Health care

Condemns Big Business for 'Manufacturing' Reports against Health Reform

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The attempt to influence the national debate on health care reform with false and misleading information is a "dishonest and manipulative attempt to derail needed reforms, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said on Monday following the disclosure of evidence showing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce used biased information claiming job losses would result from the health reform plans in Congress.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) reminded seniors that they have from November 15th until December 31st to take advantage of the open enrollment period for Medicare’s prescription drug plans. During the open enrollment period, seniors can choose to enroll in or modify their existing prescription drug plan.

“I urge seniors to closely review all of the Medicare prescription drug plans and use the open enrollment period to select the plan that is right for them,” Rep. McNerney said. “With 47 specific plans available in California, seniors have a number of options to choose from before December 31st.”    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Saturday, November 7, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a comprehensive healthcare reform bill that will improve healthcare for Long Islanders and all Americans. The bill provides access to the health insurance market for the currently uninsured, provides important protections for those who currently have insurance, brings down the costs of healthcare for our families, businesses and the nation, and sets us on a sustainable path to providing affordable, quality healthcare choices for all Americans.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes announced his support for legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for unemployed families in New Hampshire. Currently, unemployed individuals and families receive 9 months of COBRA premium assistance under the jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year, but this assistance is beginning to run out this month.

Congressman Hodes is a cosponsor of H.R. 3966, which would extend this assistance for another 6 months. The premium assistance helps New Hampshire families to afford health insurance while they continue to search for a job.    » read more »

Merck Expresses Confidence in the Efficacy and Safety Profiles of ZETIA® (ezetimibe) and VYTORIN® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) as Effective Medicines for Managing Elevated Cholesterol

ORLANDO, Fl., Nov. 15, 2009 – At the American Heart Association meeting today, Merck & Co., Inc. said it is confident in the safety and efficacy profiles of ZETIA® (ezetimibe) and VYTORIN® (ezetimibe/simvastatin), and issued the following comment in response to misinterpretation of results from a small 200-patient imaging study called ARBITER 6.    » read more »

Upfront and potential consideration of over $500 million

16 November 2009, London UK, Rockville US -- GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK) and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi) today announced an exclusive worldwide option and licensing agreement for a nicotine conjugate candidate vaccine (NicVAX®), an investigational vaccine for the treatment of nicotine addiction and the prevention of smoking relapse, as well as for the development of a second generation nicotine vaccine.    » read more »

US interim data show lower doses of antigen may suffice to generate a protective immune response against A(H1N1)

Basel, November 17, 2009 - Novartis announced today new interim data from ongoing clinical trials demonstrating that a single 7.5µg dose of the company's influenza A(H1N1) 2009 unadjuvanted vaccine, half of the currently-approved US dose, fulfilled immune response criteria associated with protection in adults and the elderly (>=65 years of age).    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today that it has received a complete response letter from the FDA regarding its application to market Lumizyme™ (alglucosidase alfa) for the treatment of Pompe disease. In its letter, the agency stated that satisfactory resolution of deficiencies related to the Allston Landing manufacturing plant are required before the Lumizyme application can be approved.

Genzyme believes the other elements of the Lumizyme review, such as the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), the product label, and post-marketing requirements, have been satisfactorily addressed.    » read more »

Last Week Schumer Requested The FTC Step Up Enforcement Actions Against Websites Peddling Fake H1N1 Cures and Prevention Methods

November 16, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is embarking on a major crackdown on companies selling phony H1N1 remedies. As the problem of fake remedies grows worse, and concerns about the H1N1 flu increase, the FTC announced that they would take further enforcement action against ten companies that are peddling fake H1N1 remedies on-line.    » read more »

Pilot program that Murray pushed for in Wounded Warriors bill will mean single medical examinations and transparent rating system for returning service members disability claims

November 16, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Thousands of returning service members will have access to a streamlined disability claims system at Fort Lewis Army Medical Center because of a pilot program that U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped pass into law.    » read more »

“Without Proper Coverage, These Women Will Be Forced to Return to Dangerous Back Alley Providers”

November 16, 2009 -- New York, NY - With the U.S. Senate set to begin debate on health care reform this week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined today by dozens of women leaders to protest Michigan Democratic Representative Bart Stupak's amendment which passed the House of Representatives this month and would deny millions of women access to reproductive care.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- “A new report released today by the Business Roundtable underscores what experts and businesspeople have told us all along – comprehensive health insurance reform is one of the most important investments we can make in American competitiveness.

"It finds, for example, that if reform passes this year, businesses could see health care costs reduced by as much as $3,000 per employee in 2019. And that means more than savings for businesses: it will be vital boost to American competitiveness. The report also echoes widespread support for the cost-containment and fiscal responsibility provisions in current legislation, such as a new CMS Innovation Center, accountable care organizations, and reducing preventable hospital re-admissions.    » read more »

November 11, 2009 -- As the nation marks American Diabetes Month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report today, Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America. The report comes one day after Sebelius toured the East Manatee Family Healthcare Center in Bradenton, Fla. At the center, Secretary Sebelius held a roundtable discussion with Floridians with diabetes.

“Americans with diabetes are suffering in our current health care system,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Health insurance reform will help ensure these Americans can get the prescription drugs and supplies they need and bring down premiums so all Americans can have high-quality, affordable health insurance.”    » read more »

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 12, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that 111 projects in 35 states have been selected to receive more than $34.9 million in grants to increase educational opportunities and expand access to health care services in rural areas. The funding will be provided through USDA Rural Development's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of Vilsack while attending the annual meeting of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in Kansas City, Mo.    » read more »

13 November 2009 -- As of 8 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6250 deaths.

As many countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is likely to be significantly lower than the actual number of cases that have occurred. WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of data.

Situation update:    » read more »