U.S. survey shows southern counties most obese
BY: Associated Press
POSTED: November 19, 2009
The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia.
High rates of obesity and diabetes were reported in more than 80 percent of counties in the Appalachian region that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to the new research from the U.S. [...]
Shore hospital’s supporters vow to fight on
BY: Capital News Service
POSTED: November 18, 2009
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland lawmakers and supporters of Kent County’s Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center promised on Wednesday to use the upcoming legislative session to fight the facility’s closure by the Board of Public Works.
“That’s not it,” said Del. Mary Roe Walkup, R-Kent. “We haven’t stopped yet. We won’t turn our backs on them, that’s [...]
CareFirst’s surplus is under the microscope 
BY: Danielle Ulman
POSTED: November 18, 2009
Consumers will get a chance to comment Thursday on a review of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s financial surplus, which determined that the nonprofit insurer may not have enough money in reserve in case of catastrophe.
The Maryland Insurance Administration commissioned the study to determine if Owings Mills-based CareFirst is meeting its mission of providing affordable and accessible [...]
Mercy probes information theft
BY: Danielle Ulman
POSTED: November 17, 2009
Some Mercy Medical Center patients have received notice that a former hospital employee may have stolen their information to apply for credit cards and loans.
Mercy said it is working with police in their investigation into the matter. Hospital spokesman Dan Collins said Tuesday that he did not know when the security breach was discovered or [...]
Md. couple: Health costs may kill business
BY: Capital News Service
POSTED: November 17, 2009
Comments: 1
WASHINGTON — The struggle to maintain affordable health care coverage may end a Maryland family’s 14-year “good run” of operating their own businesses.
Silver Spring residents Cynthia and Eric Cathcart detailed how American middle-class families are suffering because of the high cost of health insurance at a news conference in the Capitol Tuesday. They were joined [...]
Jury awards $670K for botched colonoscopy
BY: Danny Jacobs
POSTED: November 15, 2009
A Baltimore jury has awarded more than $670,000 to a man who required emergency surgery to remove a portion of his colon after suffering complications from a routine colonoscopy.
The verdict, decided by a jury of three men and three women this month, granted plaintiff Arvia Johnson $650,000 in non-economic damages, an amount that falls below [...]
Court restores former Carefirst CEO’s compensation
BY: Danielle Ulman
POSTED: November 13, 2009
Comments: 1
A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge found Friday that William L. Jews’ rights were violated when the Maryland Insurance Commission slashed his total compensation package in half.
In overturning Insurance Commissioner Ralph S. Tyler’s order, which found Jews should be paid half of his $17.97 million post-termination compensation package by his former employer CareFirst Inc., Judge [...]
Bon Secours proposes selling some properties
BY: Danielle Ulman
POSTED: November 13, 2009
Comments: 3
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System plans to keep implementing cost-cutting measures, including selling some of its properties, but it will also need continued state support to achieve financial stability, the hospital said in a report.
Bon Secours, part of a Catholic organization, asked the state for financial assistance this year. The state said it would provide [...]
Report says feds behind in river pollution regulations
BY: Associated Press
POSTED: November 11, 2009
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A new report says federal regulations are behind the times in dealing with chemicals making their way into the nation’s rivers.
And that’s important for the Washington area, which draws 90 percent of its drinking water from the Potomac River.
The report was released Wednesday by the Potomac Conservancy. The group says [...]
4 kidneys swapped in bellybutton surgery
BY: Associated Press
POSTED: November 10, 2009
University of Maryland Medical Center surgeons have transplanted four kidneys after removing them through donors’ belly buttons.
The patients and surgeon Matthew Cooper announced the procedure Tuesday morning, a week after the surgeries were completed.
The kidney swap — accomplished with a small, single cut through a belly button — originated with a Westborough, Mass. man inspired [...]
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