Month: October 2011

More than eight months have passed since Rep. Sean Duffy voted to repeal the health care law, and Republicans have yet to produce a comprehensive package to replace it. So Duffy, a freshman Republican from Ashland, said he will propose his own legislation as an alternative to the Affordable Care Act that President Barack Obama signed into law in March 2010. (GANNETT, 10/6)

HospiceCare is quietly raising money to build a new $5.5 million facility on the city's northeast side. "We need 50 percent of the capital campaign pledged before we can break ground. It's HospiceCare policy," said Jayme Roth, development manager/general manager of HospiceCare-Rock County. HospiceCare's foundation and holdings boards on July 21 approved the building project and supporting capital campaign. The purchase of five acres at Sandhill Drive and Wright Road was finalized July 29. (JANESVILLE GAZETTE, 10/6)

New report shows Medicaid cuts could leave scores of Wisconsinites facing life-threatening health challenges. Washington wants to reform Medicaid, but Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA, says a federal cutback to the states is difficult to absorb because states nationwide are experiencing their own fiscal crises. (WISCONSIN RADIO NETWORK, 10/6)

Under a new 5-year, $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, a Medical College of Wisconsin researcher will use stem cells and genetics to study cardiovascular disease. Stephen A. Duncan, director of the Medical College's program in regenerative medicine, will collaborate on the research with two University of Pennsylvania researchers: Daniel J. Rader, who heads the Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics; and Edward Morrisey, a professor of medicine and cell and developmental biology. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/6)

Concussion survivors, medical professionals and the head of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association on Tuesday strongly urged passage of a bill that would develop guidelines on head injuries and set rules for handling young athletes hurt on the field. The bill, which has bipartisan support, would require new guidelines to educate coaches, athletes and their parents about the risk of concussion and head injury in youth athletics. Experts say the number of traumatic brain injuries among young people is on the rise. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/5)

Physician assistants are one step closer to increasing how many can be supervised by a doctor. (WHN, 10/4)

Under Dr. John Raymond's leadership, the Medical College of Wisconsin is taking an active role in addressing health care's pressing issues. Last week it announced it's forming a consortium with two area universities aimed at controlling costs and improving value. Representatives have also been meeting with rural health systems across the state about a partnership that could help stem the impending physician shortage in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Health News recently caught up with the medical college's president and CEO to learn more about the initiatives. (WHN, 10/4)