Wireless Monitoring With Medical Devices – There are Many Posts About These at the Medical Quack

<p> This article just appeared in the Wall Street Journal, but readers here at this blog are already more than aware of connectivity with medical devices<img align="right" border="0" height="86" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SlQ6aATtKJI/AAAAAAAAXU8/sEs_qKZnqHg/image_thumb[7].png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="123" /> that report data, we’ve already moved on to the <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/smart-inhaler-with-blue-tooth-and.html">“Blue tooth Inhaler”</a> here.   </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/medtronic-ceo-talks-about-research-and.html"><font size="2">Medtronic CEO Talks About Research and Their Medical Devices for Diabetes – Video</font></a></h6> <p>I also talk about how the connect to HealthVault, the free PHR from Microsoft.  Anyway if you are a regular reader here, you are ahead of this one.</p> <p>First off though, we still need to see if those phones create cancer or not.  The connectivity will stand to save a lot of money too.   </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/will-we-ever-settle-cell-phonecancer.html"><font size="2">Will We Ever Settle the Cell Phone/Cancer Debate – Many Medical Devices Talk to Phones</font></a></h4> <p>Pharma companies are working on delivery systems too that are in a patch or pump, again complete with data trails.  <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/smart-inhaler-with-blue-tooth-and.html"><img align="right" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SjEVV7dNvfI/AAAAAAAAQKc/NLuL6oH-xQU/image_thumb[6].png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="157" /></a></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/future-of-drug-delivery-lies-with.html"><font size="2">The Future of Drug Delivery Lies with Technology – Panel of Experts From Cambridge Consultants</font></a></h4> <p><strong>Here’s a drug for hypertension that you inhale:</strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/fda-approves-hypertension-drug-with.html"><font size="2">FDA Approves Hypertension Drug (with Conditions) that You Inhale – Tyvaso</font></a></h4> <p><strong>Here’s a blue tooth device that does glucose: </strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/high-blood-pressure-bluetooth-remote.html"><font size="2">High Blood Pressure Bluetooth Remote Health Monitor, Glucose Monitor and more – Ideal Life</font></a></h4> <p><a name="3191351312990423535"></a></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/fda-clears-and-certifies-myglucohealth.html"><font size="2">FDA Clears and Certifies MyGlucoHealth to Integrate with Electronic Health Records and Personal Health Records</font></a></h4> <p><strong>Here’s a shirt that does Blue tooth and transmits health data:</strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/lifeshirt-has-upgrade-coming-out-with.html"><font size="2">LifeShirt Has Upgrade Coming Out With Bluetooth and Zigbee Wireless – A Shirt that Transmits Health Data</font></a></h4> <p>Here’s a Blue Tooth Aggregating device, it picks up from other devices and put’s it all together with one device.</p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/fda-approves-healthpal-bluetooth-device.html"><font size="2">FDA approves HealthPal – Bluetooth Device that Collects from Other Reporting Devices and Sends Information to PHR – HealthVault or Google Health<img align="right" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Skhtrmq685I/AAAAAAAAWqM/OTtyrUj6hI4/image_thumb[9].png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" /></font></a></h6> <blockquote> <p>Companies ranging from chip maker Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) and medical-device giant Medtronic Inc. (MDT) see an opportunity in bringing wireless connectivity to medical devices such as blood-sugar monitors and sending that information to doctors, hospitals or smartphones like Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM) Blackberry. </p> <p>"We're absolutely headed in that direction," said Christopher O'Connell, group president for diabetes and other device franchises at Medtronic. </p> <p>Medicine is an attractive area for tech companies amid estimates the market for wirelessly relaying health-care information could grow to nearly $1 billion over the next five years, according to ABI Research analyst Stan Schatt. Diabetes is particularly appealing because it's a growing problem that already affects 7.8% of the U.S. population, according to the American Diabetes Association. </p> <p>Aside from getting blood-sugar readings on smartphones, future innovations could include a Bluetooth connection for blood-sugar monitors or cellular chips within such devices to relay information right to doctors or hospitals. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090930-712994.html">Tech, Medical Device Cos Target Wireless Diabetes Monitoring - WSJ.com</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading for Blue Tooth Devices</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/connected-health-prevention-could-cut.html"><font size="1">“Connected Health” Prevention Could Cut U.S. Healthcare Costs By Up To 40 Percent - Survey</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/blue-tooth-wireless-fingertip-pulse.html"><font size="1">Blue Tooth Wireless Fingertip Pulse Oximeter – Taking Your Pulse Gone Wireless</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/bluetooth-stethoscope-available-from-3m.html"><font size="1">Bluetooth stethoscope Available from 3M HealthCare – Wireless Heartbeats</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/01/double-amputee-walks-again-due-to.html"><font size="1">Double amputee walks again due to Bluetooth</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:74960e6a-efcb-4373-83e1-7c00d8256dd7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medical+Devices" rel="tag">Medical Devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blue+Tooth" rel="tag">Blue Tooth</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Inhalers" rel="tag">Inhalers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Technology" rel="tag">Technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/devices+reporting+data" rel="tag">devices reporting data</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Data+Devices" rel="tag">Data Devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a></div>

Wireless Monitoring With Medical Devices – There are Many Posts About These at the Medical Quack

This article just appeared in the Wall Street Journal, but readers here at this blog are already more than aware of connectivity with medic...

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Express Scripts Extortion Investigation Still Ongoing – FBI Confirms Hacker’s Access to More Records

<p> This has been on going for a year and made all the headlines and now it’s back once more.  The hacker supposedly showed what they had with an example and now the FBI with their investigation confirms they have more.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOrviY-vVI/AAAAAAAAaOk/0BhHJgrfxdE/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOrw-ydgwI/AAAAAAAAaOo/k9nBrkvgcvk/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="153" /></a> </p> <p>The Hacker still wants their money and continues to hold the data hostage and so far as we know they have not released any more information, again holding out for the extortion request of the money, but Express Scripts stated that 1,771 records had been accessed without authorization.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>An ongoing investigation into the breach of personal medical records held by pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts took a new turn yesterday. The company claimed the alleged perpetrator was trying to prove they held more records than originally reported.</p> <p>The breach was first reported a year ago, when an unidentified culprit claimed they possessed 75 personal records of Express Scripts customers, including in some cases names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and prescription information. The culprit claimed they had access to millions of other records, and would release the information unless their monetary demands were met. </p> <p><strong>Now, the company claimed, the FBI informed them that the alleged culprit does have access to the records.</strong></p> <p>The company has already notified 1,771 customers in New Hampshire that their information was compromised, according to <a href="http://www.databreaches.net/?p=7164">DataBreaches.Net,</a> but Express Scripts spokesperson Maria Palumbo said there was no evidence that any of the breached information had been misused.</p> <p>"We did send letters to members across the country," Palumbo told the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090930-710962.html">Dow Jones Newswire.</a></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/09/express_scripts_breach.html">Express Scripts Extortion Scheme Widens</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/express-scripts-offers-1-million-award.html"><font size="1"><b>Express Scripts</b> offers $1 million award to nab extortionist in <b>...</b></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/express-scripts-buys-well-point.html"><font size="1"><b>Express Scripts</b> Buys Well Point Pharmacy Benefit Manager</font></a></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/hackers-could-possibly-push-move-for.html"><font size="1">The Hackers Could Possibly push the move for PHRs – Medical <b>...</b></font></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b6ebc515-591b-423a-a2af-d68a782c42fd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Epress+Scripts" rel="tag">Epress Scripts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hacker" rel="tag">hacker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/security+Breach" rel="tag">security Breach</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prescriptions" rel="tag">prescriptions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/patient+records" rel="tag">patient records</a></div>

Express Scripts Extortion Investigation Still Ongoing – FBI Confirms Hacker’s Access to More Records

This has been on going for a year and made all the headlines and now it’s back once more.  The hacker supposedly showed what they had with ...

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The Onion Reports on the Porn Industry with New Regulations to Prevent HIV Spread

<p>The Onion, known for their off beat humor, offers these words of wisdom today, and when you look at what they state here, again some humor too, right up front “wash your hands”.  Humor on most of the rest, but some of the same issues we talk about in healthcare all over today.  An industry focus to shift to hugging and snuggling isn’t a bad suggestion for anyone for that matter too.  BD  </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOXal0lm3I/AAAAAAAAaOc/h15RR6iHZ0o/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="389" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOXgSsU3tI/AAAAAAAAaOg/LFICD6pf_4g/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="366" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27453?utm_source=onion_rss_daily">Porn And HIV Prevention | The Onion - America's Finest News Source</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:70e9ecc1-7ccf-4349-a9e3-bfaa6201efbb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Onion" rel="tag">The Onion</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/humor" rel="tag">humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HIV" rel="tag">HIV</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+humor" rel="tag">medical humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/porn+industry" rel="tag">porn industry</a></div>

The Onion Reports on the Porn Industry with New Regulations to Prevent HIV Spread

The Onion, known for their off beat humor, offers these words of wisdom today, and when you look at what they state here, again some humor t...

