Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Oregon seeks federal approval of 'coordinated care plan,' approves exchange bill

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is looking for federal approval of a recently signed law there that provides care for Medicaid patients through new "coordinated care organizations." The Oregon Legislature also approved a health insurance exchange bill before it adjourned.

7 Mar 2012

Quality data has little impact on mortality rates

Research published in the latest issue of Health Affairs concluded that the performance data published on the Hospital Compare website did not result in fewer patient deaths.

7 Mar 2012

Medicaid: Maine cuts scrutinized, lawmakers ask Kansas Gov. to wait on 'ambitious' changes

Last month, he signed a budget that fills a $120 million shortfall in the current fiscal year partly with contentious cuts to Maine's Medicaid program, which is among the most generous in the country. And at his direction, lawmakers in coming weeks will begin debating $80 million more in Medicaid cuts for the next fiscal year.

7 Mar 2012

e-Health records don't always equal reduced costs

A study published in Health Affairs found that electronic health records don't necessary lead to reducing health care spending or fewer diagnostic tests.

7 Mar 2012

Parallels between federal health law and Massachusetts overhaul still a flashpoint for Romney

The Massachusetts health law signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney is a hot topic on the campaign trail leading up to Super Tuesday. Meanwhile, new polling results indicate President Barack Obama's support among women voters is on the rise.

7 Mar 2012

People with schizophrenia benefit from new evidence-based clinical program

People with schizophrenia report improved functioning after participating in a new, evidence-based clinical program, according to results announced today from a six-month pilot.

7 Mar 2012

Pharmspective releases first knowledge management application: ClearView

Pharmspective, LLC today announced the release of its first knowledge management application - ClearView - specifically developed to analyze provisions in the health care reform law and their impact on key pharma customer decision makers who influence product adoption.

7 Mar 2012

Consumers equate cost with quality of health care providers

When asked to choose a health care provider based only on cost, consumers choose the more expensive option, according to a new study funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that appears in the March issue of Health Affairs.

6 Mar 2012

Obama birth control rule draws calls for action in House of Representatives

CQ HealthBeat reports that at least one House lawmaker is pushing to move a bill that is considered the companion to the Blunt amendment, which would have expanded exemptions to the Obama administration rule and was defeated late last week by the full Senate.

6 Mar 2012

AMA details concerns about payment policy changes for Medicare Part C, D

Modern Healthcare details the positions taken by the American Medical Association in response to recent changes proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Also, in related news, a new panel sets to work on improving the physician payment system.

6 Mar 2012

GOP Medicaid plans trigger wariness among some Republican governors

The Hill reports that the budget plan to soon be unveiled by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is likely to take a similar approach to last year's block grant proposal and is drawing some concerns. Meanwhile, Politico Pro reports on how Medicaid waivers are helping states leverage money to pay for health reform.

6 Mar 2012

With 'Super Tuesday' on the horizon, GOP presidential candidates embroiled in health policy, social issues

Also in the news, a new Wall Street Journal poll finds that GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is experiencing a resurgence, just as President Barack Obama's approval rating hit its highest point since last May.

6 Mar 2012

Neuroimaging for stroke patients may be unnecessarily costly and redundant

Neuroimaging for stroke patients may be unnecessarily costly and redundant, contributing to rising costs nationwide for stroke care, according to University of Michigan research.

6 Mar 2012

Community Health Systems subsidiary merges with Diagnostic Clinic of Longview

Community Health Systems, Inc. announced today that a subsidiary of the Company has merged operations with Diagnostic Clinic of Longview, P.A., a large multi-specialty clinic serving residents of Longview, Texas, and surrounding East Texas communities.

6 Mar 2012

Health Robotics receives Premier contract for world-leading IV Robots

Health Robotics announced that it has been recently awarded by Premier Healthcare Alliance a 3-year sole-source contract for its world-leading IV Robots, following Premier's industry-wide market search in late 2011. Under this agreement, Premier will exclusively license Intravenous Medication Robots from Health Robotics.

6 Mar 2012

Cost estimates for health law's subsidies boosted by $111 billion

The new estimate, which represents an estimated 30 percent jump for an eight-year period, triggered calls during hearings last week by key House Republicans for the Obama administration to explain the number.

6 Mar 2012

Cross Country Healthcare fourth quarter revenue increases 10% to $124.7M

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. today reported revenue of $124.7 million in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, a 10% increase from revenue of $113.7 million in the prior year quarter and a 5% decrease sequentially from the third quarter of 2011.

6 Mar 2012

Stereotaxis fourth quarter net loss increases to $5.5M

Stereotaxis, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

6 Mar 2012

Omega announces pricing of $400M senior notes due 2024

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. announced today the pricing of its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5 7/8% senior notes due 2024.

6 Mar 2012

Contraceptive debate roils on in editorial pages

If the pill had never been invented, perhaps American politics would be very different today. ... Conflicts over gay marriage, transvaginal ultrasounds, Planned Parenthood funding and insurance coverage for birth control are not isolated events (Nancy L. Cohen, 3/4).

5 Mar 2012