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First Edition: August 3, 2011

Today's headlines showcase continuing reports about the impact the debt deal might have on health care providers, as well as how the agreement's "super committee" will be charged with finding spending reductions in Medicare, Medicaid and a range of other government programs.

3 Aug 2011

Hospitalist care does not reduce overall costs: Study

Inpatients cared for by hospitalists have higher Medicare costs in the 30 days after discharge than those whose personal physicians oversee their care. This is partly because hospitalists' patients are more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing facility than to their homes and more likely to have subsequent emergency room visits and readmissions.

3 Aug 2011

Debt deal triggers nerves in health industry; Medicare providers brace for cuts

Physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and home health care providers are all bracing for pain as the debt-ceiling agreement kicks in.

3 Aug 2011

Different health care delivery systems offer differing visions of efficiency

One California partnership that involved a large insurance company, a major hospital chain and a group of doctors has reduced health care costs. But a new report shows that the growing number of hospital-based physicians may ultimately be taxing Medicare resources.

3 Aug 2011

Editorials dissect debt deal, contraception, HSAs, long-term care

The long-term challenge for the federal budget is in benefit programs. Rising healthcare costs and the aging population are driving the budgets for Medicaid and Medicare through the roof, causing those programs to consume an ever-larger percentage of the budget.

3 Aug 2011

Super committee's muscle draws interest, questions

Some lawmakers are questioning the powerful panel's ability to recommend changes to entitlement programs and the tax code. This group must present a deficit-reduction package to Congress by Nov. 23. Failure to do so would lead to across-the-board cuts to high-priority programs such as defense spending and Medicare.

3 Aug 2011

N.Y. brothers make good money running nonprofit group to help disabled; Fla. sends Medicaid plan to feds

The New York Times details a the expensive lifestyle of two men from Brooklyn who earned nearly $1 million a year when running a Medicaid-financed nonprofit organization serving the developmentally disabled. Meanwhile, in Florida, state officials submitted their plans for converting Medicaid to a managed care program.

3 Aug 2011

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