For all of 2008, the economy lost a net total of 2.6 million jobs, and newly unemployed Americans will have to spend about 30% of their jobless benefits on average to pay for health insurance through their former employer, according to a new report. If they want coverage for their families, it will take more than 80% of their unemployment check, according to the report by Families USA.
The board of the Service Employees International Union has decided to merge 240,000 members from three California locals into one mega-local representing nursing home workers and home health aides. Some California healthcare workers have fought the merger. Oakland-based United Healthcare Workers leaders have called the move undemocratic, and had called for a boycott of a December advisory vote by SEIU that asked members whether they wanted to merge all healthcare workers or only long-term care workers into a single California local.
Doctors' moonlighting for drug companies is coming under increased scrutiny, both at University of Wisconsin and across the country. This month, the trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America enacted a voluntary ban on company gifts of branded pens, sticky notes and other items and dinners for doctors. Also of special concern are university physicians who are sought by drug companies because of the influence and respect they wield with colleagues practicing in communities.
The New Orleans region's emergency medical services and other hospital capacity will expand with the opening of new facilities at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. Ochsner Health System executives and some residents around the hospital praised in particular the opening of an emergency department, part of $12 million in improvements to the campus. The department will have two trauma rooms, nine exam rooms and one triage room. The upgrade also includes a wing with 43 private rooms and an expansion of the hospital's intensive care unit from three to 12 beds.
Forums held in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, were among thousands held across the nation in response to Obama's health transition team's request on his Change.gov website. The website outlines healthcare problems and provides discussion questions. Moderators are asked to e-mail feedback and suggestions from the public meetings to the team, led by Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle.
Despite a stiff upfront cost, officials lauding a new health clinic within Dallas City Hall as both an elixir for lost labor hours and a practical method for promoting general employee wellness. Through the clinic, which provides primarily free services to employees, their immediate families and some municipal retirees, Dallas officials aim to reduce the city's overall healthcare costs by 20%. The city is contracting with medical service provider Concentra to operate the clinic.