China News – US

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China News - US Japan Prepares for China Attack on Senkaku Islands - NTD China News, March 21, 2013
In today #39;s NTD China News, the US and Japan are in talks over operational plans in case of a Chinese attack on the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. South Kor...

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China News - US

Export of controlled drugs to the Channel Islands

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The Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) operate their own licensing regime for controlled drugs (CD). For UK exporters, this means that shipments of CDs from the mainland UK to the Channel Islands must be covered by an appropriately issued export licence.

Following a review of existing practices any previously issued open-ended blanket licenses covering exports to the Channel Islands will cease to be valid for export from 1 November 2010.

We have contacted those holding opened blanket licences covering schedule 2, 3 and 4 (part 1 & 2) for exports of CDs to the Channel Islands to ensure that they are issued with the correct replacement licence as appropriate.

From the 1 November 2010 licensing arrangements for export to the Channel Islands of schedule 2, 3 and 4 (part 1 & 2) CDs will be as follows:

Companies making 24 or more shipments in a 12-month period can apply for a time-limited blanket export licence.

You will need to use the frequent exporter licence application.

Exporters who make less than 24 shipments in a 12-month period will need to make an individual application for an export licence.

Occasional exporters will be required to apply for individual export authorisations for each consignment. Applications must be accompanied by a valid import permit from the competent authority as appropriate.

Each shipment of schedule 1 CDs will require an individual export authorisation application, accompanied by a valid import permit from the requisite competent authorities. As with all scheduled 1 shipments, a domestic export licence is required so that a licensee can export to the Channel Islands.

All exporters will be required to hold the relevant domestic controlled drug licenses for the appropriate schedules.

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Export of controlled drugs to the Channel Islands

Plain Talk: Single-payer health care is still right way to go

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For the 11th straight year, Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers has introduced what he calls the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act to establish a universal, single-payer health care system in the United States similar to what exists in most developed countries throughout the world.

Conyers plan is the real health care reform that the United States, if its politicians werent so beholden to special interests, would have adopted decades ago.

Instead, we are struggling with more jury-rigged reform that allows governors like Wisconsins Scott Walker to play cynical political games to make it as complicated as possible.

Obamacare is surely better than anything weve had up until now and once it is fully implemented will remove millions of Americans from the roles of the uninsured.

But a single-payer plan is still the way the nation ought to go. Everyone in the country would have health care from the day theyre born to the day they die. Conyers would essentially expand the single-payer Medicare program for senior citizens to include everyone in the country.

It would cover primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long-term and palliative care, mental health services, dental services, vision and hearing.

Conyers, who was joined by 37 other House members, would provide that private hospitals, physicians and other health providers could continue to operate as private nonprofit entities, but they would no longer be investor-owned. Hospitals, health centers and other health care organizations would be paid a monthly lump sum within a global budget to cover all operating expenses while physicians would be paid fee-for-service payments or offered regular salaries.

Under the Michigan congressmans plan, a trust fund would be established to fund the Medicare for All program. The fund would include existing sources of federal government spending for health care, increase personal income taxes on the top 5 percent of income earners and institute modest payroll tax increases. That total is expected to be less than the premiums and health care expenses currently borne by companies and individuals.

Conyers plan has little chance of going anywhere, but one of these days perhaps the country will wake up to finally making health care a right of U.S. citizenship.

Dave Zweifel is editor emeritus of The Capital Times. dzweifel@madison.com

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Plain Talk: Single-payer health care is still right way to go

Health care as easy as ordering off a menu?

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Menomonie (WQOW) - Imagine a place where knowing the cost of your health care is as easy as ordering off a menu.

ReforMedicine, in Menomonie, is a family practice that operates on a direct pay basis. The clinic has been open for 18 months and because of a demand for care, it's adding a second doctor and expanding hours. Dr. David usher used to work at a large clinic in Eau Claire, but decided to start his own practice because of changes surrounding the Affordable Care Act, and concerns he's heard from patients about the cost of health care.

"This is a better way to go because people are actually in control of the care that they receive. They have the power of the purse and we as doctors have to be, in this system better at explaining the value of the thing we're recommending. If we want somebody to have a test and to pay for it, we have to be really good at explaining why it is that this is going to help them, " says Dr. Usher.

Here's one example of how the clinic's direct pay system works: for an office visit you'd pay a flat fee of $55. Dr. Usher says it provides an affordable option for people with health savings accounts, high deductible health insurance, or no insurance.

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Health care as easy as ordering off a menu?

White Paper by Leading Health Care Organizations Cites Opportunity for Cancer Care in Austin

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AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2013) - Today, the LIVESTRONG Foundation, Central Health, the Shivers Cancer Foundation and Senator Kirk Watson announced the results of a white paper on the availability of quality clinical adult cancer care and support services in the greater Austin region, which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the region and residents cite it as a top health concern.

"Central Texans share a fierce community pride," said Sen. Watson. "Quality of life is a point of pride and an article of faith in our community, so our friends, neighbors and family members rightly expect high-quality health care. Cancer has become the No. 1 cause of death in our region, so it's important -- especially in this community -- that we work to reduce this trend. This paper illustrates the many assets we have and challenges we face to provide more comprehensive cancer care. Now we can start defining a path forward."

