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Abbott files suit against Watson over generic NIASPAN

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc. – Florida, filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market Niacin Extended-release Tablets, 500 mg and 1000 mg. Watson's ANDA products are generic versions of Abbott Laboratories' NIASPAN.

19 Mar 2012

Study confirms value of Cambridge Heart's MTWA test for SCA

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced that a new study published on-line in the Heart Rhythm Journal confirms the value of Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) testing for identifying patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

19 Mar 2012

First Edition: March 19, 2012

Today's headlines reflect the anticipation and anxiety that surrounds the Supreme Court's upcoming health law oral arguments.

19 Mar 2012

AARP announces nationwide launch of You've Earned a Say

'Today, at a town hall meeting in Pocatello, AARP state and national leaders are set to announce the launch of You've Earned a Say, a national conversation about strengthening health and retirement security.

19 Mar 2012

GOP plans for Medicare, health reform repeal draw scrutiny

Political observers are noting challenges for Republican lawmakers in upcoming budget, health law and Medicare debates.

19 Mar 2012

Japan's MHLW provides reimbursement coverage for MTWA test

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced that its Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) test received reimbursement coverage from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW).

17 Mar 2012

Feds begin funding cuts to Texas Women's Health Program

Federal officials said they would begin to phase out their 90-percent portion of the Texas Women's Health Program as they had promised to do after Texas lawmakers banned Planned Parenthood from the program. CMS officials said the reductions would be gradual.

17 Mar 2012

Argus to participate in National Council for Prescription Drug Programs focus group

Argus Health Systems Inc., a leading transparent pharmacy benefits administrator, will participate in a National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) focus group on March 20, 2012, to better understand the growing biopharmaceuticals industry.

17 Mar 2012

House Republicans slow fight against birth control coverage rule

And, on the Senate side, a group of Republicans introduced a bill that would end traditional Medicare and allow seniors to join the insurance plans that are available to members of Congress.

17 Mar 2012

ApolloMed signs service agreement with Care1st

Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of hospitalist, critical care and integrated medical management services in California, today announced that ApolloMed Hospitalists, one of its affiliated medical groups, signed a service agreement with Care1st Health Plan to provide inpatient care services to its members at 15 hospitals throughout Los Angeles County.

17 Mar 2012

Tom Hanks and the Hollywood touch draw attention to new Obama campaign video

The 17-minute documentary looks at the administration's record and helps set the tone for the reelection campaign.

17 Mar 2012

Only 21 states require public reporting of hospital data on surgical site infections

Only 21 states require public reporting of hospital data on surgical site infections and, even when disclosure is mandated, the information is often not easily accessible to patients who could use it to make decisions about their medical care, according to new Johns Hopkins research.

17 Mar 2012

MedPAC urges repeal of SGR, recommends Medicare payment cuts for hospitals, nursing homes, home health companies

The Medicare Payment Advisory Board on Thursday recommended cutting payments for hospitals and nursing homes while encouraging use of generic drugs. The panel's March report to Congress reiterates calls for reimbursing doctors' visits at the same rate whether they take place in a hospital or a physician's office. MedPAC says Medicare currently pays 80 percent more for the same routine visit if it takes place in a hospital setting, costing the program anywhere from $1 billion to $5 billion over five years

17 Mar 2012

Viewpoints: Health care system doesn't live up to its billing for many Americans; Romney woos seniors with 'clever Medicare gambit'

If you like your doctor, if your insurance works, if you feel that you're getting good value for your health care dollar, then in your view the U.S. system may rank high. If you don't have a regular doctor, if you're without insurance or underinsured, if you're swamped by medical bills, then in your view the U.S. system may not rank so high. And this is aside from debate over the role of government in the health care system.

17 Mar 2012

First Edition: March 16, 2012

Today's headlines feature reports that the federal government has cut Texas Medicaid funds because of a Planned Parenthood flap.

16 Mar 2012

Translating the health law into reality one regulation at a time

Part of implementing the health law includes replacing jargon in health insurance policies with plain English. Meanwhile, the release of a federal mental health parity rule is held up to coordinate it with the overhaul.

16 Mar 2012

In Congress, a budget battle is brewing

House GOP lawmakers are pushing cuts in the 2013 budget plan that go much deeper than the outline agreed upon last summer as part of a Republican-Democratic deal to raise the debt ceiling.

16 Mar 2012

NEJM publishes results from Teva's laquinimod Phase III study on RRMS

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech today announced the publication of results from the laquinimod Phase III ALLEGRO study in the March 15 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

16 Mar 2012

What's in store at the Supreme Court

News outlets report on the issues in play when the high court hears the health law oral arguments later this month, how particular justices might form their opinions and lay out the new, all-or-nothing position adopted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

16 Mar 2012

Romney's opponents attack him on Massachusetts health law and Planned Parenthood statement

The Massachusetts health law, which GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney signed while governor and which includes an individual mandate, continues to haunt him in the primaries. Meanwhile, Democrats use his recent pledge to 'get rid of' Planned Parenthood to diminish his appeal with female voters.

16 Mar 2012