Lauren Ellerman

Today’s Washington Post has a great article from the AP:By ANDREW BRIDGESThe Associated PressMonday, July 30, 2007; 9:51 AMWASHINGTON — The widely used diabetes drug Avandia should be pulled from the market because of heart risks, a federal scientist said Monday.Those risks, combined with no unique short-term benefits in helping…

My daily ritual (no matter where I am) is reading the Roanoke Times, my local paper. This morning I was sort of delighted – a call to action in Roanoke. Healthcare where profit is the goal – is that really the best we can do?Joe Kennedy writes “We’ve read story…

If you can dig through all the Michael Vick articles in the Washington Post, you will run across an article published yesterday by Jenna Johnson, Post staff writer, entitled “Youth Hospital Faulted for Abuse.” Read the full article here.Ms. Johnson cites a report published this week by district mental health…

Last month I was surprised to find a nursing home trade magazine advocating open immigration policies to fulfill staffing needs in nursing homes. Apparently, extensive lobbying efforts have been initiated in Washington to allow these “much needed” workers ways to enter the counrty. Please, do not misunderstand my reaction. I…

Somehow, we came across a publication called BlueHnews – a publication for hospital administration. One of the lead articles cites a published study from the June issue of the Journal of Medical Care, that found a direct corelation between staffing levels (nurses) and infections among elderly. High staffing levels, lower…

KEVIN FREKING, writer for The Associated Press reported on a new Medicaid provision will go into effect Oct. 1 – read complete article here:Tamper-Resistant Pads Could Prove a PainWASHINGTON — Millions of Medicaid patients and their pharmacists could be in for a nasty surprise Oct. 1. A tiny provision tucked…

This week I posted a very simple blog on why the “charitable” status of a health care provider should matter to you. Miss it? Read it here. Today, the Wall Street Journal published an article, Nonprofit Hospitals Scrutinized on Care to Needy, wherein the Journal reports “federal and state officials…

Patient Safety Act? Sound familiar? United States Senate began informal hearings yesterday on elder abuse and how to prevent future abuse. What ideas does the Bill contain? A national registry to prevent criminals from being employed by long-term care facilities.The Bill is based on laws that exist in 7 states,…

I logged on to Washingtonpost.com today – and read the following article by Christopher Lee, Post Staff WriterBush: No Deal On Children’s Health Plan – President Says He Objects On Philosophical Grounds“President Bush yesterday rejected entreaties by his Republican allies that he compromise with Democrats on legislation to renew a…

News in my fair City today, is whether a local retirement home community can claim charity status, in order to be exempt from various taxes. Read about the Glebe in Roanoke here. We hear all the time that some hospitals and nursing homes are “non profit” – but what does…