Medical Quack

Carl Hulse - On the Hill - Election 2008

Carl Hulse - On the Hill - Election 2008

One person's perspective on the issues from both sides of Congress relating to healthcare..BD It makes an interesting case study for 2...

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Great L.A. Healthcare Rally This Saturday

More support for SB 840 from various organizations to be held in downtown Los Angeles this weekend.....BD <blockquote> A coalition of registered nurses, physicians and consumer groups will rally this Saturday in Los Angeles in support of Sen. Sheila Kuehl's ground-breaking bill, SB840, which proposes guaranteed healthcare on a single-payer model. The L.A. event is the culmination of 365 local events held around the state this year, in support of single payer healthcare, one held every day. The "Healthcare for All/OneCareNow" statewide educational campaign for SB 840 was launched on August 12th, 2006 in Morro Bay after the bill, passed by a majority of the California Assembly and Senate last August, was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September, 2006. The rally, which starts at 1:00 p.m., will begin with the arrival of a procession of "hearses," which will have proceeded from Santa Monica to City Hall, representing the estimated 50 persons in the U.S. who die every day because they lack health coverage. The event will include SB 840 author Sen. Sheila Kuehl, actress Lily Tomlin, California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee President, Deborah Burger, RN, and many others. The Great L.A. Health Care Rally Date: Saturday, August 11 Time: 1:00-3:00 P.M. Place: South lawn of L.A. City Hall (First & Spring Streets) "SB 840 is the only bill before the legislature that will truly provide health care for all and eliminate the for-profit health insurance industry from our health care system and guarantee universal coverage for all residents."</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79371.php">The Great L.A. Healthcare Rally This Saturday - HUGE Rally For Single Payer Healthcare</a>

The Great L.A. Healthcare Rally This Saturday

More support for SB 840 from various organizations to be held in downtown Los Angeles this weekend.....BD A coalition of registered nurses...

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Diabetic Cell phone gets FDA approval

This is quite a story here.  Both Verizon and AT&T are slated to be up and running with this new cell phone.  This may not be available in all areas yet, so you may want to check with the carriers to see when the service and phone is actually available.  Are you still just using your cell phone for phone calls?  BD <blockquote> The customer uses the GlucoPack™ in the same manner as any standard glucose meter. <img src="http://www.healthpia.us/images/img_tec2.jpg"> Software has been developed that can be downloaded into your cell phone that can interface with the GlucoPack™ to test and read your glucose level. (When you go visit or talk to your doctor or a hospital, with the subscriber?s permission all the test results are accessible online.) <img src="http://www.healthpia.us/images/img_tec3.jpg"></blockquote> <a href="http://www.healthpia.us/tech.jsp">:: HealthPia America ::</a>           <a href="http://www.healthpia.us/service2.jsp" target="_blank">Information Portal page</a>      <a href="http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2250433&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.5.1" target="_blank">Fox News Video</a> <a href="http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/08/the-real-glucop.html" target="_blank">Diabetes Mine Web Site</a>   Be sure to read here as well for more information and availability. After several years of what seemed like empty talk, HealthPia has quietly "launched" its first marketable model, the Verizon LG5200 phone (CDMA platform) for the US market at last week's <a href="http://www.diabetesmine.com/2007/08/aade-gov-huckab.html">AADE Conference</a>.  What about calibration and test strip coding? Yes, you have to enter a code (calibrate), and it comes with control solution, just like most regular meters on the market today. Is there any charge for the database service? No, that's part of the deal.  By the way, if you already have a Verizon LG5200 phone in the US, you can purchase the meter pack and software only as an add-on.  Otherwise, it's a turnkey solution: you buy the whole product together.  There's no extra charge for transmitting your data, and you can text message anyone you want. Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/11/healthpias-glucophone-gets-fda-approval/" target="_blank">Engadget</a>

Diabetic Cell phone gets FDA approval

This is quite a story here. Both Verizon and AT&T are slated to be up and running with this new cell phone. This may not be available ...

Saturday, August 11, 2007

"Michael Moore, you just saved my home."

"Michael Moore, you just saved my home."

A while back we had posted the story and Clayton was kind enough to post some comments himself on this blog, so it's only appropriate we...

