UA medical school in Phoenix a hub of growth

Posted on by

by Ken Alltucker - Jul. 21, 2012 03:37 PM The Republic | azcentral.com

With the arrival of 80 fresh-faced medical students for classes this week at University of Arizona's medical school in Phoenix, Arizona's grand experiment to create a medical and research hub in downtown Phoenix takes another step forward.

The 80 students represent the largest class since the UA College of Medicine established a downtown Phoenix campus five years ago. Those future doctors soon will share the newly opened health sciences education building with Northern Arizona University students who are studying to become physical therapists and physician assistants.

Beyond the new building, new programs and new students, the campus is scheduled to expand later this year with the groundbreakings of a 250,000-square-foot University of Arizona Cancer Center and a privately funded biotech lab next to the building anchored by the Translational Genomics Research Institute and International Genomics Consortium.

The downtown Phoenix campus also could receive renewed focus from the University of Arizona's new president, Ann Weaver Hart, and the Arizona Board of Regents' newly formed health committee.

Arizona leaders have high expectations that the Phoenix Biomedical Campus will sprout jobs, health-care professionals and medical discoveries that bolster Arizona's effort to grow its health-care and biotechnology sectors. And even though the biomedical campus has had challenges -- such as Arizona State University ending its partnership with UA's medical school and leadership changes -- university officials are optimistic about the biomedical campus' potential.

"It's important to show it is continuing forward progress," said Jay Heiler, who chairs the Arizona Board of Regents health committee. "It is critical not only for the universities. It is going to end up emerging as a very important piece of Arizona's economy."

Although the medical-school campus has classroom and lab space, it does not have clinical space where practitioners and health-care students can hone their craft and treat patients. The Arizona Cancer Center is slated to become the campus' first clinical presence with a scheduled groundbreaking later this year.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and the University of Arizona are still negotiating lease terms for the $135 million cancer center even though the Phoenix wanted such details to be completed by the end of June. Both parties insist that they are on track to meet the most important goal established by Phoenix: starting construction by Dec. 22.

Plans call for St. Joseph's Hospital to operate the cancer center's clinic, and 70 percent of the building's area will be devoted to clinical space. But the exact amount of space that St. Joseph's will require is subject to ongoing talks between the two groups, said Dr. David Alberts, director of the Arizona Cancer Center.

Visit link:

UA medical school in Phoenix a hub of growth

Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson visits Charlotte

Posted on by

Former New Mexico Gov. and Libertarian Gary Johnson visited Charlotte this weekend to discuss his bid for president.

Johnson participated in a 5K race in Huntersville, spoke at a rally on ending unconstitutional wars and attended two fundraisers.

Recent polls show that Johnson, who initially sought the GOP presidential nomination, is drawing support away from President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. He said he feels his message appeals to a majority of Americans, who he describes as socially accepting and fiscally responsible.

Johnson spoke with the Observer about this campaign. Some questions and answers have been edited for brevity.

Q. What are you saying to voters?

Im the only candidate that wants to get out of Afghanistan tomorrow and bring the troops home. The only candidate that wants to repeal the Patriot Act. Only candidate that would not have signed the national defense authorization act. Only candidate that wants to end the drug wars..

Q. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others have said the shootings in Aurora are another reason there should be tougher conversations or tougher gun laws in the country. What, if any, action should be taken?

I think the Second Amendment could not be clearer that we have a right to carry and possess a weapon. Im just sad that nobody in that audience was carrying a weapon that could have stepped in and maybe brought that to an end.

Q. How do you get Congress to adopt a balanced budget?

(I have) two promises on the budget. One is to submit a balanced budget. The other is to veto any legislation where expenses exceed revenue. And even though they override the veto, which theyre going to have to, Im going to suggest to you that any candidate that keeps those two promises that spending will be lower with those two promises kept than any other scenario that you could possibly come up with. Lastly, I am promising to advocate throwing out the entire federal tax system and replacing it with one federal consumption tax, the fair tax.

Excerpt from:

Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson visits Charlotte

Value over volume: Health care changes on horizon

Posted on by

Photo

Craig Samitt

Javon R. Bea

JANESVILLE One of Rock Countys two largest health care providers already has been selected to participate in a national program designed to provide Medicare recipients with better care at a lower cost.

