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First Edition: July 15, 2011

In today's news -- the debt-ceiling strategy appears to move toward a "plan B."

15 Jul 2011

Two new studies support use of PrEP for HIV prevention among heterosexual men and women

"Two new studies done in three African countries have shown for the first time that AIDS drugs taken daily can cut by more than half a person's chance of becoming infected with HIV through heterosexual intercourse," the Washington Post reports.

14 Jul 2011

Overhaul opponents find traction in Ohio

They say enough signatures have been gathered to bring a ballot question before the state's voters this fall to decide whether the state constitution should be amended so that Ohio residents are not required to buy insurance.

8 Jul 2011

Rite Aid reports net loss of $63.1 million for first quarter ended May 28, 2011

Rite Aid Corporation today reported financial results for the first quarter ended May 28, 2011.

23 Jun 2011

Budget talks continue; options to reduce entitlement program spending gain traction

A report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission bolstered some of the options to squeeze billions in savings from Medicare — options currently under consideration in the budget negotiations being led by Vice President Joe Biden. In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports the Medicaid is facing significant cuts in the emerging budget deal.

17 Jun 2011

Canadian privacy experts issue new report that dispels myths of de-identification

Canadian privacy experts have issued a new report today that strongly backs the practice of de-identification as a key element in the protection of personal information.

17 Jun 2011

AxoGen, LecTec sign merger agreement

LecTec Corporation announced today that on May 31, 2011 it entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Merger Agreement") with AxoGen Corporation, d/b/a AxoGen Inc., a privately held company focused on developing and commercializing medical products for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries.

3 Jun 2011

Dems win upset in NY special election; Medicare viewed as game-changing issue

Democrats claimed a victory Tuesday, winning a congressional seat in one of New York's most conservative districts. The win is considered by many as a blow to the GOP plan to overhaul Medicare. It's also likely to add to Republican intra-party strains surrounding the issue.

26 May 2011

Roundup: N.Y.C. hospitals face new cuts; Vt. health bill signing expected Thursday; difficulties for Conn. insurance chief

Vermont is moving one step closer to a goal of its Democratic governor: a state-run health plan that would insure most of its 625,000 residents. The bill Gov. Peter Shumlin plans to sign on Thursday would create a panel whose goal would be to figure out how to pay for a new system intended to reduce the rate of overall health-cost increases.

26 May 2011

First Edition: May 25, 2011

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz reports: "Most Americans oppose the House Republicans' plan to overhaul and slash funding of Medicaid, the state-federal program that covers 56 million low-income people, according to a poll being released today".

25 May 2011

Vermont Gov. to sign single-payer bill Thursday

Vermont is about to accomplish something the federal government couldn't. Once Gov. Peter Shumlin signs a bill on May 26, the state will be on track to having a single-payer health care system.

23 May 2011

State roundup: Daniels signs Ind. law to ban Planned Parenthood funding

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican considering a run for president, signed legislation Tuesday to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding in his state, a move widely seen as a bid to woo influential social conservatives. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and the American Civil Liberties Union went to court to try to block the measure from taking effect.

12 May 2011

First Edition: May 11, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Hilary Abramson writes: "Now comes the hard part. California, which has had a long, sometimes-tortured history of trying to overhaul its health care markets, beat every other state last year when it passed a law creating a health insurance exchange - an online marketplace where millions of uninsured residents will be able to get insurance".

11 May 2011

NxStage Medical first quarter revenue increases 25% to $50.6 million

NxStage Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2011 ended March 31, 2011, with total revenue above the top end of its guidance range.

4 May 2011

Dehaier Medical first quarter revenue increases 12% to $2.95 million

Dehaier Medical Systems Ltd., an emerging leader in the development, assembly, marketing and sale of medical devices and homecare medical products in China, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

4 May 2011

Northwestern Asthma-COPD Program with palliative medicine can enhance patient care

When faced with a long-term illness, patients often retreat or are left feeling hopeless, a response that can negatively impact one's prognosis and impair their quality of life. When coping measures are offered however, the opposite can hold true.

27 Apr 2011

iMD to expand Medical Diagnostics operations

As a result of its recent acquisition announced yesterday of Optimum Mobile Imaging LLC ("OMI"), iMD is actively seeking to dramatically expand its overall Medical Diagnostics operations. Currently operating mainly in the Phoenix area, iMD will expand OMI's services throughout the state.

22 Apr 2011

Opinions: Fight against malaria; small, medium businesses in developing countries; BP oil spill health implications

Despite progress over the past decade in the global fight against malaria, significant challenges remain, Awa Marie Coll-Seck, executive director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and former health minister of Senegal, writes in a Modern Ghana opinion piece ahead of World Malaria Day.

22 Apr 2011

Roundup: Idaho Gov.'s exchange/health law decision; Calif. exchange board meets; Iowa mental health plan

Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is no fan of the health care reform -- he was the first governor to sign legislation requiring his state to sue over President Obama's overhaul -- but said the bill state lawmakers passed in the 2011 session would have required Idaho to forego the creation of a state health insurance exchange.

22 Apr 2011

Health program spending at crux of partisan budget debate

As details emerged regarding the Obama deficit plan, news outlets explored the very different approaches favored by the White House versus the GOP to control Medicare and Medicaid spending.

15 Apr 2011