MNA Blog (Page 95)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

HEALTH CARE

Insurers Not Keeping a Lid on Costs   With federal healthcare reform still facing political head winds despite its validation by the Supreme Court, this probably isn’t the best time for health insurers to admit their utter incompetence in handling their most important role under the reform, which is keeping a lid on healthcare costs.

Amid Debate and Uncertainty Over Health Care, Mayo Expands   “I’ve done more merger affiliations in the last 24 months than previously done in 23 years” as a consultant, said James Berarducci, a health care consultant in Minnesota for global management firm Kurt Salmon, who has done work for Mayo.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 12, 2012: Insurers bungle; Mayo expands; Firefighters prevail  »

HEALTH CARE

Thousands of Minnesotans to Receive Health Rebates Under Franken Provision of ACA   If the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision didn’t signal that at long last it’s time to actually get to know the Affordable Care Act, then perhaps the appearance of a check in the mailbox will get John and Jane Q. Public’s attention.

Worst TB Outbreak in 20 Years Kept Secret     The CDC officer had a serious warning for Florida health officials in April: A tuberculosis outbreak in Jacksonville was one of the worst his group had investigated in 20 years. Linked to 13 deaths and 99 illnesses, including six children, it would require concerted action to stop. 
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 9, 2012: FL gov. keeps TB outbreak secret; Expanding Medicare makes sense  »

HEALTH CARE

Hospitals Invest in Moving Patients   Editor’s Note:  Former MNA staffer and worker Health & Safety advocate, Bettye Shogren championed groundbreaking legislation in Minnesota requiring hospitals to provide adequate lifting mechanisms.  Other states like Illinois, as this story demonstrates,  are finding it a great idea as well.

Health Care Reform?  Move On   Fifty-six percent of Americans believe opponents of the law should “stop trying to block its implementation and instead move on to other national problems,” according to the poll by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.

Debate:  Expand Imperfect Treatments, or Create New Ones   When advocates of attained health survey the landscape, they see an appalling misallocation of resources.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, July 5, 2012: Patient lifting rules gain traction; $160M settlement to nurses re: gender bias  »

HEALTH CARE

$22M Project Will Expand Mercy Hospital    The new 120,000 square-foot building will feature the Virginia Piper Cancer Insitute, as well as specialty care, outpatient surgery services and obstetrics/women’s care.  The four-story building will be across the street from Mercy, connected by a skyway.

GlaxoSmityKline Settles $3B Health Care Fraud Case  GSK targeted the antidepressant Paxil to patients under age 18 when it was approved for adults only, and it pushed the drug Wellbutrin for uses it was not approved for, including weight loss and treatment of sexual dysfunction, according to an investigation led by the U.S.
… Read more about: MNA NewsScan, July 3, 2012: Mercy to expand; CA nurses strike; 4th Fun  »