Anthem hires president from insurer rival Aetna
Sacramento Bee - 7/27/10 - Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest health insurer, appointed a new president Monday, a week after its former president abruptly left the company.
California whooping cough outbreak largest in decades
USA Today - 7/27/10 - In the midst of what could be the largest whooping cough outbreak in more than 50 years — and the death of six infants under 3 months of age — California health officials are recommending booster shots for nearly everyone in the state, especially health care workers, parents and anyone who may come in contact with babies.
Poll shows majority of seniors are bewildered by new healthcare reform law
The Hill – 7/27/10 – The majority of the nation’s seniors have little understanding of what the Democrats’ newly enacted healthcare law actually does, according to poll results released Monday. The survey, sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an advocate for seniors, found that only 17 percent of respondents could answer even half of the 12 questions about key provisions in the law selected by the NCOA.
Md. could save $829M under health care reform
Washington Post - 7/27/10 - Maryland could save about $829 million on health care costs between fiscal year 2011 and 2020 because of federal health care reform, according to a model the state released Monday.
New Health Official Faces Hostility in Senate
New York Times – 7/27/10 – Unlike many other health policy experts, Dr. Donald M. Berwick, the new chief of Medicare and Medicaid, has extensive real world experience.
Chemical BPA found on cash register receipts
USA Today - 7/27/10 - Laboratory tests found high levels of the estrogen-like chemical bisphenol A on 40% of cash register receipts from major U.S. businesses, the Environmental Working Group today reports.
States Expect Tax Collections to Rise
Wall Street Journal – 7/27/10 – State governments expect tax collections to grow for the first time in two years as tax increases and a recovering economy lead to higher collections. But states are still likely to face at least two more years of financial troubles and about half will see gaps in this year's budgets if Congress doesn't extend special Medicaid payments that were part of the 2009 stimulus act, according to a report expected to be released Tuesday by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The Do-It-Yourself House Call
Wall Street Journal – 7/27/10 – Technology that aims to keep congestive heart failure patients out of the hospital is gaining traction. The idea is for heart patients to take readings like their weight, blood pressure and other key metrics using wireless and other technologies; the data are then transmitted to a case manager or medical care giver.