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Stater Brothers in California with Pharmacies Offering Free Antibiotics at 28 Stores

<p> With the present state of the economy and mess of healthcare that lives in the “old normal” and a Congress that has not come to terms with the <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOVJdLUtPI/AAAAAAAAaOU/abwqSuDf9m4/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="119" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOVKTXVuZI/AAAAAAAAaOY/4caTKLLZW2E/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="138" /></a>“new normal” here’s more relief for those needing prescriptions.  A 2 week prescription of the antibiotics listed below will be <strong>free to those with and without insurance,</strong> refills too for 8 types of antibiotics.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p>Here’s a new way to get people to shop in your stores: Offer free drugs. San Bernardino supermarket chain Stater Bros. said it will give a free 14-day supply of selected antibiotics, including refills, to anyone with or without health insurance coverage who presents a prescription.</p> <p>The antibiotics will be available only at the 28 Stater Bros. locations in Southern California that have pharmacies. Check with your local Stater Bros. to find a location, or click here for a list of <a href="http://the%20antibiotics%20will%20be%20available%20only%20at%20the%2028%20stater%20bros.%20free%20locations%20in%20southern%20california%20that%20have%20pharmacies./">Stater Bros. stores with pharmacies</a>.</p> <p>The supermarket chain will give away eight different classes of antibiotics, including:</p> <h5>-- Amoxil (generic) </h5> <h5>-- Ampicillin </h5> <h5>-- Ciprofloxacin (Generic for Cipro) </h5> <h5>-- Doxycycline </h5> <h5>-- Erythromycin </h5> <h5>-- Penicillin </h5> <h5>-- Trimeth/sulfa (Generic for Septra or Bactrim) </h5> <h5>--  Tetracycline</h5> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/shopping_blog/2009/09/stater-bros-will-give-away-antibiotics.html">Some antibiotics free at Stater Bros. | California Consumer | Los Angeles Times</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e4a9aae2-746b-4772-81c2-9b5cddd910e5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/generic+drugs" rel="tag">generic drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/antibiotics" rel="tag">antibiotics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prescriptions" rel="tag">prescriptions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/refills" rel="tag">refills</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/State+Brothers" rel="tag">State Brothers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/grocery+chain" rel="tag">grocery chain</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medications" rel="tag">medications</a></div>

Stater Brothers in California with Pharmacies Offering Free Antibiotics at 28 Stores

With the present state of the economy and mess of healthcare that lives in the “old normal” and a Congress that has not come to terms with ...

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Michael Moore Speaking Out To Democrats to Support Public HealthCare Option – The New Normal

<p> He brings up some good points and I’ll add mine, education and everyone understanding the use of technology taking from those who do not or cannot attain the same ability. It’s been going on for years. We are living in the “new normal” and we have a Congress that is still living back in time. </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/department-of-algorithms-do-we-need-one.html"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">“Department of Algorithms – Do We Need One of These to Regulate Upcoming Laws?</span></strong></a></h6> <p><strong>The “new normal”, digital laws that are algorithmic centric,</strong> otherwise there’s no ability to enforce, this is the new normal challenge for Congress, it’s there, see it, like it, whatever, it’s staring all of us in the face and denial continues to make it worse. I just read an article this week from Steve Ballmer of Microsoft, again speaking of the “new normal”, and it is not 70s by any account. BD </p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/would-someone-explain-data-aggregation.html">Would someone explain data aggregation and “high frequency healthcare to Congress</a><b></b></p> <blockquote> <p>Filmmaker Michael Moore told activists and reporters Tuesday that liberal voters will get behind Republicans who support health care reform if Democrats let them down, according to reports. <br />"You think we're behind you just because you're Democrats?" Moore said at the Washington headquarters of the government watchdog group Public Citizen, the Hill <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/60715-michael-moore-will-support-gop-candidates-over-dems-who-object-to-public-option">reports</a>. "We'll find Republicans who are smart enough to realize that the majority of Americans want universal healthcare." <br /></p> <p><strong>"To the Democrats in Congress who don't quite get it: I want to offer a personal pledge. I – and a lot of other people – have every intention of removing you from Congress in the next election if you stand in the way of health care legislation that the people want,"</strong> Moore said, <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27703.html">according to</a> Politico. "That is not a hollow or idle threat. We will come to your district and we will work against you, first in the primary and, if we have to, in the general election."</p> <p>CNBC has their interview with Michael Moore this week below.<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="380" id="cnbcplayer" width="400"><br /><param name="salign" value="lt"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1278601326/code/cnbcplayershare"><br /><embed name="cnbcplayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" quality="best" wmode="transparent" scale="noscale" salign="lt" src="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1278601326/code/cnbcplayershare" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="380"></embed><br /></object></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/09/29/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5351453.shtml">Michael Moore Warns Dems to Support Health Reform - Political Hotsheet - CBS News</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/promising-new-startup-of-2009-executive.html">Promising new startup of 2009 - Executive branch of the US federal Government</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/2-new-hot-words-in-healthcare.html">The 2 New Hot Words in Healthcare: Algorithms and Whistleblowers</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/ex-goldman-programmer-inquisition.html">Ex-Goldman programmer Inquisition Continues – Did He Really Steal the Algorithms or Just Worked on Code from Home?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/senate-testimony-insurers-confuse.html">Senate Testimony – Insurers Confuse Consumers and Dump Those Who are Sick, a Wall Street Run System</a></h6> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a54e06ac-e90e-4a2b-ac61-87baaae658cc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Michael+Moore" rel="tag">Michael Moore</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/eduation" rel="tag">eduation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/politics" rel="tag">politics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Los+Angeles+Times" rel="tag">Los Angeles Times</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/formulas" rel="tag">formulas</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wikipedia" rel="tag">Wikipedia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Technology" rel="tag">Technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Capitalism+A+Love+Story" rel="tag">Capitalism A Love Story</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/greed" rel="tag">greed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/high+freqency+healthcare" rel="tag">high freqency healthcare</a></div>

Michael Moore Speaking Out To Democrats to Support Public HealthCare Option – The New Normal

He brings up some good points and I’ll add mine, education and everyone understanding the use of technology taking from those who do not or...

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Concierge Healthcare at Congress - The Office of the Attending Physician

<p>This is a little known perk at Congress for members who elect to pay around $500.00 a year for the service.  It is fully staffed and provides not only family practice type care, but also brings in specialists for members of Congress when needed.  One commented that this office desensitizes many on the plight of the average citizen finding affordable healthcare.  <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8709410">There’s a video from ABC to watch</a> for additional details.  BD  </p> <p> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8709410"><img alt="image" border="0" height="146" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOIoXb_7TI/AAAAAAAAaN8/5pRGNJX0Lns/image%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attending_Physician_of_the_United_States_Congress">Office of the Attending Physician</a> declined to be interviewed by ABC news.  They have a pharmacy and a rehabilitation facility included.  Members of Congress have access to all the primary care they need and half the members of Congress pay the fee.  No additional charges are applied when a specialist is needed.  The doctors are from the Navy.  Members can arrange their surgeries through the office as well, and the video shows one Congressman who selected not to use those services, but did cash in on the rehabilitation portion they offer afterwards.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOIrBKwfnI/AAAAAAAAaOA/3vdeB_5rE5U/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="134" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOIsQgujMI/AAAAAAAAaOE/2lE_GsWf00w/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p>One doctor who worked there spoke up on the service offered there and stated it was excellent.  It offers some public services, the mission of the office is to provide Primary Care for Congress.  If there is a medical emergency, the office is called to respond.  One Congressman states everyone in the US should be entitled to Primary Care.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOIweLxRjI/AAAAAAAAaOI/m4F6oDo0Fio/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsOIyvIZVbI/AAAAAAAAaOQ/MdPB-ZHXPUo/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <a title="http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8709410" href="http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8709410">http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8709410</a> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:95263adc-c380-4c0e-b5b3-f25543104d1b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Office+of+the+Attending+Physician" rel="tag">Office of the Attending Physician</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance+options" rel="tag">health insurance options</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congressional+Health+Insurance" rel="tag">Congressional Health Insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Primary+Care" rel="tag">Primary Care</a></div>

Concierge Healthcare at Congress - The Office of the Attending Physician

This is a little known perk at Congress for members who elect to pay around $500.00 a year for the service.  It is fully staffed and provide...

