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Pfizer second-quarter revenues decrease 1% to $17.0 billion

Pfizer Inc. today reported financial results for second-quarter 2011. As a result of Pfizer's decision to sell the Capsugel business, all revenues and expenses related to Capsugel in all periods presented are reflected in a single line, Discontinued operations - net of tax.

3 Aug 2011

Words+ introduces EyePro GS system

Words+, Inc., a leading provider of augmentative communication and assistive technology hardware and software for people with disabilities, announced today that it has launched EyePro GS™, a new product designed and manufactured in-house that allows a person to operate an augmentative communication system or computer by simply looking at the screen. Words+ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simulations Plus, Inc..

2 Aug 2011

IASIS Healthcare third quarter net revenue increases 12.6% to $718.6 million

IASIS Healthcare LLC today announced financial and operating results for the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2011.

2 Aug 2011

Amedisys second quarter net service revenue decreases 11.5% to $373.7 million

Amedisys, Inc., a leading home health and hospice company, today reported its financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and lowered 2011 guidance.

2 Aug 2011

First Edition: August 2, 2011

Today's headlines reveal how some specific elements of the debt-ceiling deal might impact Medicare providers.

2 Aug 2011

Tenet second quarter net operating revenues increase 3.1% to $2.374 billion

Tenet Healthcare Corporation today reported adjusted EBITDA of $277 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $9 million, or 3.4 percent, compared to $268 million for the second quarter of 2010. Income from continuing operations, before income taxes, was $66 million in the second quarter of 2011, an increase of $1 million, or 1.5 percent, as compared to $65 million in the second quarter of 2010.

2 Aug 2011

Nursing homes to face Medicare pay cut

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized an 11 percent drop in nursing home payments, which will kick in next year.

2 Aug 2011

Texas HHSC awards new contracts to Centene's Superior HealthPlan

Centene Corporation today announced its Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and its Superior HealthPlan Network have been tentatively awarded new contracts by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

2 Aug 2011

BD third quarter revenues increase to $2.014 billion

BD, a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $2.014 billion for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011, representing an increase of 10.0 percent from the prior-year period.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 2 Aug 2011

What will the health law look like in the future?

News outlets report on a range of issues related to the health law, from efforts to repeal the measure's tax on insurance policies to competing claims about its costs.

2 Aug 2011

Teva's ZOELY oral contraceptive receives EU Marketing Authorization

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced today that its new oral contraceptive, ZOELY, has received a Marketing Authorization in the European Union (EU) for the prevention of pregnancy.

2 Aug 2011

Florida stands out among states with refusal to accept federal health law funding

The New York Times reports on strict stand by Florida governor to avoid HHS money. Meanwhile, other news outlets look at funding for insurance co-ops, efforts to set up health exchanges, and reviews of insurance premium increases.

2 Aug 2011

PCMA President releases statement on new GAO report

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) President and CEO Mark Merritt released the following statement today on a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, "Medicare Part D Formularies: CMS Conducts Oversight of Mid-Year Changes; Most Mid-Year Changes Were Enhancements":

2 Aug 2011

Obama, Congressional leaders strike debt-limit deal

The agreement, which has the support of House and Senate Democratic and Republican leaders, must now win the approval of rank-and-file members. Within the agreed-upon framework, the second wave of cuts could touch payments to Medicare providers, but beneficiaries would not be hit. Also, programs for the poor, such as Medicaid, would be exempted.

2 Aug 2011

Exploring the debt deal's repercussions

Politico asks if the agreement will muddy the Medicare waters. Meanwhile, USA Today examines the political damage that it may ultimately cause.

2 Aug 2011

Roundup: Calif.'s health-budget cuts; new med school for rural docs; community health centers packed

Faced with years of recession-driven budget shortfalls, state lawmakers have made deep cuts to health and social services. The reductions, including a round that took effect this month, translate into sizable state savings but are sharply scaling back the safety net for California's most vulnerable residents: the elderly, the disabled and the poor.

2 Aug 2011

More opinions: Berwick, Deparle, Rep. Pitts and others on health costs; public health transparency guidelines

Unfortunately, there are too many examples that show how our system can fail to meet patients' needs. These problems are not a reflection on the many doctors, nurses and other professionals who work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality care they can.

2 Aug 2011