Health

Friday, November 20, 2009

County board rejects bid to end health agencies' accord

URBANA – Champaign County Board members on Thursday night rejected a resolution, 12-10, that would have terminated a management agreement between the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Champaign County Board of Health.

The vote means that the two agencies will not face a one-year deadline to negotiate a new agreement.

White House at odds with bishops over abortion

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House is on a collision course with Catholic bishops in an intractable dispute over abortion that could blow up the fragile political coalition behind President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

A top Obama administration official on Thursday praised the new Senate health care bill's attempt to find a compromise on abortion coverage – even as an official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said Sen. Harry Reid's bill is the worst he's seen so far on the divisive issue.

Free clinics tied to health care debate

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A nonprofit group's campaign to hold free medical clinics for the uninsured in three states is turning into a not-so-subtle jab at moderate Democrats to support their party's efforts to reform health care.

More than 800 people have signed up for free care Saturday at a downtown convention center in Little Rock at an event organized by the National Association of Free Clinics – the Virginia-based association's second free event in the past month under a campaign promoted by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann.

Guidelines: Women in 20s can go 2 years between Paps

WASHINGTON (AP) – First mammograms. Now – in an apparent coincidence – Pap smears.

New guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say most women in their 20s can have a Pap smear every two years instead of annually to catch slow-growing cervical cancer.

Millions of children still face poverty, abuse, disease

NEW DELHI (AP) – Arun Kumar was born to disabled parents, beaten by his grandparents, ran away from home, got a job in a garment factory and had all his savings stolen by the police.

He was only 11.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

H1N1 flu clinic sites collecting food pantry items

CHAMPAIGN – Planning to come to one of the H1N1 vaccination clinics this weekend? If you're able to spare a nonperishable food item, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is asking that you bring it along.

The vaccinations are free, and a food donation isn't required, public health administrator Julie Pryde said. But, with the number of people expected to turn up at these clinics, her department thought it would be a great opportunity to collect some food for local food pantries.

Senate girds for historic debate on health bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – After months of maneuvering, the Senate stands at the brink of a historic battle over health care with President Barack Obama and his allies on one side and Republicans, outnumbered but unflinching, on the other.

"Now it's America's turn, and this will not be a short debate," Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, warned after Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled long-awaited legislation Wednesday night to extend coverage to 30 million more Americans and force insurance companies to take all comers.

Task force doctor stands by mammogram advice

WASHINGTON (AP) – A member of the independent panel whose new mammogram recommendations have led to confusion defended the task force's report, saying Thursday that it was based on the most up-to-date, accurate information available.

Dr. Timothy Wilt, a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, stuck by its recommendation that most women don't need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50. The American Cancer Society's long-standing position has been that women should get annual cancer-screening mammograms starting at age 40.

Experts say radical measures won't stop swine flu

LONDON (AP) – Health experts say extraordinary measures against swine flu – most notably quarantines imposed by China, where entire planeloads of passengers were isolated if one traveler had symptoms – have failed to contain the disease.

Despite initially declaring success, Beijing now acknowledges its swine flu outbreak is much larger than official numbers show.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Area clinics sticking with old mammogram advice

CHAMPAIGN – A new study may say otherwise, but having a mammogram at age 40 mattered to Cheryl Page.

"If I hadn't had that mammogram, who knows what might have happened," said Page, the lead mammographer at Christie Clinic, who says she remains 100 percent behind the American Cancer Society's recommendation for women in their 40s to undergo annual mammograms.

UI professor's program informs kids on healthy food

MAHOMET – The food industry has long been savvy about combining narrative, visually pleasing images and positive emotions to attract children to certain foods – say Froot Loops, Pop-Tarts and McDonald's Happy Meals.

Provena offereing free lung-age tests in Urbana

URBANA – Provena Covenant Medical Center will offer free lung-age screenings today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Provena Center for Healthy Aging, 410 E. University Ave., C.

Lung age is calculated on the results of a blowing test, along with gender and height.

Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.