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The Athena Breast Health Study – Collaboration to Revolutionize Care for Breast Cancer Patients

<p>This is a long term study to follow the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer throughout several universities in California through a grant from<a href="http://www.athenacarenetwork.org/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsL11Oh4VTI/AAAAAAAAaN0/TsmcOecJeoM/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="271" /></a> the Safeway Foundation.  BD  </p> <p><u>Press Release:</u></p> <p><b>INNOVATIVE STATEWIDE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COLLABORATION TARGETS BREAST CANCER</b></p> <p>UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is taking part in an unprecedented statewide University of California collaboration to revolutionize care for breast cancer patients by designing and testing, system-wide, new approaches to research, technology and health care delivery.</p> <p>Called the ATHENA Breast Health Network, the groundbreaking project will initially involve 150,000 California women, who will be screened for breast cancer and followed for decades through the five UC cancer centers. The ATHENA project is supported by a $5.3-million University of California grant, and by a $4.8-million grant from the Safeway Foundation. </p> <p>The project is expected to generate a rich collection of data and knowledge that will shape breast cancer care the way the renowned Framingham heart study changed the care of patients with heart disease. </p> <p>“ATHENA is a model of multi-institutional collaboration and demonstrates the enormous potential in shared systems,'' said Dr. John D. Stobo, UC senior vice president for health sciences and services. “This is a great example of the power of our statewide university network of academic medical centers; this initiative will demonstrate that the total of what can be accomplished by UC functioning as an integrated system can far exceed the sum of contributions by the individual campuses. ATHENA represents an unprecedented opportunity to play a leadership role in driving critical changes in health care. The public nature of the UC institutions make them uniquely positioned to study the appropriateness and effectiveness of treatment. It also allows for the applied use of new scientific evidence, much of which has been developed in the UC medical centers, to truly change the delivery of care.’’</p> <p>Dr. Arash Naeim, principal investigator for the Jonsson Cancer Center’s part in the project, said the primary goal of ATHENA is to accelerate research, “effectively translating it into innovative clinical care, and demonstrating the value that can be leveraged when institutions share knowledge and technology.”</p> <p>“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and innovative efforts aimed at preventing and treating breast cancer require significant financial, intellectual and organizational resources to improve survival and reduce suffering from the disease,” Naeim said. “If the University of California cancer centers, their researchers and healthcare providers work together in an organized and cohesive way as equal partners, there will be a tremendous opportunity to leverage research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship for all women developing breast cancer”.</p> <p>Besides the Jonsson Cancer Center, the centers involved in the large-scale demonstration project include UC San Francisco as the host campus, UC Davis, UC San Diego and UC Irvine. Also participating in the collaboration are the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, the Northern California Cancer Center, Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, the National Cancer Institute’s BIG Health Consortium, and the Center for Medical Technology Policy.</p> <p>“We are excited to be supporting this innovative collaboration that, to date, has the clearest potential to produce ground breaking research that will bring us closer to a cure,’’ said Larree Renda, Safeway Inc. executive vice president, chief strategist and administrative officer and chairman of the Safeway Foundation. </p> <p>Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women, is a devastating and costly disease, striking more than 200,000 women annually and killing more than 40,000 each year, according to the American Cancer Society. In the United States, more than $20 billion is spent annually screening and treating the disease.</p> <p>ATHENA is designed to more efficiently integrate financing, technology, research and clinical care, creating an infrastructure model that could be utilized for many medical conditions.</p> <p>“Our goal is to improve survival and reduce suffering from breast cancer, to accelerate research and compress the time to implement innovations in clinical practice,’’ said ATHENA principal investigator Dr. Laura Esserman, professor of surgery and radiology, director of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and co-leader of the breast oncology program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. </p> <p>“By working together as a community, the University of California centers, their affiliates, primary care and specialty physicians and patient advocates will work to change the options for patients today and create a better future for all women at risk for developing breast cancer,” she added.</p> <p>The goals of the ATHENA initiative include: </p> <ul> <li>Creating common systems to integrate clinical research and care across the UC campuses to advance the science of prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Driving innovation across the UC system to deliver and finance more effective and efficient systems for personalized and biologically targeted care, using breast cancer as a prototype. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Creating a biospecimen repository that has broad racial and ethnic representation. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Reducing morbidity and mortality by gaining a molecular understanding of breast cancer and factors that fuel breast cancer risk.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Improving understanding of who is at risk for what kind of cancer, and whether the risk of that cancer is significant or minimal. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Generating the evidence for developing more effective and less toxic treatments and to drive innovation in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Providing tools to change the way patients and providers interact to prevent and manage the disease. </li> </ul> <p>The science fueling personalized medicine currently is experiencing explosive growth. Molecular tests are now available that can analyze a breast cancer tumor and categorize the risk of breast cancer recurrence with and without treatments, according to Esserman.</p> <p>“Giving doctors sophisticated tools to tailor treatments to the individual tumor will revolutionize care, potentially enabling thousands of women to safely forgo toxic treatments and providing those at high risk of dying from their cancer with more targeted and effective treatments,’’ said Esserman. “Equally, if not more exciting, is the promise of molecular tools to more accurately predict the risk of getting breast cancer, which may ultimately lead to better ways to prevent the disease.’’ </p> <p>Women who present for breast cancer screening at the five UC centers and their affiliates will be enrolled into the ATHENA Breast Health Network and followed for decades. All women undergoing screening and treatment will be offered the opportunity to collaborate by contributing information about themselves, any risk factors they have, including health status, and other related lifestyle behaviors, such as diet, tobacco and drug use, environmental factors, gynecological history and family risk. This information will be used to help target prevention services now and in the future. Women diagnosed with breast cancer will additionally join a “survivorship cohort” comprised of women who <i>have</i> been diagnosed with breast cancer.</p> <p>“We will be able to create a state-wide cohort of women at risk of breast cancer and develop the optimal methods for the early detection of all types of breast cancer,’’ said Dr. Robert Hiatt, professor and co-chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSF. He is also director of population sciences and deputy director of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his research focuses on breast cancer and the environment. </p> <p>“The size and diversity of the survivorship cohort and the depth and quality of the information we’ll have will be unprecedented and will enable the development and testing of robust new models of cancer outcomes and prognosis,’’ he said.</p> <p>The UC system is particularly well-positioned for a project of ATHENA’s magnitude because the combined centers annually screen as many as 80,000 women and diagnose 2,500 patients with breast cancer. Still, said Esserman, the new project calls for “a re-imagining and then a re-engineering so that we can continually improve what we do - to improve our current processes, to streamline communication and access to information among care providers and patients, and to improve the efficiency of services.” </p> <p>The potential rewards are significant.</p> <p>“This project will standardize the collection of structured data from both patients and physicians so that it is computable, interoperable and reusable, and it will integrate molecular profiling at the time of diagnosis and create an unparalleled biospecimen repository. The result will be a network that enables personalized care informed by science and that fuels the accelerated and continuous improvement in treatment options and outcomes,’’ said Esserman. “With ATHENA, wisdom will be waging war against breast cancer and the learning system will continue to evolve until we have cured this disease.” </p> <p>While the ATHENA Breast Health Network focuses on breast cancer, the tools and infrastructure developed for this project are readily transferable to other cancers and conditions. ATHENA has the potential to serve as a transformative model to drive innovation, alter the culture of research and clinical practice and ultimately change health care delivery.</p> <p>For further information, please visit <a href="http://www.athenacarenetwork.org/">http://www.AthenaCareNetwork.org</a></p> <p>Safeway is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,739 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $44.1 billion in 2008. The company’s stock symbol is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2008 donated more than $248 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, hunger relief and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities.</p> <p>UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has more than 240 researchers and clinicians engaged in disease research, prevention, detection, control, treatment and education. One of the nation's largest comprehensive cancer centers, the Jonsson center is dedicated to promoting research and translating basic science into leading-edge clinical studies. In July 2009, the Jonsson Cancer Center was named among the top 12 cancer centers nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, a ranking it has held for 10 consecutive years. For more information on the Jonsson Cancer Center, visit our website at <a href="http://www.cancer.ucla.edu/">http://www.cancer.ucla.edu</a>.</p> <p>-UCLA-</p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:aa247dbd-391e-4c74-b6e1-58df74cc6e80" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UCLA+Jonsson+Cancer+Center" rel="tag">UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UCI+Irvine" rel="tag">UCI Irvine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Athena+Breast+Health+Network" rel="tag">Athena Breast Health Network</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/breast+cancer" rel="tag">breast cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/study+Bed" rel="tag">study Bed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer+outcomes" rel="tag">cancer outcomes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Study+Bed" rel="tag">Study Bed</a></div>

The Athena Breast Health Study – Collaboration to Revolutionize Care for Breast Cancer Patients

This is a long term study to follow the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer throughout several universities in California through a ...

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ER Doctor Steals Rolex leaves patient to Die – Nurse’s Observations and Actions Helped Find the Watch

