Mandatory Health Insurance in Massachusetts, Buy It or Pay a Fine

In 2006, the state of Massachusetts mandated health insurance coverage for all adults. Individual uninsured taxpayers would be fined for failure to comply. After one year of implementation, the law is considered a success by some although 5% of all the state’s taxpayers did not purchase health coverage during the year. Read more

90,000 Babies In US Mistreated During First Year of Life

Researchers for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported the findings of a study that identifies more than 90,000 infants who were neglected or received poor parental care during their first year of life. In about a third of the cases, the poor treatment came during the first week of life.

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Aetna Announces New Online Tool for Customers

The health insurance company Aetna has paired up with Healthline Networks to bring its customers Aetna SmartSource, an online search tool that connects members to health information and Aetna programs and resources specific to their needs. Read more

Many Unhappy With Healthcare Cuts in San Francisco

The city of San Francisco’s Health Commission will cut $28.1 million in health care costs to help the city bridge a $251 million budget gap for the 2008-09 fiscal year. About half of those cuts that will take place April 15 include eliminating Health at Home, a program in which public health nurses visit chronically ill, homebound people; closing Buster’s Place, a 24-hour drop-in center for homeless people who are looking for shelter or a hot shower; closing a workers’ compensation clinic at San Francisco General Hospital; reducing mental health services; and reducing hours for the hospital’s oral surgery clinic and operating rooms.

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Ouch! UK Debates Medical Care for Elderly, Unhealthy

A recent survey of 870 hospital and family doctors conducted by Doctor magazine indicates a staggering 60% of them would like to see free healthcare coverage limited or denied when the patient is elderly or leads a risky lifestyle. As can be expected, the controversy surrounding this survey is fierce. Read more

Health Care 16.3% of GDP and Climbing

The amount of money Americans spent on health care in 2007 is somewhat staggering - a whopping 16.3% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is the sum total of the value of all goods and services from all industries within the United States. Read more

Cost shown to be a Significant Reason why Heart Patients are not Taking Enough Medicine

The Journal of the American Heart Association just published findings about the prevalent use of important heart medications being used by patients who have experienced a recent heart attack. Read more

Court Awards $9M to Cancer Patient Over Cancelled Coverage

Patsy Bates, a 52-year-old breast cancer patient, just learned of a court order that awards her $9 million dollars in damages after her healthcare provider, Health Net Inc., one of California’s largest private medical insurance providers, cancelled her coverage just when she needed it the most. Read more

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