Index 2007: News in brief

Government - Profession - Business - Health - 2006 - 2008

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Government & Medicine briefs 2007

Most seniors retain good access to doctors, survey finds - Dec. 24/31
Medicaid entities owe $1 billion in taxes - Dec. 24/31
State budgets squeezed by health care spending - Dec. 24/31
Maine to scrutinize child sexual abuse reporting mandates - Dec. 24/31
Grassley targets spending at Iowa QIO - Dec. 24/31
AHIC endorses e-prescribing mandate - Dec. 17
Ohio delays Medicaid doctor pay hikes - Dec. 17
Physicians receiving Medicare survey - Dec. 17
Romney supports federal medical liability reform - Dec. 17
Top Medicare drug plans cutting their formularies - Dec. 10
Pharmacy associations sue CMS over Medicaid pay - Dec. 10
R.I. health system reform meetings begin - Dec. 10
House fails to override veto of HHS spending bill - Dec. 3
Improper Medicare payments drop - Dec. 3
Federal appeals court to rule on Virginia abortion ban - Dec. 3
Bush vetoes HHS budget bill - Nov. 26
Calif. Democrats offer new health system reform bill - Nov. 26
Kentucky's physician governor loses re-election - Nov. 26
Bush opposes SCHIP tobacco tax - Nov. 19
Final HHS budget bill maintains NIH funding increase - Nov. 19
Mass. doctors seek "I'm sorry" law - Nov. 19
Revised SCHIP bill still short of veto override support - Nov. 12
Biden health reforms would expand federal programs - Nov. 12
CMS delays part of Medicaid Rx rule - Nov. 5
House panel approves parity bill - Nov. 5
Ga. lawsuit seeking Medicaid pay for abortions allowed to proceed - Nov. 5
Medicare to recover billions from drug plans - Oct. 22/29
Many Republicans, most Democrats support SCHIP expansion - Oct. 22/29
Sen. Domenici retiring due to illness - Oct. 22/29
HIT bill criticized by industry - Oct. 22/29
House panel adopts parity bill - Oct. 15
Edwards offers medical liability reform plan - Oct. 15
Ohio physicians propose insurance mandate - Oct. 15
Colo. commission unveils fifth health care reform plan - Oct. 15
OIG survey finds Medicare hotline problems - Oct. 15
Remaining Medicare private plans get green light - Oct. 8
Nebraska physicians developing universal coverage plan - Oct. 8
Physician group wins case for higher pay for inmate care - Oct. 8
Bush challenged on SCHIP limits - Oct. 1
Medicaid directors call for delay of law requiring use of tamper-proof prescription pads - Oct. 1
"Sicko" well known, if not seen - Sept. 24
Acting CMS chief named - Sept. 24
Medicare puts hospital-preventable conditions on no-pay list - Sept. 17
Medicare anesthesia payments lower than private rates - Sept. 17
ASCO asks Medicare to drop anemia drug limits - Sept. 17
Government health care's share of the GDP growing - Sept. 10
Managed care lobby fights back with new ad campaign - Sept. 10
Drugmaker settles off-label lawsuit - Sept. 10
Governor signs Calif. budget, releasing delayed Medicaid payments - Sept. 10
Texas settlement will increase doctors' Medicaid pay - Sept. 3
Tennessee targets "doctor shopping" - Sept. 3
Doctor-owned HMO loses Medicare contract - Sept. 3
Medicare pharmacy bill introduced - Sept. 3
HHS public health official resigns - Sept. 3
Medicare contractors' good grades - Aug. 27
Richardson: Expand Medicare, mandate coverage - Aug. 27
Giuliani calls for health care tax credits, liability reform - Aug. 20
Survey: Many are "underinsured" - Aug. 20
House panel adopts stronger mental parity bill - Aug. 20
Hospitals blast Medicare payment rule - Aug. 20
GAO: Medicaid citizenship rule hurts access for eligible people - Aug. 20
Health plans launch Medicare ads - Aug. 13
Physician-owned hospitals scrutinized - Aug. 13
House panel adopts mental parity bill - Aug. 13
White House Medicare antifraud request - Aug. 6
Pennsylvania expands authority of allied health professionals - Aug. 6
CMS issues final Medicaid citizenship rule - Aug. 6
Louisiana increases Medicaid reimbursements, eligibility - Aug. 6
N.Y. governor calls for universal insurance access - Aug. 6
N.H. drops parental notification law - Aug. 6
Connecticut, Missouri governors sign Medicaid increases - Aug. 6
Medicare program takes aim at medical equipment fraud - July 23/30
Near-elderly without insurance are less healthy when they hit Medicare eligibility - July 23/30
AMA: Medicare pay denial for hospital-acquired conditions worrisome - July 16
New Wyo. senator an orthopedic surgeon - July 16
Calif. Democrats merge health reform bills - July 16
Court finds Mich. abortion ban unconstitutional - July 16
1.77 million veterans are uninsured - July 9
OIG finds overpayment for surgical debridement - July 9
Actuaries analyze options for Medicare pay reform - July 9
