Obesity For The Win, Twitter 911 and a HIPAA Fine: The ReportingonHealth Daily Briefing

Here's what we're reading today:

Obesity FTW: The New York Times' Duff Wilson examines how money for stop-smoking programs is shrinking as foundation and government funding flows instead to obesity prevention efforts. You can find more resources and ideas for reporting on your state's dwindling tobacco control programs here.

Insurance Trap: You think you've got problems? At least you're not Michael Stanzione, a New Jersey man with Pompe disease who has been stuck in a hospital for three years because his insurance will pay for hospitalization but not cheaper home health care.

HIPAA: In an unusual sanction, federal officials fine the Rite-Aid pharmacy chain $1 million for HIPAA patient privacy violations after news reports showed employees dumping prescription labels and employee applications in open dumpsters.

Health Reform: This isn't as exciting as our beach novel, but Harvard health policy researcher Joseph P. Newhouse's assessment in Health Affairs of how four groups of people will fare under health reform is important for anyone writing about health reform.

Twitter 911: An injured athlete without phone reception manages to get emergency aid via Twitter.