The otherMercy Health Systemplans to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to become an accountable care organization in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

Officials from both said the basis of the voluntary program is a delivery model theyve been advocating and using for years.

Accountable care organizations are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that work together to coordinate and provide high quality care to their Medicare patients. The goal is to ensure that patients get the right care at the right time without unnecessary duplication of services and medical errors.

When an ACO meets benchmarks for care quality and efficiency, it will share in the savings it generates for the Medicare program.

I think the model provided by ACOs is the way of the future, said Craig Samitt, president and chief executive officer of Dean Health System.

Earlier this month, Dean Clinic & St. Marys Hospital ACO was one of 89 systems from around the country selected to participate in the program as an ACO.

View post:

Value over volume: Health care changes on horizon

Monning predicts states to reverse course on Medicaid rejection

Posted on by

Click photo to enlarge

Bill Monning

SANTA CRUZ - A key state lawmaker on health care policy said Friday he believed many states now forcefully rejecting an expansion of government-funded health care for the poor would reverse course after the upcoming presidential election.

"My guess is that after November, you're going to see some states that are hollering now - no Obamacare, no Medicaid expansion - I don't see how they can afford not to, unless they're just going to say, 'We don't care about poor people in our state, we're going to let them fend for themselves," said Bill Monning, a Carmel Democrat who chairs the Assembly Committee on Health.

California was the first state to agree to a vast expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which was upheld last month by the U.S. Supreme Court. But the court held that states could not be forced to adopt the expansion, which requires states to pick up 10 percent of the tab after three years.

Conservative governors in several Southern states, including Texas and Florida, have rejected the expansion, saying it would cost too much. States rejecting the expanded coverage typically have higher numbers of uninsured residents.

Monning said all 50 states have opted into a federal program called the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Despite the state's persistent budget woes, Monning, who is heavily favored to win an open Central Coast Senate seat, said the state would follow through with the expansion.

"We'd better figure out a way to come up with the 10 percent, because a 9 to 1 match is pretty much unprecedented," Monning said.

In a visit with the Sentinel's editorial board that touched on several topics, Monning spoke about the aftermath of the ruling. Among the Legislature's task in preparing for the bill is a pending Monning bill that outlines what services public and private heath insurance is required to cover.

The Affordable Care Act outlines several areas of required coverage for health plans. But the details are left up to each state, and Monning patterned his bill after the Kaiser small group plan, which goes beyond common coverage areas to include acupuncture and costly therapeutic autism treatments.

View original post here:

Monning predicts states to reverse course on Medicaid rejection

Project improves dental care for veterans

Posted on by

Two providers from the Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility in Grand Island completed a national geriatrics scholars program and project that directly improved the access to health care for 81 area veterans.

Janelle Brock, a licensed independent clinical social worker, and Dr. Majrie Heier completed a quality-improvement project that improved access to dental care for veterans in Central Nebraska.

The project was the capstone requirement completion of the Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health Geriatrics Scholar Program. The project was also published in the spring edition of the VHA Office of Rural Health Rural Connection publication.

Brock and Heier created a geriatric team at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Grand Island community-based outpatient clinic.

The team developed a collaborative relationship with local community agencies that provided dental care to low-income people. Information about local dental care resources was shared with area veterans, and a referral system was established within the VAs electronic medical records.

They also coordinated the sharing of relevant medical records such as medical imaging and medication lists so dental care could be provided efficiently within community dental clinics.

Six months after the project was implemented, 151 veterans were referred to community resources for dental care. Eighty-one, or 56 percent, of those referred to a specific clinic were confirmed to have been treated at that clinic.

The project is being expanded to other rural VA clinics within Nebraska.

The scholars program is an intensive course in geriatric care. The program culminates with each scholar implementing a quality improvement project to improve health care for older veterans in a rural VA clinic setting.

See original here:

Project improves dental care for veterans

West's first gene therapy gets closer to market

Posted on by

Rare illness treatment Glybera wins European drugs regulator's approval in 'watershed moment' The first gene therapy to treat a rare illness came closer to market today after the European drugs regulator recommended the medicine for approval across member states. The therapy, Glybera , is for patients with an unusual genetic disorder that means their bodies fail to make an enzyme that breaks ...

