Healthcare expert: Chronic disease is the biggest drain on our healthcare resources

June 29th, 2009

Nearly half of Americans need care regularly because they have chronic health conditions; many cases of which could be prevented or better managed, says Kenneth Thorpe.

Hospitals round-up for 6/29

June 29th, 2009

Read about Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, PinnacleHealth Fox Chase Regional Cancer Center, Paoli Hospital, Titusville Area Hospital, and Lancaster City’s nursing home alternative.

Could universal healthcare boost the economy?

June 29th, 2009

Coverage through employers, some economists argue, hinders the creation of enterprise.

Budget negotiations to continue this afternoon

June 29th, 2009

Legislative leaders will meet with Gov. Rendell behind closed doors this afternoon in attempt to move closer to a budget deal.

Reuters: Scientists kill cancer cells with “trojan horse”

June 29th, 2009

Australian scientists have developed a “trojan horse” therapy to combat cancer, using a bacterially-derived nano cell to penetrate and disarm the cancer cell before a second nano cell kills it with chemotherapy drugs, reports Reuters.

Univ. of Pittsburgh psychiatrist using brain imaging to better understand bipolar disorder

June 29th, 2009

Using a brain imaging technique that shows the connections between different parts of the brain, Dr. Phillips’ group has shown that wiring problems in the left half of the brain may cause patients’ manic phases, while a different kind of wiring problem on the right half may create the episodes of depression, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Philly VA Medical Center hearing schedule for this morning

June 29th, 2009

In reaction to the information released last week, Sen. Specter will hold a hearing this morning to review the mistakes made within the brachytherapy program.

HB 1750

June 26th, 2009

Current Printer’s No: 2227
Prime Sponsor: Representative Barbin (Cambria)
Summary: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for insurance fraud; consolidating Article XI of The Insurance Department Act of 1921, further providing for purpose, for definitions, for Insurance Fraud Prevention Trust Fund, for powers and duties [...]

HB 1739

June 26th, 2009

Current Printer’s No: 2203
Prime Sponsor: Representative Godshall (Montgomery)
Summary: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, providing for antifraud plans; and making a related repeal.
Recent Developements: Referred to House Insurance on June 17, 2009.
Full Bill Information

HB 1736

June 26th, 2009

Current Printer’s No: 2200
Prime Sponsor: Representative Godshall (Montgomery)
Summary: An Act amending the act of December 20, 1983 (P.L.260, No.72), referred to as the Public Adjuster Licensing Law, further providing for violations.
Recent Developments: Referred to House Insurance on June 17, 2009.  
Full Bill Information