Health

Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill: Sunday, November 22, 2009; LETTER FROM WASHINGTON:; By Lisa Mascaro; You would have thought they were rock stars, not graying politicians, the way Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his top lieutenants were welcomed at a Senate reception the day after Reid’s health care bill was introduced.

John Ensign absent from Senate floor during health care debate: Saturday, November 21, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON -- As senators speak on the Senate floor today to discuss health care reform in a lively, rare Saturday session, one voice that has been absent is that of Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada.

Reid clears major health care hurdle, daunting weeks ahead: Saturday, November 21, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON — With tonight's Senate vote to open debate on the Democrats’ health care reform bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cleared a hurdle in the most profound test of his leadership skills but is about to face another.

FBI looking at UMC records leak: Saturday, November 21, 2009; Agent says ‘multiple federal laws’ might have been violated; By Marshall Allen; The FBI said it may investigate a breach of patient privacy laws at University Medical Center, where hospital officials are reeling with the realization that at least one of their employees has leaked confidential names, birth dates and Social Security numbers.

Commissioner’s response to report of leak nothing new: Friday, November 20, 2009; Las Vegas Sun; In a Sun story Friday about leaks of UMC patient information, Clark County Commissioner and UMC board of trustees Chairman Lawrence Weekly said he had heard about the leaks but he had not talked to officials of the county-owned hospital about the matter because he was not sure whether it was illegal for private patient information to leave the hospital.

FBI, hospital in talks over leak of patient records: Friday, November 20, 2009; By Richard A. Serrano; The FBI said Friday that it has begun "evaluating" the unauthorized release of confidential patient records after officials at University Medical Center met with them in an attempt to determine how the materials have been compromised.

H1N1 flu vaccine clinics scheduled: Friday, November 20, 2009; By Mary Manning; The Southern Nevada Health District is offering H1N1 flu vaccine clinics at three high schools from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for priority groups.

Health costs burden business: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly:; By Nicole Lucht; When Michael MacQuarrie lost his home-inspection job with a builder, he lost his health insurance, and after his COBRA coverage ran out he sought insurance on the open market. Because of his medical history, he was denied.

Vacancy rate for medical office buildings remains stable: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly:; By Brian Wargo; The medical office market, even though it is slumping, is outperforming the rest of the local commercial sector because it doesn’t have the same level of distressed properties facing foreclosures, industry analysts said.

Don’t allow states to opt out of public health care option: Friday, November 20, 2009; health care column:; By Nicole Lucht; What good is any bill that purports to reform health care if states can opt out of the public option?

Salaried physicians: Barriers and benefits: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly:; By Nicole Lucht; It’s a little known quirk of the Las Vegas medical community: Hospitals don’t employ doctors.

NVCI director tabbed for Murren Chair: Friday, November 20, 2009; In Business Las Vegas; John Ruckdeschel, CEO and director of the Nevada Cancer Institute, is the recipient of the newly created Murren Family Distinguished Director’s Chair.

Q&A: Larry Ruvo: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly: Founder, Ruvo Center for Brain Health; By Nicole Lucht; Larry Ruvo is a man with several missions: Find a cure for debilitating brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s; change the model of care patients receive; and discover a way to diagnose the illnesses early and then successfully treat them.

Q&A: Michael Modic: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly: Chairman, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute; By Nicole Lucht; Dr. Michael Modic is overseeing operations at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health after the two organizations joined forces this year.

Medical practice aims to attract wealthy Las Vegans: Friday, November 20, 2009; Health care quarterly:; By Nicole Lucht; A physician group with roots in Beverly Hills, Calif., is hoping its posh and personalized care will capture some of the high-end patient market in Las Vegas.