Friday, August 10, 2007

HealthSpring to acquire Florida HMO

HealthSpring to acquire Florida HMO

HealthSpring Inc. has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Leon Medical Centers Health Plans Inc., a Miami-based Medicare Advantag...

Friday, August 10, 2007

King-Harbor Hospital to close as feds pull funding

Things are looking bleak at the clock ticks on....BD  <blockquote> After federal officials unequivocally decided today to revoke $200 million in funding, Los Angeles County's top health official said he would quickly begin closing Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital, which has repeatedly shown itself unable to meet minimum standards for patient care. County health director Dr. Bruce Chernof notified the county Board of Supervisors of his emergency decision after the hospital failed its final test, a top-to-bottom review by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The decision in effect marks an end to nearly four years of failed attempts to reform the historic institution, treasured by many African Americans as a hard-won symbol of hope and progress after the 1965 Watts riots. Although the process of closure is expected to take two weeks, staffing was so paltry today that the county said it would close the busy emergency room at 7 p.m. County officials have said they will seek out a private operator to take over King-Harbor and try to reopen it within a year. But previous attempts to find such an entity failed, and success this time is by no means assured.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-king11aug11,0,3698687.story?coll=la-home-center">King-Harbor Hospital to close as feds pull funding - Los Angeles Times</a>

King-Harbor Hospital to close as feds pull funding

Things are looking bleak at the clock ticks on....BD After federal officials unequivocally decided today to revoke $200 million in fundin...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Precise Dental Implant - Teeth in an Hour

This is huge..myself I went through the "old" procedure where the healing process had to take place for months before an implant could be created and added....very good reading if you need some additional dental work beyond the norm....BD  <blockquote> Nobel Biocare, creators of the Teeth-In-An-Hour technology and trademark have been at the forefront of implant dentistry for years. They are a recognized leader in the development of cutting edge technologie<img align="right" src="http://www.alabamateethinanhour.com/images/nobel_guide.jpg">s and solutions for dentists worldwide. Dental Implants... now known and coveted as the Gold Standard of Treatment for tooth replacement was originally developed by Nobel Biocare and continues to undergo advancements. Bioengineers at Nobel Biocare have successfully combined the technologies of 3 Dimensional imaging (commonly used in CatScans and MRI's) and hybrid software applications that enable dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and other implantologists to virtually eliminate the common problem of locating ideal bone mass for each implant needed for treatment. <img align="left" src="http://www.alabamateethinanhour.com/images/nobelguide_video_icon.jpg"> This Virtual Treatment Planning process creates the technical data for creating the <a href="http://www.alabamateethinanhour.com/nobel_guides.html">NobelGuide</a>, a custom template used by our doctors to achieve the best implant placement possible with the highest degree of implant success possible, given the variability of bone structure and bone mass from patient to patient.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.alabamateethinanhour.com/">Alabama AL NobelGuide Accurate Precise Dental Implant Placement Implantology Dentistry Failure Control CAD/CAM Bioengineering</a>

Precise Dental Implant - Teeth in an Hour

This is huge..myself I went through the "old" procedure where the healing process had to take place for months before an implant c...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Democratic Presidential Candidate Richardson Unveils Universal Health Care Plan

<blockquote> Presidential candidate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) on Tuesday announced a proposal that would extend health insurance to the 45 million U.S. residents who lack coverage and would not require a tax increase, the <cite>Washington Post</cite> reports. Under the proposal, all residents would have to obtain health insurance (MacGillis, <cite>Washington Post</cite>, 8/8). The proposal would: <ul> <li>Allow residents ages 55 to 64 to pay to participate in Medicare, expand Medicaid and SCHIP to include more low-income children and families and allow young adults to continue to receive health insurance through the policies of their parents until age 25; <li>Provide tax credits on a sliding income scale to help residents purchase health insurance (Glover, <cite>AP/Houston Chronicle</cite>, 8/7); <li>Allow residents and small businesses to purchase the same health insurance offered to members of Congress and the president; <li>Mandate that health insurers no longer can deny coverage to residents with pre-existing medical conditions; <li>Provide veterans with a "Heroes Health Card" that would expand their access to health care; <li>Require employers to pay a share of health insurance costs for employees; <li>Limit interest rates applied to health care costs charged to credit cards; <li>Allow the federal government to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Petroski, <cite>Des Moines Register</cite>, 8/8); <li>Establish incentives for preventive care programs; and <li>Improve health care efficiency though increased use of technology and other measures (<cite>AP/Houston Chronicle</cite>, 8/7).</li></ul>Richardson said that the proposal would cost an estimated $110 billion annually but that savings from the plan would cover the cost (<cite>Washington Post</cite>, 8/8).</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79191.php">Democratic Presidential Candidate Richardson Unveils Universal Health Care Plan That Would Expand Preventive Coverage</a>