<p> This is one of those bizarre sad tales, how in the world would a doctor do this?  The nurses were right on his trail too with noticing the watch being gone and reported to security.  The doctor was caught on security cameras outside throwing the watch into a grassy area and the watch was found.</p> <p>The doctor, 32-year-old Cleveland James Enmon of Hermosa Beach, Calif. is also facing grand theft charges in the case.  It sounds like the evidence is <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLjJWuhPZI/AAAAAAAAaNs/yBpUtM0JDr8/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLjLIghrsI/AAAAAAAAaNw/H-Ah5fEzWdE/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="188" /></a>pretty well lined up here with what has been disclosed in this article.  This somewhat reminds me of one we had in Irvine a few years ago where a doctor left in the middle of surgery to run to the ATM machine, but the patient in that situation didn’t die.  I wonder if this doctor may have been on drugs or something to behave so strangely too.  Very sad for the family too when the doctor you count on to save a life is not there for you.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>Legal News for California wrongful death attorneys. A emergency room doctor is being accused of failing to resuscitate a man to steal his watch.</p> <p>Stockton, CA—A St. Joseph’s Medical Center emergency room doctor is under fire by the family of a retired Manteca police Lieutenant who died from a heart attack last June. The family alleges the doctor did not resuscitate their father so he could steal his Rolex. The adult children of the retired police official filed a wrongful According to the lawsuit, Jerry Kubena Sr. was rushed to the St. Joseph’s Medical Center on June 1st for heart problems. </p> <p><strong>Emergency room physician Dr. Cleveland Enmon allegedly allowed Kubena to die from a heart attack after he noticed his Presidential Rolex watch on his wrist.</strong> Two nurses reportedly noticed the watch was missing from the body of Mr. Kubena, and that a bulge appeared in the doctor’s pocket. The nurses reported the missing watch to security, who then told everyone to remain where they are. </p> <p><strong>The lawsuit claims Dr. Enmons somehow slipped outside the hospital and walked into the parking lot, which was caught on the hospitals security cameras.</strong> A nurse decided to follow the doctor, and witnessed him throw something from his pocket into a grassy area in the parking lot. The nurse reportedly brought security to the area where she saw Dr. Enmom throw something, and recovered Mr. Kubena’s Rolex. Dr. Enmon was apparently confronted with the hospitals security footage, and was fired on the spot.</p> <p><a href="http://www.justicenewsflash.com/2009/09/29/st-josephs-rolexstealing-doctor-charged-wrongful-death-lawsuit_200909292254.html">St. Joseph’s Medical Center emergency room doctor steals Rolex leaves patient to die | Justice News Flash | JusticeNewsFlash Release</a></p> </blockquote> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b1e584fd-01ab-4d71-9445-773c397034bc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hospital" rel="tag">hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lawsuit" rel="tag">lawsuit</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/wrongful+death" rel="tag">wrongful death</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rolex" rel="tag">Rolex</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ER+room" rel="tag">ER room</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/St.+Joseph+Hospital" rel="tag">St. Joseph Hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heart+attack" rel="tag">heart attack</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/nurses" rel="tag">nurses</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/security+camera" rel="tag">security camera</a></div>

ER Doctor Steals Rolex leaves patient to Die – Nurse’s Observations and Actions Helped Find the Watch

This is one of those bizarre sad tales, how in the world would a doctor do this?  The nurses were right on his trail too with noticing the ...

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Microsoft Security Essentials – Free Anti Virus Protection Available for Download

<h5>Now there is absolutely no good reason not to have good free anti virus protection for your computer, price is right!  In addition to the download page there’s a <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/">Malware Guide</a> section for reference as well.  I have not installed yet, but will shortly.  If you have worked with any other anti virus program for scanning, etc. you will not have a problem with the program screens as they are probably very similar to a program you may be using now.  BD  </h5> <h5><strong><u>About Microsoft Security Essentials</u></strong></h5> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLZgzjmfDI/AAAAAAAAaNc/cooVIYZjCoU/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="217" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLZjj1N_dI/AAAAAAAAaNg/NDtWNZuhlJA/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="354" /></a> </p> <p>Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. </p> <p>Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple. </p> <p>Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLZpDBSyMI/AAAAAAAAaNk/VXGyM_2BNIQ/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLZsgfKbMI/AAAAAAAAaNo/3dsPYRmBArU/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="355" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx">http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6394be29-b661-4ac9-abfa-af65671ec9e9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Anti-viruses" rel="tag">Anti-viruses</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer" rel="tag">computer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+download" rel="tag">free download</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Security+Essentials" rel="tag">Security Essentials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/viruses" rel="tag">viruses</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/malicious+software" rel="tag">malicious software</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/malware" rel="tag">malware</a></div>

Microsoft Security Essentials – Free Anti Virus Protection Available for Download

Now there is absolutely no good reason not to have good free anti virus protection for your computer, price is right!  In addition to the do...

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Use Twitter to Save Money on your Healthcare – Quick and Simple Format for Answers AskCH

<p> Here’s another new creative way to get quick healthcare information from Twitter.  You can find the cost of drugs in zip codes, find a generic <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLQbipP_QI/AAAAAAAAaNM/whcQZoyg8fA/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="58" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLQc0GQCSI/AAAAAAAAaNQ/tNVcaNce3uw/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="124" /></a>equivalent, which would be my top choice when looking to see if certain drug has one, and you can get a quick response on medical conditions/health issues.  All you need to do is follow <a href="http://twitter.com/askch">AskCH on Twitter</a> and you are set and ready to go.  </p> <blockquote> <p>Imagine leaving the doctors office with a sick kid. You're anxious to get home, but need to pick up a prescription...without spending a fortune. Use AskCH, and have the info at your fingertips.  </p> <h5>Format for Your Questions:</h5> <p>Below is a list of the questions you can get automated answer for. You will only get an answer if you ask the question in the proper format, so make sure you stick to the rules.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLQe0AVWgI/AAAAAAAAaNU/kG2tyKoqUho/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLQgu6RsUI/AAAAAAAAaNY/AFielcgb6Z8/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="300" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://ask.changehealthcare.com/">askCH from change:healthcare – Use Twitter to Save Money on your Healthcare</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e864969f-3c76-4bda-b0b7-8d35326ef25c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AskCh" rel="tag">AskCh</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter" rel="tag">Twitter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/drugs+discounts" rel="tag">drugs discounts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharma" rel="tag">pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+conditions" rel="tag">health conditions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+issues" rel="tag">health issues</a></div>

Use Twitter to Save Money on your Healthcare – Quick and Simple Format for Answers AskCH

Here’s another new creative way to get quick healthcare information from Twitter.  You can find the cost of drugs in zip codes, find a gene...

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Senate panel Votes Negative on Public Insurance Option – They Don’t Understand The Algorithms

<p> Yesterday I made a post after looking around the internet to see what picketing, marches, etc. were happening and found enough for the week to fill up a post.  Maybe those folks in the Senate might think about adding some extra security as if this drags on a lot longer, I think real tempers are going to fly pretty soon, just evident of what has been in the news of late.  Wall Street execs have had a little of this up there too and again as the crowds get angrier, the messier it will get.  Two years ago I stated that we would be seeing protests and rallies all revolving around healthcare, why, as a <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLF4FeofGI/AAAAAAAAaM4/mFsVQfjESjg/s1600-h/image%5B14%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLF6M1b-6I/AAAAAAAAaM8/kjeL7kga99w/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="186" /></a> person who used to write code and with the present integration processes in place, it’s not hard to project where it’s all going if you read enough.  The average person would not see or perhaps understand all of this as it is the data processes that work in the background that run all the decision making processes today.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/healthcare-whos-picketing-this-week.html"><font size="2">Healthcare – Who’s Picketing This Week, Where and Who</font></a></h4> <p>Now, the article states that both sides agree to more regulations on insurance companies, well what are they?  Anything with any real teeth might I ask?  Any regulations regarding the Algorithms they run to deny and score claims?  With all the recent news over the Ingenix data base being corrupted and illegally calculating out of network charges, I think the formulas, just as EMR/EHR formulas that are run for medical records need to be certified.  </p> <p>Why do we only certify one side of the fence here?  The side that isn’t certified and governed is tearing the other side apart and we are getting nowhere.  Without a public option, we are basically doing nothing, but most of what I see coming from the Senate is pretty resembling the 70s anyway.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/insurance-companies-under-attack-with.html"><font size="2">Insurance Companies Under Attack with Lawsuits – Generated by Their Algorithms</font></a></h4> <p>All the tech people, and I see them all over the web here, self included are watching this whole show in shock, as we all watch in disbelief of the lack of acceptance of Health IT and Healthcare reform just being completely ignored.  It’s in the algorithms just as it is on Wall Street, so again when having folks who live in the past and those that somewhat survive in the world of denial when it comes to technology, we just sit by and shake our <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLF7tlMOmI/AAAAAAAAaNA/8y6ci9mtWDo/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="171" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLF9QaYq_I/AAAAAAAAaNE/npgFzxuO6MI/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="128" /></a>heads.  There are brilliant people here in the US, but they are not given a chance to offer any guidance as again, they are stuck in old methodologies and ways, oblivious as to what is really going on in the world around them.  <strong>I make this observation here and clearly am not alone.  It’s sad and everyone else suffers while the side show continues.  </strong></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/algorithm-report-healthcare-and-other.html"><strong>Dr. Phil is talking algorithms today too.</strong></a>  If Dr. Phil can comprehend this, why can’t the Senate and the rest of Congress.   </p> <p>There’s plenty of documentation on the web with how business models for insurance companies operate and what they do, this blog has plenty of it listed and yet this site and many others fall on deaf ears, or I should say on the ears of those who don’t read or educate themselves enough on the world of technology. <strong> The under tow just keeps on working, around, against and basically doing whatever they want as there are no laws against the new methodologies used and we have a Congress that doesn’t get it</strong>.  Business models can be changed in 24 hours, even the big guys, but look how long it takes to get healthcare reform passed, and it’s still going. </p> <p><strong>ALGORITHMS – INFLUENCE OR MAKE ABOUT 99% OF ALL THE DECISIONS HAPPENING TODAY – WE NEED ALGORITHMIC CENTRIC LAWS!  Without these, how do we create audit tables that can not only audit health insurance but throw in the Federal Reserve as well.  </strong></p> <p><strong>Would it help if we sent members of Congress to computer school,</strong> I say this as there is nothing that beats hands on experience and if you don’t get the basic drift of how computers operate and data moves, you are not going to be able to add much content or comprehend how Health IT and Healthcare Reform need to go together.  This is exactly what we are all watching today from the sidelines, folks that have no clue and as it comes out in the media with updates, it’s looking worse and a bit more obvious with each article.  Click on the image below and watch the Senate video from January and see where this all is, very informative and shows little or no knowledge of Health IT, nor anyone taking a few minutes to read up, like all of this is a brand new discovery, shocking and sad and explains why we are so far behind the 8 ball today.  BD  </p> <p><a href="http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_01_15/2009_01_15.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="55" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsLF-irUTjI/AAAAAAAAaNI/tjcbDW6Kw0c/image%5B13%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="306" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><b>WASHINGTON (CNN)</b> -- The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected two amendments to include a government-run public health insurance option in the only compromise health care bill so far.</p> <p>The amendments by Democratic Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Charles Schumer of New York were opposed by all 10 Republicans on the committee and a few Democrats, including committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.</p> <p>Baucus explained that he liked much about the idea of a public option but that he knew a health care bill containing the provision would fail to win enough support in the full Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster.</p> <p>"I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year," Baucus said.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/29/senate.public.option/index.html">Senate panel votes down public option for health care bill - CNN.com</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b0777f30-8e80-4816-a27e-f6cc130d5dad" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/igornant" rel="tag">igornant</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer+code" rel="tag">computer code</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/legal+suits" rel="tag">legal suits</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/insurance" rel="tag">insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Algos" rel="tag">Algos</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/greed" rel="tag">greed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/digital+laws" rel="tag">digital laws</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Department+of+Algorithms" rel="tag">Department of Algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/education" rel="tag">education</a></div>