Bill offers tax credits for health insurance, health IT - July 9
Grants for children's mental health - July 2
AMA offers Medicare bonus help - June 25
Discount drug program hits a million - June 25
Congress confronts Bush again on stem cell funding ban - June 25
Medicaid payment increases on track in Nevada, Hawaii - June 25
Conn. lawmakers pass medical marijuana bill - June 18
Neb. Safe apology measure becomes law - June 18
Bill proposes giving kids universal coverage - June 18
ACP backs bill empowering state reforms - June 11
Volunteer physicians in Oklahoma get liability protection - June 4
Medicare Part D wasting billions, consumer report says - June 4
Kansas will help pay for health insurance - June 4
Bill would boost tax deduction for health IT - June 4
Senate bills aim to improve mental health care for children - June 4
Web site offers veterans help locating mental, substance abuse care - May 28
SCHIP lowered private insurance take-up - May 28
Uninsured charged more for hospital care - May 28
White House taps new CMS chief - May 28
Illinois bill would expand list of losses allowed under noneconomic damages - May 21
Bill would create state health insurance pilot projects - May 21
Legislation proposes Medicare for all - May 14
New health IT bill for doctors offered - May 14
Maryland won't take "Wal-Mart law" to Supreme Court - May 14
Senators propose bill to fund state health reforms - May 14
Bipartisan SCHIP bill introduced in Senate - May 14
Americans support individual insurance mandate - May 14
Nation's new health IT chief named - May 7
Bill would boost insured slightly - May 7
Medicaid programs struggling, consumer group says - May 7
Most medical liability claims close without award - April 23/30
Breast cancer, trauma bills head to president - April 23/30
S.C. House passes bill requiring women to view ultrasounds before abortion - April 16
Most California residents oppose physician tax - April 16
Bill calls for tax rebates to buy health insurance - April 16
Stark universal health bill would greatly expand Medicare - April 16
Census Bureau reduces estimate of uninsured Americans - April 9
CMS: Newborns to automatically qualify for Medicaid - April 9
Miss. governor signs bill to immediately criminalize abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned - April 9
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans lacks primary care - April 9
North Dakota adopts "I'm sorry" law - April 2
Bush administration opposes citizen panel's recommendations - April 2
Clinton, Dingell propose $50 billion SCHIP reauthorization - April 2
Colo. legislation aims to speed malpractice awards - March 26
Washington state sues over newborn document requirements for Medicaid - March 26
Cigarette tax boost for SCHIP? - March 19
Medical expenses a factor in credit card debt - March 19
Illinois hospital found not liable for after-hours privacy breach - March 19
Hospital association proposes universal plan - March 19
Representatives, governors seek SCHIP funding, expansion - March 19
Massachusetts-like universal plan would cost Maryland $2.5 billion - March 19
S.D. Senate panel votes down abortion ban - March 12
Bush signs budget bill - March 12
Legislation would boost Illinois Medicaid rates - March 12
Senators reach out to Bush on health care system reform - March 5
Bill would end payments to delay generic drugs - March 5
Edwards announces universal care plan - March 5
Wal-Mart, SEIU join to support health system reform - Feb. 26
Calif. coalition to work on universal care - Feb. 26
Medicare drug enrollment rises - Feb. 19
SCHIP renewal tops Baucus agenda - Feb. 19
Flexible spending accounts recommended for San Francisco plan - Feb. 19
Medical associations file brief in Calif. balance-billing lawsuit - Feb. 19
Obama joins presidential candidates calling for universal care - Feb. 12
Senators introduce bill to close SCHIP funding gap - Feb. 12
Arizona Senate panel passes liability bill for emergency doctors - Feb. 12
Senators offer tort reform bills - Feb. 5
Former Ore. governor seeks universal care - Feb. 5
D.C. passes tort reform - Jan. 29
Federal lawmakers introduce drug importation legislation - Jan. 29
TennCare coverage restarted - Jan. 29
CMS seeks physician input on Medicare contractors - Jan. 29
No penalty for low-income patients - Jan. 29
Calif., Conn. governors offer universal health coverage plans - Jan. 22
Many HIPAA claims lack merit - Jan. 22
New Medicare physician rate information offered - Jan. 15
President signs HSA bill - Jan. 15
Autism research bill adopted - Jan. 15
Plans fined for prompt-pay violations - Jan. 1/8
Ryan White CARE Act extended - Jan. 1/8
Long-term-care Web site created - Jan. 1/8

