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Outcomes of state legislature races to play big role in health law's future

Although the race for the top of the ticket claims the biggest headlines, news outlets report that the winners of governor and state legislative races will have a major effect on the health law's implementation.

6 Nov 2012

BioMimetic Therapeutics reports net loss of $4.6 million for third quarter 2012

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. today reported its corporate highlights and financial results as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company reported a net loss of $4.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2011.

6 Nov 2012

In fight for control of the House and the Senate, status quo appears to be winning

News reports suggest that Republicans are likely to hold onto the majority in the House, despite Democrats' hopes around the impact of the Medicare issue, and that Democrats are likely to retain the Senate majority.

6 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Romney, Obama offer details of their plans; The 'passionate supply-sider' who taught Paul Ryan; Medicare plan has not 'doomed GOP'

All presidential elections matter. This one matters a great deal. It matters to the senior who needs medical care but, thanks to ObamaCare, can't find a doctor who is taking new Medicare patients. ... This election is about them. It is about all of us. ... It is about the education of our children, the value of our homes, the take-home pay from our jobs, the price of the gasoline we buy, the choices we have in our health care.

5 Nov 2012

Humana to acquire Metropolitan Health Networks

Humana Inc. and Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Humana will acquire Metropolitan in a transaction valued at approximately $850 million plus transaction costs.

5 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 5, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the final round of polls, forecasts regarding which party will control the House and Senate and analysis of how campaign-trail messages have been playing during the election season's final hours.

5 Nov 2012

House Republicans appear to have thwarted Democratic attack on Medicare

Attacking Paul Ryan's Medicare plan - once seen as the most potent weapon in House Democrats' campaign arsenal - is turning out to be a dud. Democratic leaders have hit Medicare harder than any other issue for more than a year, even calling Ryan's plan a "majority-maker."

4 Nov 2012

Companies, college challenging health law's contraception coverage mandate

One Michigan company won an injunction from a district court judge, as another company and a Texas college file lawsuits.

3 Nov 2012

Health insurance news: Cigna earnings climb, small businesses drop coverage

The Bloomfield, Conn., managed-care company significantly boosted its full-year adjusted earnings guidance after posting better results than Wall Street expected. The company Thursday also announced a restructuring plan that includes reducing the size of its global workforce about 4%, affecting 1,300 workers amid a mix of layoffs and hiring. Cigna continued a streak of "beat and raise" third-quarter reports for large health insurers.

3 Nov 2012

State highlights: N.H. hospital in Hepatitis outbreak must allow access to patient records

A New Hampshire judge says a hospital tied to a hepatitis C outbreak must grant public health officials broad access to patient records. Exeter Hospital had argued it would be violating state and federal law if it provided unfettered access to its records system. But a Merrimack County Superior Court judge on Thursday sided with the state.

3 Nov 2012

North Dakota Senate race is costliest in state's history

News outlets also report on tight Senate races in Pennsylvania and Indiana, House contests, including that of former GOP primary presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, R- Minn., and state ballot initiatives.

3 Nov 2012

ACE Environmental Advisory explores potential risks of mold and legionella at healthcare facilities

The ACE Group today announced the release of an environmental advisory entitled, "Legionella and Mold: Construction and Renovation Risks at Healthcare Facilities," which explores the potential risks of pollutants, such as mold and legionella, that hospitals and healthcare facilities can experience during renovation or construction projects.

3 Nov 2012

Torchmark closes previously announced purchase of Family Heritage

Torchmark Corporation is pleased to announce that it closed the previously announced purchase of Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America (Family Heritage), a privately-held supplemental health insurance provider, on November 1, 2012 for approximately $232 million, subject to final post-closing adjustments.

3 Nov 2012

New study sheds light on employment and health insurance

Men with employment-contingent health insurance who suffer a health shock, such as a cancer diagnosis or hospitalization, are more likely to feel "locked" into remaining at work and are at greater risk for losing their insurance during this critical time as compared to men who are on their spouse's insurance plan or on private insurance plans, according to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center.

3 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Romney, Obama offer their 'visions for America;' One liberal wary of Mass. effort on assisted suicide

Change is an America where we reduce our deficit by cutting spending where we can, and asking the wealthiest Americans to go back to the income tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was president. I've worked with Republicans to cut a trillion dollars of spending, and I'll do more. I'll work with anyone of any party to move this country forward. But I won't agree to eliminate health insurance for millions of poor, elderly, or disabled on Medicaid, or turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire's tax cut.

3 Nov 2012

Study results show ongoing comparison of prescription drug costs between US and UK

In the United States, the cost paid for statins (drugs to lower cholesterol) in people under the age of 65 who have private insurance continues to exceed comparable costs paid by the government in the United Kingdom by more than three fold.

3 Nov 2012

Obama administration won't block religious challenge to health law

In court papers, the administration said it has no objection to revisiting Liberty University's challenge to the health overhaul.

3 Nov 2012

Abortion, health law drive messaging in tight Senate and House races

The state Democratic Party runs a "coordinated campaign" to augment the Obama team's efforts and promote Mr. Kaine and other Democratic candidates, with hubs in Alexandria, a Washington suburb; Richmond, the capital; the Hampton Roads area, a military center; and Charlottesville, a student bastion.

3 Nov 2012

Employers, unions ask insurers and providers for greater health care price transparency

Big employers and unions are asking insurers and health care providers for greater price transparency when it comes to how much each pays for health care.

2 Nov 2012

MH6 vaccine shows promise in treating meth addiction

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have performed successful tests of an experimental methamphetamine vaccine on rats. Vaccinated animals that received the drug were largely protected from typical signs of meth intoxication.

2 Nov 2012