Democratic Presidential Candidate Richardson Unveils Universal Health Care Plan

Presidential candidate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) on Tuesday announced a proposal that would extend health insurance to the 45 ...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Tablet PC used by Virgin America Airlines

Tablet PC used by Virgin America Airlines

Other industries are capitalizing on the tablet pc...interesting story about Virgin America airlines and their online services available for...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Calif. schools required to give medical help to kids with diabetes

This should be good practice all over....BD <blockquote> Schools in California will be required to have someone available who is trained to assist diabetic children under a legal settlement announced Wednesday in Oakland. The agreement sets a policy requiring children who have diabetes to be provided services under federal laws that guarantee equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities. "The importance of this settlement is it's applying those laws to children with diabetes," says Arlene Mayerson, an attorney with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, which represented four families in the lawsuit filed in 2004. "This will be a model for states across the country." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in 523 people under 20 have diabetes. A few states, including Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas, already have legislation that allows schools' non-medical staff members to be trained to administer insulin and help children monitor blood-sugar levels. Laura Wolfe of Upland, Calif., pulled her daughter Elizabeth out of public schools three years ago when she found her 5-year-old unconscious on the playground in a state of extremely high blood sugar. "She could have gone into a coma," she says. "The district nurse would not allow any non-medical staff to participate in medical care. The protocol was call Mom or call 911."</blockquote> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-08-09-diabetes-school_N.htm">Calif. schools required to give medical help to kids with diabetes - USATODAY.com</a>

Calif. schools required to give medical help to kids with diabetes

This should be good practice all over....BD Schools in California will be required to have someone available who is trained to assist diab...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

FDA Approves Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc

<blockquote> FDA on Monday approved Pfizer's antiretroviral drug maraviroc, which belongs to a new class of antiretrovirals that could provide an alternative to HIV-positive people who have developed resistance to multiple drugs, the <cite>Los Angeles Times</cite> reports (Chong, <cite>Los Angeles Times</cite>, 8/7). FDA gave expedited approval of maraviroc for use in combination with other antiretrovirals (<a href="http://www.cq.com/corp/show.do?page=products_cqhealthbeat"><cite>CQ HealthBeat</cite></a>, 8/6). Maraviroc works by blocking a protein, called CCR5, on human immune system cells that HIV uses as a portal to enter and infect the cell. Pfizer has proposed using the drug to treat people with advanced HIV or AIDS who have not responded to other medications. Pfizer last month also announced that maraviroc can reduce HIV viral loads among people who have never taken antiretrovirals. FDA approved maraviroc on the condition that the drug's label include a black-box warning -- the "strongest possible advisory" -- according to the <cite>Times</cite>. The drug also will have a warning about an increased risk of heart attack (<cite>Los Angeles Times</cite>, 8/7).</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79044.php">FDA Approves Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc</a>

FDA Approves Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc

FDA on Monday approved Pfizer's antiretroviral drug maraviroc, which belongs to a new class of antiretrovirals that could provide an...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

High Blood Pressure Largely Misunderstood By Sufferers

It's a confused market with so much competition as well in this area...I think from both end of the story....with this being a chronic condition to be monitored, and every body is a little different too...BD <blockquote> The distrust of healthcare providers shown by people with high blood pressure impedes effective treatment, as emphasized in a new study published in Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In a systematic review and metasynthesis of eleven qualitative studies published between 2000 and 2005, including more than 500 patients, significant and problematic differences were identified in beliefs about the presence of symptoms, the need to take medications for the rest of one's life, and race-specific treatment plans. "In the presence of ineffective partnering, differences between lay and professional beliefs about hypertension result in inadequate management of the disease," says study author Pam Schlomann, highlighting the need for greater cooperation in combating high blood pressure.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79132.php">High Blood Pressure Problems Largely Misunderstood By Sufferers</a>

