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Index 2005: News in brief

Government - Profession - Business - Health - 2004 - 2006

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Government & Medicine briefs 2005

Wis. governor vetoes noneconomic damages caps in medical liability - Dec. 26
Florida contingency fee fight continues - Dec. 26
Medicare lawsuits filed - Dec. 26
Lawmakers investigate QIOs - Dec. 26
Urging tort reform for the District - Dec. 19
Wis. governor vetoes noneconomic damages caps in liability cases - Dec. 19
Alabama to boost Medicaid pay - Dec. 19
Medicare drug prices higher than other options - Dec. 12
Drug importation change added to law - Dec. 12
Health care IT bill passes Senate - Dec. 5
Revised Medicaid cuts pass House - Dec. 5
Big defeat for HHS spending bill - Dec. 5
AMA wants laws to require insurers to pay fairly for emergency care - Nov. 28
Trustees' report finds little evidence of bogus ADA-based legal threats - Nov. 28
AMA to report ways to protect doctors from HIPAA problems - Nov. 28
Portland hospital system settles charges it overbilled the uninsured - Nov. 21
Senate's health spending bill approved - Nov. 14
Heart-device makers investigated - Nov. 14
Florida, West Virginia governors named to Medicaid commission - Nov. 14
Abortion clinic that sought injunction against Missouri law closes - Nov. 14
AIDS drugmaker to settle fraud claims for $700 million - Nov. 7
Former FDA chief under investigation - Nov. 7
Assistance program for low-income Medicare beneficiaries extended - Nov. 7
AMA trustee gets national health IT appointment - Oct. 24/31
Medicare hires fraud fighters for new drug program - Oct. 24/31
New flu, pneumonia vaccine requirements finalized - Oct. 24/31
Fla. Supreme Court hears abortion lawsuit arguments - Oct. 24/31
Ore. judge approves class action against hospital system - Oct. 24/31
Pennsylvania Medical Society declares neutrality on patient safety bill - Oct. 17
Judge declares Michigan late-term abortion law unconstitutional - Oct. 17
Lawsuit filed seeking injunction against new Missouri abortion law - Oct. 17
CMS starts naming Medicare Rx plans - Oct. 10
FDA chief steps down - Oct. 10
Medicare premiums to rise - Oct. 3
AMA supports bill to protect hurricane volunteers - Oct. 3
Ohio court affirms abortion law - Oct. 3
Concierge arrangements not causing Medicare access problems so far - Sept. 26
AMA chief lobbyist to retire - Sept. 19
Power wheelchair rule issued - Sept. 19
California accuses 39 drug companies of defrauding Medi-Cal - Sept. 19
Ohio attorney general launches Web site for Medicaid fraud reporting - Sept. 19
Panel recommends closing Walter Reed - Sept. 12
Grassley seeks probe of doctors selling drug secrets - Sept. 5
Medicare drug option delayed - Aug. 22/29
HIPAA compliance deadline - Aug. 22/29
N.C. Medicaid creates new fraud unit - Aug. 22/29
Frist wants more federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research - Aug. 15
More money for veterans health - Aug. 15
Fla. attorney general accuses drug companies of Medicaid fraud - Aug. 15
Pay-for-performance for Medicaid - Aug. 8
Coverage of impotence drugs may end - Aug. 8
U.S. appeals tobacco ruling to Supreme Court - Aug. 8
Senate approves FDA chief - Aug. 1
Conn. governor signs tort reform bill - Aug. 1
Texas med school pays $1.7 million for overcharging government programs - Aug. 1
Dr. Nelson named to Medicaid panel - July 25
Illinois agrees to provide more money for children's health care - July 25
Pa. HMO settles false claims charges - July 25
Supreme Court to hear case involving protests outside abortion clinics - July 25
Federal agents crack down on Calif. marijuana producers - July 18
Congress looks at VA shortfall - July 18
Bill would let health plans cross state lines - July 18
AMA vote on Patriot Act supports protecting patient confidentiality - July 11
Deviation from guidelines should not be criminalized, AMA says - July 11
AMA vote: No uninsured commission - July 11
New AMA policy emerges from the Terri Schiavo case - July 11
Bill would shine light on companies that rely on Medicaid - July 11
VA comes up $1 billion short - July 11
Senate health IT bill introduced - July 4
Patient navigators will help uninsured - July 4
Health spending bill moves forward - July 4
Senate might consider stem cell bill - July 4
Calls for Medicare disability changes - July 4
Patient safety push is on - June 27
Millions of Americans are underinsured, study finds - June 27
Suspension, fine for Medicare official - June 20
Governors announce Medicaid reform policy - June 20
Medicaid recipients hit harder by out-of-pocket spending increases - June 20
Wal-Mart criticized for health coverage - June 20
House Democrats offer liability reform alternative - June 13