Across the country, businesses already strapped by the economy to turn a profit are sacrificing or scaling back employee health insurance plans because of their escalating costs. The crunch has particularly socked smaller employers, who have become a centerpiece in the debate over how to overhaul the nation's health care system.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Adults under 65 can get H1N1 vaccine this weekend

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is teaming up with Carle Clinic to offer adults ages 64 and younger their first chance for an H1N1 vaccination this weekend.

New mammogram advice raises questions, concerns

NEW YORK (AP) – For many women, getting a mammogram is already one of life's more stressful experiences.

Now, women in their 40s have the added anxiety of trying to figure out if they should even be getting one at all.

Business foes of health care revamp ramp up effort

WASHINGTON (AP) – Business foes of health care overhaul legislation are outspending supporters at a rate of 2-to-1 for TV ads as they grow increasingly nervous over a final bill.

Led by the giant U.S. Chamber of Commerce, opponents of the Democratic health care drive have spent $24 million on TV commercials over the past month to $12 million spent by labor unions and other backers. That's an abrupt reversal from the vast spending advantage supporters enjoyed most of this year, according to Evan Tracey, president of Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks political ads.

Tobacco execs quickly found tax loophole

WASHINGTON (AP) – With a simple marketing twist, tobacco companies are avoiding hundreds of millions of dollars a year in taxes by exploiting a loophole in President Barack Obama's child health law.

Obama and Congress increased taxes on tobacco products earlier this year to pay for expanded children's health insurance, but tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes saw a disproportionate leap, from $1.10 to $24.78 per pound. Some predicted the tax would kill the roll-your-own industry, which had offered a cheaper alternative to packaged cigarettes.

Poll: Americans favor taxing rich to pay for health bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – When it comes to paying for a health care overhaul, Americans see just one way to go: Tax the rich.

That finding from a new Associated Press poll will be welcome news for House Democrats, who proposed doing just that in their sweeping remake of the U.S. medical system, which passed earlier this month and would extend coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Provena to offer 'Handling the Holidays' grief program

DANVILLE – The Pastoral Care Department of Provena United Samaritans Medical Center will offer a "Handling the Holidays" program for anyone who finds the holiday season a special challenge because of the loss of a loved one.

The program is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Conference Room 5 on the third floor of the medical center, 812 N. Logan Ave. The evening will include discussion, handouts by experts in the field of grief recovery and a video.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

H1N1 vaccine participation at schools less than 50%

CHAMPAIGN – Participation in H1N1 vaccinations at Champaign County public grade schools averaged less than 50 percent, according to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

The district has wrapped up vaccinations at elementary schools, with the exception of St. Matthew Catholic School in Champaign, and will offer vaccinations at middle schools and high schools in the week ahead.

Tim Johnson honored for efforts to combat diabetes

U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, is to be honored Saturday night with the first-ever Global Achievement Award from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

The award will be presented by Shannon Allen, the wife of Boston Celtics star Ray Allen whose son Walker has juvenile diabetes. The Allens are board members of the Joslin Center.

Shop around, those enrolled in Part D urged

CHAMPAIGN – Prices are going up on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans next year, so enrollees are being advised to shop around as open enrollment begins next week.

"I don't think anybody is going to see their cost go down," says Cheryl Matheis, AARP's senior vice president for health strategy.

Shop around, those enrolled in Part D urged

CHAMPAIGN – Prices are going up on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans next year, so enrollees are being advised to shop around as open enrollment begins next week.

"I don't think anybody is going to see their cost go down," says Cheryl Matheis, AARP's senior vice president for health strategy.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Loss blamed on one-time costs

URBANA – As has often been the case in recent months, the Champaign County Board's nursing home board of directors Thursday got some good news mixed with bad news from nursing home manager Michael Scavotto.

Although the facility suffered a $178,000 loss in September – after finishing July and August in the black – Scavotto said he believes that the September balance sheet was an anomaly and that October's report, still unavailable, would be better.

Smokeout: What would you do with 8 more years?

CHAMPAIGN – In eight years, you could travel around the world, spoil your grandkids and – unless you're a Cubs fan – maybe even see your team win a World Series.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Digestive health center open house set for today

URBANA – Your tummy aches. Your acid refluxes. Your bowels, well, let's not go there.