High Blood Pressure Largely Misunderstood By Sufferers

It's a confused market with so much competition as well in this area...I think from both end of the story....with this being a chronic c...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

UnitedHealth Group And Physician Groups To Launch "Medical Home" Pilot Program To Reward Primary Care Doctors Who Improve Patients' Total Health

And one more plan....who can keep track...if each insurance carrier has this in place at the average practice, as most see patients with various plans and companies...well...is this a potential accounting nightmare for the physicians?  So many plans...not enough care...BD <blockquote> For the first time, UnitedHealth Group, with the support of the professional societies, will provide enhanced payment to reward primary care doctors whose care is based on this model, and who demonstrate measurable improvements in the overall health of their patients. Each patient will have the choice to select a personal physician, or "medical home," who knows his or her medical and family history and coordinates their medical care. The physician will be responsible not only for treating a specific ailment or condition, but also for working with the patient to better manage his or her health care needs and arranging care as appropriate with other professionals. The pilot program will be launched in Florida with approximately six specially-chosen primary care practices that will employ the model. UnitedHealth Group will support the practices participating in the pilot program by integrating its extensive quality improvement and care management into the practices' infrastructure. This includes sponsoring 24/7 nurse triage and other solutions that extend access to care, identification of and outreach to those who may need clinical interventions; and educational tools and assistance to help patients better manage their conditions. The pilot programs will include customers insured through UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance. </blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79136.php">UnitedHealth Group And Physician Groups To Launch "Medical Home" Pilot Program To Reward Primary Care Doctors Who Improve Patients' Total Health</a>

UnitedHealth Group And Physician Groups To Launch "Medical Home" Pilot Program To Reward Primary Care Doctors Who Improve Patients' Total Health

And one more plan....who can keep track...if each insurance carrier has this in place at the average practice, as most see patients with var...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Blue Cross A Leader In Profits, Not Patient Care

Update on the California Medical Association and Blue Cross...BD  <blockquote> The CMA will testify today at a public hearing in Los Angeles that Blue Cross has violated the promises it made to California patients when it merged with Anthem Health Care in 2004. Since that merger, Blue Cross - long the poster child for insurance company bad behavior - has consistently reduced the amount of money it spends on patient care while increasing premiums, and is now in danger of failing to provide an adequate supply of available physicians for its networks. "With the consolidation of the health plan industry, both nationally and in this state, competition among the insurance companies has been severely diminished, if not eliminated, much to the detriment of the very individuals these plans promise to serve - patients and their treating physicians," CMA says in written testimony submitted for today's hearing.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79156.php">Blue Cross A Leader In Profits, Not Patient Care</a>

Blue Cross A Leader In Profits, Not Patient Care

Update on the California Medical Association and Blue Cross...BD The CMA will testify today at a public hearing in Los Angeles that Blue ...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Healthbase Announces Expansion To Turkey

One more location for medical tourism...BD <blockquote> Healthbase Online Inc., a Boston-based medical tourism facilitator, has partnered with Anadolu Medical Center (AMC), a not-for-profit multi-specialty hospital in Turkey. Healthbase will now offer low cost yet high quality medical travel services in Turkey. AMC, a JCI accredited Istanbul-based medical service provider is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine, USA. Saroja Mohanasundaram, the CEO of Healthbase says, "We like to bring onboard any hospital anywhere in the world, as long as it is world class, ready to serve international patients, safe for our customers to travel to, and offers a significant cost advantage. With that in mind we partnered with AMC in Turkey as it is a JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospital and is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine so our customers can get top US quality healthcare at a considerably lower price." Healthbase's other current health care providers are located in Thailand, Singapore, India, Panama and Mexico. </blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/79155.php">Healthbase Announces Expansion To Turkey For Low Cost Medical Care</a>

Healthbase Announces Expansion To Turkey

One more location for medical tourism...BD Healthbase Online Inc., a Boston-based medical tourism facilitator, has partnered with Anadolu ...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

President Bush Renews Vow To Veto Children's Health Insurance Bill

President Bush Renews Vow To Veto Children's Health Insurance Bill

Still no change...BD President Bush on Wednesday restated his intention to veto legislation that would reauthorize and expand the State Chi...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Underinsured Risking Debt to Pay Health Bills