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

45 million Americans got a swine flu shot during the 1976 epidemic. Read more

Professional Issues briefs 2007

AHIP survey shows most HSAs cover preventive care from the first dollar - Dec. 24/31
Ohio high court overturns $30 million verdict - Dec. 17
New study: Illegal Latino immigrants use Calif. health care less than U.S.-born Hispanics - Dec. 17
ICU outcome shapes relatives' experiences - Dec. 10
Michigan insurer to cut rates in 2008 - Dec. 10
Pittsburgh medical school, hospital set new policies for drug rep interactions - Dec. 10
Pa. medical liability climate improves, governor says - Dec. 3
New DEA rule allows extended scripts - Dec. 3
ED doctors seek solutions to crowding - Nov. 26
Pou case prosecutor loses election - Nov. 26
AAMC names new chair - Nov. 26
N.J. votes down stem cell money - Nov. 26
Kentucky projects physician shortage - Nov. 19
Aon says liability awards and related costs are likely to ease in 2008 - Nov. 12
Hospital bans gifts from drug and device companies - Nov. 12
Study examines role of gender in CHD treatment - Nov. 12
N.C. medical board appeals execution ruling - Nov. 5
Study: Physician rankings not inherently illegal - Nov. 5
Gay, lesbian medical association elects new leader - Nov. 5
State societies caution doctors as Cigna agreement ends - Oct. 22/29
Arizona board tackles alternative medicine practices - Oct. 22/29
Few hospitals report adopting guidelines to help prevent infections - Oct. 22/29
ACGME honors physician teachers - Oct. 22/29
Joint Commission lauds MRSA reduction initiative - Oct. 22/29
Blues settlement deadline is approaching - Oct. 15
British hospitals ban white coats, ties - Oct. 15
Study: Hospitalists shorten patient stays - Oct. 15
Army increases medical scholarship stipends - Oct. 15
NYC hospitals share data on quality, patient safety - Oct. 8
ABMS picks new leader - Oct. 8
$100 million gift for Texas medical school - Oct. 8
ACGME names new CEO - Oct. 8
Calf. hospital sees more surgery complications after duty-hour limits - Oct. 1
Another call to extradite man accused of physician's slaying - Oct. 1
Study: President Lincoln had facial asymmetry - Oct. 1
Illinois hospitals to start reporting MRSA infections - Sept. 24
Study: More effort needed to treat depression in primary care setting - Sept. 24
No large drop in mortality rates after limiting resident hours - Sept. 24
Pennsylvania medical liability insurer will likely reduce premiums in 2008 - Sept. 17
National Medical Assn. inaugurates new president - Sept. 17
Colorado to open the state's first public health school - Sept. 10
Lawsuit dropped after North Carolina revamps medical board appointments - Sept. 10
University of New Mexico housestaff signs first union contract - Sept. 10
Psychologists specify unethical interrogation techniques - Sept. 10
L.A. County teaching hospital closing - Sept. 3
Missouri stops midwife practice law - Sept. 3
Citing tort reform, insurer jumps into Illinois market - Sept. 3
Report: Public reporting could cut Mass. hospital-acquired infections - Sept. 3
Study: Local liability standards hinder physicians - Aug. 27
Medical plane crash kills five - Aug. 27
Medicine now plaintiffs in Ark. economic credentialing case - Aug. 20
OxyContin manufacturer, execs fined - Aug. 20
New president for Joint Commission - Aug. 20
Osteopathic physicians vote against reporting patient immigration status - Aug. 20
Blues settlement notices mailed - Aug. 13
AAMC tests system to check criminal backgrounds - Aug. 13
Va. pain doctor sentenced to 57 months in prison - Aug. 6
AMA donates to health museum - Aug. 6
Two medical schools ban smoking - Aug. 6
N.Y. doctors see 14% hike in medical liability insurance rates - July 23/30
Autonomy among keys to hospitalist career satisfaction, paper says - July 23/30
Vt. doctors will have to "opt-in" for drugmakers to use data - July 16
Liability claims drop, but insurance premiums up, study finds - July 16
AOA names new president - July 16
Michigan tracks resident retention - July 9
Dr. Kevorkian released from prison - July 9
Study: Caps equal lower premiums - July 2
Pa. eyes med student loan repayment - July 2
Florida hospital wins round in IRS court battle - June 25
Plug pulled on Texas futile-care bill - June 18
AMA Foundation bestows minority scholarships - June 18
Doctors want $30 million verdict tossed - June 18
Federation elects new leaders - June 18
