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AARP, key retirees' lobby, to endorse Democrats' health bill

AARP, the influential retirees' lobby, is expected to endorse House Democrats' plan to overhaul the health system today, the Associated Press reports, citing unnamed officials. "Backing the 10-year, $1.2 trillion House bill is a tricky move for AARP.

5 Nov 2009

I-Flow reports financial results for the third quarter of 2009

I-FLOW CORPORATION announced today that total revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 increased 14% to $36.7 million compared to total revenue of $32.2 million for the third quarter of 2008.

5 Nov 2009

First-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by Continucare

Continucare Corporation today reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2010.

5 Nov 2009

Third-quarter financial results of Metropolitan Health Networks reported

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare services in Florida, today reported the company’s financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

5 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 5, 2009

Today's headlines center on the House health overhaul vote scheduled for Saturday -- what some are calling a potentially 'historic moment' for Democrats.

5 Nov 2009

Neurometrix reports financial results for the third quarter of 2009

NeuroMetrix, Inc., a health care company transforming patient care through neurotechnology, today announced its third quarter financial results.

5 Nov 2009

MFA: Fewer Medicare Advantage plans to be offered for 2010

A new report from Mark Farrah Associates (MFA), found 18% fewer Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will be offered for 2010 as the number of unique plans offered nationwide declined from 3,700 to 3,025.

5 Nov 2009

Surgical groups oppose Senate’s health care reform bill

Twenty surgical organizations, led by the American College of Surgeons, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate today stating they are prepared to oppose the Senate's health care reform bill because it will threaten patient access and harm quality.

5 Nov 2009

HHS Secretary kicks off the nation’s largest campaign to find and enroll uninsured children

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today called on states and communities to join with HHS to redouble efforts to find and enroll the 5 million children who are currently eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but are not yet covered. The Secretary issued this call to action as she opened the National Children’s Health Insurance Summit in Chicago, kicking off the nation’s largest campaign to find and enroll uninsured children in over a decade.

5 Nov 2009

Cook Medical and AOPA partner to offer AAA screenings at AOPA Aviation Summit

Cook Medical is partnering with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) at this year’s AOPA Aviation Summit in Tampa, Fla. from November 5-7 to provide free abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screenings to its attendees at high risk for AAA.

5 Nov 2009

House Republicans offer health overhaul plan

Their alternative health care bill "would reward states for reducing the number of uninsured, limit damages in medical malpractice lawsuits and allow small businesses to band together and buy insurance exempt from most state regulation," The New York Times reports.

4 Nov 2009

Small business group lobbies for reform while trade groups see cuts in business

Small business owners lobby Congress while trade associations and a seniors' group worry about what lawmaker's efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system could mean for them.

4 Nov 2009

Health bills don't go far enough in cutting costs, experts say

"Democrats in Congress are embracing the spirit of President Obama's call to slow the runaway rise of health-care costs but are shying away from some of the most aggressive techniques for achieving that," The Washington Post reports. "Instead of revolutionizing how care is delivered and paid for, experts say, the legislation being shaped takes a cautious approach to reining in costs."

4 Nov 2009

Conflicts of interest examined between doctors and medical industry, AARP and reform

Health care reform bills include provisions to examine the financial relationships between doctors and the medical industry while some are questioning the AARP's role in reform.

4 Nov 2009

Financial results for the third-quarter of 2009 announced by Almost Family

Almost Family, Inc., a leading regional provider of home health nursing services, announced today its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

4 Nov 2009

CMS releases WellCare Health Plans from the previously disclosed sanctions

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released the Company from the previously disclosed sanctions, except as noted below. The Company will resume marketing its Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans over the coming days.

4 Nov 2009

WellCare Health Plans announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. today reported results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. As determined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company reported net income of $28.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2009, compared with a net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2008.

4 Nov 2009

Medicare patients face problems accessing medical equipment and supplies in certain areas of Montana

In an email sent to Montana home equipment suppliers on October 30th, a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) official admitted there are "areas within Montana, a Medicare beneficiary may experience supplier access issues in obtaining certain" durable medical equipment and supplies.

4 Nov 2009

Health IT expert to serve as moderator at World Healthcare Innovation & Technology Keynote Panel

Health IT connectivity expert John Feikema has been slated to moderate a keynote panel at the 2009 Annual World Healthcare Innovation and Technology Congress being held November 8-10, 2009, in Washington, DC.

4 Nov 2009

Medical imaging cuts will cost lives

Medical imaging cuts contained in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will restrict life-saving imaging care to large hospitals, produce longer commutes and wait times to receive care, and cause life threatening delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses.

4 Nov 2009