Statehealthfacts.org has recently added new and updated data on Demographics and the Economy, Health Status, Medicaid & CHIP, Managed Care & Health Insurance, Providers & Service Use, and HIV/AIDS. You can also view a list of all recent updates.
Demographics & the Economy
UnemploymentThe latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on unemployment rates have been added for all states and the nation for February 2009.
Food Stamp ProgramUpdated information from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service on monthly food stamp enrollment is now available for all states and the nation for January 2009.
State Fiscal DistressAggregate state rankings in foreclosures, unemployment, and food stamp participation have been updated with foreclosures data from RealtyTrac as of February 2009, the most recent unemployment data from the BLS, and the latest food stamp enrollment data from the USDA. State budget shortfalls data have also been updated based on the most recent information from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities as of March 13, 2009.
Health Status
Obesity Updated state-by-state data on state laws addressing childhood obesity are now available from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for 2008.
Occupational Fatalities and Suicide The latest data from the BLS on the number of occupational fatalities have been added for all states and the nation for 2007. New information on the number of deaths due to suicide per 100,000 population for 2005 is now available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Colorectal Cancer New state-by-state data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) on the percent of adults over the age of fifty who have ever had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy are available for 2006.
Medicaid & CHIP
Medicaid Spending Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) and Urban Institute analysis of fiscal year (FY) 2007 Medicaid spending data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is now available for all states and the nation. Total Medicaid spending, Medicaid spending by service, Medicaid spending on acute care service categories, and Medicaid spending on long term care service categories are all now available and are based on analysis of states’ CMS-64 submissions. FY2006 data on Medicaid payments by enrollment group and payments per enrollee are also available for all states and the nation, based on analysis of data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS).
Medicaid EnrollmentThe latest state-by-state Medicaid enrollment data for FY2006 are now available from KCMU and Urban Institute analysis of MSIS data from CMS. Data include total enrollment, Medicaid enrollment as a percent of the total population, and Medicaid enrollees by enrollment group.
Births Financed by MedicaidThe most recent data from the National Governors Association (NGA) on the number of births financed by Medicaid and births financed by Medicaid as a percent of total births have been added for all states and the nation for 2003.
Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) Allotments New U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) information on disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are now available for FY2009 for all states and the nation.
State Medicaid Expenditures The most recent information on state funds budgeted for Medicaid is now available for state fiscal year (SFY) 2007 from the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO).
Managed Care & Health Insurance
Protections in Small Group MarketsUpdated state-by-state information on small group markets has been added for 2009 based on analysis by researchers at the Health Policy Institute of Georgetown University. Data on small group health insurance market guaranteed issue, rate restrictions, and pre-existing condition exclusion rules are now available for all states and the nation.
Other State ProtectionsAlso available from the Health Policy Institute are 2009 data on conversion coverage for small firm employees, expanded COBRA continuation coverage for small firm employees, and dependent coverage for all states and the nation.
Providers & Service Use
HospitalsUpdated 2007 data on community hospitals from the American Hospital Association (AHA) are now available for all states and the nation. Total hospitals, total hospitals by ownership type, emergency room visits per 1,000 population, and hospital admissions per 1,000 population – total and by ownership type – are among the updated topics. All hospital data are also available in trend form for 1999-2007.
Nonfederal Physicians2008 state-by-state information on nonfederal physicians has been added from the American Medical Association (AMA). Data include the total number of nonfederal physicians and the distribution of nonfederal physicians by gender and race. Primary care physicians as a percent of total physicians and the distribution of primary care physicians by field have also been added.
Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) New data on the estimated underserved population living in primary care, mental health, and dental professional shortage areas as of September 2008 have been added from HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
DentistsThe total number of dentists, the number of dentists by gender, and the number of dentists by specialty field are now available from the American Dental Association (ADA) for 2008 for all states and the nation.
