Health policy

Parents say they can’t afford their disabled children under N.L. health system

Many families don’t qualify for coverage for costly special equipment and respite care. The family of six-year-old Lauren Tucker says they struggle to pay for all the care she needs — and they’re not the only ones. … READ MORE

We should care more about caregivers

Caregivers in Canada need more support. It’s time to strengthen support for the 28% of people who provide care for an ageing family member, friend or neighbour in Canada, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association … READ MORE

Finnish healthcare and social welfare system provides a variety of e-services to citizens

The system presses on towards the next level of usability and interoperability for professionals. THL studies population health and welfare, effectiveness of health and welfare policies and services, environmental health as well as … READ MORE

CRA moves to slash ‘excessive’ fees charged by disability tax credit companies

It’s been 5 years since legislation passed to tighten rules around firms that help Canadians apply. Cathy Publicover of Eastern Passage, N.S., said she welcomes proposed regulations to limit how much companies can charge to help … READ MORE

Once its greatest foes, doctors are embracing single-payer

When the American Medical Association — one of the nation’s most powerful health care groups — met in Chicago this June, its medical student caucus seized an opportunity for change. Doctors for the 99 Percent march from Zuccotti … READ MORE

Wheelchair users sue Atlanta, alleging sidewalk access violations

On June 11, Atlanta became the latest major U.S. city to be sued for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to lack of access to public sidewalks. The lawsuit follows recent settlements over similar issues in Los … READ MORE

Death by 1,000 clicks: where electronic health records went wrong

Inside a digital revolution that took a bad turn. The U.S. government claimed that turning American medical charts into electronic records would make health care better, safer, and cheaper. Ten years and $36 billion later, the system … READ MORE

Crucial for health system, many caregivers are struggling financially and emotionally

Caregivers are ‘glue that keeps the health-care system together,’ foundation says Stephane Alexis embraces his brother Torence, left, as they are photographed in their family home near Ottawa. Stephane helps provide care … READ MORE

Funding for physiotherapy led exercise programs is key to proper OA management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating and painful condition affecting more than 2.2 million Australians at a cost to the health system of $2.1 billion annually. As Australia’s population ages and obesity rates climb, this figure is … READ MORE

Doctors say British military electronic health record system places service personnel at risk

Problems are negligible, says Ministry of Defence. British Armed Forces doctors are frustrated and concerned over the operational failings of the £80 million decade-old Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) … READ MORE

How to improve health care in Canada

Expanding public funding for cost-effective treatments, investing in primary care, embracing technology and engaging patients are some of the ways Canada can improve the quality of health care, according to an analysis in CMAJ … READ MORE

Viewpoint: FDA regulation of mobile medical apps

Mobile apps are increasingly used in health care to promote wellness, treat and diagnose disease, aid clinical decision-making, and manage patient care in hospitals and homes. Alivecor is one of thousands of new mobile health apps. It … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s “The Disability Trap” is beautiful and infuriating

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker and New Mobility’s 2014 Person of the Year, Jason DaSilva, just released a powerful new documentary in collaboration with The New York Times. Jason DaSilva on Vimeo By Seth McBride, New Mobility … READ MORE

Did Canada break a promise to its disabled citizens?

Despite their differing approaches, both Canada and the U.S. face challenges in keeping their promise to improve the economic wellbeing of their disabled citizens. Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough rises … READ MORE

New study contradicts notion that electronic health records are driving doctors to quit

Prominent journalists including the late Pulitzer Prize-winner Charles Krauthammer, have written that doctors are leaving the practice of medicine because adopting and using electronic health records (EHRs) is frustrating and … READ MORE

AHS failed to protect health information, privacy commissioner finds

Former Alberta Hospital Edmonton employee looked at private information of nearly 13,000 people. Alberta Health Services failed to ensure an employee of Alberta Hospital Edmonton knew about and followed safeguards to protect health … READ MORE

Millions of patients denied use of a wheelchair

Research by the British Red Cross suggests 4 million people miss out due to UK-wide shortages. Everybody desires a degree of independence. Jamie Hale Denis Campbell, The Guardian 27 July 2018 More than 4 million people a year have … READ MORE

Universal health coverage can best be achieved by public systems

Expanding coverage by ushering in the private sector results in inequities in access, argue Ramya Kumar and Anne-Emanuelle Birn. A new study on universal health care shows partisans are bad at reading studies. The New Republic The BMJ … READ MORE

Alex Elegudin named MTA first accessibility chief

In June, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City announced that it was hiring Alex Elegudin, an attorney, wheelchair user, long-time disability rights advocate, and New Mobility 2017 Person of the Year, as its first-ever … READ MORE

NYU medical school students are getting free tuition – but everyone will reap benefits

Three years ago, at my class’s white coat ceremony during the first week of medical school, the photographer told us to smile and yell “Tuition-free!” rather than “Cheese!” We were horrified: The notion of tuition-free … READ MORE

Should Canada’s health insurance system be a model for the United States?

Most rich democracies provide citizens universal coverage for medical services—but not in the United States, where tens of millions of people remain without health insurance and costs far exceed spending in any other country. Aerial … READ MORE

Engaging patients in health care redesign improves outcomes

Engaging patients in the redesign of health care services can lead to reduced hospital admissions and more efficient and effective health care, a study led by a St. Michael’s Hospital researcher suggests. Two women laughing and … READ MORE

Breaking down barriers for Canadians with disability

It’s time to look beyond the CRA. Breaking Down Barriers is the galvanising theme of a recent report from the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology that outlines urgently-needed recommendations to … READ MORE

The tale of two Medicares: Canadian and American

Medicare for all — or the idea that every American should have some form of public health insurance — continues to forge its way into political debates. With such momentum, however, can come fear mongering and obstructionism. … READ MORE

Ottawa proposes $100M settlement for disabled vets over clawback of benefits

Veterans alleged deductions violated their charter rights. The federal proposed settlement, which must still be approved by the Federal Court, would provide more than 12,000 of Canada’s veterans with payments of between $2,000 … READ MORE

Canadian patients should have online access to their medical records, some doctors say

‘You’re part of the care,’ says daughter who monitors her mom’s cancer treatment online. Yvonne Wright says online access to her mother’s test results as she undergoes cancer treatment is helpful and … READ MORE

We’re on our own: Home health care workers report inadequate support from employers

Home health care work is not only physically demanding, but also emotionally taxing. Home care workers do an enormous amount of emotional labor to keep clients feeling safe, calm and happy. This work can be rewarding but also very … READ MORE

Children with disabilities endure long waits for life-changing medical equipment

Bev Baker-Ajene waited so long to get an adult-sized wheelchair for her teenage daughter, Savitri, that she eventually forgot she’d ordered it. Bev Baker-Ajene ran into red tape trying to acquire an appropriate wheelchair and shower … READ MORE

Liberation or confinement: People with disabilities have a right to manage their own lives

The Manitoba government treats people with disabilities as a liability, not an asset. Rich Donovan is a globally recognized subject matter expert on the convergence of disability and corporate profitability. He has spent more than 10 … READ MORE

Saudi Arabia allows medical trainees to stay in Canada

More than 1,000 Saudi Arabian medical graduates will be allowed to stay in Canada to complete their training, a much-needed reprieve for teaching hospitals that were unsure how they would handle the sudden and significant loss of … READ MORE

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