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Verizon introduces new security capabilities for health care industry

As the health care industry moves from paper-based to electronic record-keeping, protecting confidential patient information becomes vastly more complex. To address this issue, Verizon is unveiling two new capabilities designed to help safeguard the growing exchange of electronic patient data between hospitals, clinics, physicians, insurers and patients.

14 Aug 2009

Cardiogenesis reports Q2 2009 financials

Cardiogenesis Corporation (Pink Sheets: CGCP), a leading developer of surgical products used in the treatment of patients suffering from severe angina, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

13 Aug 2009

Grassley: No end-of-life counseling provision in Senate finance plan

Congress Daily reports that the Senate Finance Committee will not include in its version of health overhaul legislation House-backed provisions aimed at helping people plan for end-of-life care.

13 Aug 2009

Seniors and Medicare at center of debate

President Obama is seeking to relieve concerns about possible Medicare changes and, at his New Hampshire town hall this week, highlighted issues affecting seniors.

13 Aug 2009

Medical imaging: The good, the bad and the ugly

In the political minefield of healthcare reform, medical imaging has emerged as a microcosm of this contentious debate. Congress has been charged with a high stakes, high wire balancing act: to create a bill preserving quality and access while trimming unethical and unnecessary spending. Medical imaging represents such a challenge, with its undeniable benefits tainted by inappropriate use.

13 Aug 2009

Kill Grandma? Debunking a health bill scare tactic

It's not, however, because people aren't saying it. The most notable spokeswoman for the cause is Elizabeth McCaughey, the former lieutenant governor of New York. McCaughey's last brush with major public prominence came during the debate over then-President Bill Clinton's health plan, when she wrote a highly controversial critique of the proposal published in The New Republic arguing the bill would have bound everyone inside the new system.

13 Aug 2009

Under pressure from Dems, insurers point fingers at doctors' charges

A new survey sponsored by the leading insurance industry group shows that its member companies received some huge bills – many times what Medicare pays for a given procedure – from doctors in many states last year. One example: a $72,000 dollar charge for a spinal fusion in New Jersey for which Medicare pays $1,628, the New York Times reports.

12 Aug 2009

Despite officials' efforts to clear air, fears about end-of-life care remain

Rumors and controversy continue to swirl around end-of-life issues and health care reform as President Barack Obama and others try to calm fears.

12 Aug 2009

Democrats champion change, Republicans charge confusion in message talking points

Democrats and Republicans are both honing their recess reform messages, hoping to win support for their respective positions and potentially, making opponents look bad, The Hill reports.

12 Aug 2009

Cambridge Heart reports Q2 financial for 2009

Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB-CAMH), today reported results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2009. The following financial and strategic items highlight the Company’s activity for the second quarter.

12 Aug 2009

Many seniors worry health reform could hurt instead of help

"Democrats have a senior citizen problem," Politico reports. "Frustrated older Americans are packing the town halls on health care. They are incredibly passionate about their Medicare benefits. Polls show senior citizens largely disapprove of health care reform ideas so far. And of course, they vote — in larger numbers than any other demographic."

12 Aug 2009

Fact checkers: Health care myths range from untrue to open questions

Business is good for fact-checkers. Various news organizations as well as FactCheck.org and PolitiFact.org, have weeded through the rhetoric on both sides of the health reform debate.

12 Aug 2009

Transcript: President Obama Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire

President Barack Obama continued his press for public support of health reform initiatives at what the White House called a "Health Insurance Reform Town Hall" meeting at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

12 Aug 2009

A historical look at health refom

Several news organizations offered historical looks at health reform and explainers on specific proposals.

12 Aug 2009

Providers, patients in States face budget squeeze

Local newspapers report on health care issues in Delaware, Lousiana and Hawaii. In Delaware, The News Journal reports on a Medicaid-related agreement regarding the state and prescription drug costs.

12 Aug 2009

Obama hopes to retake health debate with grass (and Net) roots activity

CQ Politics reports: "After enduring weeks of criticism over their efforts to retool the U.S. health system, President Obama invited all 60 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus to a White House lunch last week for a round of commiserating and chin-up encouragement ... Still, for all the rhetorical morale-boosting, some lawmakers are growing restive over the question of just what sort of big-picture health plan they’re fighting for.

11 Aug 2009

Obama pushes for health reform at New Hampshire Town Hall meeting

President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, early this afternoon to push for health care reform.

11 Aug 2009

Report: Some U.S. health care spending 'squandered'

CNN Money details a recent report from the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute that found $1.2 trillion, or more than half of the $2.2 trillion the United States spends on health care each year, is wasted: "What counts as waste?

11 Aug 2009

An analysis of key provisions in health care legislation released to-date

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) today released a side-by-side comparison of chronic care provisions contained within health reform legislation passed out of committee.

11 Aug 2009

AHIP study finds large cost variations in medical care

A survey by America's Health Insurance Plans released Tuesday online finds large price variations common in medical care, according to the New York Times.

11 Aug 2009