IVF treatment in England a lottery, MP says
Guardian Unlimited - When, in 2004, Nice and the then secretary of state for health announced plans to provide at least one cycle of NHS-funded IVF for childless couples, I was relieved for couples who would follow in our footsteps. “Sadly, we now know through this

Health Notes
Baltimore Sun - Health care // Chase Brexton Health Services Inc. has opened its third Maryland site at 5500 Knoll North Drive in Oakland Mills village. The center plans to provide insured, uninsured and underinsured children and adults with primary and preventive

MIDDAY BUSINESS REPORT: Most eligible workers have health coverage
Kansas City Star - For example, since the late 1980s, the share of individual adults working for employers that sponsor health plans hovered between 81 percent and 84 percent, Fronstin wrote. In 2005, the share slipped to 80.9 percent. Also, the take-up rate

AHIP Raises Concerns about New MedPAC Report and Its Potential Impact
Insurance News Net - Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), said the MedPAC report underestimates the costs associated with covering seniors through basic Medicare fee-for-service while not accounting for the better benefits and

Feud between Spitzer and health care union heating up
Legislative Gazette - In his budget address, Spitzer outlined plans to generate $2.8 billion in general fund savings, of which $1.29 billion or 46 percent, would be realized through reforms of the state health care system. No amount of distortion, scare tactics and

Health Insurance Mandates Aren’t the Answer to Uninsured
eMaxHealth.com - According to its Web page, “The Connector serves as a bridge between eligible individuals, small employers, and health plans to promote affordable private health insurance to uninsured residents of Massachusetts.” Unnecessary Compromise The Connector

In Search of Peace
Traverse City Record-Eagle - During his layoffs, the family used Carole’s health insurance benefits she’s a longtime registered nurse at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City but didn’t realize Terry’s life insurance coverage lapsed 30 days after the layoff. “We didn’t

SCPIE Holdings to Report 2006 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on
Forbes - SCPIE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SKP), a major provider of medical malpractice insurance, said that on Thursday, March 8, 2007, the Company will release its 2006 fourth-quarter and year-end results. The Company also said that President and Chief Executive

WA House passes measure expanding mental health parity law
Seattle Post Intelligencer - OLYMPIA, Wash. — Even small companies would have to offer insurance coverage for mental health treatment equal to their medical coverage under a measure that passed the House Wednesday. The bill, which passed on a 75-22 vote with one lawmaker

FAMIS healthcare program helps children
WAVY News 10 - A state program called FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) may be able to help. The program provides insurance for families like Rhoades. Over the past four years more than 14 thousand Hampton Roads children have been enrolled. Dr

House passes bill to ease burden on jails
Bowling Green Daily News - receives jurisdiction in felony cases after someone has been indicted; misdemeanor cases after the case is assigned. The bill would impose Medicare rates on medical treatment for prisoners from doctors and medical facilities and restrict insurance

Sheriff: Scam artists targeting Lewis Co. elderly
Kirksville Daily Express & Crier - over the phone, and the sheriff is advising residents not to give any information to callers. The recent scams involve individuals offering to sell extended warranties on automobile parts as well as trying to sell discount medical insurance and

Which Safeway can workers count on?
Los Angeles Times - Specifically, Burd has said, the plan’s mandate for companies to provide medical insurance at a cost of at least 4% of their payroll “is frankly too low and should be higher.” He is also a prominent advocate of wellness programs and preventive care

Closing arguments Mon. in doc’s suit against skater
Morris County Daily Record - Does this “doctor” have medical insurance, there are benefits out there, that is called, “short term disability compensations” or what nots, and Im sure this doctor has people working for him, and was able to keep his “business” running to make more

U.S. Heading Towards Bankruptcy? 
CBS News - Mar 01 11:30 AM
The prescription drug bill may be the most financially irresponsible law in 40 years, U.S. Comptroller General David Walker tells Steve Kroft , this Sunday, March 4, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.Save

Medicare Plan Complaints 
13 WMAZ Macon - Feb 26 7:43 AM
Some Central Georgians on Medicare say the Universal Health Care company misled them about their health plan.Save

Medicare glitch prompts lawsuit 
San Jose Mercury News - Feb 27 3:08 AM
Thousands of low-income seniors and disabled people have been denied Medicare benefits because of a computer glitch, and California’s Department of Health Services has failed to solve the problem, according to a coalition of consumer advocates who plan to file a lawsuit today.Save

Kidney Care Partners Applauds MedPAC for Recommending 1.2% Increase in Medicare Dialysis Benefit Reimbursement Rate 
[Press Release] U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News - Mar 01 12:11 PM
Kidney Care Partners (KCP) — an alliance of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers and manufacturers working together to improve quality of care for individuals with kidney disease and kidney failure — today applauded MedPAC for recognizing the essential link between continued quality improvement and inflationary adjustments in Medicare’s payments.Save

Pharmacists: Beware of phony Medicare offers 
KVUE Austin - Mar 01 12:36 PM
There’s concern local senior citizens are being tricked into believing a new benefits card is being offered by the federal government.Save

Senior Notes 
McKinney Messenger - 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
A lot is happening at the Frisco Senior Center at Frisco Square, or in conjunction with the Center. The Center is at 6670 Moore St. For information, call 972-335-5515 or logon to www. FriscoFun.org.Save

Barton CEO slams proposed cuts to Medicare 
Tahoe Daily Tribune - Mar 01 6:10 AM
The nation that prides itself on having the best-managed health care system in the world may cut back on its Medicare and Medicaid programs under President Bush’s 2008 fiscal budget proposal. Save

Napolitano calls for ‘universal health care’ 
Arizona Daily Sun - Feb 27 7:14 AM
But that doesn’t mean the government should provide insurance to everyone, merely that everyone have access to a basic health insurance plan at an affordable rate, she says.Save

Insurance plan to be discussed on campus 
Rochester Campus Times - Mar 01 5:36 AM
Four panelists, including UR Provost Charles Phelps, are scheduled to discuss a wide variety of topics pertaining to the health care system at a forum on Saturday, March 3, in the Gowen Room in Wilson Commons. The panel will cover medical, economic and governmental aspects of the current system, as well as viable reforms, such as the plan implemented by Massachusetts.Save

Charity targets dropouts, homeless, child health 
Los Angeles Times - Mar 01 12:05 AM
United Way of Greater Los Angeles this week unveiled a 10-year plan that would shift more of its spending to poverty-fighting programs that meet the organization’s goals to cut dropout rates, reduce homelessness and expand healthcare for children.Save

Goodyear to phase out DB plan 
Business Insurance - Feb 28 10:54 AM
AKRON, OhioContinuing its drive to reduce its retiree benefit costs and obligations, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is phasing out its defined benefit pension plan, as well as boosting retiree health care premiums and is no longer paying premiums for a retiree life insurance plan.Save

Health, safety fair set for March 24 
Billings Gazette - Feb 28 11:28 PM
POWELL - The free Health and Safety Fair “Fiesta” will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 24.Save

WA House passes measure expanding mental health parity law 
The Columbian - 53 minutes ago
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Even small companies would have to offer insurance coverage for mental health treatment equal to their medical coverage under a measure that passed the House Wednesday.Save

ETUC slams E.C. on health and safety plan 
Business Insurance - Feb 27 4:39 AM
The European Trades Union Confederation, the pan-European federation that represents Europes labor unions, has attacked the European Commission for failing to consult it, the business community and government health and safety bodies over its new five-year health and safety plan.Save