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AmerisourceBergen fiscal fourth quarter revenue increases 5.3% to $19.7 billion

AmerisourceBergen Corporation today reported that in its fiscal year 2010 fourth quarter ended September 30, 2010, diluted earnings per share increased 13.6 percent to $0.50, and revenue increased 5.3 percent to a record $19.7 billion.

2 Nov 2010

Watson enters exclusive agreement with OMJPI to market authorized generic Concerta

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has entered into an exclusive agreement with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI), to market the authorized generic version of Concerta® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets). Watson will launch its authorized generic of Concerta on May 1, 2011. Concerta is indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2 Nov 2010

Fresenius third quarter net revenue increases 6% to $3,058 million

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA: Net revenue for the third quarter of 2010 increased by 6% to $3,058 million compared to the third quarter of 2009. Organic revenue growth worldwide was 6%.

2 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 2, 2010

Today's headlines highlights news stories that include speculation about what will become of the health reform law after the election.

2 Nov 2010

CareChex releases new study on University Hospital Care in the U.S.

CareChex, a division of The Delta Group specializing in rating the quality of hospital and physician care, today released a new study, An Assessment of the Quality of University Hospital Care in the U.S., that investigates whether or not university hospitals outperform other hospitals on objective measures of quality.

2 Nov 2010

Women neglect long-term care planning

November is designated as national Long-Term Care Awareness Month to build awareness for the type of care needed by individuals who have a chronic illness or disability. By 2020, some 12 million older Americans will require long-term care services according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). Many women assume that government programs like Medicare or Medicaid will completely cover the cost of all long-term care needs.

2 Nov 2010

Teva third quarter net sales increase 20% to $4.3 billion

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

2 Nov 2010

Study finds elderly women at high risk for inappropriate urinary catheter utilization

Elderly women are at high risk for inappropriate urinary catheter utilization in emergency departments, according to a new study in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

2 Nov 2010

House win would give GOP the ways, means to roll back health law

A GOP takeover of the House would give Republicans the ability to attack the new law in new ways. If Rep. Joe Barton becomes chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee next year, the Texas Republican vows to make life miserable for Democratic defenders of the health care overhaul law.

2 Nov 2010

Medicare cuts become hot topic in mid-term election campaigns

Advertisements are focusing on Medicare cuts and using them as a rallying point to influence the election. The message, delivered by a series of nervous-looking older Americans, is uniform: Democratic Congressional candidates voted for billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare and let their constituents down.

2 Nov 2010

AMA head predicts "catastrophe" if physician Medicare pay isn't fixed

Kaiser Health News staff writers Andrew Villegas and Mary Agnes Carey, working in collaboration with The Washington Post, talked with the AMA president about action surrounding Medicare payment issues: "While most people are focused on the midterm elections Tuesday, the American Medical Association is gearing up for the lame-duck congressional session scheduled to start Nov. 15.

2 Nov 2010

Insurers want out of low-income segment of Medicare Part D market

UPI: "Health insurance companies have raised their premiums to price themselves out of the low-income segment of the Part D market," according to a study from the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital. According to the study, "Part D reimbursements to insurers covering low-income patients are substantially lower than the actual costs incurred," which create an "'incentive for plans to avoid or shed low-income patients,'" the study's lead author said.

2 Nov 2010

Races make final health overhaul messages clear as Election Day nears

Candidates push their final messages for Tuesday's elections, while the congressional debate over the health care overhaul still reverberates.

2 Nov 2010

Health law, elections trigger questions about Medicare payment issues

While most people are focused on the midterm elections Tuesday, the American Medical Association is gearing up for the lame-duck congressional session scheduled to start Nov. 15.

2 Nov 2010

Planning Accountable Care Organizations

American Medical News: "The National Committee for Quality Assurance is seeking input from the public on draft accountable care organization standards," which "were drafted by the organization's Accountable Care Organization Task Force comprising representatives from large integrated health care systems, academia and the insurance industry. … Establishing ACOs for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries is a key part of health system reform legislation" (11/1).

1 Nov 2010

Today's OpEds: Health law and private insurance; Corporate wellness programs; Geriatric mental health

Once again, average health insurance rates are expected to rise by double digits next yearas they have every year since 2002. ... Given that Obama would veto a repeal, we hope the next Congress instead begins the hard work of re-crafting the new law with a goal of breaking the annual spikes in cost (The Denver Post, 11/1).

1 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 1, 2010

In today's health policy headlines, how will Tuesday's election impact the health law?

1 Nov 2010

Seven tips for navigating Medicare maze

If you're about to turn 65, you'll be part of the first wave of baby boomers signing up for Medicare. Consumer Reports Health recommends signing up as early as three months ahead of your birthday. Failing to do so could potentially cost you thousands of dollars down the road. That's one of seven tips for navigating the Medicare maze available in the December issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.

1 Nov 2010

Humana third quarter diluted EPS increases to $2.32

Humana Inc. today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 (3Q10) of $2.32, ahead of management's guidance of $1.65 to $1.75. The company earned $1.78 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (3Q09).

1 Nov 2010

America's biopharmaceutical companies researching 98 medicines for Alzheimer's: PhRMA report

As the champagne corks are popping this New Year's Eve, the first American Baby Boomers will turn age 65. Members of the demographic bulge that transformed American politics and culture are expected to usher in yet another momentous change a huge increase in the number of Alzheimer's disease patients.

1 Nov 2010