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Federal cuts close Arlington Heights vaccine clinic Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
A change in federal funding has caused the village of Arlington Heights to cancel its monthly immunization clinic for February and put the whole program — which served more than 800 underinsured and uninsured children last year — in jeopardy.
Novo Nordisk shares tumble on drug review setback Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Shares of Novo Nordisk are sinking in premarket trading after the Danish drugmaker said U.S. regulators want more data before they can finish their review of two long-acting insulin drugs to treat diabetes. The company said Sunday the Food and Drug Administration requested information from a study that looks at cardiovascular health before it can finish reviewing Tresiba and Ryzodeg, which both use the insulin degludec.
How hospitals have slowed the readmission epidemic Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
More than 1 million Americans wind up back in the hospital only weeks after they left for reasons that could have been prevented — a revolving door that for years has seemed impossible to slow. Now Medicare has begun punishing hospitals with hefty fines if they have too many readmissions, and a top official says signs of improvement are beginning to emerge.
Fewer die in hospitals as hospice, intensive care use increase Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Assisted suicide on legal agenda in several states Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
A push for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is under way in a half-dozen states where proponents say they see strong support for allowing doctors to prescribe mentally competent, dying individuals with the medications needed to end their own lives. The large number of baby boomers facing end-of-life issues themselves is seen to have made the issue more prominent in recent years.
Horsemeat lasagna recalled in Sweden Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Frozen-food company Findus is recalling beef lasagna meals in Sweden after tests confirmed the products contained horsemeat.
In a switch, GOP governors back expanding Medicaid Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Once largely united in resisting the Obama administration’s new health care overhaul, a growing number of Republican governors are now buying into parts of the system as the financial realities of their states’ medical costs begin to counterbalance the fierce election politics of the issue.
Wilk new CEO for St. Alexius Medical Center Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Arlington Heights-based Alexian Brothers Health system Friday said it has named Leonard Wilk, 55, as the new president and CEO of St. Alexius Medical Center, the system's 339-bed community hospital in Hoffman Estates. Wilk succeeds Ed Goldberg, who resigned late last year after more than 18 years.
Advocate moving HQ to Downers Grove Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Advocate Health Care is moving its headquarters to Downers Grove from Oak Brook this spring, the state's largest health system confirmed on Friday. Advocate will move about 600 employees to Highland Landmark I, a seven-story structure at 3075 Highland Parkway.
Kane County will give Jeffers control of health departmentFeb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
The interim executive director of the Kane County Public Health Department is set to drop the "interim" from her title when the full county board meets next week. Barb Jeffers took over when the former director, Paul Kuehnert, resigned. Her handling of a fatal dog mauling in Big Rock went a long way in winning the job.
Addus HomeCare to sell division to LHC Group Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Palatine-based Addus HomeCare Corp. said it will sell its home health division to LHC Group, Inc. for $20 million in cash. The sale includes 19 home health agencies and two hospice agencies in five states. Specifically, LHC Group will acquire 100 percent of the assets of the business in Arkansas, South Carolina and Nevada. In Illinois and California, LHC Group will acquire 90 percent of the business, with Addus retaining a 10 percent ownership interest in those locations.
Baby showers set for Alexian children’s hospital in Hoffman Estates Feb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
After more than five years of planning, the new Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates is nearing completion, and members of the Alexian Brothers Foundation's Women's Board are throwing a pair of baby showers to welcome their new addition with amenities to make staying there more pleasant. "These are items that are not part of our operating budget," says Julie Baker, events and volunteer outreach manager for the foundation.
Money fears vs. real benefits in Medicaid choice Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
President Barack Obama thinks his health care law makes states an offer they can't refuse. Whether to expand Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor and disabled, could be the most important decision facing governors and legislatures this year. The repercussions go beyond their budgets, directly affecting the well-being of residents and the finances of critical hospitals.
States have many questions on Medicaid expansion Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
As state legislative sessions advance, lawmakers are debating whether to expand their Medicaid programs as provided by President Barack Obama's health care law. It could be one of the most important decisions this year. So far 17 states and the District of Columbia have signaled they will go ahead, while 11 states are refusing. The rest are weighing options.
As America ages, senior care options flourish Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Nearly 7 in 10 people will need some form of long-term care after turning 65, according to the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. "Nobody wants to go to a nursing home, it's the last resort," says James Firman, president of the National Council on Aging. "People want to stay in their own home, and if they can't, they want to go to a place where they can get assistance but that still feels homelike."
Doctor links to medical industry to be disclosed Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
The rules for the program have been delayed more than a year, drawing criticism from congressional proponents of disclosure. Once the government begins reporting the payments, patients will for the first time be able to view doctors’ financial links to drugmakers.
Obama offers faith groups new birth control rule Feb 1, 2013 12:00 AM
The Obama administration on Friday announced a new accommodation for religious nonprofits that object to providing health insurance that covers birth control. The new regulation attempts to create a barrier between religious groups and contraception coverage, through insurers or a third party, that would still give women free access to contraception. Whether religious groups will accept this new approach depends in part on the technical details of how it's paid for.
Lindenhurst hospital plan delayed for 2 months Jan 31, 2013 12:00 AM
A decision on a proposed 132-bed Vista Medical Center Lindenhurst will be delayed for two months. The application was to have been considered next week by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board but the petitioner asked that it be deferred until March 26.
FDA warns company over unapproved flu remedy Jan 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Federal regulators say a Florida company has been marketing an untested inhaled formula as a flu remedy in violation of drug safety regulations. The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning letter to Flu and Cold Defense LLC for making misleading, unproven claims about its GermBullet inhaler.
Lawmaker looks outside VA to fill mental care gap Jan 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Veterans who have trouble getting timely mental health care from Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics should also have access to thousands of health care providers who care for military personnel and their families, says Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. "We can double overnight the number of providers for those who are in need," Miller said. "Eighteen veterans a day commit suicide in this country. Nobody thinks that is acceptable."