Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) announced plans yesterday to establish a program to aid state residents in purchasing cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, marking the first time that a state-backed importation program has included drugs from countries other than Canada, the Wall Street Journal reports. A spokesperson for the governor said the program—which is slated to begin within the next month and will be accessible via the Internet and a toll-free phone line—includes “built in”…

12 migrants succumb to heat, desperation Daniel González The ArizonaRepublic Aug. 10, 2004 12:00 AM PALOMA – At least 12 undocumented immigrants have been found dead in the southern Arizona desert since Friday, including five from a single group who perished Sunday, making this past weekend among the deadliest in years, authorities said. They blamed the deaths on the extreme heat and smugglers who continue to guide migrants through some of the most treacherous areas in the country in an…

A decision under last year’s Medicare reform act to provide $1 billion in funding to hospitals offering emergency care to undocumented immigrants has been called a “breakthrough” but is drawing criticism from some hospital and civil rights groups that say a stipulation requiring hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status could discourage underserved populations from seeking care, the New York Times reports. The four-year program, which will provide $250 million annually beginning Oct. 1, seeks to offer relief to…

The Advisory Board is pleased to announce its inaugural West Coast Academy Fellowship Class. The Academy Fellowship is dedicated to assisting partner hospitals and health systems in the selection, education, and development of their highest potential leadership talent. Working with each partner, the Fellowship provides tailored, best-practice-based executive preparation education and practical project development opportunities for each selected Fellow. Across the two-year curriculum, Fellows attend six three-day sessions on a directed syllabus of intensive work devoted to health care leadership…