Senate panel Votes Negative on Public Insurance Option – They Don’t Understand The Algorithms

Yesterday I made a post after looking around the internet to see what picketing, marches, etc. were happening and found enough for the week...

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Nuance Announces New Version of eScription Platform for Computer Aided Medical Transcription

<p><b></b></p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b></b></p> <p>Nuance has an update on their hospital speech recognition services, hospitals are saving money over traditional transcription services.  BD<a href="http://www.nuance.com/healthcare/products/escription.asp"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsL8qh0KSII/AAAAAAAAaN4/_uBol72QuyA/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a></p> <p><strong><u>Press Release:</u></strong></p> <p><i></i></p> <p><i>Customer-Driven Development Yields New Features for Improved Quality and Administrative Efficiency in Clinical Documentation for the Healthcare Enterprise </i></p> <p><b><i></i></b></p> <p><b>BURLINGTON, Mass., September 28, 2009</b> — <a href="http://www.nuance.com/">Nuance Communications, Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: NUAN), a leading supplier of speech solutions, today announced the availability of version 9 of its eScription on-demand platform for computer aided medical transcription (CAMT), a solution used by healthcare organizations to increase productivity and save costs associated with medical transcription (MT). The new version, which has been successfully deployed at multiple eScription customer sites since spring 2009, introduces enhancements to all five components of the eScription platform, including dictation, background speech recognition, editing and transcription, document distribution and electronic signature. Among its many new features, version 9 offers significant advancements in document quality review and administrator efficiency, benefiting organizations with in-house MT staff and fully outsourced models. </p> <p>As part of its overall mission to help healthcare organizations continually improve their clinical documentation processes, Nuance worked closely with its customers to develop and execute on the more than 30 new features included in eScription version 9. A proven solution for enterprise-wide clinical documentation creation, Nuance’s eScription background speech recognition platform is processing more than 1.82 billion lines of transcription per year, an increase of more than 35 percent since one year ago, and is helping many healthcare organizations save millions of dollars over traditional transcription costs. </p> <p>“We’ve been using the eScription platform for the past three years. As a multi-site healthcare organization, the eScription<b> </b>platform allows our medical transcriptionists – both in-house and outsourced to Focus Infomatics – to quickly create high-quality clinical documents that are easily accessible for review and distribution,” said Steve Griffin, assistant director, HIMS transcription, FirstHealth of the Carolinas. ”For our team, the most compelling feature that eScription version 9 offers is its enhanced administrative controls and quality assurance. Our team loves the standardized consistency of the drafts, loves the editing and access to documents, and beyond just being happy, our transcriptionists have, in some cases exceeded 100 percent productivity gains.” </p> <p>With the introduction of version 9, healthcare organizations now have:</p> <ul> <li><b>Enhanced Quality Assurance:</b> New features offer consistency of standards, definable grading criteria, improved workflow, and updated reports. Quality review can now be completed directly within the eScription platform, eliminating the need for MTs to copy documents into other programs or utilize manual methods.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Improved Transcription Workflow</b>: Version 9 provides administrators with more powerful and flexible ways to save, search, retrieve, and compare documents, as well as to efficiently communicate transcription instructions directly to MTs. These features enhance usability and quality by giving administrators increased access to document workflow.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Easier Configuration and Management:</b> New configuration and management wizards enable simpler set-up across platform components; features include management of<u> </u>turnaround time priorities, voice capture, and document distribution to multiple facility sites, among others.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>More Options for Dictating Clinicians:</b> In addition to telephony, digital dictation devices and the ability to do partial dictations into an electronic health record (EHR), clinicians can now utilize a PC microphone, with voice files uploaded directly to the background speech recognition system to produce drafts for editing.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Even Higher Quality Draft Documents: </b>Continual advances in eScription’s proprietary background speech recognition and natural language processing engines allow the eScription platform to produce increasingly higher quality drafts across a broader base of dictating clinicians within a healthcare organization, thereby increasing MT productivity and delivering accelerated cost savings and ROI for customers.</li> </ul> <p>“By gaining early access to version 9 via the early adopter program and providing feedback during the development phase, we’ve contributed to what I consider to be a very strong solution,” said Jean Blain, HIM manager, transcription services, Eastern Connecticut Health Network. “We’ve found the MT instructions tool to be extremely helpful for improving communication with our MTs. Whereas before we had to send emails and make phone calls when something changed, we now input the information, and our MTs can easily see if the dictation they are working on has special instructions. Version 9 has been especially valuable for prioritizing documents that must meet faster turnaround times, as well as managing and tracking the document as it moves throughout the workflow.” </p> <p>Customer input for the version 9 release was initiated at the 2008 Product Advisory Meeting, an annual event at which eScription customers identify, discuss and prioritize areas of need in clinical documentation. In the spring of 2009, eScription version 9 was introduced and tested at five early adopter customer sites including: Blessing Hospital (Quincy, IL), Eastern Connecticut Health Network (Manchester, CT), FirstHealth of the Carolinas (Pinehurst, NC), Intermountain Healthcare (Salt Lake City, UT), and Solaris Health System (Edison, NJ) in preparation for general release.</p> <p>“The latest version of the eScription on-demand platform caters to all touch points that contribute to high-quality clinical documentation, including the transcriptionist, the transcription manager and the clinician. Clinicians have more options for recording and reviewing medical records, transcriptionists have more quality assurance and editing tools and administrators are able to more effectively communicate priority and workflow commands,” said Peter Durlach, senior vice president product strategy and marketing, Nuance Healthcare. “Over the past year our team, including our eScription customers, has worked hard and cohesively to develop the enhancements that today make up version 9 of the eScription platform. We’re extremely pleased with the features made available as part of this offering.” </p> <p><b>Version 9 Pricing and Availability</b></p> <p>eScription version 9 is being deployed with all new customers and is currently available to all existing eScription customers at no additional charge. In addition to the eScription on-demand platform, Nuance Healthcare also offers an on-premise solution for background speech recognition, the <a href="http://www.nuance.com/healthcare/products/dictaphone_enterprise_express.asp">Dictaphone Enterprise Speech System</a>. Customers and prospective customers can view both eScription version 9 and the latest version 8 of Dictaphone Enterprise Speech System at the Nuance Booth (#1622) at the 2009 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit, October 5-7 in Grapevine, Texas.</p> <p><b>About eScription</b></p> <p>Whether a healthcare organization has an in-house staff of MTs or employs a fully outsourced approach to transcription, eScription background speech recognition is proven to deliver reduced document turnaround times, improved document consistency and quality, substantial cost savings and rapid ROI without requiring clinicians to change their dictation workflow. These proven results are critical to today’s most successful medical records departments, which are increasingly under pressure to operate more efficiently and save costs. With its ASP architecture, eScription requires little capital investment and IT support is minimized. In addition, once they have made the transition, most MTs using the eScription platform prefer speech editing to traditional transcription, which typically doubles their productivity while reducing physical strain. A testament to its high customer satisfaction, eScription has received a Best in KLAS award in the category of speech recognition for the past five consecutive years. </p> <p><b>Nuance Healthcare </b></p> <p><a href="http://www.nuance.com/healthcare/products/default.asphttp:/www.nuance.com/healthcare/">Nuance’s healthcare portfolio</a> of proven, speech-enabled clinical documentation and communication solutions enable healthcare provider organizations to improve financial performance, enhance patient care, and increase patient safety. With more than 3,000 healthcare customers worldwide, Nuance has the experience and solutions that meet the individual needs of any size healthcare provider organization.</p> <p><b>Nuance Communications, Inc.</b></p> <p>Nuance is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world.  Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications and professional services.  For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.nuance.com/">www.nuance.com</a>.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:db88a3b7-f48f-4730-a95b-b029789de567" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+transcription" rel="tag">medical transcription</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/speech+recognition" rel="tag">speech recognition</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hospitals" rel="tag">hospitals</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nuance" rel="tag">Nuance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dictation" rel="tag">dictation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHR" rel="tag">EHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/study" rel="tag">study</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/certification" rel="tag">certification</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/eScription" rel="tag">eScription</a></div>

Nuance Announces New Version of eScription Platform for Computer Aided Medical Transcription

Nuance has an update on their hospital speech recognition services, hospitals are saving money over traditional transcription services...

