RI health department
releases evaluation of health plans
A report released last week by the Rhode Island Department of Health gave a generally favorable review of 1998-2000 operations of commercial health plans in the state.
According to the analysis, Rhode Islanders paid about the same per member per month premium as other New Englanders for their health insurance in 2000 ($172 compared to the New England average of $176). The state’s health plans scored higher on many measures of "clinical effectiveness" than the regional plans. Rhode Islanders’ satisfaction with their health plans was at 72 percent compared to the 61 percent regionally.
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Premiums in the state increased 22 percent from 1999 to 2000, jumping 22 percent. The health plans spent less of each premium dollar on health care services, dropping from 85.3 percent in 1999 to 84.4 percent in 2000. Health plans spent more per member each month for physician services ($59.27) than other services in 2000.
"The trend analysis, showing changes between 1998 and 2000, will help us understand the current situation and anticipate developments in the months ahead," said Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, director of the state’s health department.
Village Retirement
opens new Providence facility
Village Retirement Communities recently unveiled its newest addition to its network of retirement facilities, Courtyard, located on the campus of The Village at Elmhurst in Providence. The new building caters to residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory loss disorders.
The new facility consists of 28 private and semi-private suites, and will house up to 42 residents. It is the third free-standing Alzheimer’s residence developed by Village Retirment Communities. The Courtyard will feature a center court area with an outdoor garden, beauty parlor, bistro, ice cream parlor and country kitchen. Secured outdoor gardens with walking paths and gazebos are also accessible to resident at all times.
"This Courtyard was developed in conjunction with Roger Williams Medical Center, and will offer patients and residents a full continuum of care all on one campus," said Peter Sangermano, owner of Village Retirement Communities.
Dr. Ellner keynote
speaker at Brown research forum
Brown University’s Department of Medicine Research Forum will take place on Thursday (June 13) from 4 to 7 p.m. at Smith-Buonanno Hall on campus at Brown University.
Jerrold Ellner, MD, interim chair, department of medicine, UMD-New Jersey Medical School, chief, infectious diseases and director, Ruy V. Lourenco Center for the Study of Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens will deliver the keynote address "Protean Interactions of Tuberculosis and HIV Infection."
URI geriatric
center to present osteoarthritis program
The Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center will present "Assessing and Managing Osteoarthritis-Workshop IV" at the Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in Exeter on June 17.
The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and feature presentations on the biology and pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, psychosocial consequences, the role of exercise, assessment of the older patient, medical management, and surgical interventions in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
For more information, call the Geriatric Education Center at 874-5311 or visit the Web site at www.uri.edu/outreach/rigec. The registration fee is $100, and group rates are available.
AARP will join
suits against drugmakers on patents
AARP, which represents 35 million older Americans, said it would join lawsuits accusing six drugmakers of improperly blocking less expensive generic versions of their drugs, Bloomberg News reported.
The cases include Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s BuSpar anti-anxiety drug, Schering-Plough Corp.’s K-dur potassium chloride supplement, and AstraZeneca Plc’s breast cancer treatment tamoxifen. Prescription Access Litigation Project, a Boston-based
coalition of consumer advocates, filed the lawsuits initially.
U.S. prescription drug spending rose 17 percent to $155 billion last year and AARP is lobbying Congress to expand Medicare drug coverage. Also, Congress is considering legislation to close loopholes in a 1984 law that allow brand-name drugmakers to use patent and drug approval laws to limit generic competition.
"I don’t think that in the end, this AARP action has a big financial impact, but it’s another thing for an industry that’s under siege," said John Borzilleri, a fund manager and analyst with State Street Research, which holds shares of drugmakers such as Pfizer Inc.
(Compiled from news reports and releases, print and electronic.)