But here's an option for anybody interested in learning a thing or two about those unmentionable diseases of the digestive system and the latest ways to find and treat them: Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic will hold a public open house this evening from 5:30 to 7:30 to show off a brand new digestive health center on the first floor of the hospital's north tower.

Ex-public health director expected in court next week

URBANA – A former director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, accused of abusing his authority while in office, is expected back in court next week.

A Champaign County grand jury last week indicted Vito Palazzolo, 53, on seven felony counts alleging that during his tenure in 2006 and 2007 he unlawfully used the district's credit card for personal purchases, mostly food and drink; that he exceeded his authority by agreeing to repay an employee's student college loans; and that he stole kitchen cabinets that belonged to the health district.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

More than 18,000 have received swine flu vaccinations

CHAMPAIGN – More than 18,000 people in Champaign County have received H1N1 vaccinations, and by the end of the week, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will have completed immunizations at all 62 public and parochial elementary schools in the county, health district board members were told Monday.

Also Monday, board members began the process of asking for an increase in the agency's property tax levy. The levy, which will be formally adopted next month, calls for a 30 percent increase in property tax funding. But because of tax caps and other limitations, the public health district is likely to get about 3 percent more in property tax revenue. This year, it received $2.175 million from property taxes.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Carle will 'vigorously' defend against lawsuit

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic say they will vigorously defend against a federal lawsuit filed by Suzanne Stratton, the hospital's former vice president for research who says she was fired for blowing the whistle on patient safety issues and other problems she found in Carle's cancer research program.

Stratton was fired nearly a year ago, on Nov. 18, 2008, by Carle hospital CEO Dr. James Leonard.

Excerpts of lawsuit filed against Carle Clinic, officials

Some excerpts from the lawsuit filed by Suzanne Stratton against Carle Clinic and officials there:

– Stratton believed Dr. Kendrith Rowland and Carle Clinic were consistently attempting to interfere with the hospital Institutional Review Board's independence to prevent Rowland's protocols from being subjected to full review as required by law. She also believed Rowland was concealing information from the board about adverse events and mistakes made in trials and preventing the board from reporting them to the government as required.

Ex-health district director indicted on 7 counts

URBANA – The former executive director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has been indicted by a Champaign County grand jury on seven felony counts stemming from his behavior while in office in 2006 and 2007.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz was attending a conference Friday and could not be reached for comment, but Champaign police detective Pat Kelly, who has investigated Vito Palazzolo for more than two years, said Rietz planned to make a statement Monday about the charges against Palazzolo, 53, who was fired in August 2007.

Committee calls for new discussions between health agencies

URBANA – An ongoing dispute over budgets, services and priorities threatens to end the 11-year relationship between the Champaign County Board of Health and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

A county board committee voted Wednesday to approve a "notice of termination" of the agreement between the two health agencies. The notice, which will go to the full county board later this month, does not mean an immediate split between the agencies, only that they have 12 months to negotiate a new intergovernmental agreement.

Vaccinations will continue next week at grade schools

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District plans to finish vaccinating elementary school children for H1N1/swine flu by the end of next week and to finish all school vaccinations by the end of the month, Administrator Julie Pryde said.

After elementary students have all had a chance for vaccinations, Pryde said, public health will move on to middle schools and then high schools.

Cancer survivors being sought as volunteers

CHAMPAIGN – Nobody understands better what it's like to be diagnosed with breast cancer than a breast cancer survivor.

And the American Cancer Society needs a lot of survivor volunteers to help the approximately 8,800 women and 60 men in Illinois expected to have been diagnosed with breast cancer by the end of this year.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Former research official sues Carle over firing

URBANA — Suzanne Stratton, the former vice president for research at Carle Foundation Hospital, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the hospital of firing her for alerting authorities to patient safety issues and other problems she found in Carle’s cancer research program.

House Dems push for votes on health bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.

