Shaken by a series of alarming failures, the FDA desperately needs an infusion of strong leadership, money, technology and personnel — and perhaps a major restructuring, say former officials, members of Congress, watchdog groups and various government reports.
“Everywhere you go, you hear the same chorus: The agency’s in trouble,” said David A. Kessler, who served as FDA commissioner under Presidents
. “There’s a general perception the agency Read the rest of this entry »
A state legislator plans to introduce a bill that would create a new procedure for appointing members who determine the fate of proposed health care projects.
Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said legislation is being crafted that, if passed, would give lawmakers appointment power to the state’s nine-member Certificate of Need Review Board. Currently, the governor makes all appointments to the board that hears and rules on health care proposals Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON, Nov 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
The US Family Health Plan, a Department of Defense-sponsored healthcare
plan serving military family members in six areas across America, has
achieved 2008 national member satisfaction ratings 42 percent higher
than the national average for member satisfaction with health plans, as
documented by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in its
Quality Compass Read the rest of this entry »
(NaturalNews) A team of researchers who looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2004 has found that eating apples can offer protective effects against metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of symptoms related to increased heart disease risk.
People who had reported eating any form of apples within the past 24 hours had 27% lower chance of having the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. These include high Read the rest of this entry »
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governing commentaries Read the rest of this entry »
Freddie Roach has no doubt Oscar De La Hoya will make the 147-lb limit on the eve of his crossroads Dec. 6 clash with Manny Pacquiao without much difficulty.
“He can make 147 lbs,” Roach said yesterday after going 10 hard rounds on the mitts with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Boxing Club.
When Roach spent eight weeks training De La Hoya last year in Puerto Rico for the Floyd Mayweather bout, he recalled: “There was a time when he hit 147 lbs. So I Read the rest of this entry »
A.M. Best Co. changed its outlook on
ratings to negative from stable Friday, and downgraded some
companies while affirming a B+ (good) financial strength rating on Health Net of Connecticut, but with a negative outlook.
Best affirmed CIGNA’s ratings but cited its lower net income, likely need to add funding to its pension plan, and the negative impact of declining equity markets on an inactive reinsurance business.
, Arizona and
. The agency Read the rest of this entry »
During the past several years, the Food and Drug Adminstration has come under a steady drumbeat of criticism for failing to adequately monitor the safety of drugs sold in the U.S.
The federal agency has taken several steps to address concerns, including issuing alerts about potential problems with drug safety earlier than in the past. But critics complain it still isn’t doing enough.
Now comes a new effort to make it easier for consumers and health Read the rest of this entry »
FRIDAY, Jan. 16 (HealthDay News) — The 2.3 million Americans currently being held in correctional facilities across the country suffer a much higher rate of serious and chronic illness than the general population does, a new report finds.
These individuals — representing about 1 percent of the total U.S. population — also have difficulty accessing care both inside and outside the correctional system, according to research published online Jan. Read the rest of this entry »
The circus has come to town and brought with it some fitness experts who love clowning on the job.
The Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns gave seniors in the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program some fitness tips Wednesday.
Among them, how to use circus tricks to stay fit.
Gyrating 74-year-old, Joe Stockwell exclaimed, “We’re doing the hulla hoop and balancing.”
The balancing act was performed by holding a peacock feather Read the rest of this entry »