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Pneumonia Caused By Community-Acquired MRSA: An Emerging And Deadly Threat, Usually Preceded By Flu
As community-acquired infections due to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) increase, so lethal cases of CA-MRSA pneumonia are also on the rise. A paper in the June edition of looks at the emerging and deadly threat of community-acquired necrotising pneumonia due to CA-MRSA. CA-MRSA pneumonia appears to occur most commonly following an influenza-like illness and may have special relevance given the emergence of H1N1 influenza.
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Smoking In Military Populations, VA Medical Centers: DOD, VA, Congress Should Take Stronger Steps Toward Eliminating Tobacco Use
Because tobacco use impairs military readiness, harms the health of soldiers and veterans, and imposes a substantial financial burden on the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, these agencies should implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve the Defense Department"s stated goal of a tobacco-free military, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. DOD should gradually phase in a ban on tobacco use in the military, starting at military academies and officer training programs and among new recruits, the report says. DOD should also stop selling tobacco products in Army and Air Force commissaries -- Navy and Marine Corps commissaries already do not sell them -- and should stop selling them at a discount in military exchanges and other stores. In addition, Congress should allow VA to establish tobacco-free medical centers.
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Heart Failure Patients With Cognitive Impairment Have Higher Mortality Risk
"There are data in the literature suggesting an increased mortality in patients with chronic heart failure who are additionally suffering from cognitive decline", said Dr. Clotilde Balucani (Perugia, Italy) at the current meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS). This major meeting in European neurology is gathering more than 2,900 experts from all over the world in Milan. Dr. Balucani and her colleagues are presenting a study funded by a research grant of the ENS.
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Health Plans Support Consumer Protections

Health plans reiterated their strong support for new market rules and consumer protections to cover all Americans and guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions. "Health insurance reform is an essential part of health care reform," said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni. "Health plans have listened to concerns of the American people and proposed reforms to cover everyone and make sure no one is locked out of the system because of a pre-existing condition." Last year, health plans offered a proposal that includes far-reaching market reforms and new consumer protections. Health plans proposed guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinuing rating based on a person"s health status or gender and a personal coverage requirement to achieve universal coverage. To learn more about AHIP"s reform proposal, please visit . These proposals are highlighted in a new national television ad campaign AHIP launched last week in support of bipartisan health care reform. To view the ad, please visit here. In a national survey, more than 70% of Americans signaled their support for a personal coverage requirement as part of a reform plan that includes market reforms, new consumer protections and tax credits. To read more on this poll, click here. Background on Individual Market Reform AHIP"s survey of the individual market shows that individually purchased health insurance is far more affordable and accessible than is widely known. The survey found that 9 out of 10 applicants undergoing medical underwriting were offered coverage. The plans commonly purchased by consumers provided financial protection and a wide range of benefits, including coverage for behavioral health, prescription drugs and preventive services. Some individuals are unable to purchase individual health insurance coverage in the private market because of their health status. One approach taken by states to address this issue has been the enactment of guarantee issue legislation without a coverage requirement. These well-intentioned reforms have often resulted in severe unintended consequences, including significantly higher costs for all policyholders. A report by Milliman, Inc. found that enactment of guarantee issue laws in the absence of a coverage requirement may incentivize people to defer seeking coverage until they have health problems - a situation which unfairly penalizes those who are currently insured. According to the report, states that implemented these laws saw a rise in insurance premiums, a reduction of individual insurance enrollment and no significant decrease in the number of uninsured. To learn more about the individual market survey and the Milliman report, please visit here. Providing Health Benefits


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