FDA pushing for support to research cures for rare diseases
The FDA helps administer the Orphan Drug Act, which provides incentives to create therapies for so-called orphan diseases—those that affect fewer than 200,000 Americans. There are about 7,000 such maladies, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Did you know…
…that the more you worry about a new medication, the more likely you are to experience side effects?
Be careful relying on the internet to search for a doctor, warns the Post-Gazette
“Two years ago, WellPointe, a huge insurance company with health-care providers all over the country — teamed with survey maven Zagat to establish online physician ratings,” reports the newspaper. “In short, many doctors who ordered fewer tests for patients received higher recommendations from the insurers’ websites.”
Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10069/1041397-114.stm#ixzz0hmhNFvBn
Obama visits Montgomery County to push healthcare reform bill
He’s pushing a bill at which “Republicans have turned up their noses like it was a week-old tuna sandwich found wedged between the seat cushions,” reports Phil Gianficaro.
Allentown State Hospital Closure sends patients to Wernersville
The Department of Public Welfare closed Allentown State Hospital at the end of January.
Will we see lawsuit reform as part of overall healthcare reform?
This has been a popular issue amongst Republicans, but are we seeing progress on the Democratic side?
Hospitals round-up for 3/8
The news on Memorial Medical Center, Abington Memorial Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network.
The Philadephia Inquirer’s verdict on healthcare reform efforts
“America’s health-care system is like the family car running on bad brakes,” writes the Inquirer. “You can’t afford not to fix them. Precious lives are at stake.”
Times-Tribune: If we give it a chance, Commonwealth Medical College could be a huge asset to PA
The editors would like to see the college turn into an “academic healthcare center.”
PA Dept. of Public Welfare seeking federal funding aid
More people needing assistance, combined with the rising cost of healthcare, makes for a stretched DPW budget.