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) New and updated state-by-state data on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) are now available from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors’ National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report. New topics include ADAP expenditures, clients enrolled, and clients served for FY2007. ADAP clients by race/ethnicity, gender, age, income, and insurance status have been updated for 2008. Also updated for 2008 are data on ADAP drug expenditures, prescriptions filled, and the total ADAP budget.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
SIHO Insurance Services and Humana Form Alliance
SIHO Insurance Services and Humana Inc. announced today a strategic alliance to offer Humana’s line of Group Medicare and voluntary insurance benefits to Indiana employers and their employees. The new plans offer employers a no-cost option for expanded insurance benefits to employees and retirees that would not otherwise be accessible. The alliance combines the strength and stability of Humana, a leading U.S. health-benefits company with a national presence, and SIHO’s local market knowledge and expertise.
SIHO President and CEO David Barker said, “This alliance will allow us to offer a strong line of additional products to help employers enhance their employee benefits. It greatly expands our product line and will allow us to offer employers ‘one-stop-shopping’ for easier benefit administration and a single point of contact.”
SIHO is now offering employers Humana’s Group Medicare and voluntary benefit products. Group Medicare plans allow employers to offer comprehensive medical and prescription drug plans for Medicare-eligible retirees. Voluntary benefits allow employers to offer their employees a selection of value-laden insurance enhancements to their existing SIHO medical plan, including vision, dental, life, disability and critical illness insurance.
Having access to these plans allows employers to offer benefits they often could not otherwise afford. Humana’s Group Medicare and voluntary benefits are offered through the employer, but the employer does not bear the cost of the plans themselves, offering a zero-cost way for employers to enhance their offerings to employees. Likewise, because these plans are offered through the employer and in a group-rated environment, consumers have access to plans they might not be able to afford or access individually.
“This alliance is ideal,” Veronica Martin, President of Humana of Indiana, said. “SIHO has strong relationships with employers and consumers across our state. SIHO also shares Humana’s commitment to service excellence so it just makes sense for our two organizations work together.”
SIHO President and CEO David Barker said, “This alliance will allow us to offer a strong line of additional products to help employers enhance their employee benefits. It greatly expands our product line and will allow us to offer employers ‘one-stop-shopping’ for easier benefit administration and a single point of contact.”
SIHO is now offering employers Humana’s Group Medicare and voluntary benefit products. Group Medicare plans allow employers to offer comprehensive medical and prescription drug plans for Medicare-eligible retirees. Voluntary benefits allow employers to offer their employees a selection of value-laden insurance enhancements to their existing SIHO medical plan, including vision, dental, life, disability and critical illness insurance.
Having access to these plans allows employers to offer benefits they often could not otherwise afford. Humana’s Group Medicare and voluntary benefits are offered through the employer, but the employer does not bear the cost of the plans themselves, offering a zero-cost way for employers to enhance their offerings to employees. Likewise, because these plans are offered through the employer and in a group-rated environment, consumers have access to plans they might not be able to afford or access individually.
“This alliance is ideal,” Veronica Martin, President of Humana of Indiana, said. “SIHO has strong relationships with employers and consumers across our state. SIHO also shares Humana’s commitment to service excellence so it just makes sense for our two organizations work together.”
Chrysalis Ventures invests in Foundation Radiology Group
Venture capital firm Chrysalis Ventures LP has led a $10 million round of venture funding for a Pittsburgh-based provider of diagnostic imaging services to hospitals and other health care providers.
It was the initial round of venture funding for Foundation Radiology Group, which was established in late 2006.
The company provides on-site radiology and teleradiology services. Its radiologists provide readings in musculoskeletal radiology, neuroradiology, mammography, cardiac CT, interventional radiology, pediatric radiology, brain perfusion, vascular ultrasound, OB/GYN ultrasounds and general radiology.
Foundation Radiology Group targets its services toward small hospitals and health care providers that cannot afford staff radiologists, according to a news release.
“By merging the ubiquity of broadband technology with expertly staffed regional reading facilities, (Foundation Radiology Group) is able to offer hospitals and other institutions superior quality and service at a much lower cost,” Chrysalis managing director Koleman Karleski said in a news release. “The company is a great fit for our growing portfolio of health care information and services companies.”
Health Evolution Partners LLC, a manager of health care investment funds and a limited partner in Chrysalis, invested in Foundation Radiology Group through the Health Evolution Partners Innovation Network.
Karleski and Roy Ziegler, president of the Health Evolution Partners Innovation Network, will serve on the Foundation Radiology Group board of directors.
