Val Mailander, Ma, PhD, retired psychologist, probation officer and TV producer/actress is offering introductory lectures and group meditations on the Kitsap Peninsula. She has taught over 1,000 people over the past 40 years.

Mailander states that Transcendental Meditation (TM) is for everybody, students and elders, of all religions and philosophies. Further, she states that TM is a world renowned, scientifically validated technique that provides increased energy, intelligence and tranquility. “Peacefulness and happiness are two of the chief results of regular practice of Transcendental Meditation,” she said. read more »

Greer Gates, 14 years old, makes and sells jewelry to raise money for cancer research at the University of Washington Medical Center. Her 2011 sales were double her goal and generated more than $10,600.00 in total to UWMC. The money goes to support research and prevention of Ovarian and Breast Cancer led by Dr. Elizabeth Swisher. read more »

Former federal prosecutor and Attorney General Candidate Reagan Dunn condemned efforts by Democratic legislators to strip the Office of Washington State Attorney General of its independent authority. Dunn sent a letter to Senator Adam Kline, prime sponsor of the measure, voicing his concern for the effect of the bill.

“This is obviously retaliation from partisans who are upset about Attorney General McKenna joining the federal health care lawsuit,” said Dunn. “Those legislators should be very careful not to go too far. The people of the State of Washington count on having an independent Attorney General to protect their rights. This is bad public policy and bad for the people of Washington State.” read more »

For the past three years, Harrison Medical Center’s board of directors and executive team has thoughtfully and deliberately considered how best to operate successfully and provide local healthcare services so crucially needed. Harrison remains financially sound and is poised well for the future. However, the healthcare industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. The state’s budget crisis and reductions in federal Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates have cut across organizations of every size. National healthcare reform is expected to create even more change. As such, Harrison is considering how to ensure the future of this 93-year-old organization. read more »

After years of being a leader in fighting tobacco use, Washington has fallen to 42nd in the nation in funding programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations.

Washington has slashed funding for its tobacco prevention and cessation programs by 97 percent in the past three years, from $27.2 million in 2009 to $13.4 million last year and to just $750,000 this year. As a result, Washington now spends just one percent of the $67.3 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »

Scott Bosch, president/CEO of Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, has been elected chair of the Washington State Hospital Association. As Chair, Bosch will preside over the board of trustees and lead the hospital association’s work for the coming year.

“We are proud to have Scott Bosch providing leadership to our association,” said Scott Bond, president/CEO of the Washington State Hospital Association. “He has proven himself to be a valuable member of our board and executive committee. Scott leads with vision, courage, and heart. During this turbulent time in our state’s economy, that is the kind of leadership we need to ensure continued access to high quality health care across Washington.” read more »

Attorney General McKenna announced that Washington State has joined with 42 other states and the federal government in reaching an agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (Merck) to settle civil and criminal allegations that Merck marketed Vioxx for unapproved uses.

“Attorneys in our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, working with the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and their federal counterparts, have once again helped recover millions for Washington State,” McKenna said. “I appreciate their continued vigilance on behalf of taxpayers.” read more »

Want to know if your health insurance rates are changing? A new website launched by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner lets consumers sign up to receive an e-mail when their health plan requests a rate change, and when a decision is. They also can post comments about rates while they’re under review.

“Giving consumers access to the information health insurers file when seeking rate increases is important, said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “But even more so is providing them with tools to understand the requests and a venue for providing feedback.” read more »