HONOLULU – With the need for donated organs far exceeding the number available for transplantation in the U.S., the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policy during its Interim Meeting this week aimed at increasing organ donation rates—particularly among minority populations with historically low donation rates.  

EpicMD, www.epic.md, a trusted leader in cloud-based telehealth and telemedicine technology platforms, today announced the appointment of Jack Karabees as EpicMD’s President and Vice President of Sales. Karabees has spent over 25 years successfully establishing and executing high-growth sales and marketing plans for enterprise healthcare, payer and hospital-related software technology companies. “We feel that Karabees brings an unusual blend of technology and healthcare leadership experience to the company,” said Matt Wanderer, company CEO. “His experience at this stage of company growth is also a fantastic fit,” he continued.

While platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram give people the ability to connect with anyone in the world, the American Medical Association (AMA) has announced the adoption of new policies outlining the negative health effects of social media.

In October, Cook County, Illinois, which includes Chicago, repealed a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages that had been in effect for just two months. The move, which resulted from a huge public backlash to the tax, may lead to some 600 layoffs included in a proposal from Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first digital pill with an ingestion tracking system to tell physicians whether patients have taken their medication.

Republican leaders in the Senate announced Nov. 14 they will include a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate in their tax reform proposal. After failing numerous times to repeal and replace the ACA, GOP leaders are hoping to include the healthcare reform in the tax bill.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a public health advisory about risks associated with kratom, an herbal supplement used to treat pain and reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.

In the first update to U.S. guidelines on blood pressure in 14 years, a writing committee changed the definition of high blood pressure from 140/90 millimeters of mercury or higher to 130/80 or higher.