News From Around the Web
> Researchers in Sweden created a self-management patient portal that included diabetes information and social networking functions and studied its use and effects in pediatric patients with diabetes. They found that the use of a web portal can be a useful complement to traditional diabetes care. The results appear in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. Study
> The University of Mississippi Medical Center accidentally revealed Social Security numbers, grade-point averages and other personal information for most of its student body this week, violating state and federal privacy laws, according to the Clarion-Ledger. According to the article, UMC's accounting department on Wednesday attached the private data to a mass email notifying students about changes to the school's health insurance. Article
Health Payer News
> A new series of polls demonstrate the mindset of California consumers when it comes to the healthcare reform law. Among the findings, a majority of Californians still don't understand healthcare reform, despite the law's continued popularity throughout the state. Article
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont won a contract to administer health coverage for more than 23,000 state employees and their dependents by including a strong wellness model and lower costs. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said Wednesday Blue Cross would replace Cigna as the insurer for the state's employees as of Jan. 1. Article
Provider News
> A $3 million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant will help Indiana hospitals become more "baby-friendly" by encouraging breastfeeding to combat childhood obesity in the area, the Evansville Courier & Press reports. Article
And Finally... Slow ride, take it easy. Article