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FDA Approves Reclast(R) To Prevent Osteoporosis In Postmenopausal Women With Convenient Less Frequent Dosing
Reclast® (zoledronic acid 5 mg) Injection* has been approved by
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Democrats Hone August Health Care Message, Republicans Plan Counter-Offensive
Democrats are finding points they agree on in a tenuous accord for the message they want to relay to constituents during the August recess: The health insurance industry is the bad guy, The Washington Post reports.
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HELP Committee Dems Block Antiabortion Provisions In Health Reform Markup
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Monday rejected several Republican abortion-related amendments to the committee" health overhaul bill but adopted a Democratic amendment allowing health care providers who oppose abortion to contract with health plans, CQ HealthBeat reports. The committee voted mostly along party lines to reject an amendment by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that would have prohibited abortion coverage in a health care exchange for participants who receive government-subsidized coverage. Democrats said that the language could have been used to restrict abortion coverage in private insurance plans. The amendment failed in an 11-12 vote, with Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) crossing party lines to support it. The committee also voted 11-12 to reject an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) that would have specified that federal health reform legislation could not override state laws on parental notification when minors seek abortion services. The committee adopted by voice vote an amendment submitted by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) on behalf of committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is battling brain cancer. The amendment states that health care providers could not be excluded from contracting with health plans taking part in a health insurance exchange on the basis that the provider performs abortions or refuses to perform abortions except in an emergency if "performing abortions is contrary to the religious or moral beliefs of the provider or entity." Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) said that he is concerned the amendment might be unconstitutional because Congress cannot legislate on religious issues. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) expressed concern that the phrase "except in emergency" was not more clearly defined. Dodd declined Enzi"s request to withdraw the amendment until it could be clarified. The committee rejected Coburn"s amendment that was a more sweeping version of "conscience" protections for health care providers with religious or moral objections (Norman [1], CQ HealthBeat, 7/13). Dodd said he expects the committee to complete its work on the bill Tuesday night (Norman [2], CQ HealthBeat, 7/13).According to NPR"s "Morning Edition," abortion is one of the most likely issues to "throw a wrench into the already fragile gears" of health reform legislation. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said, "I take a view that there"s almost anything (that can be compromised) in public affairs except probably the issue of abortion." Nineteen House Democrats recently sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), saying, "We cannot support any health care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health insurance plan." Democratic pollster Mark Mellman said any new restrictions on abortion coverage in government-subsidized health plans might be unpopular with the public. "Right now most health care plans cover abortion, cover contraception, cover women"s reproductive health," Mellman said. He added, "To some extent what they"re talking about on Capitol Hill is taking away coverage that people already have. Americans want health care reform. But they will oppose health care reform if it takes away the coverage they now have for things like abortion and contraception." Mellman recently conducted a poll for the National Women"s Law Center that found that 75% of respondents would prefer to have an independent commission of medical experts and citizens, rather than lawmakers, decide what should be covered (Rovner, "Morning Edition," NPR, 7/14).
Medical Devices

Health Unit Reports Three Cases Of E. Coli O157:H7 In London

Over the last five days, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has received reports of three children with E. coli O157:H7. To receive three laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 in such a short timeframe is unusual. In two of these cases, the common food consumed was kofta (spiced ground beef) purchased on June 14 and 15 from the Westmount Halal Food Store located at 490 Wonderland Road South. The of the third child"s infection is currently unknown. This child"s family also eats halal food but did not purchase any food from the Westmount Halal Food Store. The public is being advised to: - Not eat any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today. The store is prepared to refund any customer who purchased these products. - Contact the Health Unit (519-663-5317 ext. 2330, after hours 519-675-7523) and their healthcare provider if they have developed symptoms of severe or bloody diarrhea since June 2. - Contact the Health Unit if they have any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today in their home. - Ensure that all meat is cooked to the appropriate temperature. Ground beef is a particular risk for E. coli O157:H7 infection because the grinding process can spread the bacteria all through the meat. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F) - determined using a digital thermometer. People with diarrhea caused by E. coli O157:H7 should: - Not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for at least one week afterwards; - Not work as food handlers, childcare workers or healthcare providers or attend a childcare centre until they have provided two stool samples that indicate the bacteria is gone; - Wash their hands thoroughly using pump soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after using the bathroom or after changing the diaper of a baby with symptoms of the infection. E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterial infection that causes symptoms which include abdominal pain and mild to severe diarrhea that can also be bloody. Occasionally, infected people can have no symptoms at all. The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms (incubation period) ranges from 2 to 10 days, most commonly between 3 and 4 days. In a small percentage of individuals, a complication of E. coli O157:H7, called hemolytic uremic syndrome, can develop. This syndrome can cause kidney, blood and neurological problems. Antibiotics should NOT be used for the treatment of E. coli O157:H7 as this can increase the chances of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome. Infection with E. coli O157:H7 can be acquired by eating ground beef that has not been properly cooked, or from consuming contaminated produce, drinking water or unpasteurized milk. E. coli O157:H7 can also spread from person to person when fecal matter gets on the hands after using the washroom or changing diapers. Hand washing with pump soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after these activities is essential. General food handling precautions to prevent the spread of E. coli O157:H7 and other infections include: - Careful hand washing after touching raw meats and after using the washroom or changing diapers; - Ensuring juices from raw meats do not contaminate work surfaces; - Cleaning surfaces that come into contact with raw meat using soap and water and then disinfecting with bleach; - Keeping foods out the danger temperatures where bacteria grow. Hot foods should be held at temperatures above 60°C (140°F) and cold foods should be held a temperatures below 4°C(40°F); - Ensuring that meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature - determined by using a digital thermometer. For ground beef, this temperature is 71°C (160°F). - For more information on food safety at home, visit here. Canadian Food Inspection Agency


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