HPV vaccine no longer the law in Texas - June 11
Handful of Conn. doctors to see liability rates drop - June 11
Iowa study identifies shortages in some specialties - June 11
Ind. court: Breached contract invalidates noncompete clause - June 11
Boards to get telemedicine policy - June 4
Dr. Hill named WMA chair - June 4
Mississippi regains residencies - June 4
Female faculty sue Penn State medical school for gender bias - June 4
Medical educators ask Congress to not cut Medicare, Medicaid payments - June 4
Hospital should have sought court order before "Ashley treatment" - May 28
Alaska expands med student subsidies - May 28
Pa. liability lawsuit filings, plaintiff verdicts down - May 28
Doctors do well in court, study says - May 21
Study: Only small change in high-risk specialists in Pa. liability crisis years - May 21
Nation's physicians encouraged to take part in AMA survey - May 14
Drew University sues Los Angeles County for $125 million - May 14
Errors not leading reason for adverse drug events - May 14
Texas physician selected for Defense Dept. post - May 14
N.M. governor vetoes HPV mandate bill - May 7
Illinois liability insurer tells of rebate - May 7
Tort system found bad for both sides - April 23/30
Ohio court gives parents more time to file lawsuits in medical liability - April 23/30
Web page gathers financial information for students - April 23/30
Sleep medicine certificate gets OK - April 16
Grant expected to bring 50 new doctors to rural Mass. - April 16
Federation selects new leader for professional issues - April 16
No criminal charges in Illinois ED death - April 9
Vermont House votes down assisted suicide bill - April 9
New Mexico, Texas act on HPV vaccine - April 2
Liability insurer announces first dividends for doctors in a decade - April 2
Florida DO board honors three physicians - April 2
Oregon physician-assisted suicides reach new high number - March 26
Federation gets new board member - March 26
Virginia passes HPV vaccine mandate - March 19
N.M. residents, fellows form union - March 19
New initiative targets doctors in training - March 19
Grand jury convenes in Katrina physician case - March 12
New osteopathic med schools aim to help alleviate work force shortages - March 12
Plea agreement in Wis. criminal case over medical error - March 5
Medical school enrollment likely to rise - March 5
$6 million pledged to stop free lunches, drugmakers' influence - March 5
IMG nursing program expands - March 5
Okla. court rules certificate of merit unconstitutional - Feb. 26
Tenn. court rejects health plan payment lawsuit - Feb. 26
Physician profile service expanded - Feb. 26
Medical schools, teaching hospitals add $451.6 billion to economy - Feb. 26
Study finds unequal treatment for patients with chest pain - Feb. 26
Judge won't declare Illinois awards cap constitutional - Feb. 19
Health policy center to focus on Hispanic, American Indian involvement - Feb. 19
New rules for lasers in Wash. state - Feb. 19
South Korea likely to ban egg donation for research - Feb. 19
2007 liability rates stabilizing, decreasing in some states - Feb. 12
U.S. Supreme Court will not review lawsuit against the Match - Feb. 12
N.C. physicians who participate in executions subject to discipline - Feb. 12
House passes embryonic stem cell bill - Feb. 12
Course to focus on patient safety - Feb. 12
Study finds discipline rates misleading when linked to probable patient harm - Feb. 5
AMA Litigation Center joins Florida lawsuit on medical staff bylaws - Feb. 5
Integrated medical practices score better on quality measures - Jan. 29
Advisers sought for IMGs entering U.S. - Jan. 29
Medical society gets involved in N.H. prescribing data case - Jan. 22
Study quantifies deaths linked to serial-killer medical professionals - Jan. 22
Arizona board adopts Internet prescribing policy - Jan. 22
Advisers sought for IMGs entering U.S. - Jan. 22
Medical work of art to stay put - Jan. 15
Dr. Kevorkian slated for release - Jan. 15
State report: Florida sees liability insurance market improvements - Jan. 1/8
Foundation out of Aetna settlement awards $5.6 million in grants - Jan. 1/8
ACGME director set to retire - Jan. 1/8
Conflicts of interest in clinical trials don't worry cancer patients - Jan. 1/8
Calif. medical school proposal moves forward - Jan. 1/8

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

55% of in-house physician recruiters used external firms in 2008; only 49% did in 2009. Read more

