Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: Tenn. Health Care Task Force Faces Challenge; Orlando Is Home To Health Care Startups
The Tennessean: Group Raises Issues With Health Care Task Force
A health care organization is taking issue with the work of a legislative task force, arguing there has been little indication lawmakers are working to address the state's "health coverage crisis" and that the group has failed to fulfill their directive. The comments were part of a letter written by Walter Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, which was similarly endorsed by a host of organizations and individuals. (Ebert, 6/1)
Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Ranks High For Health Startup Growth
Orlando is getting national recognition as a good place for fast-growing health-care startup companies. The metro area ranked No. 4 in the nation among the 40 largest metros for its density of high-growth companies in the health industry, according to a new survey by the Kauffman Foundation, a leading nonprofit foundation that ranks startup activity. The region came in just behind Nashville, Tenn.; Austin, Texas; and Atlanta. (Brinkmann, 6/1)
The Tennessean: Tennessee Lags In Addressing Public Health Concerns
At the end of February the CDC updated its Prevention Status Reports, which highlight the 10 most important public health concerns in the nation. The Prevention Status Reports website also allows you to view state-specific status reports and the state of current state public health policies on those issues. (Javier, 6/2)
Kansas City Star: Shut-Down KC Mental Illness Alliance Remembered As Fighter For Families
They’re going to tell their stories of mental illness, the old fear and pain and unfair feelings of shame be damned. One reason is that they can’t offer a proper requiem for NAMI-KC — the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Kansas City — without telling. Funding problems and staff health issues have compelled NAMI-KC’s small staff and board to shut down the 36-year-old chapter that launched a nationwide service for families. (Robertson, 5/30)
Minnesota Public Radio: Minnesota Heart Researchers Urge Patients To 'Ask About Aspirin'
Heart attack and stroke prevention have long focused on avoiding smoking, fatty foods and inactivity. But a new public health campaign launching today in Minnesota showcases a strategy many should embrace: taking a daily dose of aspirin. (Benson, 6/1)
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Froedtert, Medical College To Launch High-Speed Cancer Trial Matches
Froedtert Hospital & the Medical College of Wisconsin will announce an agreement with IBM Thursday that will make the medical center only the second in the country to use a new high-speed computer program called Watson that matches cancer patients with the most appropriate clinical trials in a matter of minutes. (Johnson, 6/1)
The Oregonian: Lead In Drinking Water: Portland Chief Says No Record Of Fixes At Five Schools
Portland Superintendent Carole Smith disclosed Wednesday that as many as five additional Portland schools that showed elevated levels of lead in drinking water may also have drinking fountains or food preparation sinks that were not fixed. A single drinking fountain or sink in each of the schools — Jackson Middle School, Applegate Head Start, Vernon School, Peninsula Elementary and Whitman Elementary — was found to be giving off tainted water, Smith said. (Hammond, 6/1)
Bloomberg: CDC Links General Mills Flour Plant In Kansas City To E. Coli
An E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 38 people in 20 states was probably caused by flour produced at a General Mills Inc. plant in Kansas City, Missouri, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ten of the people who fell ill were hospitalized in the outbreak, which began in December, the CDC said on Wednesday. (Giammona, 6/1)
Tampa Bay Times: DCF To Hire New Executive To Oversee Mental Hospitals
Florida will hire a top-level administrator to find ways to curb violence and improve medical care at state mental hospitals. The new position will oversee Florida's three remaining state-run mental facilities, including the flagship Florida State Hospital with nearly 1,000 patients. Department of Children and Families officials on Tuesday said the change will put one person in charge of monitoring and improving patient care, and will allow DCF to standardize policies at the hospitals it oversees. (Cormier and Anton, 6/1)