Voting is set for Saturday on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation that embraces Obama's goals of extending health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and putting tough new restrictions on insurance companies.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Urbana critics wary of proposed Carle merger

URBANA – Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing said she can't fully support a proposed merger of Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic until she's certain it won't heap an unfair burden on local taxpayers. And it's not enough for Carle to promise Urbana and other local governments that it will make payments in lieu of taxes on clinic properties that could one day become tax-exempt.

Swine flu virus becomes top strain worldwide

LONDON (AP) – The World Health Organization's flu chief said the swine flu virus has now become the predominant flu strain worldwide.

In some countries, swine flu accounts for up to 70 percent of the flu viruses being sampled, said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO's top flu official.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Vermilion H1N1 clinic's line 'moved very quickly'

DANVILLE – When the Vermilion County Health Department opened its first H1N1 influenza vaccine clinic on Tuesday, Clay Woodard of Catlin and his children – much to the kids' chagrin – were among the first to roll up their sleeves and get a shot.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Rantoul children will receive H1N1 vaccines today

Children in four Rantoul elementary schools are scheduled to receive H1N1/swine flu vaccinations today, but plans to vaccinate kids at other Champaign County schools this week will depend on whether another shipment of vaccine arrives Wednesday, says Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde.

The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department also has scheduled flu shot clinics for H1N1.

H1N1 vaccine clinics scheduled in Vermilion County

DANVILLE – Today is the first day that the Vermilion County Health Department is holding H1N1 influenza vaccine clinics. Vaccinations are free, and no appointment is necessary.

But remember, you must be a person who is most at risk from complications of the virus in order to receive it.

Johnson: Health care bill not a bipartisan measure

CERRO GORDO – Americans will come to regret the day their Congress approved a national health care program, U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson predicted Monday night.

The five-term Urbana Republican spoke to a small group of about 30 people at the Cerro Gordo High School gymnasium. It was his 15th town hall meeting in the 15th Congressional District this year, and nearly all of the hourlong session was devoted to the upcoming health care vote.

Cancer group to hold 3 vigils for health care overhaul

URBANA – In the decade since she's had breast cancer, Mindy Mangialardi has seen a lot of people struggling with both cancer and health insurance problems.

People who can't get coverage because of their cancer diagnosis. People who hit their annual, sometimes their lifetime, coverage caps and go broke trying to pay for the treatments themselves.

Monday, November 2, 2009

H1N1 vaccine to be offered at Christie on Windsor

CHAMPAIGN – Christie Clinic will offer H1N1 vaccinations from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 at its Windsor Road branch in Champaign. Injections will be available for Christie Clinic patients only who meet the following criteria: Pregnant women, mothers with children younger than 6 months old, and children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years old.

Nasal vaccine will be available for healthy children and young adults ages 2 to 24.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Carle clinic/hospital merger: The sale -- and the tax

URBANA – The chief executives of Carle Clinic and Carle Foundation Hospital know it's bound to be a touchy subject when they start talking about a merger that could one day take a big chunk of Carle property out of the local tax base.

And, for anyone wondering about how big a financial hit the cities, the schools, the parks and other taxing districts would take if Carle Clinic properties one day become tax-exempt, here's the deal:

Friday, October 30, 2009

A traffic nightmare? UI game collides with trick or treat

Here's a scary Halloween story: Tens of thousands of (possibly frustrated) football fans will be driving through Champaign-Urbana just as costumed children hit the streets.

Change of disinfectants will alter smell, taste of water

CHAMPAIGN – Beginning Friday and continuing into January, Illinois American Water Co. customers may notice a change in the taste and smell of their water, according to the company.

Clinics plan to charge for H1N1 vaccine

CHAMPAIGN – Planning to get an H1N1 vaccination? Better check your insurance coverage.

$20 million loan announced for C-U sanitary expansion

CHAMPAIGN – The Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District is getting a $20 million interest-free loan from the state to pay for environmental projects to improve the wastewater system.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

UI receives H1N1 vaccine, but not the kind it needs

URBANA – H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the University of Illinois campus, but it came with two complications: It's the wrong kind for people who need it the most – those with chronic health conditions – and there's not enough of it to hold a walk-in vaccination clinic.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

H1N1 vaccine plans change; T'boro vaccinations Thursday

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will begin H1N1 vaccinations Thursday at Thomasboro Grade School, district Administrator Julie Pryde said.