Business briefs 2007

Sutter nearly triples EMR budget - Dec. 24/31
EMR security standards group forms - Dec. 24/31
Minn. launches rural IT resource - Dec. 24/31
New York RHIO opens - Dec. 17
Indiana distributes clinical support - Dec. 17
ReachMD, Sermo strike deal - Dec. 10
Fla. area gets tech grant - Dec. 10
Retail clinic chain expands - Dec. 10
More scrutiny of RHIO financing - Dec. 3
S&P downgrades hospital company - Dec. 3
United makes acquisition - Nov. 26
Ga. offers RHIO grants - Nov. 26
Calif. offers hospital comparison site in Spanish - Nov. 26
CCHIT approves EHR systems - Nov. 26
Large practice, WellPoint in dispute - Nov. 26
Microsoft acquires health company - Nov. 19
Humana introduces credit card - Nov. 19
Active cost managers see results - Nov. 19
Medem adds partner - Nov. 19
CareFirst executive pay examined - Nov. 12
WellPoint expects to add 50,000 M-Plan members - Nov. 12
Sermo announces alliance with Pfizer - Nov. 5
Retail clinic chains expand - Nov. 5
Google sets PHR release date - Nov. 5
Revolution sells CDHP unit - Nov. 5
Wyo. hospital fights snooping - Oct. 22/29
CareFirst names new CEO - Oct. 22/29
Health Net, Bank of America partner for HSA administration - Oct. 22/29
Humana pushes new small-biz plan - Oct. 22/29
Former WellPoint CEO takes new job - Oct. 22/29
Cigna, PacifiCare pay fines - Oct. 15
Athenahealth stock soars following IPO - Oct. 15
United offers pay estimator - Oct. 8
Insurer gets into game development - Oct. 8
Google Health head resigns - Oct. 1
Joint Commission launches wiki - Oct. 1
United-Sierra merger moves closer; Nevada attorney general to review - Sept. 24
Humana buys administrator - Sept. 24
Pittsburgh health plan creates PHRs - Sept. 24
Indianapolis HMO closes shop - Sept. 24
Shareholders sue Pediatrix over backdated stock options - Sept. 24
Study details P4P jump - Sept. 17
Oregon RHIO halted - Sept. 17
E-prescribing now legal everywhere - Sept. 17
Buffett invests in health plans - Sept. 10
Groups form prescribing think tank to promote safety and improve drug use - Sept. 10
N.Y. warns more insurers about physician ratings programs - Sept. 3
Mich. hospitals list prices online - Sept. 3
Target taps local doctors for clinics - Sept. 3
HCA settles shareholder lawsuits - Sept. 3
Ore. offers price comparisons, insurers' discount rates online - Aug. 27
Arizona joins the Blues Assn.'s bank network for HSAs - Aug. 27
Survey: Hospitals should do more outreach - Aug. 20
Aetna completes deal - Aug. 20
Illinois hospital regains tax-exempt status - Aug. 13
Hospital merger creates largest chain - Aug. 13
Ex-AHIP officer pleads in fraud case - Aug. 13
United lets healthy pay less - Aug. 6
Hospital takes cue from airports - Aug. 6
Generic discount program grows - Aug. 6
Richard Scrushy goes to jail - July 23/30
WellPoint buys imaging firm - July 23/30
WellPoint, former CFO sued - July 16
CCHIT expands reach - July 16
Cigna starts health coaching - July 9
Survey: Employers don't measure ROI of health programs - July 9
Manufacturers join call for IT - July 9
RediClinic to start accepting Medicare - July 9
U.K. health IT chief resigns - July 9
Athenahealth files for IPO - July 9
Drug bidding site established - July 2
