Cactus Petes employees donate to Boise spine injury program
POSTED: Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Cactus Petes, medical services, Saint Alphonsus Health System
Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services received more than $61,000 to help with treatment for spinal cord injuries from resort casino Cactus Petes in Jackpot, Nev.
The money was raised by employees of Cactus Petes, with 50 percent matching funds from the private foundation of Ameristar’s late chairman and CEO, Craig Neilsen.
A car accident left Neilsen [...]
State takes health subsidies, still fights federal reform 
POSTED: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 07:21 AM PTBY: IBR Staff
Tags: Affordable Care Act, C.L. "Butch" Otter, Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, Health Care Reform, state of Idaho
While Idaho is among the 20 states suing to overturn President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, it also made the list of organizations seeking part of a $5 billion federal reinsurance coverage plan.
At least 20 Idaho companies and agencies applied for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program and have been approved by Health and Human [...]
IBR unveils 2010 Health Care Heroes honorees
POSTED: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:34 PM PTBY: Steve Martin
Tags: Health Care, Health Care Heroes, Idaho Business Review
The Idaho Business Review has announced the recipients of the 2010 Idaho Health Care Heroes awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Health Care Heroes program recognizes the invaluable contributions made by individuals and organizations in the health care field statewide.
Joining the IBR in this effort is longtime partner Idaho State University. Other program affiliates include [...]
Idaho steps up efforts to increase childhood vaccinations
POSTED: Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 02:44 PM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Immunizations
Idaho health officials are taking several important steps this year to raise the childhood vaccination rate, which is among the lowest in the country.
A new Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule due to be published Sept. 1 will aim to prevent children from entering kindergarten without either the recommended vaccinations or an exemption on [...]
Hospitals, physicians prepare for likely outcomes of health care reform
POSTED: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 11:35 AM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Health Care Reform, hospitals, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke's
The leaders of insurers, hospitals and other businesses deeply invested in the outcome of health care reform are waiting to see what changes the complex bill will bring.
Meanwhile, some sectors of the industry are already reshaping themselves to accommodate reform, said Dr. David Pate, the president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Health System. [...]
Medicaid payor head addresses payment delays
POSTED: Monday, August 23, 2010 at 06:07 PM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Health Care, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, Medicaid, Molina Healthcare
J. Mario Molina, the physician who is the head of Idaho’s Medicaid provider, apologized in person Aug. 23 for his company’s delay in making payments to thousands of Idaho health care providers.
Molina, the president and CEO of Molina Healthcare Inc., held a press conference with Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter in Boise where he promised his [...]
Health industry leaders watch, wait as reform unfolds
POSTED: Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 12:37 PM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Health Care, Idaho Business Review, PacificSource, roundtable, Saint Alphonsus
As the director of PacificSource Health Plans in Boise, Dave Self hears a lot of questions about the health reform passed by Congress in March and now making its way into public policy.
Most of the questions come from business owners, who ask Self how much the end product of reform will cost them. It’s difficult [...]
PacificSource plans relocation of Boise office
POSTED: Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 10:59 AM PTBY: Jennifer Gonzalez
Tags: City of Boise, Health Care, PacificSource
PacificSource Health Plans plans to move its Boise office into a new space at 408 E. Parkcenter Blvd. in Boise.
Marketing Communications Manager Colleen Thompson confirmed the office’s 61 employees will relocate into the 16,531-square-foot space sometime in October. Improvements to the space will include modifications to make it more open, incorporating additional offices and conference [...]
No West Nile cases reported in Idaho yet this year
POSTED: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 11:33 AM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Idaho Department of Health, state of Idaho, West Nile
After bracing for West Nile virus this year, public health officials in Idaho have been surprised to find not even one case – yet.
“We’ve actually been amazed,” said Jack Bennett, the field operations manager for Ada County’s mosquito abatement program. “It’s just been an unusual year.”
The worst year in recent history for West Nile [...]
St. Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus sign physicians en masse
POSTED: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 10:34 AM PTBY: Anne Wallace Allen
Tags: Health Care, Idaho Medical Association, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke's Health System
Idaho’s largest health care provider, St. Luke’s Health System, has quietly been getting larger, as has its competitor, Saint Alphonsus.
Each, during the past year, has recruited physicians to work directly for the hospital, often acquiring entire practices with physicians, mid-level providers like physician assistants, and office staff.
Each hospital independently has persuaded physicians to leave the [...]
