety

Twin County Regional Hospital (TCRH) recently announced that it is expanding its McKesson Paragon® hospital information system to increase efficiency and help improve patient safety across the entire medical community of Galax, Va. and surrounding areas.

8 Jan 2010