See the original post here:

West's first gene therapy gets closer to market

Freedom Through Fashion

Posted on by

July 22, 2012 Updated Jul 20, 2012 at 4:47 PM PDT

Talk to Rylee Stark for a few minutes and you can learn a lot about her.

"I am 8-years-old, my favorite color is pink, and I do like fashion, a lot," she says.

Part of her fashion is a little pink pocket on her tank top she's wearing, that hides a secret.

"I'm able to do hula hoop, and do cartwheels, and I don't have to worry about it falling out," says Rylee

The fashion-meets-function pocket was her mom's idea.

"I wanted something that wouldn't be a conversation piece and would make her feel like everybody else," says Corrie Stark.

And it seems to work.

Watching Rylee play soccer and run around in her back yard, you'd never know this little girl with Type 1 diabetes has an insulin pump attached to her abdomen.

"I wanted her to be able to play soccer, jump rope, hula hoop, and ride a bike without worry about it falling out," says her mom. Because if it falls out, it could pull that port out of her stomach."

Go here to read the rest:

Freedom Through Fashion

Freedom drops double-OT thriller at SportsFest

Posted on by

Freedom drops double-OT thriller at SportsFest

The Freedom boys dropped a 56-53 double-overtime thriller to Bishop McDevitt at SportsFest on Saturday at Cedar Beach Park.

Bishop McDevitt roared out to a 10-0 lead and upped that to 23-6 at the break.

Freedom came back in the second half though, forcing two overtimes before falling.

The Patriots, who won the Stellar Catch A Rising Star Tournament last weekend, will need to battle back through the losers bracket.

Jim Vaughn has highlights from day three at SportsFest.

Copyright 2012 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read more from the original source:

Freedom drops double-OT thriller at SportsFest

Nassau County beaches closed to bathing

Posted on by

Bicyclist dies after being hit by SUV in Holbrook Bicyclist dies after being hit by SUV in Holbrook

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 11:11 PM EDT2012-07-22 03:11:41 GMT

Police on Long Island were attempting to identify a bicyclist who was hit by a car Friday afternoon.

Suffolk County Police have identified a bicyclist who was hit by a car Friday afternoon.

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 8:30 PM EDT2012-07-22 00:30:09 GMT

Suffolk County detectives say they are investigating criminal incidents in which multiple cars had their tires slashed on Long Island early Saturday morning. Authorities said the crimes happened between

Suffolk County detectives say they are investigating criminal incidents in which multiple cars had their tires slashed on Long Island early Saturday morning. Authorities said the crimes happened between

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 4:25 PM EDT2012-07-21 20:25:05 GMT

The Nassau County Department of Health says it has closed the 18 beaches to bathing as a precautionary measure Saturday due to the heavy rainfall. Authorities said a storm water runoff can have a negative

The Nassau County Department of Health says it has closed the 18 beaches to bathing as a precautionary measure Saturday due to the heavy rainfall. Authorities said a storm water runoff can have a negative

Read more:

Nassau County beaches closed to bathing

Why is NASA's latest Mars Rover biggest and best yet?

Posted on by

NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, expected to land on the Red planet in three weeks, is NASA's most advanced robotic mission yet.

When NASA's newest rover, Curiosity, reaches Mars in about three weeks, it will not be the first to set its wheels on the Red Planet, but it will be the largest and most advanced robotic explorer that has ever been sent to our planetary neighbor.

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly Digital Edition

TheCuriosity rover, also called the Mars Science Laboratory, was launched in late November 2011, and is expected to land on Mars on the night of Aug. 5 PDT (early Aug. 6 EDT). The $2.5 billion rover will touch down at Gale Crater, and is designed to search for clues that Mars could be now, or in the ancient past, a habitable planet for microbial life.

NASA first set its sights on landing on the Red Planet in the 1970s. The agency achieved its first Mars landing in 1976 with the Viking 1 lander. Since then, the agency has had six spacecraft successfullytouch down on the Martian surface. But with the impending arrival of Curiosity, NASA will showcase the most sophisticated Martian rover yet.

