Florida Health News

National Headlines

• Bird flu vaccine moves step closer

• Scientists make breakthrough in reprogramming adult cells

• Counterfeit drugs abound online, brand watchdog says

• Teen drivers buckle, but their passengers don't

• No prescription? Have some of mine

• FDA to question LabCorp on ovarian screening test

• Breast milk: the perfect food for babies, except for one thing

• Soldiers' brain injuries are often overlooked

• Uninsured spend $30 billion out of pocket

• Human dynamos supply power to gym by working out

• Uninsured man stole friend's identity to get $350,000 heart surgery

Upcoming Events

Sixth Annual Caribbean Health Summit

Sept. 6, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Orlando
Central Florida Fairgrounds & Exposition Park
For details,call (407)648-9440, extension 10, 14 or 16, or visit website

Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Advisory Council Meeting

Sept. 8, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tallahassee
Department of Health
For details, visit the Council website

Board of Medicine Probable Cause Panel- South

September 12, 2 p.m.
Conference Call: (888) 808-6959
Code: 2454131
Contact:  Trisha L. Grubbs at (850) 245-4640, ext. 8145 or by e-mail.

100 Ideas Foundation Statewide Policy Discussion on Autism & Developmental Disabilities

September 15-16, Orlando
Portofino Bay Hotel
For details, visit the web site

Division of Medical Quality Assurance Public Meeting

Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m. – 12 Noon, Tallahassee
Betty Easley Conf. Center, Rm. 152
Contact:  Cassandra Pasley, (850) 245-4224

Underwriting Association (FJMMUA) Board meeting

Sept. 16-17, 4 p.m., Tampa
Saddlebrook Resort

America’s Health Care at Risk: Finding a Cure

Sept. 17-18, Orlando
Orlando International Airport Hyatt Regency
For details,  visit the web site

National Psychoneuroimmunology Conference

Sept. 18-21, Tampa
Saddlebrook Resort
Contact Susanna Martinez by email or at (813) 974-2776

Low Income Pool (LIP) Council Meeting

Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tampa
Tampa International Airport
Conference Call: 888-808-6959, Code: 4138067
Contact Edwin Stevens by email or at (850)414-2759 or visit the LIP web site

Dialogue on Health Across Cultures: A Workshop on Cultural Competency in Cancer Care for South Florida

September 20, Ft. Lauderdale
Nova Southeastern University
More info: MGonzalez16@med.miami.edu or 305-243-4821

Board of Medicine Probable Cause Panel- North

September 26, 2 p.m.
Conference Call: (888) 808-6959, Code: 2454131
Contact: Joyce Blackwell at (850) 245-4640, ext. 8142 or e-mail her

National Academy State Health Policy Conference

October 5-7,Tampa
Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina
Viist web site for details

Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Medicaid Reform in Florida: Year 2

October 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,Tampa
Marriott Tampa Airport
Contact Jennifer Thompson by email or at 202-687-2471

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Studies

Free training for journalists on Florida health issues

Duncan

Reporters and editors, you can't beat the price on this one: The Foundation for American Communications will offer a seminar for journalists on Florida health care and health insurance on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Orlando Sentinel. Lead speaker is Paul Duncan, chair of the Department of Health Services Research, Management & Policy at UF. It's free if you register.

 

Harry and Louise redux

 If you’re old enough to remember Harry and Louise, brace yourself: The fictitious couple in political TV ads who torpedoed the nation’s last serious attempt at health-care reform in 1993-94, are back. Last time, they were on the payroll of the health-insurance industry. This time, they’re begging public officials to fix the mess that they defended last time. Do they have no shame? Read "I Still Hate Harry and Louise" in Slate.

 

Brain drain in capital press corps affects entire state

Tim Collie

"Erosion of the capital press corps creates concern," by free-lancer Tim Collie, is worth a look if you missed it last week. So is his first article for Florida Health News:  "Who will cover health issues if reporters are gone?" Collie worked for The South Florida Sun-Sentinel until a few weeks ago. His stories raise the question: What happens when there are no watchdogs left to bark? 

 

Dear editor: Can we help?

Florida Health News, a non-profit, public-interest journalism organization, has agreed to permit bona fide metro and community newspapers to republish our original articles, with proper credit, at no charge (See our previous articles at the tab "Our Stories").  We have taken this action because of the crisis in newsrooms that has forced cutbacks in coverage of important health issues. For permission and details, contact me. -- Carol Gentry, Editor. 

 

How do Obama, McCain health plans stack up?

If you want to bone up on the Presidential candidates' health plans, here's an even-handed, well-informed analysis: the Health Care Policy and Marketplace Blog by insurance analyst Robert Laszewski.  

 

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