Supreme Court to review ruling on N.H. abortion law - June 13
FBI hit over fraud investigation funds - June 13
Bill aims to lower federal spending on drugs advertised to consumers - June 13
3-state drug purchasing pool gets government OK - June 13
Judge offers final approval to Lupron settlement - June 13
HHS commission to study Medicaid - June 6
Bill would invest in enrolling kids in Medicaid, SCHIP - June 6
Americans having a harder time affording drugs - June 6
Lawmakers reject plan to raid Wis. injured patients fund - June 6
Maryland legal opinion allows liability premium relief before July 1 - June 6
Many insurers don't cover vaccines - May 23/30
Medicare sets power chair rules - May 23/30
Florida passes governor's Medicaid reform package - May 23/30
CMS chief says liability reform would help Medicare - May 16
Ariz. tort reform signed into law - May 16
Bills would expand stem cell funding - May 16
Employers predict growth in HSA markets - May 9
Costs of health care are worrying Americans - May 9
Florida AG alleges overcharging by three pharmaceutical companies - May 9
U.S. Supreme Court takes a pass on appeal of Mass. abortion law - May 9
Lawmakers work on measure to expand specialty hospital referral ban - May 2
Bill aims to ensure moral objections don't hurt prescription drug access - May 2
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging reimportation ruling - May 2
Illinois physician group settles FTC price-fixing charges - May 2
Missouri to cut Medicaid benefits - April 25
Medicare seeks opinions on coverage expansions - April 25
Calif. doctors to receive Medicare drug program info - April 25
HHS awards health center grants - April 25
Government Web site offers hospital quality report cards - April 18
Raising the issue of the uninsured - April 18
Contractors named for Medicare recovery audit - April 18
Partnership promotes private, public drug-assistance programs - April 18
Supreme Court rejects appeal of Idaho abortion law - April 11
EMTALA reform group meets - April 11
Spending on mental health drugs outpaces overall drug expenditures - April 11
Patients seek medical information, but feel a lack of control over quality of care - April 11
House panel passes association health plan bill - April 4
Health system reform bill offered in House - April 4
Medicare expands coverage of carotid artery stenting - April 4
Judge dismisses lawsuit disputing translator rule for doctors, hospitals - March 28
Mental health parity passed in Washington, debated in Oregon - March 28
Funding for reimportation gets budget committee's nod - March 28
Uninsured numbers inflated, group claims - March 28
Former HHS chief lands in the private sector - March 28
South Carolina physician group settles price-fixing charges - March 21
Kansas attorney general seeks abortion records from clinics - March 21
Medicaid paying too much for drugs - March 21
Opinion leaders' health care wish list - March 21
MedPAC finalizes physician pay advice - March 14
High court won't revisit Roe v. Wade - March 14
Medicare preventive care lagging - March 14
Health issues not big election issue - March 14
Liability reform sponsors tee up - March 7
Tax credit bills introduced - March 7
Medicare Advantage takes off - March 7
City votes down law requiring doctors to disclose disciplinary actions - March 7
Acting chief nominated to FDA helm - Feb. 28
Bill would help doctors adopt HIT - Feb. 28
New Medicare power wheelchair rules coming doctors' way - Feb. 21
Minn. court throws out suits charging hospitals unfairly billed uninsured - Feb. 21
Genetic nondiscrimination bill offered - Feb. 21
Millions abusing illegal or prescription stimulants, government finds - Feb. 21
Medicaid less costly than expected - Feb. 21
Medicaid buy-in proposed - Feb. 14
Updated guidance for hospital voluntary compliance programs - Feb. 14
Fetal pain bill introduced - Feb. 14
Medicare expands ICD coverage - Feb. 7
Final Medicare drug rules unveiled - Feb. 7
Kerry proposes bill to cover all kids - Feb. 7
HHS shifts unspent SCHIP funds - Feb. 7
Maine's Dirigo enrollment slower than anticipated, watchdog group says - Jan. 31
Massive TennCare cuts ahead - Jan. 24
Medicare delays defibrillator coverage expansion for coronary patients - Jan. 24
Governors write Congress about Medicaid finance, reforms - Jan. 24
Drug importer faces federal lawsuit - Jan. 24
Mental health parity law extended - Jan. 17
Insurance portability rule finalized - Jan. 17
HIPAA rules on the calendar - Jan. 17
Legal reform high on Bush's list - Jan. 17
Pa. governor extends Mcare abatement - Jan. 17
Drugmakers must keep price records for 10 years - Jan. 17
More Medicare for some - Jan. 3/10
Power wheelchair controversy - Jan. 3/10

