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House Democratic leaders huddle on public insurance option

House Democratic leaders faced an impasse late last week as it became clear that a liberal version of the public option did not have enough support in the caucus.

26 Oct 2009

Failure to fix Medicare doctor payments highlights perennial problem

NPR reports on Senate Democrats' failed attempt to fix Medicare's perennial problem of threatening to cut doctor pay. "Just about every year a formula glitch threatens to cut payments to doctors who treat seniors and the disabled," according to NPR. "And just about every year Congress cancels the cut. This year lawmakers are complaining about the bill because it's not paid for. But, despite what both Republicans and Democrats are claiming, that's nothing new."

26 Oct 2009

HealthSouth announces credit agreement amendment and extended maturity of a portion of its term loan

HealthSouth Corporation today announced it has amended its credit agreement and extended maturity of a portion of its term loan. A segment of the lenders under the term loan that has a current outstanding balance of approximately $750 million will extend the maturity for $300 million of that loan from March 2013 to September 2015, contingent on certain conditions.

26 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 26, 2009

Several Democratic senators voiced optimism on Sunday that Congress would pass a health care bill containing at least the germ of a government-run insurance program. Their expectations were grudgingly seconded by Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 (The New York Times).

26 Oct 2009

AMERIGROUP issues new guidance for third quarter 2009

AMERIGROUP Corporation announced today that it expects to report earnings for the third quarter of 2009 in the range of $0.42 to $0.44 per diluted share. The new guidance for the third quarter primarily reflects elevated medical costs associated with the onset of a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus.

26 Oct 2009

Thomson Reuters: The U.S. healthcare system wastes an estimated amount of $700 billion annually

The U.S. healthcare system wastes between $600 billion and $850 billion annually, according to a white paper published today by Thomson Reuters.

26 Oct 2009

Future physician workforce may be younger but fewer in number than previously projected

Compared with a source of data often used regarding physician workforce supply and projected changes, data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that the future physician workforce may be younger but fewer in number than previously projected, according to a study in the October 21 issue of JAMA.

26 Oct 2009

Enrollment in medical schools continues to expand to meet nation's need for more doctors

Enrollment in both new and existing U.S. medical schools continues to expand to meet the nation's need for more doctors, according to data released today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges).

26 Oct 2009

Moderates will determine fate of public option in health bills

It's Sunday, and not surprisingly, the talk is about the public option - especially on what provisions some senators may be willing to accept in a final health bill.

26 Oct 2009

Pelosi pressing, cajoling Democrats to include public option in final health bill

News outlets covering Capitol Hill report that, with pressure from Democratic leaders, the public option now appears more likely to be in final health care reform legislation.

26 Oct 2009

House Dems: Health reform bill would close Medicare "doughnut hole"

CQ Politics: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made another bid to solidify support for Democrats' ambitious health care plans Friday, pledging to move aggressively to close the "doughnut hole" in Medicare drug coverage.

26 Oct 2009

DaVita to demonstrate clinical outcomes, patient care and nutrition through 43 abstracts

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in conjunction with DaVita Clinical Research®, today announced that company representatives will deliver 43 abstracts—40 posters and three oral presentations—at this year’s American Society of Nephrology’s (ASN) Renal Week to be held in San Diego, Calif., from Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 2009.

24 Oct 2009

ULURU presents clinical posters; highlights efficacy of Altrazeal dressing for wound care

ULURU Inc. (NYSE Alternext: ULU) today announced that Gregory Bohn, M.D., FACS, Medical Director, Trinity Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, Bettendorf, Iowa, has presented nine clinical posters at the 24th Annual "Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin and Wound Care" being held in San Antonio, Texas.

24 Oct 2009

Healthcare Advisory Partners presents a program on homecare valuations at the NAHC

The following program was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) in Los Angeles, CA on October 12th, 2009 by Jack Eskenazi, Jr. of Healthcare Advisory Partners and Brian Bruenderman of ResCare, Inc..

24 Oct 2009

New report on the true cost of ObamaCare released

Far from providing "affordable" care for everyone, ObamaCare would result in higher insurance premiums, more and higher taxes, fewer jobs, lower wages, a reduced standard of living and an erosion of privacy and individual liberty.

24 Oct 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Increasing government oversight will not only hurt doctors in the pocketbook, as reimbursements are inevitably cut. It will also lead to greater bureaucratic inefficiencies (Marc Siegel, 10/22).

24 Oct 2009

Senate leaders close to including a version of public option in health bill

The New York Times: "In pushing to include a government-run health insurance plan in the health care bill, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, is taking a calculated gamble that the 60 members of his caucus could support the plan if it included a way for states to opt out."

24 Oct 2009

Kmart Pharmacies rewards its customers for having all prescriptions filled at one pharmacy

While preparing for the final months of 2009, remember that not only is Kmart a store for holiday gift buying, but it's also a great location for taking care of health and wellness needs during winter and throughout the year. Kmart Pharmacies nationwide are now offering services and rewards to encourage customers to manage their wellness in one place, which includes having all prescriptions filled at one pharmacy.

24 Oct 2009

Experienced criminals find new opportunities in medical fraud

Gangsters are getting into the medical fraud business, CNN reports. "Experienced in running drug, prostitution and gambling rings, crime groups of various ethnicities and nationalities are learning it's safer and potentially more profitable to file fraudulent claims with the federal Medicare program and state-run Medicaid plans."

24 Oct 2009

Efforts to measure support for the public option continue

Associated Press: Democratic leaders in Congress scrambled Friday to round up votes for allowing the government to sell health insurance in competition with private industry as they struggled to finalize a health care bill that meets President Barack Obama's goals." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spent Friday "calling and talking with wavering Democrats to test support for different versions of the plan."

24 Oct 2009

Medicare News and Research

House Democratic leaders huddle on public insurance option

Failure to fix Medicare doctor payments highlights perennial problem

HealthSouth announces credit agreement amendment and extended maturity of a portion of its term loan

First Edition: October 26, 2009

AMERIGROUP issues new guidance for third quarter 2009

Thomson Reuters: The U.S. healthcare system wastes an estimated amount of $700 billion annually

Future physician workforce may be younger but fewer in number than previously projected

Enrollment in medical schools continues to expand to meet nation's need for more doctors

Moderates will determine fate of public option in health bills

Pelosi pressing, cajoling Democrats to include public option in final health bill

House Dems: Health reform bill would close Medicare "doughnut hole"

DaVita to demonstrate clinical outcomes, patient care and nutrition through 43 abstracts

ULURU presents clinical posters; highlights efficacy of Altrazeal dressing for wound care

Healthcare Advisory Partners presents a program on homecare valuations at the NAHC

New report on the true cost of ObamaCare released

Today's opinions and editorials

Senate leaders close to including a version of public option in health bill

Kmart Pharmacies rewards its customers for having all prescriptions filled at one pharmacy

Experienced criminals find new opportunities in medical fraud

Efforts to measure support for the public option continue

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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