The public health district will then set up vaccination clinics in the two year-round Champaign schools that are in session Friday, Kenwood and Barkstall elementary schools. Plans to offer vaccinations at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Urbana on Friday were canceled because there wasn't enough time for the school to get ready, Pryde said.

UI gets some H1N1 vaccine, but...

URBANA — H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the University of Illinois campus, but it came with two complications:

It’s the wrong kind for people who need it the most — those with chronic health conditions —  and there’s not enough of it to hold a walk-in vaccination clinic.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Doctor not sunny on tanning chief's claim to cut risk

CHAMPAIGN – Looking to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer?

 

Some new billboards in Champaign-Urbana say it can be done by soaking up more sun or visiting a tanning salon.

But a local doctor said there are more legitimate, better ways to cut your risk.

DeWitt-Piatt to begin priority H1N1 flu-shot clinics

CLINTON – The DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department will begin public vaccination clinics Tuesday for H1N1/swine flu.

These clinics are for priority groups only. Those getting first priority for the vaccine include pregnant women, caregivers of infants younger than 6 months old, emergency medical and health care workers, anyone age 6 months to 24 years old and those age 25-64 who have chronic illnesses.

Friday, October 23, 2009

N-G reported on Carle Cancer Center in June

If you read about the Carle Cancer Center in the Friday New York Times, you might want to revisit the following story.

On June 18, 2009, The News-Gazette's Debra Pressey was the first to report that the federal government had barred the cancer center from enrolling new patients in its clinical trials.

Many area schools are feeling H1N1 flu virus's effects

Watseka High School started out the week with a slightly higher than normal absence rate, but by Wednesday, one-third of the students were home sick with the flu. With so many absences, the district decided to close the school Thursday and today.

Administrators at University Laboratory High School in Urbana faced the same decision Thursday morning, when they had 70 of their 310 students out sick.

Hospitals masking visitors as safety measure

URBANA – Walk into a hospital emergency room or convenient care center with flu symptoms, and you're going to be wearing a mask over your nose and mouth fast.

Not your style?

H1N1 largely absent so far in Danville-area schools

One case was confirmed Thursday in a Danville 6-year-old, but schools haven't had problems seen in other districts

Although Vermilion County health officials on Thursday confirmed that a Danville 6-year-old has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, school officials in Vermilion County said they haven't experienced a spike in absenteeism of students or teachers due to the flu.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Carle Foundation Hospital offers to buy Carle Clinic

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital has offered to purchase Carle Clinic and its subsidiary, Health Alliance Medical Plans, for $250 million, according to documents filed with the state this week.

Champaign County Nursing Home rates will rise

URBANA – A 3 percent increase in room and service rates will go into effect at the Champaign County Nursing Home, effective Dec. 1, the county board decided Tuesday night.

Daily skilled care and long-term care rates will increase from $150 to $155.

Orthodontist again offers cash for Halloween candy

CHAMPAIGN – Hey, kids, your Halloween candy could be worth some cold hard cash.

But there's a catch: You don't get to eat all those mini-chocolate bars and gummies you collect.

Donations sought for care packages to Iraq

DANVILLE – The Danville Knights of Columbus is collecting donations to prepare a Christmas mailing to Capt. Anne Sheahan, who serves as an Army nurse in the recovery unit at the combat support hospital at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq.

"I've been in regular contact with Annie," said Bob Gill, a Knights member. "I asked her what they could use over there, and she sent me a list."

Changes in Catlin wastewater pipe OK'd

CATLIN – Village officials voted Tuesday to have some changes made to a 20-foot-long vertical pipe at the wastewater plant.

Currently, the 6-inch-wide pipe runs along a concrete wall, then turns at a right angle and tapers to 4 inches in diameter to connect with a wastewater pump that has a 4-inch port.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

H1N1 vaccinations begin in November in Vermilion County

DANVILLE – The Vermilion County Health Department has received about half its order of H1N1 flu vaccine and will begin walk-in vaccination clinics next month in Danville, Hoopeston and Georgetown.