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

Hospitals cite cost as the No. 1 reason why they are not adopting EHR systems. Read more

Professional Issues briefs 2005

AMA waives fees for members hit by hurricanes - Dec. 26
Parents less likely to sue if told about medical errors - Dec. 26
Research shows resident work-hour reform doesn't remove all dangers - Dec. 26
JCAHO honors quality chief for patient safety leadership - Dec. 26
Pa. sees tort reforms working - Dec. 19
Web site has resources for doctors seeking flexible work options - Dec. 19
French transplant nose, lips and chin to dog-bite victim - Dec. 19
JCAHO backs off plan to sell patient-level data - Dec. 19
N.Y. doctor new NMA board chair - Dec. 19
Medical college group has new leader - Dec. 19
California conscience-clause bill set to go into effect - Dec. 12
AMA offers grant for research on women in medicine - Dec. 12
Campaign raises money for rebuilding - Dec. 12
$8.25 million grant targets Hispanic obesity, diabetes health disparities - Dec. 12
Report: Litigation drives up health costs, damages society - Dec. 12
CMS pays $8.85 million to hospitals for quality improvements - Dec. 12
U.S. patients report highest error rate in survey of six countries - Dec. 5
Medical school leader calls for 30% hike in number of U.S. graduates - Dec. 5
Doctor asks Supreme Court to hear his hospital-suspension case - Dec. 5
Alabama gets new liability insurer - Dec. 5
District of Columbia medical society welcomes new president - Dec. 5
Doctor loses his appeal in lawsuit against Colorado medical school - Dec. 5
CEJA to develop guidelines for participation in interrogations - Nov. 28
AMA in black for 6th straight year - Nov. 28
AMA to study impact of liability crisis on medical student education - Nov. 28
Resolution asks Association to lobby for faster J-1 visa waiver processing - Nov. 28
Delegates applaud Tennessee county's medical expert pilot program - Nov. 28
AMA revises Essentials handbook for approving medical specialty boards - Nov. 28
AMA Foundation gets $100,000 to help physicians - Nov. 21
Average award per liability claim up for third year in Missouri - Nov. 21
FDA may have to disclose scientists' financial ties - Nov. 21
Medical schools win service awards - Nov. 21
New AAMC leaders named - Nov. 21
GAO: FDA politicized Plan B process - Nov. 14
DoctorFinder allows physicians to post temporary office relocations - Nov. 14
Pa. governor says liability reforms are making an impact - Nov. 14
MCAT solid predictor of medical school success - Nov. 14
UCLA to reopen donated body program - Nov. 14
Hurricane grant application available online - Nov. 7
N.Y. medical school OKs gay group - Nov. 7
Cincinnati doctors settle with Blues - Oct. 24/31
Court upholds sanctions on attorney - Oct. 24/31
CMS at work on quality data reporting - Oct. 24/31
Australians win medical Nobel Prize - Oct. 24/31
TV ad targets frivolous lawsuits - Oct. 24/31
AAFP says yes to No Free Lunch - Oct. 24/31
Pipeline of research physicians grows - Oct. 24/31
Ariz. doctor wins family physician award - Oct. 24/31
Minn. medical group installs new president - Oct. 24/31
D.C. doctors say they're feeling effects of liability crisis - Oct. 17
Congress seeks disclosure of conflicts - Oct. 17
AMA settles suit with former exec - Oct. 10
Doctors in disaster areas get extension to file Health Net claims - Oct. 10
Texas Medical Liability Trust to cut rates again - Oct. 10
New medical society in Minn. to address violence - Oct. 10
Maryland physicians may get subsidy if liability rates hold steady - Oct. 10
Defibrillator malfunctions on the upswing - Oct. 10
Plan B OTC bill awaiting Calif. governor's signature - Oct. 3
Online CME on par with live events - Oct. 3
California stem cell grants awarded, but legal battle could hold them up - Oct. 3
Pa. liability reforms said to be working; medical society cautious - Sept. 26
Orthopedic journal unveils redesign - Sept. 26
Georgia sees medical school expansion - Sept. 26
New geriatrics guide available - Sept. 26
Effects of sleep deprivation similar to effects of alcohol - Sept. 26
Medical liability lawsuits pour in before Missouri's law changes - Sept. 19
Researchers see trouble at ICUs - Sept. 19
Musicians and singers wanted for VA music group - Sept. 12
Liability crisis drives out Pa. medical residents - Sept. 12
Two W.Va. liability insurers ask to cut rates - Sept. 12
New center opens to fight health disparities - Sept. 12
Pa. court strikes down law restricting liability claims in civil suits - Sept. 12
MSMS predicts Michigan physician shortfall - Sept. 12
Dr. Palmisano earns patient safety award - Sept. 12
Pa. releases infections report - Sept. 5
Texas law review article asserts liability crisis existed - Sept. 5
Pa. physicians back bill separating licensure from liability requirements - Aug. 22/29
Indiana doctor new NMA president - Aug. 22/29
Medical schools win service grants - Aug. 22/29
MCAT goes electronic - Aug. 15
Physician wins $20 million verdict in age discrimination case - Aug. 15
Study documents defensive medicine - Aug. 8
ABIM introduces tool for internists - Aug. 8
Nev. liability insurer hikes premiums - Aug. 8
Harvard doctor wins education honor - Aug. 8
New Jersey Supreme Court lets CRNA supervision rules stand - Aug. 1
Pa. Insurance Dept.: No step-up in insurance limits - Aug. 1
Liability insurance premiums a major reason for physicians leaving Pa. - July 25
Bill seeks stricter resident hours - July 25
Patient safety newsletter available - July 25
Judge rules attorney fee to defray liability premiums is constitutional - July 18