Calif. group lists prices online - June 25
Cigna doesn't go exclusive with labs - June 25
Brailer starts investment fund - June 25
Pa. RHIO dies - June 25
Former medispa owner wins judgment - June 25
Justice OKs Pa. Blues merger - June 18
Aetna buys Medicaid firm - June 18
HealthSouth sells headquarters - June 18
More retail clinic expansion - June 11
Justice Dept. scrutinizes United-Sierra deal - June 4
Health plans report earnings - May 28
Pa. Blues make merger case - May 21
More EMRs certified - May 21
Kodak sells imaging business - May 21
Deal expands e-prescribing - May 21
Emergency Rx service begins - May 14
HealthSouth sheds units - May 7
Quest expands - May 7
California looking into United's administrative capacity - April 23/30
Study finds hospitals have to keep resubmitting insurance claims - April 23/30
Statewide RHIO launched in Delaware - April 16
Texas hospitals offer pricing site - April 16
Insurer fined for dropping members - April 9
Medicare, private plans grade Calif. doctors - April 2
Clinical informatics gains recognition - April 2
Clinic operator signs on Baylor - March 26
Virginia grants EMR funds - March 26
Corporate health costs go up - March 26
Illinois hospitals lose exemption - March 19
Mass. tops in e-prescribing - March 19
Survey: Patients like docs with EMRs - March 19
WellPoint to get new CEO - March 12
Michigan IPA sends chronic care teams to primary care practices - March 12
Illinois rolls out e-prescribing - March 12
Hospital systems announce merger - March 12
Walgreens expands in-store clinics - March 12
Tufts tightens bariatric requirements - March 5
Buffet buys into United HealthGroup - March 5
IRS: We're watching doctors - March 5
Calif. groups share pay-for-performance money - March 5
ACP database hacker sentenced - March 5
N.C. Blues touts generic program - March 5
Insurer pays members to lose weight - Feb. 26
Triad goes private - Feb. 26
CCHIT certifies more EMRs - Feb. 19
Intel funds Oregon project - Feb. 19
Pa. personal health records go mobile - Feb. 19
Florida Blues offers free online drug reference to physicians - Feb. 19
Survey: Communication aids satisfaction - Feb. 19
Insurer accused of unfair claims denial - Feb. 12
Tennessee Blues eliminates IQ test from bariatric surgery screening - Feb. 12
Controversial industry group closes - Feb. 12
Indianapolis doctors get free software - Feb. 12
Company plans truck stop clinics - Feb. 5
Misys CEO resigns - Feb. 5
D.C. approves e-prescribing rules - Feb. 5
EncounterCare seeks financing - Feb. 5
Health care mergers grow - Jan. 29
Hospital settles unfair pricing suit - Jan. 29
Kodak sells health care business unit - Jan. 29
Insurer claim-checker raises $10 million - Jan. 29
Panel recommends replacing Calif. Medicaid computer system - Jan. 22
Health insurance co-op forms in Wis. - Jan. 22
Minn. insurers eyeing scans - Jan. 22
Employers launch e-prescribing plan - Jan. 22
Fla. clinic drops Blues - Jan. 22
Lab standards released - Jan. 22
Health care mergers increase - Jan. 15
Ex-Medco employee accused of planting computer "bomb" - Jan. 15
Hospital CEO kicks the "CrackBerry" - Jan. 15
Pa. hospital records stolen - Jan. 15
WellPoint's Glasscock: Expect more consolidation - Jan. 1/8

