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GE Healthcare to commence cash tender offer to acquire Clarient

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company today will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common and preferred stock of Clarient, Inc. through a wholly owned subsidiary of GE, Crane Merger Sub, Inc.

7 Nov 2010

Mass. focuses on containing health care costs, Gov. Schwarzenegger seeks to expand coverage of uninsured in Calif.

While the White House seems destined to spend the next two years fending off attacks on President Obama's health care law, the administration of Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will push forward with the next stage of health care overhaul: trying to contain the escalating costs of medical care.

7 Nov 2010

Watson third quarter net revenue increases 33% to $882.4 million

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported net revenue grew 33 percent for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 to $882.4 million, compared to $662.1 million in the third quarter 2009. On an adjusted cash basis, net income increased 18 percent to $105.9 million or $0.85 per share, compared to $90.0 million or $0.78 per share in the third quarter 2009.

4 Nov 2010

DJOFL third quarter net sales decrease to $233.6 million

DJO Incorporated, a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced financial results for its operating subsidiary, DJO Finance LLC ("DJOFL"), for the third quarter of 2010, ended October 2, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Most kidney care providers opt to participate in new Medicare 'bundled' payment system: Study

The Kidney Care Council (KCC), a nonprofit national health care association composed of leading kidney dialysis provider companies who care for a majority of ESRD patients nationwide, released new data today revealing that 98 percent of kidney care providers participating in a recent study have opted to participate in the new Medicare "bundled" payment system in January 2011, more than twice the rate originally anticipated.

4 Nov 2010

SandlotConnect attains 1.5 million patient records to provide HIE in Texas

Sandlot, LLC, a healthcare IT solutions company founded by practicing physicians who have pursued a better way to collectively share clinical information, announced that its comprehensive health information exchange (HIE) SandlotConnect now contains more than 1.5 million patient records, allowing providers to access and contribute to the largest HIE in Texas.

4 Nov 2010

Patient share of Actemra for RA to exceed patient share for Cimzia and Simponi, says Report

Bio-Trends is pleased to announce the publication of a new syndicated report, TreatmentTrends®: Rheumatoid Arthritis Q3 2010. This report covers the use of biologics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The report, part of a quarterly series, focuses on current and future use of biologic agents, patient market share, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the key brands, barriers to broader usage, sales force performance and perceived value of manufacturers' patient assistance programs.

4 Nov 2010

Picis introduces charge capture solution for oncology treatment centers

Picis today introduced LYNX I/Point, a charge capture solution designed specifically for hospital-owned infusion and oncology treatment centers - where therapies are very expensive and accurately charging for services can be challenging.

4 Nov 2010

CMS establishes new national reimbursement rate for technical component of mobile cardiovascular telemetry

CardioNet, Inc., a leading wireless medical technology company with a current focus on the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias, announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") has established a national rate in The Medicare Program Final Rule for the technical component of mobile cardiovascular telemetry (CPT Code 93229).

4 Nov 2010

AAPC launches beta version of Health Plan Policy Search Tool

AAPC has launched the beta version of its Health Plan Policy Search Tool giving providers access to more than 500 local and national health plans. This online search tool retrieves provider manuals, policies, physician credentialing and Medicare/Medicaid eligibility through an easy to use online tool. Users can now quickly find vital information instead of spending hours searching for the same information on each health plans website.

4 Nov 2010

Medicare reimbursement cuts lead to decline in unnecessary or inappropriate care

When Medicare policy changes led to reductions in reimbursement for hormonal treatment of prostate cancer, there was a sharp decline in its use among patients not likely to benefit from the treatment. But among patients for whom the therapy is clearly beneficial, doctors continued to prescribe it at the same rate, according to a new study.

4 Nov 2010

Omega third quarter net income decreases from $21.1 million to $17.0 million

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. today announced its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Doctor payment rates cut again under new Medicare rules

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services posted final Medicare payment rules Tuesday that include a cut in physician reimbursement rates.

4 Nov 2010

The GOP scores big wins in mid-term elections

The New York Times: "Republicans captured control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday and expanded their voice in the Senate, riding a wave of voter discontent as they dealt a setback to President Obama just two years after his triumphal victory. A Republican resurgence, propelled by deep economic worries and a forceful opposition to the Democratic agenda of health care and government spending, delivered defeats to House Democrats from the Northeast to the South and across the Midwest" (Zeleny, 11/2).

4 Nov 2010

Cambridge Heart third quarter sales increase 21% to $793,000

Cambridge Heart, Inc., today reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

3 Nov 2010

New primary care models needed to improve care and outcomes for older adults

In an article published in November 3 edition of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Chad Boult, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, calls for key improvements to primary care in order to improve the health of the nation's most costly patients-older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

3 Nov 2010

City of Butler declares November as Home Care and Hospice Month

Today officially launches Home Care and Hospice Month and VNA of Western Pennsylvania is excited to celebrate the many health-related services that can be brought into a person's home to help restore health and maintain independence.

3 Nov 2010

Veterans deserve best health care coverage

The nation pauses to honor its veterans on November 11 for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Naturally, we want our veterans to be taken care of, especially when it comes to their health. Those who have served their country through the United States military have several options when it comes to their health care coverage.

3 Nov 2010

U.S. models of primary care improves quality of life in older patients with multiple chronic conditions

In a review of comprehensive primary care programs for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, authors identified three models that appear to have the greatest potential for improving quality of care and life for these patients, while reducing or not increasing the costs of their health care, according to an article in the November 3 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on aging.

3 Nov 2010

Dementia patients should receive high-quality palliative care

The system for hospice admissions for patients with advanced dementia, which is a terminal illness, should be guided by patient and family preference for comfort, not estimated life expectancy, says a new study published in the Nov. 3 Journal of the American Medical Association by the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

3 Nov 2010