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Health Care: headlines from the week of September 6, 2010

Obama offers $50B infrastructure plan 6 Sep 2010

President Barack Obama proposed spending $50 billion on infrastructure projects nationwide in an effort to spur job creation during a Labor Day speech at a union event in Milwaukee.

Group aims to reduce rate of teens abusing prescription drugs 6 Sep 2010

BryLin continues to rebound 6 Sep 2010

Five years after emerging from bankruptcy protection, BryLin Hospital is in its second year in the black, with high hopes for the future.

Arizona's dental dilemma 6 Sep 2010

The recession has stolen tens of thousands of jobs from Arizonans, leaving them without health benefits and leading many to seek free or discounted care.

A chat with Arizona's dental school deans 6 Sep 2010

Jack Dillenberg Dean, Arizona School of Dentistry, A.T. Still University

New psychiatric, rehab hospital beds proposed for Lake, Volusia 6 Sep 2010

Two health care companies plan to seek state permission to start new medical programs in Lake and Volusia counties. If approved, these projects would create up to 128 temporary construction jobs and up to 203 permanent health care jobs, based on staff sizes at comparable facilities.

Valley dentists donate their services to help those in need 6 Sep 2010

The Arizona Dental Association works with numerous dentists who donate their time and talents to help those in need in the community.

Stem cell ruling stuns UB 6 Sep 2010

A judge's order ending federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells could have a $4 million negative impact on the University at Buffalo.

Roundtable: Health reform 2010 6 Sep 2010

In the summer of 2009, The Business Review brought together eight health care, insurance and businesspeople for a frank discussion about the state of the health care system and what they hoped, and feared, would come out of the reform effort.

State selects provider for new hospice program in Broward County 6 Sep 2010

Florida officials chose Hospice of Palm Beach County over three other applicants to open a hospice program in Broward County, which is slated to create 55 jobs in the first two years.

What does the reform act look like? At best, it's 'incomplete,' panelists say 6 Sep 2010

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act became law on March 23, although many of its provisions do not take effect for a few years. The act promises to insure 32 million additional Americans by expanding Medicaid eligibility, establishing an individual mandate and requiring employers to provide insurance--or pay a penalty. It also sets new rules for insurance policies and establishes an exchange to help people find affordable coverage.

Bennett: Reform can start here--'I feel strongly about acting on a regional level' 6 Sep 2010

While the roundtable panelists were disappointed by the reform act, they were not ready to give up on change. They just decided it was up to them. All of them.

South Jersey doc seeks to buy Lower Bucks Hospital 6 Sep 2010

A South Jersey cardiovascular surgeon who has spent more than two years shopping for a hospital to purchase has emerged as a potential buyer for Lower Bucks Hospital, which has operated under bankruptcy court protection since January.

Useful e-medical records: Just around the corner? Or light years away? 6 Sep 2010

The federal government has made electronic medical records a top health care priority. Beginning next year, providers will be rewarded for meeting stringent "meaningful use" standards. Later, the incentives will turn into penalties for those who do not make the grade.

With new law, new ways to pay docs, but are these merely recycled ideas? 6 Sep 2010

Included in the reform act was funding for pilot projects in three new care delivery and payment models.

Centocor takes lead in immunology 6 Sep 2010

HORSHAM -- The introduction of two products last year -- Simponi and Stelara -- has helped Centocor OrthoBiotech capture about a third of the $11.3 billion immunology market, and take a leadership position in the product segment over rivals Amgen and Abbott Labs, according to President Robert Bazemore.

Panelists: Meaningful reform is a must, but we might be running out of time 6 Sep 2010

In a recent poll by the Business Council of New York State, employers ranked health care as their top cost-of-doing business-concern. Meanwhile, Mercer, a global human resources consulting firm, put the upstate average premium at $8,308 per worker in 2009, and saw a rise of another 10 percent this year.

New Nidus raises $3 million from Monsanto, Bunge 6 Sep 2010

It's out with the old and in with the new for the Nidus name.

If reform will insure 32 million more Americans, there aren't enough docs 6 Sep 2010

The reform act promises to insure 32 million more Americans, in part through an individual mandate. There are concerns, however, that there will not be enough primary care physicians to handle the influx. One panelist also expressed concern about the insurance industry.

Lifetime Achievement: Commitment to neighborhood shaped his career 6 Sep 2010

William J. Walczak moved to Codman Square at a time when not many others were. In the 1970s, the area was plagued by shuttered businesses, fleeing residents, racial conflict and almost nightly fires.

St. Charles developers join forces on $17 million nursing home 6 Sep 2010

The developers of two skilled-nursing facilities in St. Charles have scrapped plans to build separate nursing homes and are joining forces to double the size of their previous projects.