CME courses arrive for handheld computers, cell phones - July 18
Compensation funds can be helpful - July 18
AMA asks doctors to assess specific disparity issues in their practices - July 18
Delegates reject plan to create database on practice environment - July 18
No change in AMA dues for 2006 - July 11
AMA membership decline slowing, ranks show more diversity - July 11
AMA seeks to coordinate disaster relief - July 11
AMA to study medical student insurance policy - July 11
AMA profits up again in 2004 - July 11
AMA supports expanding Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund - July 11
AMA will study e-mail as a member benefit - July 11
Mass. Medical Society says state faces physician shortage - July 4
Illinois to post health care prices - July 4
Autopsy report said Schiavo had massive brain damage, blindness - July 4
Pediatricians name new leader - June 27
Florida tracks continuing education via the Internet - June 27
NRMP nixes a second Match - June 27
Quality forum names chair-elect - June 27
Supreme Court declines managed care suit - June 20
Ohio association selects new leaders - June 20
AMA expands CME credits - June 13
JCAHO, NCQA group educates clinical research patients - June 13
Survey, study have differing results on Illinois liability crisis - June 13
Survey: Access to obstetric care in Illinois continues decline - June 13
Mass. medical association elects new leaders - June 13
FSMB picks new leadership - June 13
Florida wins best medical board award - June 13
Illinois court sides with medical staff lawyers - June 6
Suspicious hospital visits checked - May 23/30
Report: Liability expenses for Pa. hospitals topped $600 million in 2004 - May 23/30
Most of expert witness' suit dismissed - May 23/30
Virtual medical group goes online - May 23/30
Surgeon receives payment for patents - May 16
Stem cell research guidelines released - May 16
Court approves CIGNA settlement with nonphysician professionals - May 16
Quality group invites comment on ambulatory care standards - May 9
Family medicine board introduces new certification module - May 9
Massachusetts practice environment index paints poor picture - May 9
Physician-owned insurer promises no base-rate hike for 2005 - May 9
More CME deadlines to watch - May 9
Pharmacist's refusal to dispense contraceptives costs him $20,000 - May 9
One-third of Americans use alternative medicine - May 9
Physician groups earn risk-management awards - May 2
Commission creates advisory councils - May 2
Visa rule confusion grows - May 2
Ariz. governor vetoes pharmacist "rights of conscience" bill - May 2
National clinical trials registry gains support - April 25
NIH stem cell chief announces retirement - April 25
New Nebraska doctors to be fingerprinted - April 18
Organ transplant record set in 2004 - April 18
Anatomy professor shortage - April 18
20 more OxyContin cases dismissed - April 18
Medical leaders honored for efforts - April 11
Fla. releases guide for online profiles - April 11
New medical residency in neurology approved - April 11
Okla. optometrists OK'd for surgery - April 4
CMA has new president - April 4
Prescription-monitoring bills offered - April 4
Life term proposed for pain physician - March 28
Neurology academy to publish magazine - March 28
Florida board honors physician - March 21
Medical, dental schools launch diversity program - March 21
AMA visits Oregon to push for reforms - March 21
N.J. puts anesthesia rules on ice - March 21
California medical board intact - March 14
Gene therapy case settled - March 14
New York State gives $35 million for physician training - March 14
North Carolina board names members - March 14
Medical students seek more U.S. help for AIDS - March 14
AMA connects with Miami physicians - March 7
King/Drew gets reprieve - March 7
National Patient Safety Awareness Week observed - March 7
N.Y. medical school gains notoriety over gay group - March 7
New medical school wins accreditation - Feb. 28
L.A. hospital loses JCAHO accreditation - Feb. 28
AMA updates popular CME course - Feb. 28
NIH announces new ethics rules - Feb. 28
No class action for OxyContin case - Feb. 21
Arizona doctors use wristbands to highlight tort reform - Feb. 21
Florida nixes publicly funded chiropractic school - Feb. 21
AMA seeking innovative hospital communication programs - Feb. 21
S.C., Tenn. physicians rally for tort reform - Feb. 14
MSSNY forms disparities task force - Feb. 14
JCAHO enlists employers' aid in reducing medication errors - Feb. 14
Web site gives tools for understanding CME standards for commercial support - Feb. 14
Health executives give opinions on better care - Feb. 14
Stem cell researcher heads to Europe - Feb. 7
Wash. company cuts some liability premiums, for now - Feb. 7
Doctors like flexibility of locum tenens, study finds - Feb. 7
Grants, scholarships for medical students - Feb. 7
AAMC president to step down in June - Feb. 7
ACP asks DEA to clarify Rx policies - Jan. 31
Medical school trains students to communicate with deaf - Jan. 31
Florida med board gets new members - Jan. 31
Conn. lawsuit dismissal upheld - Jan. 24
DEA creates hotline to report suspected drug diversion - Jan. 24
Medical board names new director - Jan. 24
Managed care lawsuit moves forward - Jan. 17
Dr. Hurwitz convicted on 50 counts - Jan. 17
Study shows AHRQ safety indicators could work for children's hospitals - Jan. 17
Doctor-owned insurance company to operate in Ohio - Jan. 17
Medical books event in Philadelphia - Jan. 17
CIGNA settles payment lawsuit - Jan. 3/10
Musicians and singers wanted for VA music group - Jan. 3/10

