State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA, announced the completion of new guidance intended to assist hospitals wishing to develop policies and procedures for boarding admitted patients. This new guidance is an important tool that will help hospitals in their ongoing efforts to better manage their boarded patients, which will in turn promote improved patient satisfaction and quality of care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first round of applicants accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

The Obama Administration today highlighted new information that describes how the Affordable Care Act, just five months after its enactment, is already giving Americans more control over their health care.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the award of $1 million to Virginia to help crack down on health insurance premium increases. Virginia will use this Affordable Care Act funding to help improve the oversight of proposed health insurance premium increases, take action against insurers seeking unreasonable rate hikes, and ensure Virginians receive value for their premium dollars.

The Alexandria Health Department reminds residents of the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the aftermath of the recent storm and urges the public to remember to use personal protection when mosquito exposure is likely.

Today, Judge Henry Hudson of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss Virginia’s challenge to the constitutionality of the mandatory health insurance purchase requirement in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Last week, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria released a report on the Alexandria Health department’s performance in ten essential public health services. The report showed that the Health Department is performing well in most of the services and made recommendations for improvements.

Mosquito collections in the 4200 block of Eisenhower Avenue, the Cameron Knoll community, and Angel Park in the City of Alexandria have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, marking the first reported activity of the virus in the City for the 2010 season.

With temperatures in Alexandria expected to climb once again to triple digits, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory and a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for today. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution levels may become unhealthy for some people including children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma and heart and lung disease. The heat index is supposed to reach 105 this week.

The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory and an Air Quality Alert for Alexandria. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution levels may become unhealthy for some people including children, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma and heart and lung disease. The heat index is supposed to reach 105 this week. With temperatures climbing into the triple digits and forecasts for more of the same all week, the City has posted on its website several tips to help citizens stay cool this summer.