|
|
Archive of Health Care on Thursday October 29, 2009
NH: Medical marijuana bill fails in New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire fell two votes short yesterday of becoming the 14th state to legalize marijuana use by severely ill people after the state Senate failed to override Governor John Lynch's veto. Read More
FL: For healthcare reform, public option finding favor
MIAMI -- In two widely different forums Wednesday, Florida doctors and nurses agreed that healthcare reform is desperately needed -- and they're not opposed to a public option as part of the package. Read More
AR: Arkansans OK with health care, coverage, oppose public option
Most Arkansans are satisfied with the quality of health care they receive and their current health plan, and a majority oppose a government-run system, poll results released today show. Read More
AZ: Poll -- Many Arizonans don't want swine-flu vaccine
A new poll has found that the majority of Arizonans don't want a swine flu vaccination when it becomes readily available in the state. Read More
CA: Bill to legalize, tax marijuana in California gets a hearing
Legislation to make California the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use lit up a Capitol committee hearing Wednesday with three hours of lively but mellow debate. No joint consensus was reached. Read More
CA: California awards grants for research projects in nonembryonic stem cells
LOS ANGELES — In a tacit acknowledgment that the promise of human embryonic stem cells is still far in the future, California's stem cell research program on Wednesday awarded grants intended to develop therapies using mainly other, less controversial cells. Read More
CT: Connecticut's frustration grows in the hunt for the elusive swine flu vaccine
Swine flu is spreading across Connecticut, but finding the vaccine against it can be a struggle. Read More
FL: Cancer patients in clinical trials need better coverage, Florida lawmaker says
A powerful state senator wants insurance companies and HMOs to stop denying coverage of routine medical treatment for Florida cancer patients participating in clinical trials. Read More
FL: 10 years of diet, exercise can keep diabetes at bay, study finds
MIAMI, Fla. -- A national study on diabetes, to be published online Thursday, concludes that people who stuck to a 10-year diet and exercise plan cut their risk of developing the disease by 34 percent. Read More
FL: So far, South Florida escaping brunt of swine flu
MIAMI, Fla. -- Miami-Dade and Broward counties seem better off than many areas around the country for swine flu cases, but the reason isn't clear. Read More
GA: State defends plan to improve psychiatric hospitals
State officials defended their plan to improve the troubled state psychiatric hospitals Wednesday, submitting court documents to counter complaints by the U.S. Justice Department that the state was failing to adequately fix the centers. Read More
GA: Congressmen urge governors to work on settling tri-state water feud
WASHINGTON -- With the clock ticking toward a court-imposed deadline in the tri-state water wars, members of Congress are growing increasingly frustrated -- and concerned -- that the governors of Georgia, Alabama and Florida aren't working quickly enough toward a settlement in the case. Read More
GA: Perdue to moderate health care, energy summit
Gov. Sonny Perdue will host a business summit on Nov. 6 discuss federal health care and energy proposals and their impact on Georgia businesses. Read More
IA: Department budget plans approved with changes
The biggest single cut across state government is in state aid to public schools, $238 million. Read More
ID: Idaho braces for schools requesting flu waivers
The state Department of Education expects a number of school districts to request waivers preventing declines in student attendance because of the flu from hurting their state funding. Read More
IL: Nursing home task force meeting in Springfield
A task force examining the safety of Illinois nursing homes is meeting in Springfield to hear public comments. Read More
IL: Timeline of Ill. cabinet member Carol Adams
Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Carol Adams' career and the criticism she's faced. Read More
IL: Burris counts as Dems try to lock up 60 health care votes
In a drive to secure votes for health care overhaul, the president's health care czar, Nancy-Ann DeParle, met Wednesday with Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.). Read More
IN: Ind. officials warn against swine flu scams
Indiana officials are warning residents not to fall for Internet scams that claim to cure or prevent the swine flu. Read More
KS: State Board of Healing Arts won't say why former director left
The board that regulates doctors in Kansas still wasn't saying Wednesday why its top staff member has resigned, and even Gov. Mark Parkinson said he doesn't know. Read More
MA: Nurses may join big union
Unionized nurses in Massachusetts are moving toward affiliating with their counterparts in California and more than 20 other states to create the largest nurses union in US history, a 150,000-member powerhouse that would lobby lawmakers for higher staffing levels and an overhaul of the nation's health care system. Read More
ME: Students get free flu vaccines
BANGOR, Maine — Overall, Wednesday's students-only flu vaccine clinic at the Bangor Civic Center went off pretty smoothly, organizers said. Read More
ME: Students get free flu vaccines
BANGOR, Maine — Overall, Wednesday's students-only flu vaccine clinic at the Bangor Civic Center went off pretty smoothly, organizers said. Read More
MI: H1N1 vaccine priorities questioned
Michigan's system of letting county public health departments determine distribution of the vaccine "is just wrong," said Dr. Marcus Zervos, director of infectious diseases and infection control at Detroit's Henry Ford Health System. Read More
MI: Senators crush 3% doctors tax
Billed by its backers as a painless way to raise taxes and save vital services, a proposal to levy a 3% tax on medical services in Michigan went down in crushing defeat Wednesday in the state Senate. Read More
MI: Michigan news -- House eases up on baby-sitting