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

Only 1.5% of nonfederal U.S. hospitals use a comprehensive EHR system. Read more

Business briefs 2005

Blues association forms bank - Dec. 26
Orthopedic income grows slightly - Dec. 26
Scrushy leaves HealthSouth board - Dec. 26
Hospitals: Uncompensated care up - Dec. 19
Cigna posts prices online - Dec. 19
Judge drops some Scrushy charges - Dec. 19
Small can be better at ASCs - Dec. 19
Premera to test online visits - Dec. 12
HHS awards contracts for health network - Dec. 12
Former HMO officials indicted - Dec. 12
Allscripts seeks $200 million - Dec. 12
Visa, Blues team up on debit card - Dec. 12
Physician software company expands - Dec. 12
Shareholders slap HCA with lawsuits - Dec. 5
Tenet, doctors settle cardiac claims - Dec. 5
Cleveland Clinic loses tax-exempt case - Dec. 5
Blues launches small business plan - Dec. 5
UAW approves GM health cuts - Nov. 28
Latest privacy breach: Ohio State - Nov. 28
WebMD Health makes acquisition - Nov. 28
Health tech firm looks for new CEO - Nov. 28
Tenet blames Katrina for loss - Nov. 21
Nighthawk Radiology makes acquisition - Nov. 21
U.S. CEOs fret about health costs - Nov. 21
KC system offers online price list - Nov. 21
Hospital company forms - Nov. 21
Tenet says it will rebuild, create network in New Orleans - Nov. 14
CareFirst extends e-prescribing pilot - Nov. 7
Hospital company gets buyout offer - Nov. 7
Neoforma acquired by rival seller - Nov. 7
Physicians buy 2 Tenet hospitals - Oct. 24/31
Florida Blues, Humana team up on EMR - Oct. 24/31
Wiley acquires InfoPOEM - Oct. 24/31
Two health networks move ahead - Oct. 24/31
GE Healthcare acquires IDX - Oct. 17
WebMD Health's IPO soars - Oct. 17
Blues offers records for Rita patients - Oct. 17
Ex-HealthSouth CFO sentenced - Oct. 17
HHS proposes attachment standards - Oct. 17
Iasis gets subpoena - Oct. 10
JCAHO creates tech advisory panel - Oct. 10
HHS proposes claims standards - Oct. 10
Medem, Allscripts offer free technology to Katrina evacuees - Oct. 3
Mayo hires tech pioneer as chair - Sept. 26
HealthSouth chair steps down - Sept. 26
Hospitals damaged by Katrina - Sept. 19
California hospital pays millions in fraud case - Sept. 19
Per-Se Technologies and Wolters Kluwer acquire NDCHealth - Sept. 19
Physicians join other investors to buy California hospital - Sept. 19
McKesson announces stock buyback - Sept. 19
Former HealthSouth CFO sentenced to prison - Sept. 12
SEC sues former Bristol-Myers Squibb executives - Sept. 12
ProxyMed reorganizes - Sept. 12
Quest Diagnostics acquires LabOne - Sept. 12
Blues details fraud recoveries - Sept. 5
Tenet settles uninsured billing case - Sept. 5
N.J. plan offers Internet access - Sept. 5
HIP makes consumer-directed move - Sept. 5
Michigan Blues to create Web portal - Aug. 22/29
WebMD changes name - Aug. 22/29
HealthSouth settles retirement fund suit - Aug. 22/29
Tenet likely to miss SEC filing - Aug. 15
AHIMA seeks standard health record - Aug. 15
Nonprofits' health improves slightly - Aug. 8
Charges dropped in HealthSouth case - Aug. 8
Patient, doctor data stolen in Arizona - Aug. 8
WebMD Health to have single CEO - Aug. 8
LifePoint to buy five hospitals from HCA - Aug. 8
Insurer offers online health record - Aug. 1
Thompson on cost-cutting committee - Aug. 1
Former McKesson executive acquitted - Aug. 1
California fines Blue Cross - July 25
TennCare signs online records deal - July 25
HealthSouth names new directors - July 25
McKesson, Cisco invest in RelayHealth - July 18
Standards groups pledge compatibility - July 18
AMIA, AHIMA join forces - July 18
AMA house recommends physicians look at catastrophic care costs - July 11
AMA to study referrals within health systems - July 11
AMA to teach evidence-based medicine - July 11
Kaiser fined for privacy breach - July 11