"The Curiosity landing is the hardest NASA robotic mission ever attempted in the history ofexploration of Mars, or any of our robot exploration," John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said in a news briefing Monday (July 16) at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

For starters, the way Curiosity will lower itself to the surface of Mars in less than 20 days is unprecedented. The rover will use a new and complex sky crane system to slow its descent.

According to Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters, Curiosity's landing "could arguably be the most important event most significant event in the history of planetary exploration." [How Curiosity's Nail-Biting Landing Works (Pictures)]

Previous Mars rovers, such as the twin Spirit and Opportunity rovers (collectively known as theMars Exploration Rovers), used airbags to cushion their landing. Spirit and Opportunity arrived at the Red Planet about three weeks apart in January 2004. Each rover weighs about 384 pounds (174 kilograms), but since Curiosity tips the scales at 1 ton, it was deemed too heavy and too large for an airbag-assisted landing.

Read the original here:

Why is NASA's latest Mars Rover biggest and best yet?

Real life shooting imitates training exercise at Parker medical school

Posted on by

The tragedy that played out in an Aurora movie theater Friday was ironically paralleled as a classroom learning experience in a medical school in Parker the same day.

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine is in the middle of holding specialized classes in disaster life support for 150 second-year medical students. Along with response to natural disasters like hurricanes and floods and terrorist attacks, one of the scenarios being used to train the students is how to respond if a shooter fires at people in a movie theater and also uses a bomb in the attack.

"The irony is amazing, just amazing," said Rocky Vista Dean Dr. Bruce Dubin.

He said emergency specialist physicians from Parkland Hospital in Dallas as well as from several other emergency programs around the country are teaching the Advanced Disaster Life Support Training. Rocky Vista is the only medical school in the nation to make that training a part of the curriculum.

"They are trained to respond in every type of disaster," Dubin said.

The shootings in Aurora were incorporated into the teaching Friday, Dubin said.

"It made these medical students very aware that these kinds of things can happen anywhere," he said. "The events of this tragedy have helped to drive that home."

Nancy Lofholm: 970-256-1957, nlofholm@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nlofholm

See the original post here:

Real life shooting imitates training exercise at Parker medical school

Pierce candidate's presidency at medical school ended in lawsuits

Posted on by

Congressional candidate Stan Flemming, a Pierce County councilman, touts numerous public and civic accomplishments to underline his leadership skills. They include his tenure from 2007 to 2009 as president of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a medical school in Yakima.

However, Flemming doesnt mention that his stint ended in a flurry of lawsuits and acrimony.

Court records tell two stories of Flemmings term as president. Both revolve around money.

Version A:

In 2007, Flemming reluctantly takes charge of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a new nonprofit college built on shaky financial footing and a dubious business model.

Flemming steers the place to long-term viability. He departs in November 2009 after local powers usurp his authority, offend his ethics and violate his contract. He sues the university for his severance pay: $708,000.

Version B:

University leaders sue Flemming, saying he doesnt deserve his severance pay. They contend he verbally resigned his position on Nov. 10, 2009, after a period of escalating misconduct, fiduciary and contractual breaches that would have otherwise led to his termination.

The stories ended at the same moment in May 2010: a settlement agreement with strict confidentiality provisions, noted at the end of the case file in Yakima County Superior Court.

Attorneys for both sides say they cant discuss terms of the settlement. Flemming says he never resigned. He says the university agreed to pay him in full, 100 percent.

Go here to see the original:

Pierce candidate's presidency at medical school ended in lawsuits

Liberty Eyeing James River As Power Source

Posted on by

Virginia Man Gets 30 Days For Strangling Cat Virginia Man Gets 30 Days For Strangling Cat

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 1:44 PM EDT2012-07-21 17:44:04 GMT

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 12:59 PM EDT2012-07-21 16:59:07 GMT

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 11:58 AM EDT2012-07-21 15:58:17 GMT