Louisville-based Chrysalis Ventures provides equity capital for growth companies in the Midwest and South. It invests primarily in early-stage and expansion-stage companies in the health care services, technology, media and communications, and emerging trends and technologies sectors.
It was the initial round of venture funding for Foundation Radiology Group, which was established in late 2006.
The company provides on-site radiology and teleradiology services. Its radiologists provide readings in musculoskeletal radiology, neuroradiology, mammography, cardiac CT, interventional radiology, pediatric radiology, brain perfusion, vascular ultrasound, OB/GYN ultrasounds and general radiology.
Foundation Radiology Group targets its services toward small hospitals and health care providers that cannot afford staff radiologists, according to a news release.
“By merging the ubiquity of broadband technology with expertly staffed regional reading facilities, (Foundation Radiology Group) is able to offer hospitals and other institutions superior quality and service at a much lower cost,” Chrysalis managing director Koleman Karleski said in a news release. “The company is a great fit for our growing portfolio of health care information and services companies.”
Health Evolution Partners LLC, a manager of health care investment funds and a limited partner in Chrysalis, invested in Foundation Radiology Group through the Health Evolution Partners Innovation Network.
Karleski and Roy Ziegler, president of the Health Evolution Partners Innovation Network, will serve on the Foundation Radiology Group board of directors.
Louisville-based Chrysalis Ventures provides equity capital for growth companies in the Midwest and South. It invests primarily in early-stage and expansion-stage companies in the health care services, technology, media and communications, and emerging trends and technologies sectors.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Preventative Drug for HIV Manufactured in Plants Ready to Begin Clinical Development
A University of Louisville faculty member at the Owensboro Cancer Research Program (OCRP) published research on March 30 supporting the use of transgenic plants in HIV prevention. The study indicates that growing large quantities of the protein griffithsin in Nicotiana benthamiana—a close relative of tobacco—offers an affordable, preventative measure for HIV.
Kenneth Palmer, PhD, Associate Professor of pharmacology and toxicology and senior scientist in the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at UofL, is senior author of the article, “Scaleable Manufacture of HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor Griffithsin and Validation of its Safety and Efficacy as a Topical Microbicide Component,” in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The published study was the result of a close collaboration between Dr. Palmer and the scientists who discovered the drug, led by Dr. Barry O’Keefe at the National Cancer Institute. Two Kentucky biotechnology companies, Intrucept Biomedicine, LLC and Kentucky Bioprocessing, and scientists at Duke University and the University of London in the United Kingdom also participated in the study.
“This drug works by binding to sugar molecules on the surface of HIV, preventing the virus from infecting cells of the immune system.” Dr. O’Keefe said. Using plants to produce griffithsin will offer underdeveloped countries with an affordable solution for prevention of HIV transmission.”
According to Palmer, when manufactured in the form of a microbicide gel or film for topical application, the product’s selling price could compare to that of male condoms.
HIV research is a focus of OCRP as contracting HIV increases risk for cancer.
The study modified the tobacco mosaic virus to incorporate the griffithsin gene and infected more than 9,300 plants, extracting enough griffithsin to produce about 100,000 HIV microbicide doses from the leaves. The chemical performed identically to griffithsin produced by other methods. In a petri dish model incorporating cervical tissue, it strongly inhibited HIV and did not induce markers of inflammation; a standard animal test confirmed it was not a chemical irritant.
Many HIV entry inhibitors are biological molecules, making them virtually impossible to produce by a purely chemical process and requiring synthesis by living organisms. In comparison with cell-culture based manufacturing processes, plant-based manufacturing of biologicals offer significant cost savings by reducing the need for expensive infrastructure for growing organisms to produce the protein, and also provide the economies of scale offered by agricultural production.
Other Owensboro authors of the study include Barry Bratcher and Steven Hume of Kentucky BioProcessing. KBP, which specializes in the expression, extraction and purification of proteins and other high value products from plants, will manufacture proteins for the drug for in future clinical trials.
About OCRP: Owensboro Medical Health System and the University of Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center created the Owensboro Cancer Research program as a joint venture to develop cancer therapies using plant-based production systems. Four UofL faculty members conduct their research in laboratories maintained by OMHS at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, Owensboro.