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HeartStart Defibrillator Recall - Phillips

<p> If you are affected and have one of these models you have a choice it appears of a new model replacement or refurbishing the old unit.  The ones in <a href="http://www.healthcare.philips.com/us/products/resuscitation/products/fr2plus/action.wpd"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="63" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKjhaCii_I/AAAAAAAAaM0/F9uwd1TD_pE/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="154" /></a>question with the faulty chips were sold during 2007 and 2008.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>SEATTLE — <a href="http://www.healthcare.philips.com/us/products/resuscitation/products/fr2plus/action.wpd">Philips</a> said Monday it is recalling about 5,400 HeartStart FR2 automated external defibrillators due to a possible memory chip failure that could make the device unable to work properly. </p> <p>The defibrillators are used by trained responders and designated response teams to help treat sudden cardiac arrest.</p> <p><strong>Only certain defibrillators are included in the recall. They are the FR2 AEDs distributed by Philips that have model numbers M3860A and M3861A, as well as others distributed by Laerdal Medical with model numbers M3840A and M3841A.</strong> All recalled models were made between May 2007 and January 2008.</p> <p><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></p> <p><strong>You can choose a new FRx as your replacement device.</strong></p> <p><strong>Includes free carry case, 1 set of pads, battery, and fresh 5-year warranty.<a href="http://www.healthcare.philips.com/us/products/resuscitation/products/fr2plus/action.wpd#choice">*</a> </strong></p> <p><a href="http://www3.medical.philips.com/resources/hsg/docs/en-us/custom/frx_replacement.asp"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_hc/main/shared/Assets/Images/Resuscitation/Product/ig_frx_02_thm_en.jpg" title="" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www3.medical.philips.com/resources/hsg/docs/en-us/custom/frx_replacement.asp"><strong>HeartStart FRx</strong></a></p> <p>The HeartStart FRx is the newest member of the HeartStart family of defibrillators and it offers a host of valuable benefits.  It is a smaller, lighter unit than FR2+ and it uses the same 1-2-3 layout of the FR2+.  The FRx offers the same reliable SMART Analysis and SMART Biphasic therapy. </p> <p><a href="http://www3.medical.philips.com/resources/hsg/docs/en-us/custom/frx_replacement.asp"><strong>Exchange your affected unit for a new FRx, with free carry case, 1 set of pads, battery and fresh 5-year warranty.</strong></a></p> <p>Alternatively, you may replace your affected unit(s) with a refurbished FR2+ device that will carry the remainder of the warranty of your current device (approximately 3 years for most affected units).  If you choose a refurbished FR2+ as a replacement device, no additional accessories will be provided.</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www3.medical.philips.com/resources/hsg/docs/en-us/custom/fr2_replacement.asp">Exchange your affected unit with a refurbished FR2+.</a></strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMkW8ffX9RSGCSMHRKj2DSV_Kb4wD9B0KD9G3">The Associated Press: Philips recalls some HeartStart defibrillators</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:aa5f4224-92be-4a59-b097-69214ff0887b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recall" rel="tag">recall</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Phillips" rel="tag">Phillips</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/defibrillator" rel="tag">defibrillator</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a></div>

HeartStart Defibrillator Recall - Phillips

If you are affected and have one of these models you have a choice it appears of a new model replacement or refurbishing the old unit.  The...

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Fitbit Wireless Device Monitors your Daily Activity and Movements Released

<h4><font size="2">We are starting to see more devices now that have wireless and use accelerometers to create data reports.  Back last year I had included some information about <a href="http://www.fitbit.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="60" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKOMqCLQGI/AAAAAAAAaMg/8SjUJB0BnH0/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="134" /></a>this device on wireless and data reporting devices.  Since such time, iPhones and a few other related devices have emerged on the scene that also collect and report data.  The Fitbit is another devices you can sleep with too if you desire.   </font></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/wellness-programs-come-in-all-shapes.html"><font size="2">Wellness Programs Come in all Shapes and Sizes and Hold Financial Incentives</font></a></h4> <p><strong>The key is to keep your doctor and you in the loop</strong> so intelligent decisions can be made, and not a one cure for all wellness solution is used as what might be a good plan for one, may not work for the next.  There are common grounds for healthy living that all promote obviously, but just as <a href="http://www.healthvault.com/"><img align="right" border="0" height="58" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SM3q6TdZm-I/AAAAAAAAI90/u04OgRqDvPI/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="139" /></a><strong>medicine is getting very personalized, so is wellness.</strong>  The<strong> PHR is the common ground</strong> where everything can be evaluated and lays the footwork for such a process to take place, <strong>again with your doctor involved. </strong></p> <p>Perhaps the next level up for this device is with the HealthVault if you want to perhaps share information with your doctor.  The data does not go to your pc, but rather the website, and I might guess this is to enable the <strong>algorithms that need to run</strong> to give you the data.  BD</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKONg8ooTI/AAAAAAAAaMk/qRPV4GYUiUc/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="278" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKOPLNl8OI/AAAAAAAAaMo/HfTv2jeIPDE/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="332" /></a> </p> <p><strong><u>From the website, part of the privacy policy:</u></strong></p> <p><em>Fitbit may make anonymous or aggregate personal information and disclose such data only in a non-personally identifiable manner to:</em></p> <ul> <li><em>Organizations approved by Fitbit that conduct or consume research into health and wellness</em></li> <li><em>Users of the Service for purposes of comparison of their personal health and wellness situation relative to the broader community. </em></li> <li><em>Advertisers and other third parties for their marketing and promotional purposes, such as the number of users who clicked on a particular Fitbit Offer; </em></li> <li><em>Such information does not identify you individually. Access to your Registration Information, Account Credentials, Account Information and any other personal information you provide is strictly restricted to Fitbit employees and contractors, as needed, and in accordance with specific internal procedures and safeguard governing access, in order to operate, develop or improve the Service. These individuals have been selected in accordance with our security policies and practices and are bound by confidentiality obligations. They may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.</em> </li> </ul> <p><strong>There are other options mentioned as well if you agree to 3rd party applications and permissions.  This is important to read and understand today so you know exactly who and where you are granting permission to your personal data.  The company is letting you know there may be offers on the website and through other partners who may be using the data with your given permission and this could include different varieties of wellness and fitness organizations, but again be sure to read and know what you are sharing.  </strong></p> <p><em>“There are a number of separate products and services offered by third parties advertised by us on our Site and through the Service that may be complementary to your use of Fitbit.com, such as health clubs, weight loss programs and sports and fitness equipment makers (collectively, “Fitbit Offers”). If you choose to use these separate products or services, disclose information to the providers, or grant them permission to collect information about you, then their use of your information is governed by their privacy policies. You should evaluate the practices of external services providers before deciding to use their services. <strong>Fitbit is not responsible for their privacy practices.</strong> If you click on a link to a third party site, Fitbit encourages you to check the privacy policy of that site. Fitbit may present links in a format that enables us to keep track of whether these links have been followed and whether any action has been taken on a third party Web site. We use this information to improve the quality of the Fitbit Offers and customized content on the Service.”</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKORgrAqeI/AAAAAAAAaMs/7X9RGRRxr6M/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="147" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsKOTGyYn-I/AAAAAAAAaMw/Re3WVtMRyyw/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="327" /></a> </p> <p>You can wear the Fitbit Tracker loosely in your pocket, clipped to your pants, shirt, bra or to your wrist when you are sleeping. You can wear it all day!</p> <p><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/29/fitbit-tracker-starts-shipping-ready-to-monitor-your-fitness-s/">http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/29/fitbit-tracker-starts-shipping-ready-to-monitor-your-fitness-s/</a></p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/09/fitbit_tracks_your_movement_day_and_night.html">Medgadget</a> </p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/employers-in-search-of-ways-to-help.html">Employers in search of ways to help keep health insurance costs low – How far will it go?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/wellness-programs-payouts-to-those-who.html">The Wellness Programs: Payouts to Those Who Work Out - Insurers give discounts on premiums</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/congress-plans-incentives-for-healthy.html">Congress Plans Incentives for Healthy Habits ,Wellness Programs, and Devices? How Potentially Intrusive and Disruptive Will It Get to Save Money?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/target-corporation-partners-with-red.html">Target Corporation Partners with Red Brick Wellness Program</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/wellness-programs-payouts-to-those-who.html">The Wellness Programs: Payouts to Those Who Work Out - Insurers give discounts on premiums</a></h6> <h6> </h6> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b7852da5-15fc-4dfd-826a-ad9fd0bda9ee" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fitbit" rel="tag">Fitbit</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/wellness" rel="tag">wellness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/excercise" rel="tag">excercise</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/privacy" rel="tag">privacy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/incentives" rel="tag">incentives</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/data+devices" rel="tag">data devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer" rel="tag">computer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a></div>

Fitbit Wireless Device Monitors your Daily Activity and Movements Released

We are starting to see more devices now that have wireless and use accelerometers to create data reports.  Back last year I had included som...