McKesson acquires Medcon - July 11
Ex-HealthSouth executive sentenced - July 4
Cerner acquires Bridge Medical - July 4
IBM acquires HealthLink - July 4
Medica alleges hacker attacks - July 4
MinuteClinic hires fast-food exec - June 27
Vendors join up to sell to RHIOs - June 27
Mich. Blues, physicians inventory IT - June 27
RehabCare Group buys hospitals - June 27
CMS offers free tech assistance - June 20
HealthGate to deregister its stock - June 20
Physicians go after EMR vendor - June 13
Ex-HealthSouth executives cleared - June 13
Thieves steal personal information - June 13
Fla. OKs assignment of benefits - June 6
WebMD Health files for IPO - June 6
Tenet hospital back in court - June 6
Oregon, N.J. explore building health networks - June 6
Tenet's loss narrows - May 23/30
WebMD, Eclipsys announce management changes - May 23/30
Big Blue targets health care market - May 16
Hospital faces property-tax fight - May 16
Tenet could face SEC action - May 16
MinuteClinic expands - May 16
HealthSouth leader steps down - May 9
California joins RHIO movement - May 9
Accenture to acquire Capgemini - May 9
Fallon to pay for online consultations - May 9
Doctor ends retirement to run Calif. hospital - May 9
Computer thieves take patient info - May 2
For-profit hospital chain grows - May 2
MinuteClinic hires medical director - May 2
Passport Health makes acquisition - May 2
Calif. nurse-staffing law goes into effect - May 2
AOL founder establishes health plan - April 25
Magellan launches obesity program - April 25
HCA puts hospitals up for sale - April 25
Study: Hospital ads play on emotions - April 25
Group resolves FTC allegations - April 25
HealthSouth, former auditor sue each other - April 25
HMO pays employees big bonuses - April 18
Tenet names two directors to board - April 18
Montana passes bill on Blues for-profit conversion - April 11
Report says for-profit, nonprofit hospital mix offers benefits - April 11
Siemens buys CTI Molecular Imaging - April 11
HealthSouth to miss filing deadline - April 4
Blues plans sue Calif. clinics for "massive fraud" - March 28
Pa. physician-owned hospital to close - March 28
Arkansas passes any-willing law - March 28
Company buys psychiatric facilities - March 28
Physician ID thief sentenced - March 28
Public divided on benefits of EMRs - March 21
Retrial scheduled in Tenet case - March 14
HealthSouth board member resigns - March 14
E-prescribing initiative expands - March 7
New career resource available - Feb. 28
Pa. Blues plans contribute to access program - Feb. 28
N.Y. plans agree to be more responsive - Feb. 28
N.J. insurance commissioner resigns - Feb. 21
GE Healthcare to resell PatientKeeper's software - Feb. 21
NEC enters health care market - Feb. 21
Wisconsin group chooses Humana plan - Feb. 14
Minnesota sues hospital system - Feb. 14
HealthGate changes business focus - Feb. 14
NDCHealth, Neoforma explore sale - Feb. 7
Health Net underpaid Calif. physicians - Jan. 31
McKesson settles fraud suit - Jan. 31
Former WebMD execs plead guilty - Jan. 31
MedQuist revamps billing practices - Jan. 31
R.I. Blues repays members - Jan. 31
HCA offers discounts to uninsured - Jan. 31
Study: Busy year for health M&A - Jan. 31
IVillage acquires Healthology - Jan. 31
Guilty plea in Tenet hospital case - Jan. 24
Biotech industry saw growth in 2004 - Jan. 24
Health care venture capital up - Jan. 24
HIMSS, URAC form marketing pact - Jan. 24
Radiology portal acquired - Jan. 24
Tenet creates settlement fund - Jan. 17
Physicians a popular phone-book lookup - Jan. 17
Humana acquires CarePlus - Jan. 3/10
PacifiCare closes acquisition - Jan. 3/10
Pediatrix grows - Jan. 3/10

Last year's news briefs - Back to top.

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis had a 28% higher risk of coronary heart disease. Read more