Health Savings accounts making little or no difference...BD <blockquote> TUESDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- One in four Americans with health insurance are still underinsured -- meaning they are often using up their savings or turning to credit cards to cover medical expenses, according to a survey in the September Consumer Reports. And overall, the survey of 37,000 people found, 40 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 have inadequate access to health care. "Four out of 10 Americans can't count on having health insurance when they need it," said senior project editor Nancy Metcalf, the article's author. "This includes people who don't have health insurance, but also the 3-in-10 people whose health insurance is so bad or so costly to them that are having trouble accessing and paying for medical care." But Davis disagreed, saying that health care savings accounts are taking Americans in the wrong direction. "It hasn't made a dent in the number of people who are uninsured. In fact, those numbers have been going up," she said. "What it's done is help erode the quality of coverage and forced people to spend their savings."</blockquote> <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=83074">Underinsured Risking Debt to Pay Health Bills - Health and Medical Information produced by doctors - MedicineNet.com</a>

Underinsured Risking Debt to Pay Health Bills

Health Savings accounts making little or no difference...BD TUESDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- One in four Americans with health insuranc...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Kids without enough insurance skip vaccines

In this case it seems a little insurance is worse than none as far as immunizations go .. <blockquote> A study in today's Journal of the American Medical Association finds that underinsured children — those whose health insurance doesn't cover all the recommended vaccines — may miss out on immunizations that are fully covered for children who are uninsured or who are on Medicaid. "It's ironic that kids who are uninsured are better off," said lead author Grace Lee, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Harvard Medical School. An estimated 14% of children are underinsured, Lee and colleagues report. They can pay for vaccines or get them free at federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics if they live near one. "Technically, they have access," Lee says, "but they might have to go 200 miles" to the nearest center.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-08-07-uninsured-kids_N.htm">Kids without enough insurance skip vaccines - USATODAY.com</a>

Kids without enough insurance skip vaccines

In this case it seems a little insurance is worse than none as far as immunizations go .. A study in today's Journal of the American M...

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Macho Men Not In Women's Long Term Sights

Macho Men Not In Women's Long Term Sights

Something for the male gender to ponder? BD When a woman is contemplating a long-term relationship, she is less likely to opt for macho me...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

GPS technology can ease joint-replacement surgery

GPS technology can ease joint-replacement surgery

The principles of global positioning technology via orbiting satellites are now being used in hospital operating rooms. GPS triangulatio...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Syneron's Vela(TM) Platform Receives FDA Clearance for Temporary Reduction of Thigh Circumference

<blockquote> Syneron Medical Ltd. (<a href="http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/genpublishing?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=ELOS">NASDAQ: ELOS</a>), an innovator in the development, marketing and sales of elos(TM) combined-energy medical aesthetic devices, today announces its Vela(TM) platform has received the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) pre-marketing clearance and CE Mark certification in the European Union for the temporary reduction of thigh circumference. This announcement marks the first FDA clearance and CE Mark certification<img align="right" src="http://www.syneron.com/assets/images/_products/velasmooth_btn.gif">n for a product designed to reduce circumferences in the body. The Syneron Vela platform previously received clearance by the FDA for cellulite treatment. This new clearance enhances Syneron's leading position in the fast-growing global market of non-invasive body shaping and contouring.</blockquote>   <a href="news: Syneron's Vela(TM) Platform Receives FDA Clearance for Temporary Reduction of Thigh Circumference. Genetic Engineering News - Biotechnology from Bench to Business">News: Syneron's Vela(TM) Platform Receives FDA Clearance for Temporary Reduction of Thigh Circumference. Genetic Engineering News - Biotechnology from Bench to Business</a> Hat Tip:  <a href="http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2007/08/synerons_vela_now_for_thigh_reductions.html" target="_blank">Medgadget</a>

Syneron's Vela(TM) Platform Receives FDA Clearance for Temporary Reduction of Thigh Circumference

Syneron Medical Ltd. ( NASDAQ: ELOS ), an innovator in the development, marketing and sales of elos(TM) combined-energy medical aestheti...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Giant 'pump-and-dump' spam scam hits computers - spam up 30%