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Insurance Companies Under Attack with Lawsuits – Generated by Their Algorithms

<p>What is at the bottom of all of this, the same thing I keep talking about all throughout this blog,<strong> the algorithms or formulas that calculate payment <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ_0mkN6tI/AAAAAAAAaMQ/rJiOZG6FUsE/s1600-h/image%5B10%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ_11RNxVI/AAAAAAAAaMU/NOcsiPedEos/image_thumb%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="156" /></a>rates and provisions, something I try to bring to light so perhaps we can avoid some of the useless Town Hall meetings</strong> that are not addressing this.  Our Congress people should really try to create some more productive and informative meetings, to educate by all means.  The average person has not clue on how powerful computer code an algorithms are until they work against you. </p><p>The article references a bit of history, going back to 2002 with late payments and then advances on to the “Ingenix Inquisition”, a boiling pot that is still cooking.  As mentioned below, there’s even a conference coming up to explore “charging below the going rate”.  </p><p><b><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/ingenix-data-base-has-some-long.html">Ingenix Data Base Has Some Long Reaching Legal Tentacles</a></b></p><p>The data base used by Ingenix, a subsidiary of United HealthCare was used by other insurance carriers too, so <strong>United appeared to be making money from other insurers along the way too, best of both worlds for profit, </strong>the patients and the competition.  Ingenix is the business intelligence arm of United and also sells services that “score” and analyze claims to avoid fraud, but what happens when the line between greed maybe and the appearance of fraud get clouded?  You guessed it, problems with getting claims paid, common sense would just tell you that much.  What it somewhat interesting too is that I have not seen any legal action from one of their client/competitors filed yet, but I could have missed something as well.</p><p>Rescission also happens and one of the very same companies, <strong>Ingenix also scores your eligibility by analyzing your medication records that</strong> they buy and sell, not under the control of HIPAA.  You might possibly find some other insurers paying Ingenix for these services too, although there are others out there that do the same, <strong>we are for sale.</strong>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ_28XUylI/AAAAAAAAaMY/rvkT7sP0NfI/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ_3wkS3EI/AAAAAAAAaMc/L8CvuvC9aQc/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="146" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/prescriptions-risk-score-used-to-deny.html">Prescriptions risk <b>score</b> used to deny health insurance</a></p><p>We are in the world of high frequency health care whether we like it or not and in view of some of what is going on, <strong>I don’t understand why we put the EMR/EHR companies up against the wall for integrated and accurate transactions and queries when we do not do the same for the insurance carriers? </strong> It would certainly make sense to me to be able to have algorithmic centric certification take place and then we might just avoid some of this legal mess, maybe?  Why are their algorithms such a high and tight secret when the EMR folks are not?  I think we need a <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/department-of-algorithms-do-we-need-one.html">US Department of Algorithms</a></strong> and soon.  Wendell Potter worked in the industry for years and <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/wendell-potter-knows-algorithms-if-you.html">he knows algorithms.</a></strong></p><p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/08/goldman-stolen-code-has-algorithmic.html">Goldman Stolen Code – Has Algorithmic Fraud Become A Business model for Healthcare too</a></p><p>I will mention this once more, we need some algorithmic centric laws, digital laws, don’t you think it’s about time, as all the verbiage in the world is not cutting it today and even our Congress can’t find the time to read and decipher it, madness and still life in the 70s.  </p><p><strong>All the unsettledness, grief, and greed is all created by one item, algorithms and the people that design and put them in to place for business</strong> intelligence decisions, so as smart people we need to get educated and quit screaming and fighting and demand to see and have access to those algorithms that give the thumbs up or down and know why and be able to see in advance if a denial would take place, shouldn’t that be the American Way?  </p><p>I used to write code and it’s not all created equal and with proprietary code that we never get to see or evaluate, we all just behind one big 8 ball with a Congress in the same boat, and <strong>they are doing the same, arguing and fighting, and nobody is getting anywhere in a hurry.</strong>  </p><p>So how about a <strong>Department of Algorithms</strong> that can check validity and ensure accuracy,<strong> put it under the Patent Office perhaps.</strong>  This entire under tow works while the ignorant are continuously chastised and have no clue why, let’s all get ourselves educated and realize the real problems we are facing today, <strong>it’s the algos.</strong>  BD  </p><blockquote><p>Health insurers are under siege, and it’s not from stockholders upset over cratering equity prices. Lawsuits are coming at the plans from places they haven’t come before at a rate they have never seen before.</p><p>“Volume has increased tremendously in the last five years,” says Steven Ziegler, JD, a lawyer who defends UnitedHealth, Aetna, and Blue Cross plans, among others, and who lectures groups of insurers on emerging trends in plan liability.</p><p>Class action suits against plans nearly tripled from the period 1996–1999 to the period 2000–2005, from 4 percent to 11 percent of non-zero-dollar claims, according to a proprietary analysis of their own data conducted by One Beacon. Non-zero-dollar claims refers to claims paid by MCO errors and omissions policies after MCOs exhaust their significant self-insured funds. Insurance industry insiders believe the Beacon study is the only one in recent years that analyzes MCO lawsuit data, since MCOs keep errors and omissions (E&O) claims histories close to the vest.</p><p>The Ingenix database is not an accurate representation of UCR rates, according to a January 2008 finding by the appellate division of a Massachusetts State District Court in a decision in favor of a chiropractor in Michael Davekos P.C. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.</p><p>The Ingenix lawsuits have attracted so much attention that the highlight of an upcoming March 31 Las Vegas MCO conference, Maximizing Network Success & Outreach, is a panel discussion titled “Exploring the Ingenix Class Action Lawsuit: Charging Below the Going Rate, Extracting Outliers, & Using High End Data to Hold Down the Dollar.” Panel guests include representatives from Highmark Blue Shield and Connecticare.</p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.managedcaremag.com/archives/0902/0902.litigation.html">2009_02 | It's No Longer Just Members Who Are Suing Health Plans</a></p><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4b977386-93d2-40e0-9dc8-bbc70133c4a0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/igornant" rel="tag">igornant</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer+code" rel="tag">computer code</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/legal+suits" rel="tag">legal suits</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/insurance" rel="tag">insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Algos" rel="tag">Algos</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/greed" rel="tag">greed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/digital+laws" rel="tag">digital laws</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Department+of+Algorithms" rel="tag">Department of Algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/education" rel="tag">education</a></div>

Insurance Companies Under Attack with Lawsuits – Generated by Their Algorithms

What is at the bottom of all of this, the same thing I keep talking about all throughout this blog, the algorithms or formulas that calcula...

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Hologic ThinPrep Imaging System Gets CE Mark for Cervical Cancer Detection

<p>This is not a huge story for us here, but in Europe the product now has approval, for the dual system detection.  At the site, there’s a video that<a href="http://www.hologic.com/womens-health/gyn-health/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="74" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ0roy_GXI/AAAAAAAAaME/ZsvxszbwAok/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="159" /></a> explains the higher level of accuracy and detection by using both human and machine capabilities.  BD </p> <p><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></p> <p>The ThinPrep Imaging System represents a significant advance in diagnostic capability, with two unique components for comprehensive and accurate cervical cancer testing. The ThinPrep Pap Test offers several advantages over the conventional pap smear, including improved disease detection and testing for HPV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea straight from the vial, and the ThinPrep Imaging System with Dual Review offers additional advantages over manually reviewed ThinPrep Pap Test slides.</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.massdevice.com/directory/hologic-inc">Hologic Inc.</a> won CE Mark approval in the European Union for its ThinPrep integrated imager for cervical cancer. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ0s6IfVbI/AAAAAAAAaMI/FPWFdYs5wTM/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ0wLyssMI/AAAAAAAAaMM/qNlzs_kHGWg/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="234" /></a></p> <p>The Bedford, Mass.-based women's health products maker <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hologic-receives-ce-marking-for-the-thinprepr-integrated-imager-62585342.html">said</a> the approval clears the way for it to bring the device to market in the EU's 27 member countries, plus the three European Free Trade Assn. members and other nations that recognize the mark.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsJ0s6IfVbI/AAAAAAAAaMI/FPWFdYs5wTM/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"></a></p> <p>The ThinPrep device integrates imaging technology and slide review into a single device. It works by analyzing a Pap smear slide, scanning each cell or cell cluster and flagging "diagnostically relevant" cells or cell groups, according to a press release. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.massdevice.com/news/hologic-lands-ce-mark-cervical-cancer-device">Hologic lands CE Mark for cervical cancer device | MassDevice - News</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8135b694-f0b7-4d0e-b183-0979692ce02a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Papsmear" rel="tag">Papsmear</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ThinPrep" rel="tag">ThinPrep</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Holigic" rel="tag">Holigic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cancer+screening" rel="tag">Cancer screening</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/imaging" rel="tag">imaging</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dual+detection" rel="tag">dual detection</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CE+Mark" rel="tag">CE Mark</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a></div>

Hologic ThinPrep Imaging System Gets CE Mark for Cervical Cancer Detection

This is not a huge story for us here, but in Europe the product now has approval, for the dual system detection.  At the site, there’s a vid...

