Month: March 2011

The federal Food and Drug Administration is asking a Wisconsin firm tied to infections and death blamed on contaminated medical wipes to voluntarily stop making and distributing its drug products, msnbc.com has learned. The move is aimed at halting operations at H&P Industries Inc., which does business as the Triad Group of Hartland, Wis., said Michael C. Rogers, the FDA's acting director of the Office of Regional Operations. It comes at the conclusion of an intense, week-long inspection that concluded Monday, Rogers said. (MSNBC, 3/30)

Wisconsin is at the forefront of an effort to build the information technology system for state health insurance marketplaces, despite Republican Gov. Scott Walker's opposition to the federal health care law. "Wisconsin has a bit of a head start," DHS Secretary Dennis Smith said, noting how the state began developing an automated eligibility system for its state-based health insurance programs. "That's one thing that makes this state a leader." (APPLETON POST CRESCENT, 3/30)

Gov. Scott Walker's administration no longer is collecting dues on behalf of state unions and, as of Sunday, is charging employees more for their pensions and health care, even though nonpartisan legislative attorneys say the changes are not yet law. acking up the administration, the state Department of Justice argued that the new law - which eliminates most collective bargaining for public workers - is in effect and asked a judge to vacate a restraining order against the law. Meanwhile, a Dane County prosecutor asked a judge to declare that the law is not now in place. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/29)

A new study from the University of Wisconsin suggests that the popular social networking website may be one tool to find those who are suffering from depression. However, the study's researchers say Facebook should not be used as a substitute for clinical screening and medical treatment for anyone who is depressed or suicidal. (LA TIMES, 3/29)

Dennis Smith's first task as secretary of the Department of Health Services is to eliminate a roughly $500 million shortfall in the state budget for the BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid programs. But his ultimate goal is to make the programs more efficient. That means lowering costs while improving care, and Smith knows that neither is given to quick solutions. "In health care," he said, "you can't turn a switch." But Smith brings to his new job a solid understanding of Medicaid at both the state and federal level. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/28)