Health

The politics of birth control: Bodies and souls: Friday, February 10, 2012; Joanne Kenen, Politico; The two sides in the raging debate on birth control and religion are so far apart that it can look like someone drew a Venn diagram but forgot to have the circles overlap.

11-year-old burn victim joins firefighters' familiar chorus: Don't play with fire: Thursday, February 9, 2012; By Jackie Valley; As 11-year-old Bishop Smith stands on his hands, his impressive balancing act draws more stares than the scars revealed by his gravity-pulled T-shirt. Nearly 10 seconds later, Bishop brings his feet back to earth, smiling sheepishly at what he just accomplished. Three years ago, the odds were stacked against Bishop to live a normal life, much less perform lengthy handstands. He was in University Medical Center’s burn unit, his body 25 percent covered with third-degree burns on his arms and chest.

Hospital sued for failing to rehire nurse in catheter probe: Tuesday, February 7, 2012; By Steve Green; A nurses’ union sued Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas on Tuesday after the hospital refused to rehire a nurse who had been investigated in the death of an infant there. A lawsuit filed in federal court in Las Vegas said Sunrise should have rehired Jessica Rice with back pay as it was ordered to in December by Paul Staudohar, an arbitrator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Nobel laureate to chair Lou Ruvo Center scientific advisory panel: Friday, February 3, 2012; By Richard N. Velotta; In a major step toward establishing the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health as the pre-eminient facility in its field nationally, a Nobel laureate has agreed to chair its scientific advisory committee.

Lawsuit seeks to block anti-abortion ballot initiative: Wednesday, February 1, 2012; By Cy Ryan; A District Court lawsuit has been filed by groups aimed at stopping an anti-abortion petition from appearing on the election ballot.

Woman says doctor botched surgery by reusing breast implant: Tuesday, January 31, 2012; By Conor Shine; A 20-year-old Las Vegas woman alleges she is the victim of a botched breast augmentation after a plastic surgeon used an implant that had been used inside another woman.

State medical board files complaints against weight loss clinic owner: Tuesday, January 31, 2012; By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Medical Examiners has filed a seven count complaint against the owner of a Las Vegas weight loss clinic accusing its owner of mishandling controlled substances and forging records.

Guest who stayed at Luxor dies of Legionnaires’ disease: Monday, January 30, 2012; By Jackie Valley; hree guests at the Luxor have contracted Legionnaires’ disease since last spring, including one who recently died as a result, the Southern Nevada Health District announced today.

University's takeover of Nevada Cancer Institute is finalized: Monday, January 23, 2012; By Steve Green; The University of California, San Diego, Health System said Monday it was taking over operations at the Nevada Cancer Institute after receiving Bankruptcy Court approval for its $18 million purchase of NVCI.

St. Rose hospitals retain ties to Catholic Church, but parent company splits: Monday, January 23, 2012; Health care:; By Steve Green; Catholic Healthcare West, a big hospital operator in Southern Nevada and the fifth-largest health system in the nation, announced Monday it had changed its name to Dignity Health.

Nevada gets 'F' in efforts to prevent smoking: Thursday, January 19, 2012; By Cy Ryan; Nevada and 42 other states scored an “F” grade for failing to finance tobacco prevention and control programs at the needed levels, according to the American Lung Association.

Study ranks Las Vegas as nation's second most stressful city: Thursday, January 19, 2012; By Conor Shine; There are plenty of things to be stressed about in Las Vegas. There are so many potential sources for anxiety, in fact, that a recent study by CNBC.com has ranked Las Vegas as the second most stressful city in the country.

Lawmakers asked to exempt farm-to-table events from food regulations: Tuesday, January 17, 2012; By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY - A family-owned farm in Overton is battling with the Southern Nevada Health District over regulations used in October to shut down a farm-to-table event at the farm. The fight continued today at the Legislative Committee on Health Care.

Nevada lawmakers call for ban on synthetic cocaine, marijuana: Tuesday, January 17, 2012; By Cy Ryan; Synthetic drugs that mirror cocaine and marijuana are showing up more often in Nevada, and some state legislators are unhappy that the state Pharmacy Board has not taken action to ban them. Assemblywoman April Mastroluca, chairwoman of the Legislative Committee on Health Care, said it’s been almost a year since the 2011 Legislature discussed the problem and she is frustrated the Pharmacy Board had not adopted a regulation to prohibit the “synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts.”

Head of state insurance exchange expects challenge reducing number of uninsured: Wednesday, January 4, 2012; By Cy Ryan; One in five Nevadans doesn’t have health insurance, one of the highest rates in the nation. Nevada is just starting to comply with President Barack Obama’s health care plan that is being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.