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

Nonprofit Blues plans overall had an average profit margin of 2% in 2008. Read more

Health & Science briefs 2007

Simple screen for male osteoporosis - Dec. 24/31
Baclofen helps alcoholics' abstinence - Dec. 24/31
Hepatitis B shot not associated with childhood multiple sclerosis - Dec. 24/31
Nanotechnology used to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells - Dec. 24/31
Physical activity increases while obesity rates level off - Dec. 17
Hib vaccine supplies are cut - Dec. 17
FDA concerned over anti-smoking drug - Dec. 17
Sleep duration may relate to diabetes - Dec. 17
CHD deaths steady in younger men, rising in younger women - Dec. 10
Diabetes and co-existing diseases - Dec. 10
CA-MRSA study targets new strains - Dec. 10
New boxed warning for Avandia - Dec. 10
Hypertension vaccine shows promise - Dec. 3
Major stroke risk increases after TIA - Dec. 3
New education program focuses on teens with type 2 diabetes - Dec. 3
Lower socioeconomic status may reduce antidepressants' effectiveness - Dec. 3
Call to prescribe exercise - Nov. 26
Heart conditions tied to worsening Alzheimer's - Nov. 26
FDA strengthens hearing loss warning for erectile dysfunction drugs - Nov. 26
Intranasal flu vaccine recommended for young children - Nov. 26
IOM report calls for a comprehensive cancer care delivery system - Nov. 19
Heart problems may run in families - Nov. 19
Panel advises that youngest children not use OTC cold and cough medicines - Nov. 12
FDA approves meningitis vaccine for young children - Nov. 12
IOM says PTSD therapies lack evidence of effectiveness - Nov. 12
Groups join to curb underage drinking - Nov. 5
Trillion-dollar cost of chronic disease - Nov. 5
Accelerated dosing schedule for hepatitis vaccine - Nov. 5
People overestimate how much they sleep - Nov. 5
FDA head leery of tobacco oversight - Oct. 22/29
Flu vaccine highly effective for elderly - Oct. 22/29
Significant percentage of asthma cases can be linked to allergies - Oct. 22/29
Depression common before, during and after pregnancy - Oct. 22/29
People with disabilities smoke at a higher rate than those without - Oct. 22/29
Breath test has potential for monitoring diabetes - Oct. 15
Merck ends HIV vaccine trial - Oct. 15
Colorectal cancer screening gets boost - Oct. 15
Exercise important factor in changing obesity levels - Oct. 15
FDA launches drug safety publication - Oct. 8
ADHD trial to analyze heart risks - Oct. 8
Leishmaniasis moving north - Oct. 8
Common pain measurement scale might not be that accurate - Oct. 8
Loneliness affects immune genes - Oct. 1
NIH signs research pact with NASA - Oct. 1
Canine rabies eliminated in U.S. - Oct. 1
Diabetes campaign focuses on tighter control - Oct. 1
Teen suicides go up; increase may be linked to fewer SSRI prescriptions - Sept. 24
1st new smallpox vaccine in 76 years - Sept. 24
Pop stars really do die young - Sept. 24
First genome of both chromosomes of a single individual published - Sept. 24
Americans living longer - Sept. 17
Researchers study avian flu markers - Sept. 17
Most head and neck cancers decline - Sept. 17
Stopping statins could hinder stroke recovery - Sept. 10
Boosting HDL may not be enough to prevent heart disease - Sept. 10
FDA approves once-yearly osteoporosis drug - Sept. 10
Study: Women need more information on cholesterol numbers - Sept. 10
Marburg virus: Bats are the bad guys - Sept. 10
Defense agency funds research into nano pain relief - Sept. 3
Stomach cancer rates predicted to fall - Sept. 3
Warnings added to labels of diabetes drugs - Sept. 3
Multiple sclerosis vaccine trial under way - Sept. 3
Statins safe for children with high cholesterol from genetic disorder - Aug. 27
Duration of heat wave more important than intensity - Aug. 27
An ounce of prevention - Aug. 27
FDA, Defense partnership announced - Aug. 27
Tobacco control bill would empower the FDA - Aug. 20
Withdrawn IBS drug to be available on limited basis - Aug. 20
Coalition calls for labeling of vinyl chemical that can impair fertility - Aug. 20
Drug safety partnership - Aug. 20
Illinois adopts smoke-free law - Aug. 13
Most believe cancer myths - Aug. 13
Second measles shot recommended - Aug. 6
Groups differ on when to begin mammography screening - Aug. 6
Waterborne pathogens and swimming - July 23/30
Racial differences and disease - July 23/30
Recommendations made for anaphylaxis follow-up - July 23/30
Advisory panel expands number of people who should get meningitis shots - July 23/30
Fibromyalgia drug gains approval - July 16
Growth hormone levels seen as autism signal - July 16
SSRIs and birth defects - July 16
Diagnosing concussions - July 16
Gene therapy for Parkinson's shows promise - July 9
IDSA calls for increased awareness, access to adult vaccinations - July 9
Diabetes deaths for women unchanged - July 9
Fatigue is cancer's biggest side effect - July 9
Dementia and vascular disease - July 2
Lyme disease increasing - July 2
Majority of people who lose weight keep it off for a year - July 2
Diabetes reduces life expectancy, increases heart disease - July 2
FDA forms risk/benefit communication committee - June 25
Antipsychotic drugs seen increasing risk of death among some older adults - June 25
Bush names surgeon general nominee - June 18
New IOM report on smoking cessation - June 18
Resistant staph infections up - June 18
Exploring pandemic influenza online - June 18
Soldiers contracted drug-resistant bacteria from field hospitals - June 11
