ALSO NOTED: MA spends most on healthcare; Number of uninsured down; and much more...

> A new study by researchers at Boston University claims that Massachusetts has the most expensive health care system in the world. Article

> Neil Versel reports in Health IT World that Care New England Health System in Providence, RI has been using software from Core Security Technologies to protect its network as it goes live with Cerner and PHRs. Article

> A new NCVHS report suggests that uninsurance fell slightly in 2005. Their estimate is that 41.6 million Americans are uninsured. Perhaps more interesting, the number with public insurance coverage now exceeds those with private coverage. Report (.pdf)

> In the U.K., a pilot project is using podcasts to educate patients about their conditions. Article

> GPO Premier says that improved patient care can save lives and money. Really!Article

> CalPERS rejected a proposal to increase co-pays for its union members. Article

> McKesson is standing by its FY 2007 earnings outlook. Article

> A plastic surgeon working for Kaiser Permanente is let go after gun charges are filed against him and a series of patients accuse him of sexual assault. Article

And Finally...  The U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup today courtesy of a very dubious refereeing decision. We can't think of a health care angle, we just think you ought to know! Article