HealthPointPA takes a long winter’s nap
In observance of the Christmas holiday, HealthPointPA will not publish again until Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Science mag names top 10 breakthroughs in science for 2011
Science magazine has named their top 10 breakthroughs in science for 2011. Advances in using antiretrovirals to prevent HIV transmission took the top spot, and a promising new malaria vaccine is among the top 1o.
Highmark-UPMC contract extended until 2013
Highmark customers who use UPMC doctors have an extra year not to worry about whether they’ll be able to see them without paying higher, out-of-network fees.
2012 Health Care Predictions
By now, we’ve all heard that the Mayans allegedly predicted that the end of the world would happen in 2012. Whether you believe that or not, you might want to check out some of Kaiser Health News’ reporter predictions for what’s coming for healthcare next year.
Battle for ambulance services in Monroeville?
There’s a hospital war going on in Monroeville, with two healthcare systems showering ambulance crews with food and trinkets in hopes of winning their services.
Study finds widespread sleep disorders in police
In the first study of its kind, researchers surveyed 5,000 police officers in the US and found that a whopping 40% of them suffered from sleep disorders – most of them undiagnosed until the study.
Highmark & UPMC guarantee Medicare, CHIP coverage
In western PA, UPMC and Highmark are in a dispute over their hospital and physician contracts, but those who have government sponsored health insurance will not have any interruption in their coverage, regardless of the outcome.
Painful PA budget cuts on the horizon?
PA Budget Secretary Zogby presented his mid-year budget update yesterday, and it’s not so pretty: His estimates show a projected $500M (yes, you read that correctly – MILLION) budget shortfall – and that’s the optimistic scenario.
More evidence points to acetaminophen -asthma link
Asthma rates in children have increased sharply over the past 30 years, stumping medical investigators. Then a hypothesis emerged: When aspirin was linked to Reyes’ Syndrome in children, parents started giving their kids acetaminophen instead of aspirin.
Scientists using ‘virtual patients’ for testing
Scientists are using increasingly sophisticated virtual patients to test procedures that can’t be easily tested in human subjects.