Updated: Saturday, July 21 2012 10:55 AM EDT2012-07-21 14:55:46 GMT

LYNCHBURG, VA. (AP) - Liberty University is studying the possibility of using the James River to generate electricity. The Lynchburg university founded by the late Jerry Falwell has filed an application with the Federal Regulatory Commission proposing to study the feasibility of installing a powerhouse with four generators at the Scotts Mill Dam near Lynchburg. LU spokesman Lee Beaumont told the News & Advance of Lynchburg the university is investigating whether the power source could lead to savings on energy. He said Liberty is amid a review of its energy policy. The application to FERC seeks a preliminary permit. That's a first step in what would be a long licensing process with the agency.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

See original here:

Liberty Eyeing James River As Power Source

Liberty University Nursing Adds New Certificate Program This Fall

Posted on by

Liberty University’s new Maternal-Child Critical Care Certificate Program through the Department of Nursing gives students with a passion for critical care of mothers and babies increased knowledge that will strengthen their skillset as they enter the field.Lynchburg, VA (PRWEB) July 21, 2012 Liberty University’s new Maternal-Child Critical Care Certificate Program through the Department of ...

Originally posted here:

Liberty University Nursing Adds New Certificate Program This Fall

Libertarian presidential candidate visits NC

Posted on by

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Libertarian Party's presidential candidate will join the party's gubernatorial hopeful in North Carolina to run on the campaign trail both figuratively and literally.

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson plans to join North Carolina nominee Barbara Howe on Saturday morning in a 5-kilometer run north of Charlotte. Howe said it will be her 50th 5K run since promising to run that distance in all 100 counties as part of her campaign.

The state Libertarian Party says Johnson will campaign in Charlotte later Saturday. He'll hold a lunch fundraiser, speak at a rally of conservatives opposed to what they call unconstitutional wars and participate in a dinner at a Charlotte country club.

Howe has run for governor two previous times.

Read more here:

Libertarian presidential candidate visits NC

Owners of islands shun PM Noda’s bid

Posted on by

Reuters/Tokyo

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Nodas effort to nationalise a chain of disputed islands long a source of friction between Japan and China faced rough going after the isles owners said yesterday that they would keep negotiating their sale to Tokyos governor. The stance by the Kurihara family, which owns four of the five uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, complicates Nodas efforts to dampen friction between the two Asian giants over the islands, claimed by China, Taiwan and Japan and located near rich fishing grounds and potential gas and oil fields. The starting line of our negotiations was with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and at present we are proceeding with these discussions, said Hiroyuki Kurihara, whose brother and sister own the islands and lease them to Japans government. It is not our familys idea to suddenly switch partners just because someone else has appeared on the scene, Kurihara, 65, told a news conference. Noda said this month the government was considering buying the islands instead of letting Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara an outspoken China critic go ahead with a similar plan. Diplomatic experts said Nodas move was intended to avoid a worsening of Sino-Japanese tensions but risked backfiring and indeed, Beijing has harshly criticised both plans, arguing the islands have been its territory since ancient times. Ties between Beijing and Tokyo went into a deep chill in 2010 after Japan arrested a Chinese trawler captain whose boat collided with Japanese Coast Guard vessels near the islands, and analysts say the feud has the potential to flare again. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is expected to apply soon for permission to land on the islands, a move that could put the central government in a tight spot. Activists from Japan, China and Taiwan have landed on the islands in the past, sparking diplomatic disputes.

See the original post:

Owners of islands shun PM Noda’s bid

Jail time for trio in Cook Islands drug bust

Posted on by

Published: 8:57PM Saturday July 21, 2012 Source: ONE News

Three people involved in the Cook Islands' biggest ever drug bust have been sent to jail for up to six years.

Former senior policewoman Inano Matapo, her partner Giovanni Marsters and the postal worker who helped them Sam Tangaroa were all sentenced after admitting the role they played in a drug ring busted last year by 11 Kiwi cops.

Marsters was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to cannabis charges, including importing the drug.

Matapo, who's also the daughter of the former police commissioner, admitted selling the drug and corruption charges and was sentenced to two and a half years.

And Tangaroa, a postal worker who would intercept drug parcels before police dogs could detect them, will spend four years in jail for selling and supplying cannabis and importing the seeds.

Their arrests followed a year long investigation into the importation and distribution of cannabis in the Cook Islands.

A total of 13 people were arrested including a former high-ranking New Zealand policeman.

