Phila. Inquirer: A fall through the insurance-coverage gap
To the editors of HealthPoint PA, the latest installment of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s series on the health insurance crisis garners the most sympathy and outrage over an individual’s healthcare.
Universal HIV tests would have an incredible impact
Near-universal HIV tests and immediate drug treatment for people who test positive would almost eliminate transmission of the deadly virus within a decade, according to a study detailed by Reuters.
Pitt researchers find stem cells help repair heart muscles
Clinical trials on humans will begin next month using the researchers’ techniques.
The rate of new cancer cases in the US is declining
The decline is primarily due to a reduction in death rates from certain common cancers, including prostate cancer and lung cancer in men, breast cancer in women and colorectal cancer in both sexes; reports the New York Times.
Progress made in researching the causes of fibromyalgia
French researchers have shown that patients with fibromyalgia have abnormal blood flow in the brain, which may be related to the underlying cause of the condition; reports Reuters.
PA has more outpatient surgery centers, and they are making more money
The number of outpatient-surgery centers rose in Pennsylvania in 2007, and so did their income; reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Senate GOP posts Sen. White’s comments on Blues merger
The Senate GOP is keeping up with the times by posting a podcast of Sen. White’s comments against the Blues merger.
Certain drug proves to be riskier than others for diabetic seniors
Older patients taking the diabetes drug Avandia drug have an increased risk of death and heart failure compared to those who take other drugs.
Because of Medicare, fewer patients are being treated at certain PA hospitals
Fewer patients are being treated at Pennsylvania’s rehabilitation hospitals and long-term acute care hospitals because of changes in Medicare eligibility and reimbursement rates, reports the Associated Press.
Johnson & Johnson paid research firm to give positive report on their antipsychotic drug for children
Court documents show that Johnson & Johnson paid off the psychiatrist running a research center studying their antipsychotic drug for children, Risperdal. They paid Joseph Biederman at least $700,000 for him to have his research center generate data that would expand the sale of Risperdal.