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BJC HealthCare to purchase Solos Endoscopy's MammoView line of products

Solos Endoscopy, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Company has received purchase orders for its MammoView(TM) line of surgical endoscopy instruments from BJC HealthCare, St. Louis Missouri. BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions.

27 Oct 2009

Economic Adviser Romer goes to bat for 'Cadillac tax,' ways to control costs

ABC News reports that Christina D. Romer, chair of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, "went to bat on Monday for a tax on high-priced insurance plans, the so-called 'Cadillac tax,' calling it 'probably the number one item that health economists across the ideological spectrum believe is likely to stem the explosion of health-care costs.'"

27 Oct 2009

AFL-CIO to push even harder for health reform, may bend on 'Cadillac tax'

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is "willing to consider a tax on high-value health insurance plans — something labor has vehemently opposed — if middle-class workers aren't hurt, The Associated Press reports. The flexibility is notable because "[l]abor leaders worry that workers would be affected even though lawmakers aimed the proposed tax at insurance plans offering the richest benefits" (Werner, 10/26).

27 Oct 2009

Kansas to introduce constitutional amendment to protect individual rights to purchase health insurance

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation's largest individual membership association of state legislators, congratulates Kansas Representatives Peggy Mast and Brenda Landwehr and Kansas Senator Mary Pilcher Cook for announcing their intent to introduce a constitutional amendment to protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices. Kansas now becomes the 19th state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.

27 Oct 2009

Issues inside health care not addressed in health care reform

Everyone is talking about health care reform but no one is addressing the inside of health care, where the problems really lie. The question we should be asking is: Can you really trust your doctors and their staff to do what's right for you?

27 Oct 2009

Report on healthcare procedure costs published

For the first time, Virginians have access to information on what health care procedures cost -- before they receive medical care. Virginia Health Information has published a report showing the average amounts that health insurers in Virginia pay for 31 procedures -- including preventive, emergency, outpatient, and hospital inpatient care.

27 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 27, 2009

Based on today's headlines, it's fair to say that -- at least for the Senate -- it's all about Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement regarding the public option.

27 Oct 2009

New report on healthcare information technology market released

MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of Kalorama Information's new report, "Healthcare Computer System Markets and Trends In HIT Buying (Forecasts for System, Service and Support Revenues, Areas of Interest, Major Competitor Profiles)," to their collection of Healthcare market reports.

27 Oct 2009

Insurer contracting policies can jeopardize health care system, says NNCC study

A study conducted by National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) has found that nearly half (48%) of all major managed-care organizations in the United States do not credential or contract with nurse practitioners as primary care providers.

27 Oct 2009

CCPM coalition members urge Congress to fix or drop the current biogenerics provision

The Coalition for a Competitive Pharmaceutical Market (CCPM), its allied organizations, representing several hundred million Americans, join experts from the medical and research communities, economists and thought leaders appealing to Congress to fix the excessive 12-year market exclusivity and ever-greening provisions for biologics or drop it altogether.

27 Oct 2009

Study: Minimally invasive procedure reduces cost and complications compared to open surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery today announced results from two newly published studies that demonstrate a minimally invasive approach in three common procedures resulted in a reduced rate of complications and lower overall cost of care, including a difference of more than $15,000 on average for minimally invasive colectomies, when compared to open surgery.

27 Oct 2009

Vaccination rates need improvement; racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage

More teenagers are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal meningitis and pertussis (whooping cough), though the rates are still too low, according to recently released government data and a panel of experts convened by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

27 Oct 2009

Studies highlight race- and gender-specific disparities in gastrointestinal disease

Three studies presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego underscore the growing disparities in gastrointestinal disease, particularly colon cancer and Barrett's Esophagus, among certain ethnic and gender populations, including African Americans, Latinos and women. These race- and gender-specific disparities underscore the need for education and vigilance among these populations and perhaps more aggressive screening tactics than the population in general.

27 Oct 2009

Bayshore Home Health acquires Nightingale Nursing Group

Bayshore Home Health announced today the purchase of Saskatoon-based home health care company Nightingale Nursing Group Inc. The acquisition expands Bayshore's presence in the province, complements its existing office in Regina, and provides an opportunity to service additional remote northern communities.

27 Oct 2009

HealthCore study shows Metanx tablets reduces health plan costs

Diabetic patients diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy had lower medical costs and reduced use of anticonvulsant medications when treated with a folate-enriched prescription medical food, according to data presented today at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 12th Annual European Congress.

27 Oct 2009

New poll surveys women's attitude about the health care debate

A new poll conducted by WomanTrend, a division of the polling company inc., surveyed 800 women across the nation to assess both their attitudes about the current health care debate and their priorities for their families and the nation.

27 Oct 2009

FDA orders spinal system manufacturers to conduct postmarket surveillance studies on their products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered manufacturers of certain types of pedicle screw systems, called dynamic stabilization systems, to conduct postmarket surveillance studies to collect clinical data on a number of potential safety issues, including fusion rates and frequency of additional surgeries.

27 Oct 2009

Mobile application launched to help consumers compare health care costs

Medica today became the first health plan to launch a mobile application to help consumers compare cost information for a variety of medical procedures. The app, based on the Web site MainStreetMedica.com, is available at the iPhone App Store.

27 Oct 2009

FDA warns four companies to stop marketing illegal opioid pain relievers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned four companies that they must stop marketing unapproved codeine sulfate tablets. These drugs are opioid analgesics, commonly called narcotics, that are widely used to treat pain.

27 Oct 2009

ACC's initiative for health care reform

As lawmakers debate health care reform, business innovator Lou Weisbach and Clinton White House health care advisor Dr. Richard Boxer are available for interviews to discuss a glaring, missing element of the forthcoming health care legislation: reducing health care costs -- and saving lives -- by preventing and curing disease.

27 Oct 2009