Legislative Alert
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus crafting legislation that would provide positive Medicare payment updates through 2009 and make other needed reforms
HHS Secretary Begins Third Visit to the People’s Republic of China
May 12, 2008 – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Michael O. Leavitt today began his third visit to the People's Republic of China with activities in the eastern coastal city of Shanghai. The Secretary shared his vision for improving the safety of consumer products with more than 800 vendors, suppliers and executives […]
Have you been selected to participate in the Physician Practice Information survey?
The AMA and more than 70 other organizations are conducting a comprehensive multi-specialty survey of America’s physician practices. The results will be used to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients, and to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care, while […]
Quest Diagnostics Announces Annual Shareholder’s Meeting Webcast
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, will conduct its annual meeting of shareholders on Friday, May 16th at 10:30 am ET.
Perspective: Carotid Stenting and the History of Disruptive Technology in Vascular Surgery
Introduction A disruptive technology can be defined as one that displaces a standard old method for performing certain functions because the new one is so clearly better. Examples of disruptive technologies would be the electric light displacing candle light, steam power displacing sail power for ships, jet engines displacing piston engines for long distance aircraft, […]
Study Launched to Uncover the Mysteries of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta recently launched the most comprehensive population-based clinical study to date of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The study includes about 90 patients from Atlanta who will participate in the three-day in-patient clinical trial. Researchers hope results […]
Sarkozy Unveils Overhaul of French Hospital System
President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled plans on Thursday to improve the efficiency of France's public hospitals by grouping them into regional clusters. The plan, which will affect 1.1 million French health professionals, would give hospital directors more responsibility for issues such as staffing and make part of their pay dependent on results. It would group hospitals […]
Brazil Launches Cheap New Malaria Pill
Brazil launched a new treatment for malaria on Thursday, marking the latest step in a global programme to make cheap two-in-one pills available to millions at risk for the disease. The country's state-run drugmaker Farmanguinhos is working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), a non-profit group based in Geneva, to bring the medicine […]
U.S. Medicare Spending Triggers New Funding Proposal
Medicare spending is increasing so quickly that the president will be required to propose new benefit cuts or higher taxes, trustees for the U.S. senior citizen health care program said.
Congress passes “skinny” Medicare payment bill and averts SGR cut through June 2008
Unable to reach consensus on a meaningful Medicare reform package, Congressional leaders and the Bush Administration have cobbled together a last–minute, barebones package to temporarily avert the 10% across-the-board Medicare physician payment cut scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2008. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law soon.
