Coalition for Patient Choice Launches New Initiative
The Coalition for Patient Choice, an alliance of Washington state health care providers and patients, kicked off a signature drive for Initiative 673, aimed at allowing patients to choose their own health care provider and keep their provider when they change health insurance plans. This will replace Initiative 192, for which the Coalition obtained 189,000 signatures and delivered them to the Secretary of State's office; despite great efforts, the Coalition's signature drive did not reach the number of signatures required to present the initiative to the state legislature.
In addition to protecting patient's rights to choose their own health care provider, Initiative 673 would also require that health insurance companies provide full disclosure on rules that govern a patient's health care, including any limitations on referrals or other restrictions that prevent patients from getting the care they may need. Health care providers listed in the initiative include doctors of medicine, chiropractic, pharmacy, psychology, osteopathy, podiatry, naturopathy, optometry, and nurse practitioners.
CMCC Plans "Run/Walk for Chiropractic Education" in April
The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) will hold its 12th annual "Run/Walk for Chiropractic Education" on April 27 at 10:00 a.m. in Sunnybrook Park, Toronto. A minimum $20 entrance fee is required, and all participants receive a t-shirt and race kit, plus a chance to win prizes including the "Grand Prize Draw." All proceeds will go toward chiropractic research and education at CMCC. If you are unable to participate, you may sponsor a friend or a CMCC student. For more information call (416) 482-2340
Belgium Government Ends Physiotherapy Program at Universities
The Flemish Minister of Education decided in January to withdraw the four-year physiotherapy education program within Belgian universities. A separate program will be set up outside of the university system, removed from the faculties of medicine where the research activities take place. Professor W. De Weerdt, chair of the department of rehabilitative science at Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, has asked people that they e-mail their reactions to this decision to the following e-mail address:
Company Tests Internet Site for Patients to Check Claims Status
Anthem Inc., an Indianapolis, Indiana-based company, plans to test an Internet site which will allow patients enrolled in its health plans to use their PCs to check the status of their medical claims and to send e-mail inquiries about them. Patients and doctors will able to check on deductible levels and eligibility, call up directories of doctors in Anthem health plans, and read health tips on a variety of medical topics. The site, protected by password and encryption software, will allow visitors to log in at any hour, at any time of the week. The company will test the site with employees of Acordia Healthcare Solutions, and if the testing goes well, the site will be accessible to patients and medical providers sometime this summer.
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