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Some states see enrollment success even as others, federal insurance exchange struggle

Even as the federal and some state-based insurance marketplaces falter, enrollment numbers in some state-based exchanges are exceeding expectations -- including nearly 49,000 in Washington state alone. But some places, like Oregon, are dealing with technical problems that are forcing officials there to hand-process applications.

4 Nov 2013

Viewpoints: Policies being canceled were once considered substandard; that insurance 'was working for people'

The weirdest thing about the ongoing conniption about the cancellation of people's health insurance plans -- supposedly as a result of Obamacare -- is the notion that these are plans people liked, even loved. When did that happen? It wasn't so long ago -- months, even weeks -- when the health insurance companies were being roundly cursed for their ruthless mistreatment of individual health plan customers. Constant rate hikes. Cancellations after policyholders got sick. Endless hoops to jump through to file a claim or appeal a rejection (Michael Hiltzik, 10/31).

4 Nov 2013

State highlights: Patients crowd free clinic event in Calif.; Mass. bill aims at lowering retiree health costs

An army of doctors, nurses, dentists and other health workers on Thursday began providing free care to a steady stream of patients at the annual Care Harbor clinic at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Care Harbor founder Don Manelli estimated that 700 to 800 people would receive free care by the end of the day Thursday. In all, the clinic expects to serve about 4,000 Angelenos--many of whom don't have insurance, or don't have coverage for services like dentistry or vision care (Brown, 10/31).

4 Nov 2013

Health law policy issues: Abortion and maternity coverage raising GOP concerns

As if the rollout of the federal health law didn't have enough problems, abortion is back in the spotlight. How the various health plans in the exchanges would or would not pay for abortion was one of the very last issues settled before the bill was passed in 2010. Now abortion's invisibility on the federal HealthCare.gov website has some people pretty upset (Rovner, 11/1).

4 Nov 2013

As Healthcare.gov falters, navigators and marketing efforts forced to the sidelines

Navigators, who had planned to be working hard on online enrollments by now, are forced to try paper insurance applications or trying to answer consumers' questions about why they can't enroll. At the same time, a marketing blitz planned by health law advocates is on hold until the website works better.

4 Nov 2013

Romney says Obama's 'fundamental dishonesty' is undermining second term

Former GOP presidential candidate says Obama did not learn the lessons of the Massachusetts' health overhaul.

4 Nov 2013

A central health law question: Who is getting covered? Who is getting canceled?

The Associated Press reports that some of the newly insured will now become the faces of healthcare.gov, while The New York Times tells three stories about people who won't be able to keep their coverage.

4 Nov 2013

Stop L.A. Corruption: A new awareness campaign that highlights failures of LA County

Health and public policy advocates from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will unveil 'Stop L.A. Corruption,' a new advocacy and awareness campaign highlighting the profound failures of Los Angeles County and its key elected and appointed officials in carrying out their sworn duties to serve and protect the nearly 10 million residents of the County.

4 Nov 2013

Most uninsured signing up on health website are going to Medicaid

The Washington Post reports that nine out of 10 new enrollees are in Medicaid. Meanwhile, White House documents turned over to investigators in the House show only six people enrolled on the day the troubled website launched.

4 Nov 2013

Details emerge about key fixers in 'tech surge' to address website issues

News outlets report that the administration's so-called "tech surge" has been somewhat mysterious, but it's becoming clear that the administration has enlisted engineers from a number of major companies.

4 Nov 2013

Democrats feeling health law anxiety over troubled start

Democrats are worried the health law's problems could hurt them politically as Senate Democrats push Obama administration officials to ease their anxiety and fix implementation of the law.

4 Nov 2013

Cardinal Health's non-GAAP operating earnings increase 13% to $532M in Q1 FY 2014

Cardinal Health today reported fiscal year 2014 first-quarter revenue of $24.5 billion and a 36 percent increase in non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations to $1.10. Non-GAAP operating earnings increased 13 percent to $532 million.

31 Oct 2013

Valeant Pharmaceuticals' total revenues increase 74% to $1.54B in Q3 2013

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announces third quarter financial results for 2013. "Despite an unexpected early launch of a generic Retin-A Micro, significant headwinds this quarter from foreign exchange movements, and the demands of a major integration, we managed to beat expectations and position Valeant for a terrific fourth quarter and a strong 2014," stated J. Michael Pearson, chairman and chief executive officer.

31 Oct 2013

Mylan's revenues decrease 2% to $1.77B in third quarter 2013

Mylan Inc. today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

31 Oct 2013

ARIAD temporarily suspends commercial distribution of Iclusig drug in US

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it is temporarily suspending the marketing and commercial distribution of Iclusig® (ponatinib), a treatment for patients with resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), in the United States, while it continues to negotiate updates to the U.S. prescribing information for Iclusig and implementation of a risk mitigation strategy.

31 Oct 2013

Viropharma announces financial results for third quarter 2013

ViroPharma Incorporated reported today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013. Net sales were $113 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $91 million in the same three months of 2012.

31 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 31, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the Obama administration's efforts to recover from health law implementation hiccups and challenges.

31 Oct 2013

Lifestyle Lift, Alliance Data sign multi-year agreement

Alliance Data Systems Corporation, a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced its Retail Services business has signed a multi-year agreement to provide private label credit card services for Lifestyle Lift (www.lifestylelift.com), further extending Alliance Data's presence in the elective medical and cosmetic procedure segment.

31 Oct 2013

MEDNAX reports revenue growth of 17.3% to $555M

MEDNAX, Inc., the national medical group specializing in neonatal, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, other pediatric subspecialties and anesthesia physician services, today reported earnings of $1.52 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2013 resulting from strong revenue growth, primarily from recent acquisitions.

31 Oct 2013

Alkermes reports 38% of year-over-year revenue growth from key products

Alkermes plc today reported financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013. This is the second quarter of the nine-month period ending Dec. 31, 2013, as the company transitions to reporting on a calendar year basis.

31 Oct 2013