Mark Franklin was a Detective Inspector before leaving the police force to work as an independent investigator in Rarotonga.

It is alleged he was a small time dealer selling cannabis from a local bar.

Originally posted here:

Jail time for trio in Cook Islands drug bust

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands join for ocean project

Posted on by

Colo. shooting spurs campaigns to limit schedules Colo. shooting spurs campaigns to limit schedules The deadly shootings at a movie theater in Colorado have briefly silenced the presidential campaign, prompting both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cut short their schedules. The deadly shooting at a movie theater in Colorado has briefly silenced the presidential campaign, prompting both President Barack Obama and likely Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cut short their schedules and pull... Names of victims emerge in Colo. theater rampage Names of victims emerge in Colo. theater rampage A sports blogger who recently wrote about surviving a shooting in Canada. A man preparing to celebrate his first wedding anniversary. A young woman whose death announcement brought heartbreak, yet closure, to her... Ashley Moser drifted in and out of consciousness in the ICU, bullets lodged in her throat and abdomen. In her waking moments, she called for her 6-year-old daughter Veronica. News guide to the Colorado movie theater massacre News guide to the Colorado movie theater massacre By The Associated Press Here's a guide to some key questions in the wake of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." By The Associated Press Here's a guide to some key questions in the wake of the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." US pledge to rebuild Haiti not being met US pledge to rebuild Haiti not being met The deadly earthquake that leveled Haiti's capital more than two years ago brought a thread of hope: a promise of renewal. With the United States taking the lead, international donors pledged billions of dollars... The deadly earthquake that leveled Haiti's capital more than two years ago brought a thread of hope: a promise of renewal. With the United States taking the lead, international donors pledged billions of dollars to help... Syria revolt reaches Aleppo; rebels target cities Syria revolt reaches Aleppo; rebels target cities Activists and opposition groups say Syrian troops and rebels have clashed for a second day in the northern city of Aleppo. Riding a wave of momentum, Syrian rebels made a run on Aleppo Saturday in some of the fiercest fighting seen in the country's largest city, which has been a key bastion of support for President Bashar Assad over the... Suspect arrested in LA homeless stabbings Suspect arrested in LA homeless stabbings Detectives have discovered that a fake name appeared on notes left at the scenes of three stabbings of homeless people in the Los Angeles area. Police arrested a suspect in the stabbings of three Los Angeles-area homeless people in recent weeks, a man they say goes by a name signed on "death warrants" found with the wounded victims. Bomb squads disarm traps at Colo. suspect's apt Bomb squads disarm traps at Colo. suspect's apt A Colorado suburb shocked and saddened by a deadly shooting spree at a midnight unveiling of the latest Batman movie grieved for the victims while authorities sought a motive and a safe way to reach clues inside... Authorities on Saturday began disarming trip wires and explosive devices "set up to kill" inside the apartment of the suspect in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting, hoping to find clues to his motive without... Drew Peterson heads to trial in third wife's death Drew Peterson heads to trial in third wife's death Drew Peterson, the former police officer accused in the drowning death of his third wife, returns to the national spotlight next week when he goes on trial in suburban Chicago. For a man whose fourth wife had just disappeared, Drew Peterson didn't sound the least bit worried. He seemed almost gleeful, suggesting that she had run off with another man and that all her threats of divorce coincided... Authorities refocus efforts to locate 2 Iowa girls Authorities refocus efforts to locate 2 Iowa girls Authorities say the FBI divers who searched a northeast Iowa lake for two missing cousins have left the state as investigators explore other possibilites. Authorities say the FBI divers who searched a northeast Iowa lake for two missing cousins have left the state as investigators explore other possibilites. Air Force instructor sentenced to 20 years Air Force instructor sentenced to 20 years An Air Force instructor convicted of raping a female recruit and sexually assaulting several others is asking a military jury not to give him a life sentence. An Air Force instructor was sentenced to 20 years in prison Saturday, after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in a sweeping sex scandal that rocked one of the nation's busiest military training centers. Obama speaks on Colorado movie theater rampage Obama speaks on Colorado movie theater rampage Obama: Colorado shooting is reminder that 'small things' don't matter; Romney also to respond Obama: Colorado shooting is reminder that 'small things' don't matter; Romney also to respond Yahoo turns to former nemesis to be its CEO savior Yahoo turns to former nemesis to be its CEO savior After losing to Google for years, Yahoo strikes back by raiding its rival for its new CEO After losing to Google for years, Yahoo strikes back by raiding its rival for its new CEO NASA builds menu for planned Mars mission in 2030s Martian menu: Planned 2030 mission to Mars may give astronauts the chance to cook in space Martian menu: Planned 2030 mission to Mars may give astronauts the chance to cook in space Obama gets a second chance on the Kiss Cam Obama gets a second chance on the Kiss Cam A cautious Obama passes up kissing the first lady on basketball arena screen _ but not twice A cautious Obama passes up kissing the first lady on basketball arena screen _ but not twice Obama: I believe in in-sourcing Obama: I believe in in-sourcing Obama discusses his jobs program at an election rally Obama discusses his jobs program at an election rally Tart cherry crop in Midwest destroyed by weather Tart cherry crop in Midwest destroyed by weather Tart cherry companies struggle after warm spring followed by freeze destroys Midwest crop Tart cherry companies struggle after warm spring followed by freeze destroys Midwest crop Penn State probe accuses Paterno of cover-up Penn State probe accuses Paterno of cover-up Penn State probe says Paterno and others hushed up sex abuse reports for fear of bad publicity Penn State probe says Paterno and others hushed up sex abuse reports for fear of bad publicity Freeh: Penn St. disregarded children's safety Freeh: Penn St. disregarded children's safety Freeh: Penn St. officials had 'total disregard' for safety, welfare of Jerry Sandusky victims Freeh: Penn St. officials had 'total disregard' for safety, welfare of Jerry Sandusky victims Vet uses music to heal -- but says he's no 'hero' Vet uses music to heal -- but says he's no 'hero' 'Hero' label can be a barrier to healing after war, so vet singer tells it like it is 'Hero' label can be a barrier to healing after war, so vet singer tells it like it is Click it: Remember to check computer for malware Click it: Remember to check computer for malware In between scanning Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts, remember to check computer for malware In between scanning Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts, remember to check computer for malware

