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CAHI releases statement on Senate health care reform proposal

Critics are up in arms over America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) daring to speak the truth about the Senate health care reform proposal, and we applaud the organization's efforts. If anything AHIP's analysis of health premium increases is too low. Supporters of the health bills are simply ignoring years of states' evidence of many of these proposed Senate and House health reforms.

14 Oct 2009

Patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52% lower chance of dying: Study

The largest annual study of patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 nonfederal hospitals found a wide gap in quality between the nation’s best hospitals and all others. According to the study, issued today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm that has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined.

14 Oct 2009

Mayo's decision to limit patients makes it a poor model, critics say

The Mayo Clinic has started limiting the number of Medicare and Medicaid patients it admits and critics argue that such restrictions have made Mayo too selective to serve as a model for health-care reform.

14 Oct 2009

Conseco complies with Regulation FD, to post certain important information on its website

Conseco, Inc. announced today that, in compliance with Regulation FD and to ensure that all investors have equal access to information, it will post certain important information on its website after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

14 Oct 2009

Financial advisers help wealthy Americans navigate Medicare

Wealthy Americans are increasingly seeking help on how to navigate the Medicare system from financial advisers.

14 Oct 2009

Aetna ends two Medicare advantage programs while a Medicare experiment grabs attention

A health insurer ends two Medicare Advantage programs in Connecticut, while providers nationwide examine a Medicare demonstration program in Texas.

14 Oct 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

"Yes, we are going to crack down on health insurance company abuses and extend health insurance coverage. But, just as important, we are going to give our citizens access to a 21st century health care system — one that is focused on preventing obesity and disease, and helping us to live healthy, active, productive lives" (Sen. Tom Harkin, 10/12).

14 Oct 2009

Core administrative costs in Medicaid plans decreases by 1.4% in 2008: SEER study

Core per member administrative costs in Medicaid plans decreased by 1.4% in 2008, compared with 8.2% in 2007. Adjusting for changes in product mix, administrative expenses grew by 1.4% in 2008 compared with 4.2% in 2007.

14 Oct 2009

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings to raise $550 million through private placement

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. today announced that it has commenced an offering through a private placement of $550 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2016 (the “Notes”). Talecris intends to use the proceeds from the offering to repay its First and Second Lien Term Loans, repay a portion of borrowings under its Revolving Credit Facility, and to pay related fees and expenses.

13 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 13, 2009

All eyes are watching for the outcome of today's Senate Finance Committee health bill vote. Will the measure pass? How will Sen. Olympia Snowe vote? And what about that insurance industry report?

13 Oct 2009

Good Samaritan Hospital tops HealthGrade ratings for stroke treatment and joint replacement

A study issued today by HealthGrades, Inc., the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, finds that Good Samaritan Hospital is among the Top 5% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke and Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement. The nation’s nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals were all included in the sweeping study, which examined mortality rates and complication rates from government data from 2006, 2007 and 2008.

13 Oct 2009

Premier healthcare alliance adds seven new suppliers in its supplier diversity program

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced that seven new hospital supplier agreements have been launched in its supplier diversity program aimed at increasing the number of small, diverse and regional enterprises doing business with members of the Premier alliance.

13 Oct 2009

Patient outcomes better in highly rated hospitals than others

The largest annual study of patient outcomes at each of the nation's 5,000 nonfederal hospitals found a wide gap in quality between the nation's best hospitals and all others. According to the study, issued today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm that has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined.

13 Oct 2009

Premier Purchasing Partners awards new agreements for blood bank analyzers

Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced new agreements for blood bank analyzers, reagents, consumables and service have been awarded to Biotest Diagnostics Corporation of Rockaway, N.J.; and Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. of Piscataway, N.J., contracting on behalf of Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. of Raritan, N.J.

13 Oct 2009

Kidney Care Partners commends CBC for supporting reforms to improve access to quality kidney care

Kidney Care Partners - an alliance of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers and manufacturers working together to improve quality of care for individuals with kidney disease and kidney failure - today applauded the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for supporting reforms that will improve patient access and choice in receiving quality kidney care.

13 Oct 2009

New OASIS-C products to meet extensive regulatory changes mandated by CMS

Briggs, a leading provider of solutions to improve clinical outcomes and reduce operating costs in the home care market, today announced new OASIS-C products to meet extensive regulatory changes mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

13 Oct 2009

President Obama to sign a healthcare reform package, according to members of Congress

At a healthcare forum hosted by Politics magazine, current and former members of Congress said they believed President Obama would sign some sort of a healthcare reform package, most likely later this year. "There would be too much political damage done if something doesn't pass, so Congress will find a way," said Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX).

13 Oct 2009

Webinar to discuss the issues surrounding disease management programs

At a time when healthcare is at the top of the national agenda, two issues have emerged as most critical to reform: reducing costs and improving care. Managing chronic illness and improving overall consumer health through personalized disease management and wellness programs are proven to be effective, but today, only those patients and health plan members who are most at risk get personalized attention.

13 Oct 2009

Health care reform should include transparency requirements for PBMs: Consumer groups

More than 30 groups representing consumer, labor and Medicare beneficiaries have joined a growing coalition urging Congress to support transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress.

13 Oct 2009

Fully insured members of AvMed Health to receive coverage for H1N1 flu administration fees

AvMed Health Plans announced that it will cover H1N1 flu administration fees for all of its fully insured members. Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles will not apply for administration of the H1N1 vaccine even if they have a benefit plan that does not include immunizations.

12 Oct 2009

Medicare News and Research

CAHI releases statement on Senate health care reform proposal

Patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52% lower chance of dying: Study

Mayo's decision to limit patients makes it a poor model, critics say

Conseco complies with Regulation FD, to post certain important information on its website

Financial advisers help wealthy Americans navigate Medicare

Aetna ends two Medicare advantage programs while a Medicare experiment grabs attention

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

Core administrative costs in Medicaid plans decreases by 1.4% in 2008: SEER study

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings to raise $550 million through private placement

First Edition: October 13, 2009

Good Samaritan Hospital tops HealthGrade ratings for stroke treatment and joint replacement

Premier healthcare alliance adds seven new suppliers in its supplier diversity program

Patient outcomes better in highly rated hospitals than others

Premier Purchasing Partners awards new agreements for blood bank analyzers

Kidney Care Partners commends CBC for supporting reforms to improve access to quality kidney care

New OASIS-C products to meet extensive regulatory changes mandated by CMS

President Obama to sign a healthcare reform package, according to members of Congress

Webinar to discuss the issues surrounding disease management programs

Health care reform should include transparency requirements for PBMs: Consumer groups

Fully insured members of AvMed Health to receive coverage for H1N1 flu administration fees

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