Central Health, the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the Shivers Cancer Foundation collaboratively commissioned public health consulting firm Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to develop the Greater Austin Region Cancer Care White Paper: Cancer Care in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties. An advisory group of Austin-area cancer-care experts consulted on the project, which resulted in 14 consensus statements (see page 4) representing the class and accessibility of clinical care and support services. From those statements, the advisory group agreed that Central Texas has good quality cancer care and immense opportunity to innovate its cancer care services, as well as access.

The project set forth to describe the prevailing perceptions of cancer care and understand patients' perspectives, while identifying goals for the future to cover gaps in coverage that were identified in the research.

In the Austin area, cancer incidence and mortality rates were found to be lower than the average both in Texas and nationally, but the city has the highest rate of uninsured adults under 65 in the state. However, of those uninsured, a relatively low number (5-15 percent) are seeking cancer care.

Although Travis and Williamson County retain the most primary care providers in the area, there are not enough to meet the growing need, especially in Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell Counties -- the three fastest growing counties in the region. In the future, lack of supply may lead to more people in need of care leaving their home city to receive treatments in other cities. To address this concern, the advisory group believes the incoming medical school needs to attract, train and retain its physicians, while ensuring collaboration among all aspects of cancer care.

"We believe commitment to ongoing collaboration among cancer care leaders in our community is a vital first step toward expanding and further elevating the quality cancer care that the flourishing Austin region deserves," said Clarke Heidrick, Shivers Cancer Foundation Chairman.

An opportunity for growth resides in prevention and screening in the area, especially among minority populations. Austin is shown to have a good screening and prevention rate, but identifying outreach to sub-populations can, and should, be pursued, according to the project.

"One of the greatest challenges is providing a seamless continuity of care, especially for the traditionally underserved minority population," said Trish Young, Central Health President and CEO. "We have to work harder to ensure people don't fall through the cracks between screening and detection, treatment and ongoing care, and that they are always able to access all of these essential, lifesaving services to ensure their cancer incidence rates remain in line with the rest of the country."

Another facet of cancer care that needs to be addressed is post-treatment options for cancer survivors. Results indicate that cancer survivors in the area generally have less access to services that meet their needs after completing their treatment. There is also a general lack of awareness of services available and where to access them. The need for medical and social service cancer navigation is currently far outweighing the demand.

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White Paper by Leading Health Care Organizations Cites Opportunity for Cancer Care in Austin

Why the Health Care Arms Race Hurts This Stock

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By Brenton Flynn | More Articles March 23, 2013 |

From revolutionary science to the impact of Obamacare, every week The Motley Fool's health care team sits down to discuss the most fascinating developments across the health care industry and their implications for long-term investors. In this week's edition, the team talks about the disruptive potential of a new iPhone app, as well as an FDA inquiry that could have negative implications for some of the pharmaceutical industry's biggest players. In addition, our analysts dive into some of the stocks making big moves over the past week and discuss companies on their radar for the near future.

In the following segment, health care bureau chief Brenton Flynn discusses a big customer loss for medical distributor Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) and why it doesn't worry him as much as another ongoing development -- industry consolidation.

We know what's eating at companies like Cardinal Health, but what macro trend was Warren Buffett referring to when he said "this is the tapeworm that's eating at American competitiveness"? Find out in our free report: "What's Really Eating At America's Competitiveness." You'll also discover an idea to profit as companies work to eradicate this efficiency-sucking tapeworm. Just click here for free, immediate access.

The relevant video segment can be found between 10:55 and 12:42.

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Why the Health Care Arms Race Hurts This Stock

Health Care Advocates Our SALUD Request Attorney General to Take Action in Alleged Unlawful Operation

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SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

STATEMENT FROM OUR SALUD COMMUNITY ADVOCATES NESTOR VALENCIA AND ELBA ROMO:

Advocates for the Latino community of East Los Angeles have sent the following letter to Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, requesting a full investigation into HealthCare Partners (HCP) alleged illegal operation.

HealthCare Partners is a Torrance-based medical group who currently manages care for more than half a million Los Angeles area residents. In October 2012, HealthCare Partners merged with DaVita, Inc., a Denver-based, publicly-traded dialysis company with no previous ties to California. The $4.4 billion merger was the largest consolidation in healthcare history. This merger was completed with no requirements pursued by the Department of Managed Health Care to force licensure by HCP.

Normal protocol requires consumers to take up issues of health care delivery with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). Our SALUD sent their request for investigation directly to the Attorney Generals office.

The DMHCs abandonment of oversight responsibility of this medical group has forced Our SALUD to take this issue to the states top counsel, said advocate Elba Romo, Our SALUD community. We hope that AG Harris considers the gravity of this issue and conducts a full investigation of this renegade medical group.

It is a time of change in California and all over the nation as states begin to prepare for the implementation of provisions under the Affordable Care Act. HCP has been deemed a pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) under this new health care reform, allowing them to lead the way in this new venture.

This is a business model that clearly puts profits before patients and certainly should not be the benchmark for such significant reform, said Nestor Valencia, Our SALUD community advocate. Patient lives have already been affected by HCPs unlawful operation. California state officials have the duty to ensure more patients arent impacted and that HCP is held accountable for its actions. Standing idle will only propel HCP as a health care leader and set a dangerous precedent among all medical groups that wrongful actions will not be penalized but actually prove profitable.

Nestor Valencia and Elba Romo, Our SALUD community advocates, are available for interviews and further comment.

Our SALUD letter to the Attorney General:

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Health Care Advocates Our SALUD Request Attorney General to Take Action in Alleged Unlawful Operation