Health & Science briefs 2005

Blood test detects West Nile virus - Dec. 26
Hotel chain goes smoke-free - Dec. 26
Ads influence what kids want to eat - Dec. 26
Minority participation in clinical trials found to be an issue of access - Dec. 26
Bird flu fears lead to rise in related spam e-mail - Dec. 19
Sinusitis guidelines recommend against quick antibiotic prescribing - Dec. 19
Alzheimer's disease and insulin - Dec. 19
Stress and healing in marriage - Dec. 19
Many with depression seeking care - Dec. 12
FDA confirms safety of Tamiflu in children - Dec. 12
Depression assessment tool developed - Dec. 12
Injections sometimes unsuccessful in women - Dec. 12
HHS unveils updated computer tool for family health histories - Dec. 5
Sedatives to treat insomnia in elderly may not be worth associated risks - Dec. 5
Certain ovarian tumors might not show cancer, could create therapies - Dec. 5
Women's association calls for higher recommended vitamin D intake - Dec. 5
Smoking rate not declining rapidly enough to meet public health goals - Dec. 5
Less may mean more when physicians advise parents on prevention - Dec. 5
Ovarian cancer screening tests not recommended for widespread use - Nov. 28
Syphilis up, gonorrhea down - Nov. 28
Narrow-band antibiotic may be effective for some forms of IBS - Nov. 28
Children can outgrow tree nut allergy - Nov. 28
AMA comes out against personal antiviral stockpiling - Nov. 21
ACIP expands recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination - Nov. 21
Painkiller doses and gastrointestinal bleeding - Nov. 21
Lengthening pipeline in clinical trials - Nov. 21
Trial for new TB treatment - Nov. 21
HapMap completed - Nov. 21
Several oral rehydration solutions equally effective for sick children - Nov. 21
Public health officials apologize for flu vaccine distribution delays - Nov. 14
Pfizer, CDC create initiative to combat drug-resistant infections - Nov. 14
Diabetes prevalence increases - Nov. 14
Groups join to detect autism genes - Nov. 14
Study raises alarm about potential new diabetes drug's safety - Nov. 7
Polio cases found in Minnesota in unvaccinated Amish children - Nov. 7
Cancer patients keep mum about alternative therapies - Nov. 7
Incidents prompt physician alert on meningococcal vaccine - Oct. 24/31
Researchers seek markers for early-stage ovarian cancer - Oct. 24/31
Database maintains information on sequences of flu virus strains - Oct. 24/31
Major depressive disorder risk higher for middle-age Native Americans - Oct. 24/31
Statin advantage and LDL - Oct. 17
Getting HIV treatment right early - Oct. 17
Increase in research dollars may not be well spent - Oct. 17
Flu vaccine may not be effective for all seniors - Oct. 10
Better screening tool for prostate cancer seen - Oct. 10
Smoking may increase risk of diabetes - Oct. 10
Pneumococcal shot prevents disease even in those who don't receive it - Oct. 10
NIH offers Katrina help - Oct. 3
Obese women should be counseled to lose weight before pregnancy - Oct. 3
Patients who choose their own depression therapy do better - Oct. 3
Memory loss and brain filters - Oct. 3
Holiday drinking and heart disease - Oct. 3
New cancer screening recommendations released - Sept. 26
No link between accelerated approval process and drug safety - Sept. 26
Respect may lead to better health outcomes - Sept. 26
Cholesterol screening increases but has not met goals - Sept. 26
Community-acquired staph tougher than hospital-acquired - Sept. 26
Herceptin linked to heart problems - Sept. 19
1 to 2 cups of coffee a day beneficial? - Sept. 19
Brain blood flow could play a role in dementia - Sept. 19
FDA OKs blood test that could be a step closer to personalized medicine - Sept. 12
Frequent use of painkillers increases hypertension risk - Sept. 12
Defect in part of brain that daydreams linked to Alzheimer's - Sept. 12
Soy could reduce triglyceride levels, hot flashes - Sept. 12
Oral drugs as effective as insulin for children, teens with type 2 diabetes - Sept. 5
Mammography found to boost survival - Sept. 5
Teen access to alcohol begins at home - Aug. 22/29
Patients who trust their doctors are more likely to take their meds - Aug. 22/29
Adult vaccine access expanded - Aug. 22/29
ACIP expands high-risk groups targeted for flu vaccination - Aug. 15
Good bacteria may relieve ulcerative colitis - Aug. 15
Chiron scraps 12 million doses of influenza vaccine - Aug. 8
Abortion drug gets FDA warning - Aug. 8
West Nile emerges for the season - Aug. 1
Exercise helps chronic low back pain - Aug. 1
Vitamin D regimen for cystic fibrosis - Aug. 1
States expand newborn screening - Aug. 1
New warning for adults taking antidepressants - July 25
CDC vaccine guide available - July 25
Defect in antioxidant response increases asthma susceptibility - July 25
Containing infectious disease is costly - July 25
USPSTF offers new HIV screening recommendation - July 18
Blood pressure and diuretics - July 18
Increasing access to rapid HIV test - July 11
AMA endorses efforts to increase early identification of developmental delays - July 11
Family violence questions should be part of history - July 11
Report on food allergies released - July 11
Preventive services guide available - July 11
Chiron reduces number of projected flu vaccine doses - July 4
NSAID warnings from FDA - July 4