Presurgical appendix scans questioned - June 11
Diet tip: Don't pass up the creamed soup - June 11
Chronic pain disrupts attention, memory - June 11
FDA panel recommends lowering approval age for nasal flu vaccine - June 4
Md., Minn. pass smoking bans - June 4
Supply woes hit chickenpox shots - June 4
Patients with mild persistent asthma may be able to cut down meds - June 4
New CDC report details stroke prevalence in all 50 states - June 4
Online avian flu course for public health responders - June 4
AMA disaster medicine journal begun - May 28
Study finds numerous genes contribute to bipolar disorder - May 28
Midlife headaches hike vision loss risk - May 28
Movie smoking may mean "R" rating - May 28
Mammography rates decline - May 28
Healthy fats' effect on Alzheimer's to be studied - May 28
Suicidality warning for young adults added to antidepressant label - May 21
Breast cancer rates continue to drop - May 21
Hypertension drugs may thwart Alzheimer's disease - May 21
Drug abuse, dependence starts early - May 21
Web-based program improves asthma - May 14
Most N.Y. pharmacies can translate drug labels into Spanish, but few do - May 14
NIH launches adolescent bariatric surgery study - May 14
Substance produced by cooking food may increase inflammation - May 14
Vaccine for avian flu gets FDA OK - May 7
The value of virtual colonoscopy - May 7
Growing concern about vaccine costs - May 7
Prescription GI drug taken off market - April 23/30
Rapid response key to dealing with pandemic flu - April 23/30
Antidepressant prescriptions for young people drop - April 23/30
Influenza research centers announced - April 23/30
ACP, ACS issue mammography guidelines - April 16
Pediatric drugs get labeling changes - April 16
Study: Identify cancer biomarkers - April 16
Diabetes accounts for greater proportion of cardiovascular disease - April 16
Geriatric spinal cord injuries increase - April 16
Parental alcoholism boosts risk of drinking in older teens with ADHD - April 16
FDA proposes new rules for participation on advisory committees - April 9
Pandemic planners urged to consider economic ramifications - April 9
Kids whose parents live longer have lower disease risk - April 9
Risedronate helps prevent hip fractures in Parkinson's patients - April 9
Tobacco smoke could affect black children more - April 9
FDA issues fresh-cut produce guidance - April 9
Exercise helps cut cigarette cravings, analysis finds - April 2
High BMI increases chance of early puberty in girls - March 26
Surgeon general issues national plan to tackle underage drinking - March 26
HIV most transmissible in early months of infection - March 26
New hypertension medication OK'd - March 26
Improving access to care lowers prostate cancer rates in blacks - March 26
One-third of returning veterans given mental health diagnosis - March 26
Flu vaccine effective even when not an exact match - March 19
COX-2s suggested as last resort - March 19
FDA approves drug to treat Crohn's disease - March 19
Whole-grain cereals reduce risk of heart failure - March 19
Stillbirth rate declines - March 12
Common cold virus linked to hospitalizations of young children - March 12
ADHD guidelines set - March 12
Influenza genomes sequenced - March 12
Medication disposal tips - March 5
Progress on HIV vaccine? - March 5
FDA scraps 2 uses for telithromycin - March 5
Low systolic readings linked to stroke in kidney patients - March 5
Naps and coronary mortality - Feb. 26
FDA OKs new cancer predictor - Feb. 26
Doctors unsure about 2nd varicella shot - Feb. 26
Mild MS may not stay that way - Feb. 26
FDA has plan to boost drug safety - Feb. 19
Oral insulin: Can it prevent diabetes? - Feb. 19
Esophageal cancer surgery safe in the morbidly obese - Feb. 19
Cardiovascular disease trials not reporting sex-specific results - Feb. 19
SSRI use and fracture risk - Feb. 12
Steroids slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis - Feb. 12
Polio vaccine saves billions of dollars - Feb. 12
FDA proposes gluten wording for celiac - Feb. 12
Cancer deaths drop - Feb. 5
Pulmonary disease campaign begun - Feb. 5
Bariatric surgeries soar - Feb. 5
CDC grants awarded to improve data sharing for disease detection - Feb. 5
23 states get failing grade in tobacco control - Jan. 29
Preventive measures for heart disease in diabetics - Jan. 29
CDC, medical societies publish child, adolescent immunization schedules - Jan. 29
Aspirin reduces risk of adult asthma - Jan. 29
More links between binge drinking, other risky behaviors - Jan. 22
Conclusions of nutritional studies correlate to funding source - Jan. 22
Obesity tied to prostate cancer death - Jan. 22
Stem cell success reported from amniotic fluid - Jan. 22
Antidepressant warnings could include adults - Jan. 15
FDA proposes warnings for OTC painkillers - Jan. 15
Macular degeneration drug may be effective for diabetes-associated eye problems - Jan. 15
Black cohosh fails to relieve menopausal symptoms - Jan. 15
FDA issues cautions on quinine use - Jan. 1/8
NSAIDs could halt cancer - Jan. 1/8
Buprenorphine patient cap increased - Jan. 1/8

Last year's news briefs - Back to top

Medicare use can vary by as much as 30%, depending on region of the country. Read more

Vote refines AMA stance on health reform
The AMA House of Delegates rejected attempts to rescind support of a U.S. House health reform bill and any new government-sponsored health insurance plan during the 2009 Interim Meeting.
Story - AMA House - Slideshow