SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–December 19, 2011. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) today announced the approval of five Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs) across the state to serve persons aged 22-64 with physical disabilities. These five SLFs will add nearly 450 additional apartments to serve this population. “We are proud to[Read More…]

Loophole for Flavored Cigars is a Threat to Children’s Health WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2011. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in sending a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking it to ban flavored cigars. “Cigars with candy-like[Read More…]

New information informs patients and helps hospitals improve care SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2011. The Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care website now contains information about the number of surgical infections in Illinois hospitals. The new report shows infections following coronary artery bypass graft and total knee replacement[Read More…]

San Diego, CA–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2011. Cannabis inhalation is associated with increased levels of appetite hormones in the blood of subjects with HIV infection, according to clinical trial data published online in the scientific journal Brain Research. Investigators at the University of California, San Diego and the Center for Medicinal Cannabis[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2011. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a medical device that supports the weakened heart of children with heart failure to help keep them alive until a donor for a heart transplant can be found. The mechanical pulsatile cardiac assist device is called the[Read More…]

Cerberus Private Equity’s Steward Health unit called “predatory”; Patient care down; “The cupboards are bare” – Kathy Reardon, RN, Steward Norwood Hospital    New York City–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. Hundreds of nurses and their supporters from across the U.S. will converge outside the offices of Cerberus Capital Management, 299 Park Avenue,[Read More…]

Department Offers Advice on How to Avoid Scam Insurance Plans CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. The Illinois Department of Insurance is alerting consumers that an unauthorized insurer operating under the name ReAssurance Health, Inc., ReAssurance Health Insurance, or ReAssurance Health Insurance Group (“ReAssurance”) has sold numerous fraudulent health insurance policies to consumers[Read More…]

New survey finds these types of violence affect the health of millions of adults Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States, according to findings released today by the Centers for Disease[Read More…]

In response to President Obama’s Executive Order, FDA issues rule requiring manufacturers to report interruptions in production of critical drugs Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. Today, in response to President Obama’s Executive Order of Oct. 31, 2011, the Obama Administration is issuing an interim final rule that will help prevent prescription[Read More…]

 Increase in “Whooping Cough” cases concentrated in Cook, Collar Counties; Health officials urge protection for infants, young children CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 14, 2011. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is alerting the public to a marked increase of pertussis cases (also known as “Whooping Cough”) due to a series of outbreaks[Read More…]