New pertussis vaccine OK'd by FDA - July 4
Tight glucose control saves the diabetic heart - July 4
Basil source of Cyclospora infection - June 27
Smoking rate continues to decline - June 27
Salt may worsen exercise-induced asthma - June 27
Breast cancer surgery and lymphatic fluid - June 27
Methadone treatment in primary care - June 20
Lung cancer breath test? - June 20
Officials scrutinizing risks associated with erectile dysfunction drugs - June 20
Most primary care patients have more than one chronic condition - June 20
Accuracy of mammogram interpretation examined - June 13
Hot tubs a cough culprit - June 13
Depression after heart attack - June 13
Cold cure shows some promise - June 13
Rehabilitation may have benefits over surgery for resolving low back pain - June 13
DNA-based CF diagnostic test available - June 6
African-Americans more likely to have a stroke at a younger age - June 6
H2N2 flu virus update - May 23/30
Lowering cholesterol the plant way - May 23/30
Fire prevention, cigarettes in Mass. - May 23/30
Alarms better than meds in treating bedwetting - May 23/30
Soda, excess weight, sleeping pills associated with nighttime heartburn - May 23/30
Plans laid for next year's flu vaccine - May 16
Vaccine-averse parents most common reason for not vaccinating children - May 16
AMA calls for end to NCAA alcohol ads - May 16
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease increasing - May 16
Statin use reduces risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, study says - May 9
Teens more likely to abuse pain meds than illicit drugs - May 9
Flu sample mishap - May 2
FDA OKs some silicone breast implants - May 2
FDA warning on antipsychotic drugs - May 2
New EPA guidelines for assessing carcinogen exposure risks - May 2
Warnings about performance drugs - April 25
Cervical cancer vaccine backed - April 25
Cost of skin disease - April 25
Inhalant abuse portends other woes - April 18
Inflammation from fat may explain link between obesity, heart disease - April 18
Potassium iodide production up - April 18
Breast cancer prevention - April 18
45 the age for colorectal screening - April 11
NIAID begins trial of vaccine for avian flu - April 11
Gene variant could predict type 2 diabetes - April 11
Clinical trial participation increases chance of survival from cancer - April 11
FDA panel recommends pertussis vaccines for teens, adults - April 4
Obesity and life expectancy - April 4
Blood tests and women's heart risks - April 4
Pediatricians issue guidance for chronic abdominal pain in kids - April 4
Stroke warnings mean treatment needed - March 28
Childhood asthma and cockroaches - March 28
Norovirus causes most traveler's diarrhea - March 28
Experts work to better define anaphylaxis - March 28
MS drug withdrawn - March 28
Celiac screening and osteoporosis - March 28
Chiron flu vaccine license suspension lifted - March 21
"Mini-strokes" could precede major strokes - March 21
Study finds sleep test to be gold standard in detecting apnea - March 14
Hepatitis A vaccine reaching children at risk - March 14
Physicians urged to be aware of tularemia symptoms - March 14
FDA forms drug safety board - March 7
Resistant HIV case in N.Y. - March 7
Stroke reduction - March 7
Smoking cessation program adds years to life - March 7
Treatment for partners of patients with STDs reduces recurrence - March 7
Teens can get back bone loss - Feb. 28
TIA patients need more diagnostic testing - Feb. 28
CDC to research family communication issues around hemochromatosis - Feb. 28
Antidepressants associated with infant withdrawal syndrome - Feb. 28
Stroke survivors who stop aspirin are at risk for another stroke, study says - Feb. 21
Rheumatoid arthritis may increase risk of heart disease, heart attacks - Feb. 21
Women prefer annual Pap smears despite guidelines, study reports - Feb. 21
Viruses make first appearance on government-issued carcinogens list - Feb. 21
CDC takes steps to ensure use of remaining flu vaccine supplies - Feb. 14
Aneurysm screening for men - Feb. 14
Dietary fat -- the good and the bad - Feb. 14
Increasing syphilis rates may be caused by bacterial factors - Feb. 14
Recalculating obesity's toll - Feb. 7
FDA approves longer-lasting meningitis vaccine - Feb. 7
HHS: Collaboration key to getting medical advances to patients quickly - Feb. 7
Radon risk warning issued - Feb. 7
Foodborne illness primer downloadable - Jan. 31
Dietary guidelines include exercise - Jan. 31
Canadian company cleared to test flu vaccine in the United States - Jan. 31
Shakespeare may have had an STD - Jan. 31
Urinary infections tied to contaminated food - Jan. 24
Suicide hotline launched - Jan. 24
Younger women more successful with ART - Jan. 24
Most older patients with colon cancer have not been screened - Jan. 24
Low adherence to asthma meds following hospitalization - Jan. 17
Genetic variants in estrogen receptor pathways a risk for breast cancer - Jan. 17
Second cesarean safer than VBAC - Jan. 17
Few people know they have chronic kidney disease - Jan. 17
Democracy -- healthier than dictatorship - Jan. 17
Marriage often translates into better health - Jan. 3/10
New herpes vaccine outperforms others - Jan. 3/10
Cigarette sales to youths declining - Jan. 3/10
RSV season begins in South, Northeast - Jan. 3/10

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