Month: October 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that emergency room visits for sports and recreation-related brain injuries, including concussions, among young people have jumped 60% during the last decade. […]

Wisconsin has the most competitive market in the country for health insurance sold to individuals and families, and one of the most competitive markets for insurance sold to small employers, according to a recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation…Health insurers and state regulators have long noted that Wisconsin has a competitive market for health insurance. But the new analysis makes clear how much Wisconsin's market differs from many states. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/17)

HospiceCare Inc., the main provider of end-of-life comfort care in Dane County since 1978, is changing its name to Agrace HospiceCare. Confusion and competition spurred the change, spokesman Dan Chin said. The new name will create a clearer identity for the nonprofit hospice and distinguish it from three new for-profit hospices in the area, he said. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 10/17)

Milwaukee County Supervisor Mark Borkowski Thursday uttered what, for him, amounts to blasphemy. If the County Board's finance committee restores all $3 million for emergency medical services that County Executive Chris Abele cut from his 2012 budget proposal, "Supervisor Mark Borkowski will vote for a tax increase," declared Borkowski, who has a lengthy record of opposing budgets that raise property taxes. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/14)

In 2012, about $10.4 million of Wood County’s proposed $91.3 million budget is planned to pay employee health expenses for the county’s self-funded insurance program. Health insurance is about 11 percent of the county’s budget — one of the reasons officials encourage employees to participate in a prevention program, said Mike Martin, Wood County finance director, who also is chairman of the county Wellness Board. (WISCONSIN RAPIDS TRIBUNE, 10/14)

A Beaver Dam Unified School District health services supervisor has concerns about state legislation that would affect who is allowed to administer medication to students in area schools. Louise Wilson is also the president-elect for the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses, a group that worked hard to put in place laws requiring a bachelor's degree for school nurses and requiring training for those administering medication for students. (BEAVER DAM DAILY CITIZEN, 10/14)

Lucigen Corp., a Middleton biotech firm, said Monday it has been awarded $350,000 in grants from the National Institutes of Health to fund additional research and development. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/13)

Walgreens Home Care Inc. plans to cease its respiratory and durable medical equipment operations in Wauwatosa, but another unit at the facility will remain open, the company stated in a revised layoff notice filed Tuesday with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/12)