Texas insurers defend role of pharmacy benefit managers 6 Sep 2010

The Texas Association of Health Plans, which represents health insurers in the Lone Star State, says pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, should not be blamed for skyrocketing drug prices.

University of Washington stem cell research in limbo 6 Sep 2010

The University of Washington could be hit hard by a recent court ruling that halted federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

Open access: Same-day appointments help patients and practices 6 Sep 2010

For about six years, patients who wanted to see Dr. Michael Dahl had to wait at least a week. That wasn't very helpful for those who required immediate attention.

Atlanta cancer lab plans $15M expansion 6 Sep 2010

Alpharetta's CSI Laboratories plans to invest $15 million in a relocation and expansion that will generate up to 100 high-skilled jobs.

Mayo earns high marks for crisis communications 6 Sep 2010

Mayo Clinic's pristine reputation for quality and safety in medical care was recently dealt a rare blow when it announced that an employee had exposed transplant patients to hepatitis C through used syringes.

Bartlett chamber seeks to recruit life sciences companies to I-40 corridor 6 Sep 2010

The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce plans to unveil an ambitious 10-year economic development plan at its Sept. 14 meeting that will, in part, promote the idea of an aggressive recruitment of the life sciences industry.

New spending rules could undermine health insurer stability, report says 6 Sep 2010

A new federal limit on health insurers' administrative costs could wreak havoc on the companies' bottom lines, according to a new report.

Cell Point's imaging agent ready to join cancer fight 6 Sep 2010

A Centennial company says it has developed the first new universal cancer imaging agent in more than 25 years, and a global consulting firm predicts it will bring in more than $1 billion in annual gross revenues nationally by 2015.

Reflex Orthopedics & Sports Medicine opening at Brush Run Commons, Delmont 6 Sep 2010

An ambulatory surgery center is taking shape in Westmoreland County, with the opening of an orthopedic surgeon's office in a couple of weeks and plans to add more medical specialists as demand grows.

Pfizer Inc. science director Hammang defends payments to physicians 6 Sep 2010

As some academic medical centers tighten restrictions on doctors speaking on behalf of drugmakers, one pharmaceutical company executive is defending the practice.

Doctors adopt mobile technology to improve patient care 6 Sep 2010

Students today begin typing on computer keyboards in second grade, most kids are begging for cell phones by age 12, and college students use laptops in the classroom to take notes.

Vivante GMP agrees to Lonza acquisition 6 Sep 2010

Vivante GMP Solutions Inc. has accepted an acquisition offer from Swiss-based biopharmaceuticals giant Lonza AG.

Hospitals improve strategies to attract and retain specialists 6 Sep 2010

Reimbursement cuts and uncertainties about health reform have specialists defecting from private practice and joining the ranks of hospital employment.

Health care marketing tailors messages for the right person at the right time 6 Sep 2010

Susan Kaufmann knows that 65-year-old men are more likely to respond to health notices sent to their homes and directed at their wives. Young mothers, on the other hand, are more likely to get health information online via a social networking device like Facebook.

Obesity looms as weighty employment issue 6 Sep 2010

Rapid rises in the nation's obesity rate and health insurance premiums could take hiring decisions based on a candidate's weight from anecdote to policy.

Kaiser workers prepare for historic union vote 6 Sep 2010

The stakes are high on all sides as 44,000 Kaiser Permanente workers -- including 4,000 service and technical workers in the Sacramento region -- prepare for the largest-ever private-sector union election in California.

Glavich started Almost Home after personal encounter with Alzheimer's 6 Sep 2010

When Jamie Glavich's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1988, she struggled to find the right care for her while watching her mother lose her memory, reasoning ability, personality and independence.

Nussbaum pushing past barriers to care 6 Sep 2010

Barriers attempt to impede success, but Dr. Sue Nussbaum seems to have found a knack for getting around them.

Cincinnati hospitals feel pain from slow economy 6 Sep 2010

Paying customers remain in short supply for Greater Cincinnati hospitals.

O'Connor mentors women in orthopedics 6 Sep 2010

Mary O'Connor has a passion for diversity, and she's bringing that passion to the field of orthopedic medicine.

'Medical home' concept catches on 6 Sep 2010

Eleven Cincinnati physician practices have embraced a new model for providing efficient health care -- and are getting higher reimbursement from insurance companies.

Wanted: a Charlotte leader to head med-school efforts 6 Sep 2010

Mark Billings continues to push for establishing a medical school in Charlotte. But the Presbyterian Healthcare president wants a local business executive or other community leader to step forward to spearhead that effort.