Giant 'pump-and-dump' spam scam hits computers - spam up 30%

Be aware as this email has a pdf attached with a Trojan horse virus...BD Experts at SophosLabs have detected about 500 million emails cont...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Coffee good for women - guys are out of luck

Coffee good for women - guys are out of luck

Women who drink three cups of coffee a day show less cognitive decline than women who drink a cup or less, report French neuroscientists...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Hospitals Are Shutting Down Burn Centers

One more loss in health care...no money in caring for burn victims..where is healthcare headed?  BD <blockquote> U.S. hospitals are increasingly shutting down their burn centers in a trend experts say could leave the nation unable to handle widespread burn casualties from a fiery terrorist attack or other major disaster. Some burn centers around the country have lost a lot of money treating uninsured adults and children who were severely burned in explosions of clandestine methamphetamine labs. "Burn units are money-losers," Hughes said. "People ought to be pretty frightened by this," said Dr. Barbara Latenser, burn center director at the University of Iowa Hospitals. "Some people who live out West, they are 800 miles from a burn center." Experts say burn centers are expensive to maintain and often lose money because they are staffed with highly specialized surgeons and nurses and stocked with sophisticated equipment designed to ease patients' excruciating pain, fend off deadly complications and promote healing.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/08/ap3998442.html">Hospitals Are Shutting Down Burn Centers - Forbes.com</a>

Hospitals Are Shutting Down Burn Centers

One more loss in health care...no money in caring for burn victims..where is healthcare headed? BD U.S. hospitals are increasingly shutti...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Blue Cross Blue Shield starts new bank for customers

Health Insurance and banking?  United Health already has one...will the Blue Cross Visa and MasterCard be the next offering along with debit cards and online banking?  From the story the plan will resemble the provisions of a 401k but be for health care only.  Health Savings accounts are starting to become more popular to help defray the difference with high deductible policies.  BD <blockquote> Blue Cross Blue Shield customers now have a new bank to stash their health-care dollars. The insurer this month rolled out its Blue Healthcare Bank for Arizona customers who participate in a health savings account. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona expects more customers will turn to such savings accounts to take control of their health-care finances. "It is the natural compliment to the health savings accounts that are becoming more and more popular," said Dick Hannon, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona's senior vice president of marketing and provider affairs.  The insurer expects more of its customers will deposit health savings with Blue Healthcare Bank due to services such as online banking, debit cards, checks and investment options. UnitedHealth Group launched its own bank, Exante Bank, for its health-savings-account customers. Exante counts more than 200,000 accounts and $250 million in health-care-account deposits.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0806biz-healthsavings0807-ON.html">Blue Cross Blue Shield starts new bank for customers</a>

Blue Cross Blue Shield starts new bank for customers

Health Insurance and banking? United Health already has one...will the Blue Cross Visa and MasterCard be the next offering along with debit...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Blue Cross undergoes examination - Los Angeles

This will be one story to be followed...as many physicians are also concerned about the new payment structure....BD <blockquote> When an Indiana company bought Blue Cross of California in November 2003, it promised to maintain and improve the services and benefits of the state's largest health insurer. Nearly three years later, state regulators say they have been besieged by complaints that patients are paying more and doctors are about to be paid less. Regulators held an unusual public hearing Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles to find out why. Cindy Ehnes, director of the state Department of Managed Health Care, called the hearing to help the agency evaluate how well Blue Cross has served Californians since it was purchased by Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. nearly three years ago. The department said it had received more than 4,100 calls and complaints regarding Blue Cross since the merger. The department listed some of its concerns, including a $950-million dividend WellPoint took from Blue Cross of California this year. That was almost twice the amount it took in each of the previous two years, the department said. Ehnes declined to detail what measures the Department of Managed Health Care could take if it determined Blue Cross was out of line. But her department issues Blue Cross' license to sell coverage in California, and it has the power to levy fines and take other actions.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bluecross8aug08,1,1651170.story?ctrack=1&cset=true">Blue Cross undergoes examination - Los Angeles Times</a>

Blue Cross undergoes examination - Los Angeles

This will be one story to be followed...as many physicians are also concerned about the new payment structure....BD When an Indiana compan...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