The Michigan House voted unanimously Wednesday to exempt baby-sitting from day care regulations after the state ordered a woman to stop watching her friend's children before school. Read More
MI: Senate shoots down doctor tax
The Michigan Senate voted overwhelmingly this morning to reject a proposed 3% tax on the gross billings of doctors that was designed to help prop up the state's Medicaid system. Read More
MN: FDA makes unapproved H1N1 drug available
The unapproved antiviral that saved a teen's life is now more widely available in emergencies. He was a healthy teenager from another country, visiting friends and relatives in Minnesota, when he got sick. Then really sick. Read More
MN: Minnesota -- 266 hospitalized as flu death toll hits 12
New flu figures released by the Minnesota Health Department on Wednesday showed two more H1N1-related deaths — bringing the state's overall total to 12. Read More
MO: Jay Nixon cuts Missouri's budget by $204 million, will lay off 363 workers
Gov. Jay Nixon sliced $204 million from state spending Wednesday by eliminating about 700 government jobs, trimming payments to Medicaid providers, delaying repairs to state buildings and reducing scores of programs. Read More
MO: Judge -- Mo. DOC destroyed videos of shackled inmate
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Corrections intentionally destroyed videotapes to "suppress the truth" of the 17 hours a prisoner spent shackled upright and handcuffed to a restraining bench, a federal judge has ruled. Read More
MS: 7 charged, millions seized in Medicare fraud
Seven people associated with a medical clinic have been indicted for alleged Medicaid and Medicare fraud and federal authorities seized millions of dollars in cash and property in Mississippi and Texas, court records said. Read More
NJ: Officials -- Swine flu now widespread in N.J.
Swine flu is now widespread throughout New Jersey, state health officials said Wednesday. Read More
NM: N.M. Legislative leaders lukewarm on health care opt-out
U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday health care reform legislation scheduled for the U.S. Senate floor in coming weeks would contain a public health care option with an opt-out clause for states. Read More
NV: State faults facility for care of seniors
All 139 elderly patients at an assisted-living and Alzheimer's facility may have gone without their medications for weeks, according to a Nevada State Health Division report obtained by the Sun. Read More
NY: Swine flu vaccination starts at 125 NYC schools
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Students at 125 elementary schools got the swine flu vaccine Wednesday in the first phase of the city's drive to make inoculation available to all school-age children. Read More
NY: Study finds numerous brain cancer cases near contaminated groundwater in area of Victor but finds no link
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Victor residents heard from state health officials about a study that found no link between an unusually high number of brain cancer cases and groundwater contaminants. Read More
OH: Ohio expects swine flu vaccines for inmates soon
The state says it expects thousands of doses of swine flu vaccine any day for prison medical workers and certain inmates. Read More
OH: Investigation: Ohio out $20M in lost drug costs
The state watchdog says the Ohio insurance fund for injured workers is out $20 million because of problems with its prescription drug program. Read More
OK: Parole revocation sought for pot grower
OKLAHOMA CITY—In a case highlighted by advocates seeking to reform Oklahoma's drug laws, the state on Wednesday sought to revoke the parole of a man sentenced to decades in prison for growing marijuana that he says was used to treat his arthritis pain. Read More
RI: Bristol girl, 12, who died had swine flu
The 12-year-old Bristol girl who died Monday did have swine flu, test results confirmed Wednesday. Read More
SD: SD representatives differ over public option
As Congressional leaders negotiate a final health care reform bill, South Dakota's political representatives are sticking to their guns in the battle over a "public option." Read More
US: Shortage of vaccine poses political test for Obama
WASHINGTON — The moment a novel strain of swine flu emerged in Mexico last spring, President Obama instructed his top advisers that his administration would not be caught flat-footed in the event of a deadly pandemic. Read More
UT: PTA, lawmakers tackling sex ed
The state PTA and some lawmakers agree sex education is not always taught correctly in Utah's schools — but both groups offer different solutions. Read More
UT: Statewide DUI blitz slated for night of Halloween
The Utah Highway Patrol will conduct a statewide DUI blitz Halloween night to take drunken drivers off the streets and hopefully make the evening safer for trick-or-treaters. Read More
VA: Families face ruin dealing with Chinese drywall
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Homeowners in 27 states now complain that the drywall emits a corrosive gas that damages household electrical systems and causes respiratory problems. Read More
VA: Local facilities strained by rush of flu patients
Local hospitals and doctors' offices are reporting a steep increase of feverish patients this week, a sign that the swine flu is in full swing. Read More
VT: Sanders to push for single-payer
U.S. Sen. Bernard Sanders will likely make history this year when — for the first time ever — he brings a bill creating a national single-payer health care system to the floor of the Senate for a vote. Read More
VT: Vermont sees first H1N1 death
Vermont has had its first death from the swine flu, and 800 doses of vaccine have been destroyed due to a refrigeration problem. Read More
WI: Assembly panel approves end to drug-price markup rule
Wal-Mart and other big retailers would be able to sell many more prescription drugs for $4 a month in Wisconsin under a proposal that passed an Assembly committee on Wednesday. Read More
WV: Manchin distances himself from overweight PEIA proposal
Gov. Joe Manchin continued Wednesday to try to distance himself from a proposal to charge overweight public school and state employees higher Public Employees Insurance Agency premiums. Read More |
Powered by