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are partnering to better manage and preserve their coastal and ocean resources.

Puerto Rico's natural resources secretary says the partnership will target pollution, tourism, fishing, renewable energy and other issues. Daniel Galan Kercado says both U.S. territories also will share resources to study marine ecosystems and develop an economic plan to boost tourism.

The Caribbean Regional Ocean Partnership was signed late Friday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Originally posted here:

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands join for ocean project

Refugee claimant cuts cost system

Posted on by

Federal cuts that have left refugee claimants with little to no health coverage are expected to come at a high cost to Hamilton's health system.

Many area health care providers continue to care for refugee claimants at the expense of their bottom line since the cuts to the interim federal health program took effect June 30.

My background is to treat patients that need you regardless of whether they have funding or not, said Dr. Allen Greenspoon, a family doctor at the Hamilton Community Health Centre on Victoria Avenue North. My first and foremost commitment is to patients. We just see patients if they need our help.

Health Minister Deb Matthews estimates caring for refugees cost $1.3 million at one Toronto hospital alone. Hamilton is also bracing to be hit hard as one of Ontario's top destinations for newcomers.

It's not sustainable to continue to see patients without funding, said Greenspoon. There has to be a proper plan in place to treat patients as necessary.

Hamilton's hospitals and the Maternity Centre of Hamilton have all said they won't turn refugee claimants away. They'll try to work out payment plans with them but are aware they'll likely end up absorbing a lot of bad debts. About 10 per cent of the maternity centre's 800 patients a year are funded by the interim federal health program.

It's not going to unhinge us, said Claudia Steffler, the centre's unit director. But it is something that factors into the big scheme of keeping things afloat.

Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said during her first trip to Hamilton this week that the health care system simply can't afford to care for refugee claimants.

We plan for our health-care system with our population, she said. What we don't do is plan for a health-care system of non Canadians. I think this is about fairness to Canadians and Canadians would expect that.

Ontario's health minister counters that the move only saves the federal government money while putting a tremendous burden on the provincial health care systems.

See the original post:

Refugee claimant cuts cost system