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Some House Democrats press for 'essential benefits' to be federal decision

These House Democratic lawmakers are concerned that the Department of Health and Human Services is allowing states significant latitude in determining the definition of "essential benefits." Also in the news, the Office of Management and Budget has begun its review of the long-awaited final regulations for the establishment of state exchanges.

8 Feb 2012

President's budget plan to include Medicare and Medicaid spending cuts but no structural changes

The president will propose cutting spending on Medicare, the federal health program for the elderly, and Medicaid, the joint federal-state program for the poor and disabled. However, he isn't proposing the structural changes that experts say are needed to control spending in these programs over the long term.

8 Feb 2012

Negotiations at impasse on efforts to prevent a scheduled cut to Medicare physician payments

The gridlock is over how to pay for the fix and could threaten the broader legislative package, which includes the payroll tax break extension. Meanwhile, lawmakers examine familiar offset possibilities, as well as some ideas from the private sector.

8 Feb 2012

Elan fourth quarter total revenue increases 18% to $271.0 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2011 financial results.

8 Feb 2012

Study highlights benefits of TKR in elderly patients with osteoarthritis

New research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) highlights the benefits of total knee replacement (TKR) in elderly patients with osteoarthritis, including a lower probability of heart failure and mortality.

7 Feb 2012

Viewpoints: GOP dragging heels on payroll tax, doc fix plan; Opinions still heated on contraception rule

Republicans in Congress seem to have forgotten the embarrassment they suffered late last year for trying to block a payroll tax cut for millions of wage-earners.

7 Feb 2012

NQF endorses two surgical outcomes-based measures from ACS NSQIP

Two outcomes-based measures from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) were recently endorsed by the National Quality Forum.

7 Feb 2012

Proposed Australian e-health records system criticised

Both the Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA) and the Australian Privacy Foundation have criticized the private corporation established by the federal and state governments to roll out the federal government's proposed electronic health records. They have told a Senate inquiry hearing in Canberra that personally-controlled e-health records should not go live on July 1 as planned.

7 Feb 2012

BD first quarter revenues increase 2.5% to $1.888 billion

BD, a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $1.888 billion for the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011, representing an increase of 2.5 percent from the prior-year period, or 2.4 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 7 Feb 2012

How 'observation care' status can drive up patients' hospital bills

News outlets report that this kind of status is leading some Medicare beneficiaries to be surprised by the size of hospital bills because, ultimately, the services they received were not classified as inpatient care.

7 Feb 2012

GOP candidates: Santorum backs 'discredited' stroke claim, he and Gingrich continue attacks on 'Romneycare'

As the GOP presidential hopefuls continue sparring on the campaign trail, The Associated Press takes a look at the "influence game" and tracks how big donors pursue their policy desires. Meanwhile, House Democrats are betting that Medicare will be the issue that wins them control of their chamber.

7 Feb 2012

Viewpoints: Komen's retreat; Romney's selected support of Medicare cuts; Heritage refuses blame for individual mandate

A group like Komen only has the quality service it provides and goodwill garnered over the years to encourage donations and support. Its trademark pink is not as bold as before. For the moment, it seems drab and faded.

6 Feb 2012

MedTech Media to launch online publication for small and medium sized physician group practices

MedTech Media, publisher of the award-winning brands Healthcare IT News and Healthcare Finance News, announced today that it will launch PhysBizTech, a multi-platform, online publication for small and medium sized physician group practices on February 6, 2012.

6 Feb 2012

Express Scripts subsidiary commences private offering of senior notes

Express Scripts, Inc. announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Aristotle Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has commenced a private offering of senior notes of a benchmark amount.

6 Feb 2012

HCA fourth quarter revenues increase 8.5% to $7.769 billion

HCA Holdings, Inc. today announced financial and operating results for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. HCA also today announced that its Board of Directors approved a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share to be paid to shareholders of record as of February 16, 2012 with a payment date of February 29, 2012.

6 Feb 2012