Kenneth Palmer, PhD, Associate Professor of pharmacology and toxicology and senior scientist in the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at UofL, is senior author of the article, “Scaleable Manufacture of HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor Griffithsin and Validation of its Safety and Efficacy as a Topical Microbicide Component,” in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The published study was the result of a close collaboration between Dr. Palmer and the scientists who discovered the drug, led by Dr. Barry O’Keefe at the National Cancer Institute. Two Kentucky biotechnology companies, Intrucept Biomedicine, LLC and Kentucky Bioprocessing, and scientists at Duke University and the University of London in the United Kingdom also participated in the study.
“This drug works by binding to sugar molecules on the surface of HIV, preventing the virus from infecting cells of the immune system.” Dr. O’Keefe said. Using plants to produce griffithsin will offer underdeveloped countries with an affordable solution for prevention of HIV transmission.”
According to Palmer, when manufactured in the form of a microbicide gel or film for topical application, the product’s selling price could compare to that of male condoms.
HIV research is a focus of OCRP as contracting HIV increases risk for cancer.
The study modified the tobacco mosaic virus to incorporate the griffithsin gene and infected more than 9,300 plants, extracting enough griffithsin to produce about 100,000 HIV microbicide doses from the leaves. The chemical performed identically to griffithsin produced by other methods. In a petri dish model incorporating cervical tissue, it strongly inhibited HIV and did not induce markers of inflammation; a standard animal test confirmed it was not a chemical irritant.
Many HIV entry inhibitors are biological molecules, making them virtually impossible to produce by a purely chemical process and requiring synthesis by living organisms. In comparison with cell-culture based manufacturing processes, plant-based manufacturing of biologicals offer significant cost savings by reducing the need for expensive infrastructure for growing organisms to produce the protein, and also provide the economies of scale offered by agricultural production.
Other Owensboro authors of the study include Barry Bratcher and Steven Hume of Kentucky BioProcessing. KBP, which specializes in the expression, extraction and purification of proteins and other high value products from plants, will manufacture proteins for the drug for in future clinical trials.
About OCRP: Owensboro Medical Health System and the University of Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center created the Owensboro Cancer Research program as a joint venture to develop cancer therapies using plant-based production systems. Four UofL faculty members conduct their research in laboratories maintained by OMHS at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, Owensboro.
ResCare Acquires Washington State Home Care Company
ResCare, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSCR) announced the acquisition of Home Care of Washington, a company based in Spokane, Washington, which provides personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation and other home services to more than 1,200 people in 10 counties in the eastern area of the state. Annual revenues are expected to be $20 million.
Ralph G. Gronefeld, Jr., ResCare president and chief executive officer, said, “The acquisition of Home Care of Washington expands ResCare HomeCare’s services, which were concentrated in western Washington, throughout the state. It fits perfectly into our current operations and offers the same high quality services that we provide in other parts of the state. I am very happy they have joined our ResCare family of services.”
ResCare, with nearly 35 years of experience helping people reach their highest level of independence, is one of the largest providers of home care to the elderly and those with disabilities. It also offers residential and support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides education, vocational training and job placement for people of all ages and skill levels. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, ResCare and its more than 45,000 dedicated employees serve daily more than 65,000 people in 39 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and in a growing number of international locations. For more information about ResCare, please visit the Company's website at www.rescare.com.
Ralph G. Gronefeld, Jr., ResCare president and chief executive officer, said, “The acquisition of Home Care of Washington expands ResCare HomeCare’s services, which were concentrated in western Washington, throughout the state. It fits perfectly into our current operations and offers the same high quality services that we provide in other parts of the state. I am very happy they have joined our ResCare family of services.”
ResCare, with nearly 35 years of experience helping people reach their highest level of independence, is one of the largest providers of home care to the elderly and those with disabilities. It also offers residential and support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides education, vocational training and job placement for people of all ages and skill levels. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, ResCare and its more than 45,000 dedicated employees serve daily more than 65,000 people in 39 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and in a growing number of international locations. For more information about ResCare, please visit the Company's website at www.rescare.com.
Lt. Gov. Mongiardo speaks at HIMSS Conference
Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo Monday spoke at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference in Chicago.
Mongiardo, who also is a physician and surgeon, spoke about the importance of advances in the development of health care information technology at the state and national levels, his office said in a news release.