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Will We Ever Settle the Cell Phone/Cancer Debate – Many Medical Devices Talk to Phones

<p> This has me curious with all the medical devices that now connect and send data to a cell phone, how will we be able to send data if they are determined to cause cancer? Is this a dumb question? Here’s one that does ultra sounds:<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="380" id="cnbcplayer" width="400"><br /><param name="type" value="application/x-shockwave-flash"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1122557312/code/cnbcplayershare"><br /><embed name="cnbcplayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" quality="best" wmode="transparent" scale="noscale" salign="lt" src="http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1122557312/code/cnbcplayershare" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="380"></embed><br /></object></p> <p>Being as such will the FDA now be required to approve certain phones that work with medical devices?</p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/07/fda-may-regulate-certain-mobile-phones.html">FDA may regulate certain mobile <b>phones</b> and accessories – Somebody <b>...</b></a></p> <p>The FDA has approved this devices that collects medical data. Chances are that almost every new implanted medical device that comes on to the market will have some wireless capability, like the St. Jude implant with Merlin already has. BD</p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/fda-approves-healthpal-bluetooth-device.html">FDA approves HealthPal – Bluetooth Device that <b>...</b></a></p> <blockquote> <p>This month marked a turning point in the quest by U.S. health advocates to gain credibility for their conviction that cell phones pose an underappreciated health risk.</p> <p>Recently, a three-day Washington, D.C., conference on cell phones and health attracted attendees from throughout the world, and a Sept. 14 Senate hearing examining research gaps on the issue drew a standing-room-only crowd.</p> <p>On Sept. 9, the Environmental Working Group released a report linking long-term cell phone use with increased cancer risks. In late August, a group led by Berkeley researcher Lloyd Morgan published its report, "Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.contracostatimes.com/health/ci_13433632">Safety advocates gain ground in cell phone debate - ContraCostaTimes.com</a></p> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:eaff1634-b669-4002-99d2-3e2128276573" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cellphones" rel="tag">cellphones</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HealthIT" rel="tag">HealthIT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/radiation" rel="tag">radiation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blue+tooth" rel="tag">blue tooth</a></div>

Will We Ever Settle the Cell Phone/Cancer Debate – Many Medical Devices Talk to Phones

This has me curious with all the medical devices that now connect and send data to a cell phone, how will we be able to send data if they a...

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Healthcare – Who’s Picketing This Week, Where and Who

<p>With all the unrest and discussions on healthcare reform, I decided to take a quick look around the web.  We have everything from the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh to healthcare workers at Kaiser demonstrating over healthcare and employment issues.  Some of the picketing is very peaceful and some appears not to be, so I am guessing protests and picketing is going to continue until our Congress finally gets a solution in place.  Healthcare reform with the current economics is not making for a good mix anywhere in the US.  </p> <p>Some of this comes down to emerging technologies replacing humans as has been going on for a few years, but the pace and party due to the <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsGBWbynUeI/AAAAAAAAaL0/kxny1pU19AM/s1600-h/image%5B14%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsGBYW1w42I/AAAAAAAAaL4/PMOfD7bWhAA/image_thumb%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="219" /></a>economy has accelerated.  New technologies are also rapidly changing the way we are both cared for and the ways healthcare is delivered, almost at a pace that is too fast for all to absorb, learn, and accept and is the main reason this has to be addressed quickly as the longer we go <strong>without policies and digital algorithmic centric laws in place,</strong> the worse it will get, as the fear of the unknown drives it’s own frustrations and emotions among us as well.  BD  </p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/world/27protest.html?hpw">In Pittsburgh</a></p> <p>The police here arrested 110 people on Friday night, according to the mayor’s office. They dispersed hundreds of students milling near the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_pittsburgh/index.html?inline=nyt-org">University of Pittsburgh</a> with pepper spray and smoke canisters in a scene reminiscent of the previous night’s disturbances on the first day of the economic summit. </p> <p><a href="http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/17102/">In San Francisco</a></p> <p>SAN FRANCISCO — In case the giant hotel corporations now bargaining with their workers for a new citywide contract had any doubts, over 1,700 of those workers made clear Sept. 24 they and their union, Unite Here Local 2, are determined to win a fair contract that maintains strong health care coverage and keeps their jobs secure. Their current contract expired in August. </p> <p><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/2202058.html">In Sacramento</a> </p> <p>Supporters of a public health plan Tuesday stepped up their campaign to make sure the concept isn't dropped by Congress, holding rallies in Sacramento and across the country against what they contend is a private insurance industry run amok.</p> <p>Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest health insurer with 6.8 million subscribers, served as a target for demonstrators in Sacramento and five other protests in the state's largest cities. Dozens of pickets marched outside the company's offices near the state Capitol to deliver a message: "Big Insurance: Sick of it."</p> <p><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09265/999807-54.stm">In South Butler, PA</a></p> <p>Striking South Butler County teachers turned out in force yesterday morning to picket their campus.</p> <p>Union spokesman Butch Santicola estimated that 180 of the district's 186 faculty members were carrying signs on the first day of the strike. The few teachers not present, he said, were ill.</p> <p>South Butler County is the only school district in Pennsylvania where teachers are on strike, according to the state Department of Education.</p> <p><a href="http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/16960/">In Chicago</a> </p> <p>CHICAGO –– “This picket line is really speaking for all the people of Illinois who need decent health care,” Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn told striking workers at SK Hand Tools Corporation. “Health care is not a privilege. It’s a fundamental right as a human being.” <br />Quinn joined the picket line at this southwest side company whose 70 workers have been on strike since August 24 when they discovered the company had terminated their health care coverage without notice. Teamsters Local 743 represents the workers.</p> <p><a href="http://www.warwickonline.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Protesters+claim+United+denies+claims+to+benefit+stockholders%20&id=3702622&instance=home_news_right">In Warwick, RI</a></p> <p>Ocean State Action, an umbrella group of public sector unions, advocates for low income Rhode Islanders, and social justice groups, staged a protest against United Healthcare late Tuesday afternoon. <br />The group claims United denies claims and care in order to boost its profit for its shareholders and that it is working against health care reform.</p> <p><a href="http://www.fightbacknews.org/es/node/1659">In Los Angeles (UCLA)</a></p> <p>The federal government found the money to bail out Wall Street, to bail out the banks, to bail out the auto industry - but where’s the money to bail out public health care? Where’s the money to bail out public education?” asked a graduate student speaker. Each mention of a bailout was met with resounding booing from the crowd. “There’s no bailout for us - because it’s a higher priority for the government to spend billions and billions of dollars for imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”</p> <p><a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/health/content/business/epaper/2009/09/28/a6b_protest_0929.html">In West Palm Beach, FL</a></p> <p>Isoff said her health coverage comes with high premiums and deductibles, and the insurance isn't accepted by some doctors.</p> <p>"It's no good," Isoff said. "No good."<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsGBa0TAiXI/AAAAAAAAaL8/KKTp8-Vlcng/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SsGBeQkP_mI/AAAAAAAAaMA/b9QnMw8wpQk/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p>As union workers at the 120-bed nursing home renegotiate their contract, they're asking for more generous health insurance and a bigger raise than the 1 percent increase their employer is offering. The Azalea Court workers who picketed<b> </b>said they make $9 to $15 an hour, and one worker said she pays $240 a month for coverage for herself and two children.</p> <p><a href="http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wpri_providence_va_patients_inconvenienced_by_picketers_20090928_mds">In Providence, RI</a></p> <p>At the center of the controversy was an informational picket from union members. The picketers weren't trying to stop veterans from getting medical care. They say they're outside the hospital to give information to the public; information that the <a href="http://www.providence.va.gov/">VA hospital</a> says is all wrong.</p> <p>When a RIPTA bus driver saw the picket in front of the <a href="http://www.providence.va.gov/">Veterans Medical Center,</a> he did not want to cross the line. Instead, he dropped his veterans passengers off across the street from their stop; forcing vets in wheelchairs, and one who was blind, to walk nearly 200 feet to the hospital.</p> <p><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaiser-workers-picket-across-california-62453387.html">In California (healthcare workers)</a></p> <p>SACRAMENTO and ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- <strong>Kaiser Permanente</strong> employees will be picketing in force outside five Kaiser facilities this week to protest company plans to slash 1,350 jobs in coming months. More than 5,000 union members have attended the 14 prior pickets in SEIU-UHW's statewide campaign.</p> <p>In mid-August, Kaiser announced that net income for the second quarter was $620 million. Just days later, Kaiser announced its intention to eliminate 1,350 SEIU-UHW positions statewide. We oppose this action. See full coverage of our pickets at www.seiu-uhw.org/kaiser.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9e67c746-9c04-49b8-9d73-aa62ae99fbe5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare+reform" rel="tag">healthcare reform</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/picketing" rel="tag">picketing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/demonstrations" rel="tag">demonstrations</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/layoffs" rel="tag">layoffs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/insurance" rel="tag">insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/jobs" rel="tag">jobs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/protest" rel="tag">protest</a></div>

Healthcare – Who’s Picketing This Week, Where and Who

With all the unrest and discussions on healthcare reform, I decided to take a quick look around the web.  We have everything from the G-20 m...

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