Public health

Health insurance co-op awarded loan in Iowa; Midwest Members Health will start new health insurance company

February 21, 2012, 12:29 pm
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  just announced that a nonprofit entity in Iowa and Nebraska, Midwest Members Health, known under the Affordable Care Act as a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (or CO-OP), has received a loan award from the Department of Health and Human Services. More information can be found here:...
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Report notes more doctors and hospitals using health information technology

February 17, 2012, 3:33 pm
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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the number of hospitals using health information technology (IT) has more than doubled in the last two years.  She also announced new data showing nearly 2,000 hospitals and more than 41,000 doctors have...
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Five Iowans among patients in E.coli outbreak linked to Jimmy John’s sprouts

February 16, 2012, 5:05 pm
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Five Iowans among patients in E.coli outbreak linked to Jimmy John’s sprouts

Five Iowans are among the victims of a multi-state E.coli outbreak that health officials believe to be linked to eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants. Polly Carver-Kimm, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Public Health, said all of the Iowa patients have recovered. One of the cases was in Linn County; one...
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More than 600,000 Iowans receive free preventive services under Affordable Care Act

February 15, 2012, 11:42 am
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The following is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Free preventive care also provided to 388,735 Iowa residents in Medicare Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the Affordable Care Act provided approximately 611,000 Iowa residents with at least one new free preventive service in 2011 through their...
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Advocates say insurance agents should not control Iowa’s new health insurance exchange

February 9, 2012, 4:13 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS – With millions of dollars on the table, Iowa needs transparency and fairness in its new health insurance exchange to protect consumers, according to an advocacy group of patient organizations. Representatives of Iowa Health Advocates say those consumers need to be central to the governing body of the new exchange, rather than...
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Grassley objects to contraceptive coverage provision for religious groups

February 8, 2012, 10:01 am
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From the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley: Senator Chuck Grassley has called on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to rescind the Obama Administration’s health care rule that will force religious affiliated organizations to either abandon their freedom of conscience or pay a fine of up to $2,000 per employee. The rule issued...
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African-American Health Night

February 7, 2012, 11:27 am
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African-American Health Night

The Emma Goldman Clinic is hosting its Annual African American Health Care Event on February 16, 2012 from 3pm-7pm. We are committed to providing accessible health care to populations that are historically and traditionally underserved. In honor of Black History Month, we will be offering free health care exams and screenings for African American...
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Alzheimer’s Association advocates urge leaders to address the 5th leading cause of death in the state

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain and the 5th leading cause of death in Iowa. Despite promising scientific advances, there is still no way to prevent, treat or cure this disease. Local Alzheimer’s advocates who are interested in educating elected leaders to make Alzheimer’s disease a public policy priority and...
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State health official predicts more to come for Iowa’s flu season

February 1, 2012, 3:49 pm
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Iowa’s flu season has been slow so far, but the state isn’t out of the woods yet. “It’s unpredictable from year-to-year,” said Dr. Ann Garvey, deputy state epidemiologist, “but I think we’ll see cases increase as we move through this month.” Mild temperatures can play a role in the number of cases, Garvey said,...
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McKinley students team up with Mercy to design heart health brochure

February 1, 2012, 9:44 am
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McKinley students team up with Mercy to design heart health brochure

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Mercy Medical Center is partnering with neighboring McKinley Middle School on a science project involving the school’s sixth grade students.  As part of a science unit on the vascular system, McKinley science teacher Michele Wilson asked Mercy nurses to present information on heart disease, risk factors, diet and exercise.  The...
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