The lieutenant governor also spoke about the state’s e-health initiative.
Mongiardo, who also is a physician and surgeon, spoke about the importance of advances in the development of health care information technology at the state and national levels, his office said in a news release.
The lieutenant governor also spoke about the state’s e-health initiative.
Jonathan Lord to Become CEO of Navigenics
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today that Jonathan Lord, M.D., Humana’s senior vice president and chief innovation officer, has been named chief executive officer of Navigenics, Inc., a Foster City, Calif.-based personal genomics company that uses DNA testing and analysis to determine an individual’s genetic predisposition for various health conditions with the goal of improving health outcomes in individuals across the population.
Dr. Lord, who joined Humana in 2000 as the company’s first chief innovation officer, will leave Humana and assume his new position May 1.
“As a physician-researcher and a hands-on health futurist, Jack Lord has become a global leader in health care innovation, promotion and prevention,” said Mike McCallister, president and chief executive officer of Humana. “For the past nine years, his work as the founding head of Humana’s Innovation Center has powerfully transformed the company and the entire health benefits industry.”
Among Dr. Lord’s accomplishments at Humana were the design and implementation of innovative products and services that enable consumers to choose, finance and use their health benefits with confidence and success, including SmartSuite health plans and the ground-breaking SmartSummary and SmartSummary Rx comprehensive benefits statements. In recent years, he and his team developed a number of industry-leading, consumer-focused health and wellness initiatives including HealthMiles, the Freewheelin bike-sharing program and Humana Games4Health.
Before coming to Humana, Dr. Lord was president of Health Dialog in Boston, where he helped pioneer e-enabled health care. He has also served as chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association in Washington, D.C., and is currently a member of the advisory committee to the director of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
McCallister said a successor to Dr. Lord would likely be named in the near future.
Dr. Lord, who joined Humana in 2000 as the company’s first chief innovation officer, will leave Humana and assume his new position May 1.
“As a physician-researcher and a hands-on health futurist, Jack Lord has become a global leader in health care innovation, promotion and prevention,” said Mike McCallister, president and chief executive officer of Humana. “For the past nine years, his work as the founding head of Humana’s Innovation Center has powerfully transformed the company and the entire health benefits industry.”
Among Dr. Lord’s accomplishments at Humana were the design and implementation of innovative products and services that enable consumers to choose, finance and use their health benefits with confidence and success, including SmartSuite health plans and the ground-breaking SmartSummary and SmartSummary Rx comprehensive benefits statements. In recent years, he and his team developed a number of industry-leading, consumer-focused health and wellness initiatives including HealthMiles, the Freewheelin bike-sharing program and Humana Games4Health.
Before coming to Humana, Dr. Lord was president of Health Dialog in Boston, where he helped pioneer e-enabled health care. He has also served as chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association in Washington, D.C., and is currently a member of the advisory committee to the director of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
McCallister said a successor to Dr. Lord would likely be named in the near future.
Cancer Medicine Studied at Norton Cancer Institute approved by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new kidney cancer medicine studied at Norton Cancer Institute and other centers, officials announced today.
Afinitor is the first approved, once-daily oral therapy that targets mTOR, a protein inside the cancer cell that controls tumor cell division and blood vessel growth. It is approved for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of certain other treatments.
Norton Cancer Institute was one of several clinical trial sites evaluating Afinitor, which is manufactured by Novartis International AG of Switzerland, according to the FDA.
“This is one of the exciting new drugs that targets tumors more directly and with less toxicity than conventional treatments,” said Dr. John Hamm, director of research at Norton Cancer Institute. “It is administered as a daily pill patients can take at home.”
Afinitor is the first approved, once-daily oral therapy that targets mTOR, a protein inside the cancer cell that controls tumor cell division and blood vessel growth. It is approved for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of certain other treatments.
Norton Cancer Institute was one of several clinical trial sites evaluating Afinitor, which is manufactured by Novartis International AG of Switzerland, according to the FDA.
“This is one of the exciting new drugs that targets tumors more directly and with less toxicity than conventional treatments,” said Dr. John Hamm, director of research at Norton Cancer Institute. “It is administered as a daily pill patients can take at home.”
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