Month: June 2011

Those who prefer their milk unpasteurized are seeking legislative support for a bill that would allow farmers to sell raw milk directly to consumers. Opponents say the sale of raw milk is a health issue, potentially exposing unsuspecting consumers to disease-causing bacteria. But backers of the bill want the government to refrain from interfering in their private lives. (WISCONSIN CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, 6/28)

One of the most conservative veteran Republicans in the House, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, backed away from the GOP's controversial Medicare plan at a town hall in his Wisconsin district on Sunday, according to a report from the local Brookfield Patch. (HUFFINGTON POST, 6/27)

Froedtert HospitalbizWatch been re-designated as a "magnet" hospital for nursing as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program, which recognizing excellence in nursing. Only about 6 percent of the nation’s roughly 6,000 hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition status. (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/27)

Some people were in line two days ago. Others arrived early this morning. And by 9 a.m., hundreds of people were receiving free dental care at the third annual Wisconsin Dental Association’s Mission of Mercy clinic, held this year at the Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St. Inside the Field House, drills and brushes hummed in what looked like a giant clinic. Rows of patients filled chairs, as dentists and other volunteers treated problems, took X-rays and provided cleanings. (WAUSAU DAILY HERALD, 6/27)

Twelve years after buying land on Janesville’s northeast side, Mercy Health System plans to build and open a $6 million emergency department and clinic in short order. System officials said they hope to open the 20,000-square-foot facility just north of Home Depot and Pine Tree Plaza by year’s end, which—if it happens—would be just days before the new St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital and Dean Clinic Janesville opens just down Interstate 90/39. (JANESVILLE GAZETTE, 6/27)

The FDA - the federal agency tasked with protecting public health - had known about critical issues at the Triad Group for at least a decade but failed to take any enforcement action, an investigation by the Journal Sentinel has found. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/27)

Nurses who work for Milwaukee County won a one-year union contract extension Thursday, a move that forestalls some of the impact of the new state law greatly restricting public employee collective bargaining. The County Board approved the nurses' contract on a 15-4 vote, and County Executive Chris Abele signed it. The state law is slated to take effect Wednesday. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/24)

A community coalition working to improve birth outcomes among the city’s black community unveiled its plan Thursday to cut the infant mortality rate in half in the next five years. Supporting initiatives to improve the living conditions in Racine’s toughest neighborhoods and expanding programs that enhance a father’s involvement in a pregnancy and after birth are among the recommendations outlined in a "Community Action Plan" — a type of roadmap for the coalition to achieve its goal, released by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. (RACINE JOURNAL TIMES, 6/24)

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, Madison, will build an 82,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Beloit. The $194 million project will qualify for up to $14 million in state tax credits under a program that will be handled by the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. NorthStar plans to make molybdenum-99, a radioisotope essential for medical imaging procedures. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 6/23)