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Health industry stakeholders focus on pain, not gain

Businesses, including medical device makers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies are bracing for tax and fee provisions in the House health care reform bill.

30 Oct 2009

House Democrats hail, grumble about health reform bill

News outlets detailed the House health care reform bill and reaction from members. The Congressional Budget Office estimated its net cost to be $894 billion over 10 years.

30 Oct 2009

60 Plus Association calls upon Sen. Lieberman not to support any bill which cuts Medicare

Today, the 60 Plus Association released a new TV ad targeting Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.). The ad features members of our Greatest Generation begging Sen. Lieberman not to cut Medicare to pay for health care reform. The :30 second TV ad will run in conjunction with a :60 second ad that began airing on Wednesday.

30 Oct 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

The legislation on the table isn't perfect, but it's as good as anyone could reasonably have expected. History is about to be made — and everyone has to decide which side they're on (Paul Krugman, 10/29).

30 Oct 2009

Aetna’s Medicare Advantage members to benefit from agreement with WellStar Health System

Aetna and WellStar Health System of Marietta, Ga. announced today that they have reached agreement on a three-year contract that provides access for Aetna’s Medicare Advantage members to the hospital’s facilities and physicians.

30 Oct 2009

Explaining the new House bill

Several news outlets have explainers on the House bill, which was unveiled yesterday.

30 Oct 2009

Government to decide on payment for doctors who use medical-imaging

The government is weighing whether to cut Medicare payments to physicians who use medical-imaging machines to screen patients for diseases like cancer and heart problems. The decision could come as early as Friday. Lawmakers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services see the cuts as a way to prevent overuse of the technology, which drives up health care costs.

30 Oct 2009

BCBSA's statement on the new government-run health plan

The 39 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies strongly support passing bipartisan comprehensive healthcare reform this year that will expand access to affordable coverage and rein in costs for everyone. We agree with the goal of the legislation to cover all Americans.

30 Oct 2009

First Choice Health Services to be included in the top-performing home health agencies in the US

First Choice Health Services, Inc. today announced that it has been named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite , a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.

30 Oct 2009

Third-quarter fiscal 2009 results announced by HMS Holdings

HMS Holdings Corp. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2009.

30 Oct 2009

Pelosi's remarks at a rally to unveil the Affordable Health Care for America Act

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders, Committee Chairs, Members of Congress and Americans who are struggling under the current health care system held a rally on the West Front of the Capitol this morning to unveil H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Below are the Speaker's opening remarks.

30 Oct 2009

Identifying at risk dialysis units in the U.S. under the bundle payment system

The proposed Medicare "bundled" payment system for dialysis is likely to reduce government reimbursements for dialysis units in certain regions of the United States and for some types of facilities, according to research being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA.

30 Oct 2009

CMS recognizes Priority Health’s Medicare plan with a 5-star rating

Priority Health’s Medicare plan was recognized with a 5-star rating by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It is the only plan in Michigan to earn the top rating two years in a row.

30 Oct 2009

BioScrip reports revenues of $333.5 million for the third quarter of 2009

BioScrip, Inc. today announced third quarter net income of $5.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, on revenues of $333.5 million. These results compare to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per share, on revenues of $359.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter 2009 EBITDAO was $8.9 million compared to $5.3 million for the same period a year ago.

30 Oct 2009

Coventry Health Care announces consolidated results for the third quarter of 2009

Coventry Health Care, Inc. today reported consolidated operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Operating revenues totaled $3.4 billion for the quarter with GAAP net earnings of $70.6 million, or $0.48 earnings per diluted share (EPS).

30 Oct 2009

Third-quarter fiscal 2009 results announced by Magellan Health Services

Magellan Health Services, Inc. today reported net income of $31.0 million, or $.88 per diluted common share, and segment profit of $64.5 million for the third quarter of 2009. The Company also increased guidance for the full year to the upper half of its previously disclosed range.

30 Oct 2009

AMERIGROUP announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

AMERIGROUP Corporation today announced that net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $22.5 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, versus $37.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter earnings are in line with the preliminary earnings range that the Company issued on October 26, 2009, and reflect elevated medical costs associated with the onset of what appears to be a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus.

30 Oct 2009

Current measurement of diabetes care quality is complex and cumbersome, says NCDP

The National Changing Diabetes® Program (NCDP) announced today results of a study that found extraordinary variety in the measurement of clinical processes critical to optimal diabetes management such as blood pressure and glucose levels.

30 Oct 2009

Universal Health Services announces third quarter 2009 financial results; reports increased net revenues

Universal Health Services, Inc. announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $51.1 million, or an increase of 41% to $1.03 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2009 as compared to $37.0 million, or $.73 per diluted share, during the comparable quarter of the prior year.

30 Oct 2009

Republicans assail 'freight train of more mandates' in House health bill

ABC News reports: "Republicans, as expected, assailed the Pelosi bill, saying its 1,990 pages don't reflect any change. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, billed it as a 'government takeover of the health care system.'

30 Oct 2009