Otterbein opens 'small-home' retirement center 6 Sep 2010

Smaller may be better when it comes to retirement living.

N.C. crafting plan to reduce hospitals' use of energy, water 6 Sep 2010

A new policy is in the works to make North Carolina's health-care facilities more energy-efficient.

Small biz, big rates 6 Sep 2010

Small businesses say they are seeing little relief on their health insurance bills, despite the headline-making health care premium rate settlements between Gov. Deval Patrick's Administration and state insurers.

County decision frees up space at medical center 6 Sep 2010

Besides replacing an outdated complex, a proposal to build a new Milwaukee County behavioral health facility opens the door for a possible 3 million square feet of development over the next 12 years at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa.

North Adams hospital bonds hit with default 6 Sep 2010

Investors holding bonds issued by Northern Berkshire Healthcare and its subsidiary North Adams Regional Hospital recently received a default notice after cash on hand dropped below required levels.

Carolinas HealthCare's systematic growth 6 Sep 2010

Despite the recession and national health-care reform, Carolinas HealthCare System experienced its fastest pace of growth ever in 2009. It added six hospitals in the Carolinas to boost the system to 32 institutions. Arrangements vary, but those hospitals are either owned, leased or managed by the system. Last year's deals added more than 850 licensed hospital beds and 5,500 employees in the Carolinas.

Reform to cloud hospital, insurer relations: Seehausen 6 Sep 2010

Novant Health Inc. found itself in a very public battle in recent months as it worked to negotiate a contract with Aetna Health Inc.

Home care company first to get Alzheimer's training from FSL 6 Sep 2010

Carefree Homecare Companion Service is the first nonmedical companion care company in Arizona to receive specialized Alzheimer's care training from the Foundation for Senior Living.

Value-based health care could control rising costs 6 Sep 2010

Have we exhausted all available strategies for containing the growth of health-care costs? Many experienced plan sponsors are asking that very question, for good reason. If you assess the success of our past efforts to control health-care costs, you have a right to be skeptical.

Electronic medical records are no longer just talk in Md.'s hospitals 6 Sep 2010

For Maryland's hospitals, the future is now.

'Overflow' of patients spurs Bravo Health to open Baltimore clinic 6 Sep 2010

As the baby boom generation gets older, hospitals and other health organizations are finding new ways to accommodate their growing needs.

Integrative medicine feels slighted by health reform 6 Sep 2010

As America's health-care system becomes increasingly complex and expensive, advocates say integrative medicine offers a better way.

GraceMed signs agreement to assume operations of Good Samaritan Clinic 6 Sep 2010

GraceMed Health Clinic is taking over operational control of the Good Samaritan Clinic on Oct. 1.

As downturn continues, Aurora raising rates 6 Sep 2010

For the second time in 2010, Aurora Health Care is planning a 4.9 percent rate increase at its hospitals across eastern Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Health Services appoints interim president 6 Sep 2010

The death of Milwaukee Health Services president C.C. Henderson will not stop the health center's mission or its expansion plans.

Keeping brains working 6 Sep 2010

Millions of dollars -- much of it pouring into the Bay Area -- is translating into cutting-edge research and potential drugs to tackle Alzheimer's disease.

Imaging study's sharing plan may be key to new treatments 6 Sep 2010

A cure for Alzheimer's could rest with an early childhood maxim: Share with your friends.

Not afraid of the 'Alzheimer's mafia' 6 Sep 2010

Dale Bredesen knows all about scientists pooh-poohing a peer's work.

Genentech and 'death receptor 6' 6 Sep 2010

If "death receptor 6" sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, Marc Tessier-Lavigne is Alzheimer's patients' Flash Gordon.

Hospitals prep to meet language rules 6 Sep 2010

Language Line Services, which provides over-the-phone and other language interpreting services to thousands of hospitals and health care organizations nationwide, said it's offering a package of instructional materials and consulting services to help hospitals meet new accreditation standards that take effect in January.

Highland Hospital set to start $668M rebuild 6 Sep 2010

Alameda County Medical Center is finally moving ahead with a $668 million rebuild of Highland Hospital in Oakland. Demolition of some existing structures has started, and a $300 million bond issue is slated to go out in October.

UAB logs another spinoff 6 Sep 2010

Research findings from the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently spawned a biotechnology firm specializing in protein-based drugs and vaccines.

CPMC will sell dialysis unit to DaVita 6 Sep 2010

California Pacific Medical Center is moving ahead with plans to sell its outpatient dialysis services to DaVita Inc., a huge Denver-based dialysis specialist, for an undisclosed sum.

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