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Federal Program Cracks Down On Medicare Fraud In Houston
A federal program targets Medicare fraud in the Houston area as news of three cases representing at least $35 million in false claims emerged within the past week. The Houston Chronicle reports on the three cases, noting: "These Houston-area scams alleged in two FBI complaints and one Montgomery County indictment were among six reported nationally in a single week - representing at least $285 million in false billings, records showed. "This is an astounding amount," said Houston"s FBI spokeswoman Pat Villafranca. The $285 million is more than four times the amount stolen during robberies of U.S. banks during all of 2008, she said. This month, Houston became the fourth metropolitan area - joining Miami, Los Angeles and Detroit - to create a ramped-up fraud strike force. It goes by the acronym "HEAT," Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team."

Policymakers To Discuss Alternatives To Custody
Experts in criminology will discuss "Alternatives to Custodial Sentencing" at a Parliamentary seminar organised by the British Psychological Society and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Services and Policy. The event takes place at Westminster on Tuesday 16 June (4.30 - 6.00 p.m.)
News of the day
What Is Infective Conjunctivitis? What Is Conjunctivitis? What Is Pink Eye?
There is a thin layer of cells (membrane) between the inner surface of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes, called the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed. Another name for conjunctivitis is pink eye. Inflammation causes tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the conjunctiva to become more prominent, giving the eye a red or pink look.
Mental Health

Soaring Summer Temperatures Spell Danger: What To Do To Protect Yourself

From the west to east coast, Americans are experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Some states are reporting triple-digit numbers and the heat has been the cause of several reported deaths. "Children and the elderly are considered the most vulnerable population. It is harder for their bodies to respond to these high temperatures," said Richard N. Bradley, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine and chief of EMS and disaster medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. "The key is not to push it too hard. Stay inside a building with air conditioning when you can. If your home does not have a/c, go to a shopping center or library. Some cities are even offering "cooling stations" to help those at-risk, especially the homeless," Bradley said. Those with pre-existing conditions like heart disease, lung disease or mental illness should also try and stay indoors. The hottest part of the day tends to be between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., so it is best to get your outdoor activities done early in the morning or late in the evening. If you can get inside where it is cool for at least three to four hours a day, that also will help your body. Bradley offers the following tips if you have to be outside: -- Drink plenty of water -- Drink water throughout the day, even if you aren"t thirsty -- Stay away from alcoholic beverages -- If you are unable to drink sufficient fluids because you have nausea or are vomiting, contact your physician -- If someone you are with becomes confused or disoriented, call 911 for help immediately Bradley also suggests you be alert to the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat cramps are painful, brief muscle cramps that occur during exercise or work in a hot environment. The cramps are usually felt in the calves, thighs, abdomen or shoulders. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is not able to maintain normal functions because of the excessive loss of body fluids and salts. In effect, the body is trying to protect itself from a greater rise in body temperature. The symptoms include: heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, nausea and a weak or rapid pulse. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of the body"s inability to regulate its core temperature. As the body"s water and salt supplies dwindle, its temperature rises to extreme levels. The symptoms include: a very high body temperature above 104 degrees (although heat stroke can occur at lower body temperatures), disorientation, confusion or coma. The skin may be hot and dry or sweaty. "If you suspect someone may be experiencing any of those symptoms, it"s very important to get medical help right away," Bradley said. "It could mean the difference in someone surviving the heat or not." University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston


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