HMO to appeal order to pay doctors $1.5M in back fees - Florida

The fees in question are the administrative portion of the charge.  BD A jury has ordered Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida to pay $1.5 million due to a decision its Health Options HMO made eight years ago to stop paying hospital pathologists for certain parts of their work. The company said it plans to appeal.   That work involves supervising and interpreting tests. The actual technical payment - which includes the hospital's labs and equipment - is separate. <blockquote> Ervin A. Gonzalez, attorney for Florida Pathology Services, filed suit against the health insurer in Miami-Dade County's 11th Circuit Court on behalf of Palmetto General Hospital and Coral Gables Hospital.  Gonzalez is currently representing 11 other hospital pathology groups around the state - all individually scheduled for trial this year before the same judge who presided over the just-completed trial in Miami. The doctors need to get paid for supervising and interpreting lab results," he said. "If they don't get paid, the health care system will begin seeing an increase in negligence and a decrease in physicians who are willing to work in Florida. The patient will ultimately be the one that loses."The law will impact all cases in Florida and other states with similar cases."  </blockquote> <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/othercities/southflorida/stories/2007/04/30/daily28.html">HMO to appeal order to pay doctors $1.5M in back fees - Dallas Business Journal:</a>

HMO to appeal order to pay doctors $1.5M in back fees - Florida

The fees in question are the administrative portion of the charge. BD A jury has ordered Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida to pay $1....

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Politics - More state payments delayed - Week 2 of no Medi-Cal payments in California

Politics - More state payments delayed - Week 2 of no Medi-Cal payments in California

Lawmakers made little progress Monday as California entered its sixth week of a budget morass even as the Schwarzenegger administration ...

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

UC Davis California -$100 million dollar gift for nursing school

It appears California is at the bottom of the list for the ratio of nurses to meet the state's population according to the article...nice work from the Moore foundation.  Betty Moore  experienced medical errors first hand in the system including an insulin shot meant for the patient in the next bed, which could have been deadly.  BD <blockquote> California is 50th in the nation when looking at the ratio of registered nurses to the state's population. There are nearly 300,000 registered nurses in the state, McFarland said. And there are 119 initial registered nurse licensure programs in California, according to a 2007 report by the Board of Registered Nursing. While hospitals must recruit nurses from other states to fill their positions, nursing schools report that they often turn away student applicants due to lack of space in their programs. Helen Kim, chief program officer of the Moore Foundation, said Betty Moore is dedicated to improving health care primarily through nursing to ensure that patients receive safe, effective and efficient care. Betty Moore's determination to change health care stemmed from her experience as a patient lost in the health care system, a victim of medical error and poor follow-up, Kim said. Betty Moore's son, Ken Moore, said she has survived a few medical errors. He recalled one incident when his mother received an insulin shot intended for a patient in the next bed at a Bay Area hospital.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2007/08/01/news/155new0.txt#cooliris">The Davis Enterprise</a>

UC Davis California -$100 million dollar gift for nursing school

It appears California is at the bottom of the list for the ratio of nurses to meet the state's population according to the article...nic...

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

U.S. health care horrors hardly just a movie

Sad story when you are scheduled and approved for chemotherapy as that is traumatic enough to go through, but then to be told one week prior that is is "not covered".   It took a lawyer and second mortgage on the house to begin care?  The article does make a good point in the fact that it does take an '"entertainer" to hopefully get the right attention to any matter today as it just seems to be the way our society reacts with media.   BD <blockquote> My wife was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Her doctor recommended a stem cell transplant. We both work and are fully insured and the HMO listed the procedure as covered. One week before the start of the treatment the HMO "experts in hematology" denied the treatment. We filed appeals and had to take out a second mortgage to hire a lawyer. Remember now, the clock is ticking, and not in our favor. What was the result? The HMO approved the treatment; the insurance experts were not even doctors. Is this story a rare occurrence? Sadly not; happens all the time. This is only one of many horror stories. Batson is correct that Moore is an entertainer. Our society anymore requires this to make even the simplest of points. The righties cite facts from Hannity and Colmes or Bill O'Reilly. The lefties use Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann.</blockquote> <a href="http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/EDIT02/708070313/1090">The Enquirer - U.S. health care horrors hardly just a movie</a>

U.S. health care horrors hardly just a movie

Sad story when you are scheduled and approved for chemotherapy as that is traumatic enough to go through, but then to be told one week prior...