10/13/2008 News For: Cardinal Health VirginiaCardinal pays up for drug slip-ups From 24 warehouses scattered across the United States, Cardinal Health shipped more than $79 billion worth of pharmaceuticals last year to people in need. In need of pain relief, lower cholesterol, cancer treatment. And, sometimes, in need of a fix. Hopkins nabs $1.1B health contract Johns Hopkins Medical Services Corp. renewed a decade-old contract with the Department of Defense this month to provide health care services to military families and retirees. The deal is worth $1.1 billion over the next five years. Health Highlights: Oct. 12, 2008 Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay: Candidates' health plans compared DURING A discussion on health care in last week's presidential debate, Sen. Barack Obama described health insurance as a "right" while Sen. John McCain called it a "responsibility." Q.A on health care with U.S. Senate candidates Question: What should Congress do to increase the availability of health insurance coverage to the uninsured? Should government take a larger role in providing health coverage, should it be left to the private sector, or a combination? Sen. Mitch McConnell: "There are a number of common-sense steps Congress should take to lower health care costs and improve access to health insurance for ... Who Will Voters Pick to Tackle Nation's Health Care Problems? The U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health finds the majority of likely voters believe Barack Obama can best handle the country's biggest health care issues, including the high cost of health insurance, and the millions of U.S. adults and children without insurance. Major health care reform likely, says Kaiser's CEO George Halvorson, CEO of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, recently talked with the Portland Business Journal about health reform. The vertically integrated health system operates the second-largest health insurance plan in Oregon, with 468,603 members at the end of the second quarter, in addition to running Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas and myriad outpatient clinics ... New health insurance option offered for small businesses Typically only larger businesses risk paying employee medical bills with their own money rather than buying health insurance. Election '08: McCain, Obama offer contrast on health cost coverage John McCain and Barack Obama would go in opposite directions when it comes to the employer?s role in providing health insurance. New law requires parity for mental health coverage Health insurance plans can no longer treat mental illnesses differently than physical problems when it comes to co-payments and coverage limits. |




